Leoness Cellars

A MUST DO! A FANTASTIC WINE TOUR! The French vineyards are beautiful. I got a Groupon for the tour. It was an off day with very few people which I enjoyed. The tour which was supposed to last 1 and ½ hours lasted 3 hours. I’m Not complaining at all. I didn’t even realize what time it was and neither did anyone else — the tour was that interesting. Then when I realized what time it was the Gilligan’s Island song starting playing in my head — a 3 hour tour. I couldn’t stop laughing on the inside. I wanted to ask where’s Maryanne and Ginger, but I didn’t. The tour guide was very knowledgable and explained all the detail processes and I learned a lot. And the samples with the wine pairings was fantastic. I bought 2 bottles of French wine to go. You got to check it out. I can’t promise that you’ll have a 3 hour tour though. LOL!

Bryce is the only reason why we decided to become wine club members at this winery. Came here for my birthday with the family and didn’t know what to expect upon arrival. Tasting room was crowded so we ventured outside to take pictures in the vineyard. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking and pretty. Perfect for wedding photos!
By the time we came back inside, we purchased our wine tasting at the counter and walked over to an empty bar area. We managed to squeeze ourselves into the corner area and studied the tasting menu. Each person is given 6 pourings and we had 3tickets. That gave us 18 different tastings so we decided to try every single wine on the menu. Bryce gave us very generous portions! He was kind enough to talk about each wine he poured and recommended which one we should buy based on what we liked. We enjoyed all the wines and at the end got the membership and a case of wine! We thought that the membership was worth it based on the bottles of wine you receive throughout the year and all the complimentary tastings on your future visits!
Too bad Bryce was too busy helping out with a wedding event when we went back last weekend. Plus the oak room was closed due to a private event. Members get to enjoy their tastings in a private room unless it’s reserved for a party. We will make sure to go back when there isn’t any events or weddings at the winery. Last weekend was way too busy and we didn’t enjoy ourselves at all. Too crowded and no where to even sit because they closed off most of the areas. If you love reds, this is the place to go!

We did a tour and this was the first winery stop, by far my FAVORITE! We loved the tour through the vines and the barrel room! We are here again with our family for my fathers birthday and can’t wait to show everyone the wonderful things they have to offer!

After just two months, I have cancelled my membership with Leoness Cellar.
Why would I still wanna be a Wine Club member with this winery? I felt so discriminated since the first incident in April and I believe I have been red flagged with this winery since then.
I’ve emailed the winery asking what kind of food/​appetizer is appropriate to bring to the winery? Crystal called me and left a message. I returned her call and she said, we don’t allow outside food. I informed her when I joined the winery I asked if bringing appetizers were ok and they/​wine club said, yes it’s ok, just don’t have a fest. Crystal also mentioned that if you have brought it we won’t deny you because you already put the effort to bringing it. I mentioned to Crystal that if what we brought wasn’t appropriate, why was the table beside us with a 7 course meal ok. Now that table had pasta ribs chicken pizza etc. I truly believe that having appetizer shouldn’t hurt any winery. We bring appetizers so that we can enjoy their wines and yes, the barrel room offers crackers with this amazing olive dip but Deb mentioned that since we close early we didn’t make enough. Other crackers were provided.
Again, I get this, I’m sorry but since the barrel room closes at 3pm we won’t be able to accommodate your guest at the tasting room. My reply to that was my family decided to go to Wilson Creek. Again, lack of communication to the club members. I’m pretty sure that they knew about this event a while ago and failed to mention to us.
That’s when Crystal asked me if I wanted to continue with my membership or cancel, I informed her to cancel my membership.
This winery needs staff with communication skills, customer services and respect to those who pay their fees to be a wine club member.

Loved loved every moment of our wine tour. We had 4 couples in our party and we were matched up with Jesse to be our tour guide. Jesse was amazing! So informative and had great sense of humor. We were escorted around the winery and dabbled into a few different types of wines, (tailoring choices of wines to what we told him we liked and didn’t like so much), educating us on the proper way to taste and enjoy each wine to get the best taste possible. He made the tour fun and enjoyable for us all. I think had he not been our guide our experience at wine tasting would have been a basic experience. We all agreed that it was fabulous time and we all look forward to coming back soon enough. Definitely request Jesse. You’ll thank me later :)

Multiple friends recommended Leoness for wine tasting so I decided to purchase the Tour & Tasting Groupon to celebrate my friends 25^th birthday. I was frustrated when making reservations because I never received a confirmation email and when I called back to request it, I didn’t receive a call back either and had to call myself for the 3^rd time the day before just to confirm that I actually had a reservation.
Despite this, the tour and tasting was such a great experience because of our guide Tara. She was so friendly and funny and made our first wine tasting experience memorable.
I planned on leaving a bad review because of the reservation issue but our tour with Tara was so great I had to rate it 5 stars. She mentioned that she was going to take her level one Sommelier test so I hope she passes!

