Leoness Cellars

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-wineries-restaurants-wine-bar-food-temecula-valley

The Best Food and Drinks in Temecula Valley, California | Eater San Diego

"With a more than 50-year farming history that includes cultivating its own vineyards as well as acres of avocado and citrus, Leoness is also an active participant in what lies ahead for the valley, helping to shepherd new wineries and consult on land management. The team, including co-founder Mike Rennie, general manager Rebaux Steyn, and winemaker Tim Kramer, oversees an excellent wine program that includes its single-variety, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. One of the Inland Empire’s more elegant dining destinations, the Restaurant at Leoness Cellars is open Friday Through Sunday, serving a farm-to-table menu that ranges from duck liver mousse and seasonal salads to grilled local yellowtail." - Candice Woo

https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/temecula-valley-wineries-visit

@foodandwine

These Are the Best Temecula Valley Wineries to Visit

"With its brick tower, Leoness is a familiar sight along the DePortola Wine Trail, which begins not far from Old Town Temecula." - Richard Nalley

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-san-diego-wineries-wine-tasting

The Best San Diego-Area Wineries to Visit | Eater San Diego

"Founded in 2002 by Gary Winder and Mike Rennie, Leoness produces a viognier, syrah, cabernet franc, merlot, white merlot, muscat cenelli, and cinsault port, among other wines. There are several tours available, including an artisan wine and cheese pairing and vineyard tour and tasting, both available seven days a week." - darlene-horn

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-winery-restaurant-2024/

A Temecula wine‑country benchmark marrying classic technique with California produce. Ranked top five winery restaurants in the U.S. by USA Today 10Best; the cellar’s wines also earned recent 90+ scores from Wine Enthusiast.

Best Restaurants in Temecula (2025)

https://www.visittemeculavalley.com/listing/the-restaurant-at-leoness-cellars/933/

Temecula’s marquee winery restaurant pairs scratch cooking with Rolling Hills Vineyard views. Frequently cited by travel editors and named among USA Today’s best winery restaurants, it anchors weekend wine-country dining without losing its independently owned roots.

Things to Do in Temecula (2025)

Lyfted

Google

This place is AMAZING! The atmosphere, the customer service, the AMAZING chefs! I mean I can go on and on. I took my wife for our 10 year anniversary and wow they did not disappoint! Nicole was our waitress and she is just the best! So kind, professional and she recommended the wine, the truffle fries, the shrimp scampi linguine and the seared chicken and wow!!! All 4 recommendations were AMAZING!!! The food was INCREDIBLE and Nicole was the highlight of our night! We are taking my Mother for her birthday coming up! This place is hands down 5 STARS!!!!

Rey Mendoza

Google

My wife and I bought a case of White Merlot few weeks ago and they’re almost gone, family and friends enjoyed it so much they wanted more! Visited again yesterday with friends from Nevada. They had a great time. They enjoyed the tastings, the food, the property, the picturesque views, and the friendliness of the staff. Great job Leoness!

David J Bohnet

Google

When arriving to Leoness use the second entrance that leads to a dirt lot, unless of course you are a platinum member, in which case I’m wondering why you’re reading this review.. Tasting room was lovely. Lots of gifts for wine lovers, wedding gifts, and seasonal holiday fare, in this case Valentines gifts! Vicki was very nice and even suggested a fantastic wine for my wife for her birthday. January was a little dry out on the vines but the patio was very nice and there is music on the weekends. Also the patio is dog friendly! Lots of leashed pups enjoying the sunshine.

Connie Moreno

Google

Wow. Just wow. The atmosphere at this winery is truly beyond compare. The views are spectacular. The wines and variety of wines are not only extensive but exceptionally satisfying regardless of your preferences. The food is great, too! I had the burger which floored me because of the exceptional combination of flavors which complement each other exponentially. Definitely a place I intend to revisit!

