Discover Temecula Valley Wine Via The De Portola Wine Trail

De Portola Wine Trail: Wine lovers who have wanted to explore the wines of the picturesque De Portola Wine Trail, have an opportunity to get a one-of-kind nosh and wine tasting experience on November 3 during the De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Fest.

A limited amount of tickets are sold to this personalized food and wine experience that features 10 wineries, offering three carefully chosen wines. Each winery expertly pairs their wines with cuisine to enhance the robust flavors of this region. All tastings include either a barrel or tank sample, and guests often have a chance to talk with the winemakers and winery owners.

This is the slow-paced side of Temecula Valley – Southern California Wine Country. Indulge in an atmosphere of panoramic estate views of vineyards, thoroughbred farms, and rolling hills. A passion for the grape shines in each of the 10 Harvest Fest wineries. Here, winery owners tell the stories of their wine-making ancestors, others tell the tales of their passion to have their own winery and vineyards in the Temecula Valley.

Architecture in this valley varies from old-world Italy, to Persian, to European estate, and good old-fashioned ranch. Oak Mountain Winery boasts the area’s only subterranean mined wine cave – large enough for events and perfect wine storage.
As for the boutique wines - finely crafted red varietals along the trail include: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel. White wines of the region include Arneis, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and Vermentino.

Participating wineries include Somerset Vineyard & Winery, Fazeli Cellars, Robert Renzoni Vineyards, Gershon Bachus Vintners, Oak Mountain Winery (the Cave Winery), Leoness Cellars, Danza Del Sol, Frangipani Winery, Cougar Winery, and Masia De La Vinya.
Discover a new favorite while drinking the expansive vistas and making new friends. Check out the offerings at each winery below:

Cougar Winery: Cougar's famous Spicy Arrabbiata red sauced Meatball served with a garlic rubbed crostini and Parmesan. The wine in the Arrabbiata sauce is the 2017 Barbera. Featured wines: 2019 Estate Falanghina (Tank taste), 2017 Circolo di Amici (blend of Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay) and 2017 Barbera.
Danza Del Sol Winery: Strawberry, blue cheese, filet mignon bruschetta with a pipette of vanilla bean balsamic drizzle paired with Danza Del Sol 2015 Meritage; Butternut squash soup shot topped with pomegranate seeds, thyme and a ginger cream paired with Danza Del Sol 2017 Pinot Grigio; barrel sample 2017 Tempranillo.
Fazeli Cellars: Sliced chicken terrain gyro over lavash bread and panar, topped with shirazi salad and lemon juice aioli; paired with 2015 Boland Rooz, 2014 Mehregan and barrel pour of 2015 Shiraz.
Frangipani Winery: Chicken Cacciatore - chicken breast simmered in red wine sauce with peppers and onions, paired with 2019 Nouveau Grenache; additional wines 2016 Sangiovese and barrel sample 2017 Cabernet Franc.
Gershon Bachus Vintners: Air-Fried turkey dogs served on a bun with a side of potato salad with an assortment of condiments paired with 2014 Hesperus Estate Grenache; also tasting 2013 Zephyrus Estate Zinfandel and 2010 Fides Dessert Wine.
Leoness Cellars: Zinfandel Braised Chicken “Coq au Vin” with smoked bacon and mushrooms; served atop creamy Parmesan risotto, paired with 2015 CS Meritage, also pouring 2016 CS Syrah, and 2017 VS Hui Vineyard Zinfandel.
Oak Mountain Winery: Chef Kevin Grant from the Cave Café’ will prepare Eggplant Osso Buco Creamy polenta, herb gremolata, paired by winemaker Steve Andrews with 2015 Syrah, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Tank Sample - Strawberry Sparkling.
Masia De La Vinya: Brussels sprout slider with Brie cheese, fig caramelized onions and crisp bacon, paired with Masia De La Vinya Magrana (sparkling pomegranate wine); lamb albondigas in a tomatillo sauce with a plantain chip, paired with Masia De La Vinaya 2015 Syrah; barrel sample – 2017 Syrah.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards: R & R Cavatappi - This dish is a pasta version our Mama Rosa’s Trattoria R & R Pizza, Cavatappi pasta smothered in a rich truffle cream sauce, with parmesan artichoke sausage from local butcher The Naughty Pig, portabella mushrooms, fresh grated herbs, topped with crumbled asiago, paired with 2017 Chardonnay, 2016 Tempranillo, and Barrel Sample - Vecchio Frate (Lagrein).
Cost is $69.99 per person until October 15th and $79.99 after. There is also a designated driver ticket for $29 which includes all of cuisine. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.deportolawinetrail.com/festivals-and-events
Grapeline Wine Tours offer deluxe all-day transportation during the event, visiting between eight to nine of the wineries and will depart from area hotels. Cost is $149 per person before October 15 and includes the Harvest Fest tasting package. See: https://gogrape.com/temecula/harvest-celebration-tour/