Bella Popa’s Venue Guide · De Portola Wine Trail, Temecula

Leoness Cellars

Estate wines and a hilltop restaurant on the De Portola Wine Trail.

Leoness Cellars is a hilltop winery on Temecula's De Portola Wine Trail. It offers wine tastings, vineyard tours, terrace seating and a restaurant, all built around wines from grapes it grows itself.

Bella’s Upcoming Shows

An independent guide written by Bella Popa, who has performed here. It isn’t Leoness Cellars’s official page and isn’t endorsed by them. For the latest details, check leonesscellars.com.

The Winery's Story

Grown, Not Bought

Leoness grew out of the farming partnership of Gary Winder, who began farming in Southern California in 1972, and Mike Rennie, who joined him in the late 1980s. The winery was founded in 2003 and uses only grapes it grows itself. Tim Kramer is the winemaker.

According to the winery, it was the first in Temecula to earn four consecutive 90-point scores, in 2008, and readers of USA Today's 10Best named it Best Winery Restaurant in 2025.

Source: Leoness Cellars, Our Story

2003Leoness Cellars is founded.
2006The hilltop tasting room opens on the De Portola Wine Trail.
2012The Restaurant at Leoness opens.

Dining

The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars

The restaurant serves starters, salads, hand-cut fries, entrées and sides, Friday through Sunday. Reservations are required. A few dishes from the current menu:

Bluefin Tuna Tartare

With fried capers, quail egg and black garlic mayonnaise.

$24

House-Made Hummus

Whipped hummus with pomegranate and Meyer lemon olive oil. Vegan.

$19

Shrimp Scampi Linguine

With pancetta, garlic, white wine, lemon and capers.

$38

Creekstone New York Steak

A 12 oz. block cut with goat cheese potato pavé and peppercorn bordelaise.

$49

Prices from the official menu (last updated July 27, 2026), checked October 10, 2026. Menus change; see the official site.

Wine Tasting

Tastings & Tours

Tastings run daily during tasting room hours. Guests must be 21 with valid ID, and groups of 6–20 need an advance reservation.

Daily

Standard Wine Tasting

A guided tasting of current releases.

Seated

Artisan Cheese & Wine Pairing

Seven artisan cheeses paired with Leoness wines in a private tasting room.

Select groups

Hosted Wine Tasting

A more interactive tasting led by a dedicated host.

Advance reservation

Private Wine Tasting

A personalized tasting for celebrations or groups.

The official tastings page doesn't list prices or the number of wines. Checked October 10, 2026.

What Makes a Visit Special

Terraces, Music & Brunch

Terrace Seating

Reserve seats on the Members Terrace, Vineyard Terrace, Oak Tree or Vineyard Deck.

Live Music

Musicians play on a posted schedule.

Vineyard Tours

Choose a Wine Education Tour or a Vineyard Tour and Taste.

Sunday Brunch

Brunch is served on Sundays.

From Leoness Cellars’s official website, checked October 10, 2026.

Plan Your Visit

Good to Know Before You Go

Location & Contact

Leoness Cellars
38311 De Portola Rd
Temecula, CA 92592

(951) 302-7601

Free parking on site, with rideshare drop-off at the main entrance.

Hours

Tasting room (official)
Mon–Thu	11:30 AM–5 PM
Friday	11:30 AM–6 PM
Saturday	11 AM–6 PM
Sunday	11 AM–5 PM

Restaurant (official)
Fri & Sat	11:30 AM–7 PM (last seating 5 PM)
Sunday	11:30 AM–5:30 PM (last seating 3:30 PM)

Last call in the tasting room is one hour before closing.

Policies

Wine tastings are 21+ with valid ID.
Leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome outdoors and in the tasting room, but not in indoor dining areas or the Barrel Room. Service animals are welcome wherever guests are allowed.
Groups of 6–20 need an advance reservation; larger groups should contact the winery.
Read the winery's accessibility statement or contact Guest Services for specific needs.

Information from Visit page, Wine tastings, Pet policy, checked October 10, 2026.

Live at Leoness Cellars

Bella’s Upcoming Shows

No upcoming public dates are posted here yet. See the full calendar or follow @bellapopamusic.

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Information checked on October 10, 2026. Menus, prices, hours and policies can change, and Leoness Cellars’s official website is always the final word. This guide is written by Bella Popa and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by the venue.

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