Sarah Godlove

Google

Leoness is located on the DePortola wine trail and offers fabulous views, excellent food and good wine. However, let's get this out of the way first: parking here is a pain. Note: unless you're a Platinum Member, don't make the rookie mistake of pulling into the main entrance lot - it's only for Platinum (unless you're willing to pay $40 as non-Platinum or need to because of handicap access) and you'll be directed up the road to the dirt lot where you'll wish you hadn't worn nice shoes or white pants! It's dusty, full of gravel with no spaces indicated, and terrible to park and walk through to get to the winery or the restaurant! It's hard to believe that a winery of this caliber has a dirt parking lot! All that said, the tasting room itself is beautiful, wines are good (esp liked the 2020 Cinsault), and I enjoy their gift shop area. The restaurant is only open on weekends but there is a nice terrace menu from which you can order and enjoy on the patio/terrace area. The food is delicious - highly recommend the incredible fries which are made with duck fat and the DePortola Power Salad is excellent also. The Members Terrace is open to non-members Mon-Thurs., but only members on weekends. They recommend reservations and when we were members awhile back, it was annoying that they required everyone in your party to be there before they would seat you on the members terrace. So once you get past the parking, Leoness is a great winery and definitely worth the visit.

Taylor C

Google

Amazing restaurant experience! I went with 3 of my girl friends and we all loved it. We split a bottle of their house cab sav, and it was pretty great. We shared the mushroom risotto (5 stars!!), charcuterie, grilled octopus, salad, cre'me Brulee, and more. The price was also pretty reasonable (about $55 pp). The ambiance is modern and clean. I definitely would eat here again.

Kendra Kristine

Google

On a girls' trip, after horseback riding, myself and three girlfriends came here. This was the perfect experience. The views were great, the weather was perfect, the wine was delicious, and the food was absolute perfection. I got the Ceasar and added steak, we all split the charcuterie board, creme brule, and chocolate cake.

Noelle Denke

Google

It was fantastic. It always is. Mayra, our server, was so relaxed and just easy. We are always excited when she is serving us. The wine is top-notch. We have been members for about 15 years and aren’t going anywhere. The hummus was so good - and different. It wasn’t drenched in olive oil, which was refreshing. It was flavorful and delicious.

Angel T.

Yelp

Jordan T is an amazing host. She made our early Mother's Day celebration a day to remember. Her wine suggestion were great. Leoness still has our favorite red wines in Temecula. The French fries are a must try.

William F.

Yelp

Great food, food friendly wines, great outdoor members patio. What's not to like on a sunny Spring day! Our server, Michael Nguyen was very busy managing a fleet of tables while opening bottles of wine for tasting and glass pours. Despite his many other duties, he provided excellent service to our table. I highly recommend Leoness Cellars to anyone looking for an excellent lunch experience. And by the way, order the duck fat fries and signature hamburger. Both will keep you coming back for more.

Rosabell M.

Yelp

My dining experience at the restaurant inside Leoness Cellars winery was nothing short of exceptional. The restaurant itself was clean and tidy, creating a welcoming atmosphere from the moment I walked in. The service was top-notch, with attentive staff who went above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience. However, it was the food that truly stole the show. Each dish was expertly crafted and bursting with flavor, showcasing the culinary mastery of the chefs. From the appetizers to the main courses, every bite was a delight. Pairing these exquisite dishes with the winery's fine wines only enhanced the dining experience further. Overall, my visit to the restaurant at Leoness Cellars was a fantastic experience, and I can't wait to return. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply looking for an unforgettable dining experience, this restaurant is sure to impress. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking exceptional food and service in a beautiful setting.

Michelle G.

Yelp

I recently visited Leoness Cellars on June 15th with expectations, but unfortunately, my experience was quite disappointing. To start, I ordered a Caesar salad, which came with wilted lettuce and stale, cold chicken. My husband ordered the new steak, requesting it medium well, but it arrived well-done. To make matters worse, he found a hair in his food. When we brought this to the attention of the staff, they merely removed the potatoes with the hair instead of remaking the dish. The steak was cold, adding to the overall dissatisfaction. Despite these issues, neither the management nor our waiter, Austin, came to apologize for the incident. The services was incredibly slow, even though there were only three other tables with guests. It took 15 minutes just to bring out the menus after we were seated. Overall, the quality of both the food and the service was far below what I expected from a place like Leoness Cellars. I'm not sure how this restaurant is rated number 1 on visittemeculavalley.com. I hope they take this feedback seriously and make necessary improvements. Until then, I would advise others to stay away.

