Avensole Winery To Close In Temecula Valley Wine Country

TEMECULA, CA—Avensole Winery and Tasting Room in Temecula Valley Wine Country announced its pending closure on social media Monday, leaving wine club members and restaurant fans wondering about the venue's future.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Avensole Winery. After many wonderful years of serving our guests and the Temecula Valley community, we will cease operations. We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey — from our dedicated team to the amazing guests who created lifelong memories with us,” the message read.

The tasting room and restaurant are scheduled for closure, with over 70 employees waiting to see what is next for the property. Meanwhile, Patch was told that the Wedgewood Weddings site will remain open. Bridal parties who have scheduled events for the venue with Wedgewood Weddings will not see their dates interrupted. "It's just the restaurant and winery that is closing," a spokesperson for Wedgewood Weddings said.

Fans and Friends of the winery immediately began leaving messages on their Facebook page.

“Happy anniversary to us," Joe Diesel wrote over Facebook. “(My wife) and I had our first date here 6 years ago and got engaged here 4 years ago.”

Others mentioned the loss of the restaurant and the wine club while looking forward to what is next for the winery. According to employees, the wine club will email members to alert them of the closure.

Avensole - A Family Story

The Lytton family purchased Avensole Winery and Tasting Room, which transitioned it from its original owner, the Van Roekel Winery, along with the Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association.

According to Visit Temecula Valley, Avensole was a labor of love in tribute to Bill and Sylvia Lytton. The Lytton family owned it, including their daughter Maribeth and son Sheldon Lytton, who passed away in 2019.

Avensole opened its doors in 2016 and has become an area favorite for many with its outdoor dining, beautiful vistas, and tasting room. According to the listing, the winery and tasting room of the historic property were placed upfor sale for $14.9 million, and has been under contract since July 25.

Local Temecula winery owner Robert Renzoni, along with his partner Dominic Galleano, are awaiting the closing of the property which has stalled in recent weeks on the Avensole side, he said.

Renzoni, owner of the famed Robert Renzoni Winery, has a history of bringing fine wine and delicious food to the valley.

"We look forward to revitalizing the experiences once enjoyed at Avensole," he told Patch. "And together with my partner Dominic Galleano of the historic Galleano Winery, we plan to rekindle the wonderful experience this property once offered."

Though Patch initially reported that we spoke with Robert Renzoni himself, an employee at the Robert Renzoni Winery who did not know the full situation initially said they declined to comment. We later had the opportunity to speak with Renzoni about the current situation and his plans.