Came here for my bday weekend. Such a great experience! The view itself is five stars but our wine pourer Jessica made the experience so much more amazing. She was very knowledgeable and generous. My favorite was the white merlot. I’m def looking forward to coming back.

Daniel was our tour guide. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. He taught the group so much more than any other winery about the wine making process, the grapes, the bottles, the cultivation, and answered every question — he is a true expert. The grounds are gorgeous and the patio and dinner areas were peaceful and beautiful. No better way to spend the afternoon.

The food here is amazing! We started off with their French fries and dipping sauces. Wow! We continued with lobster mac and cheese and flatbread. Both were exceptional! Crème brûlée for dessert was the end to a perfect meal. Service by Gigi, top notch! We love it here. Strolling through the vineyard is beautiful and relaxing. Live music on a Saturday afternoon, a bonus.

Ate a light dinner (and by that I mean large meat and cheese tray and amazing French fries). We also had the «red» flight on wines and shared as it’s just like having three glass of wine.
Honestly — I had heard great things about this place — and wasn’t sure if they were all just a little tipsy off the wine … But I will say that everything we heard — was right on. The fries … Are amazing. The dipping sauces … Fantastic. My favorite was the red spicy sauce. They even make their own ketchup.
The meat and cheese tray … Like no other I have had before and premium meats and cheeses.
We even had a moment to meet the owner — who was over the top fabulous.
Hats off to this place … Truly 5 stars. Thanks for a beautiful day of food and wine.

After living in Temecula for about 2 years
I’ve had my fair share of touring mostly all the wineries here in this beautiful town. Leoness is by far one of the best that I’ve visited and tasted so far. The elegant
setting and view of the vineyard is beyond what I’ve imagined. The staff there is amazing and literally go far and beyond expectations. A couple of friends of mine from my hometown came to visit and we ended up taking a lovely tour around the grape vines with Jesse.
He was very knowledgable and taught us what wines come from each vine. Jesses service to our group was awesome and defiantly the best in Temecula Valley.
My friends and I will defiantly be back for the Jesse and the Vino

Leoness has a special place in my heart. My husband and I were married here in 2015 and as we knew we wanted a winery wedding, we did various tastings at numerous wineries in Temecula and this one was by far the best. The views, the food, and the level of service plus the best wine in the valley.
We frequently return as we are members of the wine club and enjoy our tastings and the restaurants often. Robert is my favorite bartender to go to for tastings as he’s so friendly and clearly shows a passion for the wine. As for getting married here — you won’t find a more beautiful venue. However– I would highly suggest that you secure a day-​of wedding planner to help in all the coordination.

Katie is among the most exceptional people I’ve had the pleasure of having been a served by. I’ve eaten all over the world at several 4 and 5 star restaurants, and here in the hidden corner of Temecula wine county, is Katie. She is real, she is beautiful, and she cares about the people with whom she interacts with. She could work anywhere in the world she wants, but we are blessed to have her here.
The food is great, the view is spectacular, but Katie is Divine.

I was here for a wine tasting, then a friend’s wedding a few days later.
The location is breathtakingly beautiful, staff friendly, and they have some really excellent wines. Their cabernet franc was exceptional and very enjoyable.

Pretty location and was one of our final stops during our day trip here. Couple comments:
— Don’t bother trying to park in their little front parking lot. Go up a little further and traverse to their back parking lot that’s pretty big.
— Sad they don’t allow outside food even though they had some remote picnic tables; understandable I guess because they want people to eat at their restaurant.
— Cool live music
— Gets pretty packed in the afternoons.
— Most people are nice but it galled me when I stood next to a «VIP» couple who dominated the wine guy’s attention very ostentatiously («You know, we’re members and we come here ALL the time.») It was literally just me and them at that section of the counter and the wine guy couldn’t break away to pour me something. Eventually I moved on down the way to go to someone else. Sheesh.
— Cute jewelry for a reasonable price; bought a pair of earrings for $ 10.
I would say skip their whites and just do the reds. The special cabernet of which they only pour you 1 oz was pretty good although an elderly guy was doling out a cab on their library list (not available for tasting) and that was amazing. I’m sure it was $ 60+ for that bottle.
Nice stop but definitely not some place you can sit around and enjoy wines in the afternoon due to the crowd and also not being to snack on anything unless you buy it from their shop.