Alyssa H.

Yelp

Do yourself a favor and go anywhere else. Truly horrible service and terrible management. My friends and I made a reservation at Leoness Cellars for a Saturday afternoon. All reservations have a 2 hour time limit. We arrived 5 minutes early, the staff took 30 minutes to seat us, and we were moved tables three times. People in my group are vegetarian. We asked the waitress if the fries were vegetarian, she said yes, and after the fries were delivered to our table, we were told they're not vegetarian. We bought 9 wine tastings, 5 shareable fries, and 3 boards - so our bill was pretty substantial. The manager had the day off so we interfaced with the acting manager. She was unhelpful and completely lacked empathy. I will never come back here and do not recommend this place to anyone.

Namana R.

Yelp

My group of friends had a disappointing experience at your establishment on a Saturday afternoon. Despite having made outdoor reservations well in advance, our party of 8 was seated indoors in a windowless business room while another group occupied our original outdoor table. When asked for a change of scenery, we were moved around before finally being seated outdoors, albeit for only around 30 minutes. The waiter provided incorrect information about vegetarian options and served the wrong items. Attempts to address these issues with the manager were dismissed, and we were not compensated. To top it off, we were overcharged for 9 tastings, rather than 8. Regrettably, we will not be returning and suggest Akash Winery as an alternative!

Somi J.

Yelp

We were here on a Sunday. This place has their own restaurant. It was fairly busy for wine tasting room and the restaurants. We had to park farther away, which they do have a second lot if the main lot is full. I would have to say their wine was alright. The person that was helping us with the wine tasting didn't seem to know what he was doing. We really wanted to try their corn bread, but you had to sit at the restaurant for that. You couldn't get it ordered and eat it at their outdoor area. However, they did offer fries and charcuterie board for that area. It's dog friendly and it was mostly shaded. They had live music and had multiple places for wine tasting. View here was all of their vines which was very pretty than the other places we've been to. Overall, it was alright. Good place to try,

Elisa G.

Yelp

What a beautiful setting for afternoon wine and chill. It's off the main road and the property is simply gorgeous!! We are enjoying our wine flight!! The presentation is A+ and the house Sauv Blanc is smooth! The muscat cannelloni is sweet and smooth. Everything in between is exciting my palate! Yum!!i

Vincent C.

Yelp

I wasn't planning on coming to this winery, but I decided to stop by because I've always heard good things about it. So we get there and I take a couple of pictures of the winery because it's really nice. We went inside to do a tasting, which was about $30 for six drinks. The lady who helped us was nice but wasn't very talkative, which I appreciate because it gave my gf and I time to talk to each other. We ate at the restaurant without any reservations. I just wanted something quick because we were going to another winery. We ordered the bacon parm fries and the crème brûlée. Both were very tasty, and I know I'll be back for more.

Clythie C.

Yelp

The vibes here are immaculate. This huge winery is gorgeous, with amazing views, live music and you might even catch a wedding in progress. Food and wine are both delicious and everyone is very friendly. There are a ton of steps but there's seating on every level so you don't have to go too far to find a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the day.

Marina A.

Yelp

Third time in this beautiful winery and once again enjoyed everything about this place. Great wines, great food, great service and absolutely amazing outside patio with awesome views. A must visit if you are Temecula.

Heather N.

Yelp

We visited Leoness Cellars last month on a weekend getaway and had a fabulous time! We were with a small group that included two members of Leoness, and we were fortunate enough to join them on their annual Wine Tasting tour. We received an awesome tour of the whole property, with wine stops along the way. At the end, we popped into the Wine Library for a Cheese and Wine pairing menu. We really enjoyed all of the wines we were offered, and our tour guide was top notch! So friendly and helpful. The grounds were beautiful, even in the winter, and everyone had a fantastic time. We will definitely stop back when we are in town again!

Erica A.

