The wood-sided, barn-like winery of Stuart Cellars is home to a hands-on, family-owned and operated winery making over a dozen varietal wines including estate-grown Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.

Located on a ridge on the south side of the Temecula Valley, Stuart Cellars’ tasting room is decorated Mediterranean-style with tile floors, broad archways, and two long tasting counters with hand-tooled oak panels depicting grape vines.

All of the premium wines at Stuart Cellars have been aged for a minimum of 14 months in French Oak. When making white wines, the winemaker allows the wines to go through malolactic fermentation, which creates their soft, butter-like flavors.

In addition to their estate-grown wines, Stuart Cellars produces Viognier, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Muscat, White Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Sangiovese. They also offer some blends, as well as a port and a white port.

Their pleasant picnic area is on a grassy lawn overlooking the valley. Check out their annual “Harvest Clambake” for something you won’t find just anywhere.