So in love with Vicki and all the staff at Leoness Cellars Winery. Every wine we tasted was better than the last. In fact, there was nothing we didn’t like (which I can’t say for the wines we tasted at our previous stop nor our next stop).
The darling gift area was full of precious jewelry, rustic gofts, wedding trinkets, and wine garb.
The restaurant wasn’t open though the space looked charming… but no problems… we brought our own picnic and enjoyed the views.
Not only did we walk away with 5 incredible bottles, including 3 limited editions, we became members. Puck up party, here we come.
Thank you Leoness Cellars for doung everything right!

My wife joined their wine club last year, and we have had some very, very good wines at mostly reasonable prices because of it.
We picked up our Cellar Selection in person this month, which is all reds, fine for me, as I hardly drink whites. We got the 2012 Mélange de Reves, which is nice, and well balanced. The 2013 Cinsaut is already out of regular circulation and is now a library wine and the 2013 Mourvedre is quite tasty as well.
We decided to pick up some whites as well, using the Passport 35% off coupon for a four pack. We got the 2014 Mélange de Blanc, according to propaganda «A blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, this crisp and well-​balanced wine offers beautiful aromas and flavors of white peach and apricot with hints of pear, grapefruit and tea leaves». I didn’t get the tea leaves myself. Tasty, dry and excellent with fish or chicken, imo. $ 14.95 after discount. I tend to get all giddy when a good wine is available at the sub $ 17.50 mark, so am happy, happy! We got two bottles.
We also picked up a 2104 Dry Muscat. Great nose, lighter flavor, would be excellent with baked brie. $ 12.35, oh happy day!
Last but not least, we got a blush, 2014 White Merlot. Picnic wine by definition, it is the dread White Zinfandel’s more mature, gone to college and come back for it’s first job cousin! That job will be on a picnic with some smoked turkey and swiss cheese on baguette! $ 13.65.
Erin was our host, and she did a great job of giving feedback and offering little factoids about each vintage. What I like best about Leoness is this, from their website:
«…All the grapes used in the Leoness Cellars’ winemaking program are grown by us, Stage Ranch and Leoness Cellars, giving us complete control over the quality & exact specifications of our crops.
Together Mike and Gary (the owners) have over 80 years of farming experience in the Temecula Valley. Their operations have grown immensely and today they farm more than 500 acres of wine grape vineyards and 300 acres of citrus and avocado in the Temecula Valley. The vineyards they farm produce many of Temecula’s most respected and award-​winning wines. «
Many operations throughout California feature grapes grown in Lodi, so it is really pleasant to drink wine that has local regional terroir. This alone for us, makes Leoness worth the pleasant drive up to Temecula during a weekday and compels us against our wills, rough though it is, to do a tasting when we get to the property.
Check it out!

Now that we’ve been to many wineries, both in Temecula, Southern California, and throughout Texas, I felt it was time to update this review.
The views here are still spectacular, and this place looks like it’s a little slice of heaven on earth. We’ve been back a few times now, and each time everyone is always genuinely concerned about ensuring we have the best dining experience possible.
But, as I said before this restaurant is definitely pricey, and that hasn’t changed. Even for two people, you’re going to be hard pressed to get out of here without spending at least $ 100. However, all things considered, it’s worth it. I still stand by that conclusion.
All in all, when you’re in town, hit this place up. You won’t be disappointed.

One of my favorite wineries in Temecula… although now I go as a regular person and not as a club member. Knowing someone that is a club member is cool since you get the member tasting room off the main tasting room.
We received a bunch of complimentary wine tasting for 2 from my BF’s work place and since we’re a member at Miramonte we like to stop by Leoness first. Here’s the non-​member experience, you pay first at the back counter and then do your wine tasting. There’s no room to sit inside (on hot days) and a decent amount of chairs and table outside with a live band. I think they should remove all the sales crap inside and have more indoor seating since it’s harder to wine taste sitting outside. I felt it’s too clutter inside and especially when you’re drinking wine you can easily bump into the glassware or breakable items that they display.
The bartenders are cool, we love the Asian girl bartender! She was attentive and was more generous than the other stingy ones. It gets too busy in the non-​member room, they need more lounging area! Other than that the wines are still very delicious and high quality.

The grounds at Leoness are gorgeous!
Our visit started with a vineyard tour from a charming young lady who walked us through the rows of grape vines and encouraged us to look for and taste any grapes that hadn’t been picked yet. We did find a few, and they were great.
The tasting room was very low key and laid back — a lot mellower than some of the other raucous tasting rooms we experienced.
Leoness pre-​selected six wines for tasting — a 2014 Mélange de Blanc, 2012 Mélange de Reves, 2012 Cabernet Franc Merlot, 2012 Meritage, a 2014 White Merlot, and a very potent (18.2% alcohol) 2007 Cinsaut Dessert Wine served with a yummy piece of chocolate. My favorites were the Mélange de Blanc, White Merlot, and that sweet and powerful dessert wine.
We enjoyed our visit very much.