Yelp

We had an amazing time celebrating our friend's birthday at Leoness! Greg was awesome as our server. He was patient with our large group and gave us wine recommendations based on each of our wine preferences. It was so nice being back at Leoness after years since last visiting, that I signed up for the wine club again. The grounds only got more beautiful over the years. Can't wait to come back!

Linda Y.

Yelp

This winery is oh-so chic and contemporary ! We start at the restaurant then make our way to the lounge area for our wine. The wines never disappoint. I really enjoy the outdoor area, very spacious. The menu changes. I was extremely delighted when they had the prawns with grits - it was a generous portion. My friends enjoy the truffle fries (check the fine print as they are made with duck lard). The tuna tartare was our favorite. I wasn't too trilled with my last entree - a pinch-sized "salad" with four shrimp (see photo). White sangria was okay, I've had better.

Mster M.

Yelp

I came here in the middle of the week. I didn't know it recently remodeled . The place is inviting. Great views . Service was good. The burger was so tasty . Perfect blend with a sweet taste to it. Viognier was good No sparkling wine , they were out.

Nicole E.

Yelp

Leoness has beautiful grounds and quite a large winery in general. It definitely can cater to the masses. Reservations are not required which was nice for a Saturday. We sat outside and had a beautiful view of the sunset. They also had live music which was a nice addition. The only ding they didn't have wine flights available it is limited availability and on the member terrace only. It would have been nice to get a dabble of their tastings before ordering a bottle. Oh well. Overall, a beautiful spot with views but does seem a bit more commercialized compared to the small winery charm.

Marcella N.

Yelp

Review for the restaurant! Amazing food and artfully presented. Loved the shrimp scampi linguine. Perfectly cooked and just rich enough. Paired well with the sweet, white Merlot. My husband had the steak, with the cognac sauce. Service was excellent. Loved the decor, and the weather was nice too.

Alyssa D.

Yelp

Food was amazing! The server was so attentive and helpful too! Highlights for food: - halibut was so fresh and sauce was lemony and creamy!!! - gorgonzola fries were fried in duck fat and they were soooo good, especially to share! A must try, it also comes with a bunch of sauces to try! - the lamb was cooked perfectly Only complaint is that i wish there was more on the plate cause it was so good! Will be coming back!

Sharon B.

Yelp

One of my favorite restaurants in Temecula. The food and sangrias were delicious. We went on a Friday night. The manger went from table to table to make sure everyone was happy. It was a little slow that evening in the restaurant. I've been there many times before and it's usually packed.

Veronica G.

Yelp

Love leoness, my husband and I have been coming here for years & are members. We make reservations to the restaurant and the members terrace monthly and are never disappointed with the service, food and ambiance. The people who work here take great pride in their winery. Sara is usually there always helping us order food/wines. I recently visited the restaurant this past Sunday with a few friends and it was a wonderful experience. Amanda helped us that day and she was so knowledgeable, friendly and prompt. This winery always exceeds our expectations in their wines, their food, and exceptional staff. Loved it here since we first visited over 10 years ago & we will continue to make trips here for as long as we can.

Claudia Ruiz- N.

Yelp

I want to thank Leoness Cellars for making our day extra special after we were turned down at a nearby winery. To be honest we are not members here and Leoness Cellars staff made us feel welcome. The drinks were spectacular, food was amazing and music as to perfection. Please attend this place, bring your family, they welcome EVERYONE! We definitely plan to return to this location and we highly recommend this winery to all. Once again, LEONESS CELLARS staff THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Bernice M.

Yelp

I went with my family for my birthday. it was mon, the 20th around 1:30 We were very happy to see Greg behind the bar, he smile and said hello. we were sat promptly and the patio was not busy. our server was Jeff, he was friendly. we got our wine, then ordered our food. I had ask for fries and charcuterie first before our sandwiches. we waited a while for our food, jeff never did table touch with us. when our food finally came. it was all the items that we ordered. our sandwiches came solo. jeff came by and asked if everything was ok. I told him that the menu said the sandwiches came with chips, he said oh yeah we ran out. so i paid $21-$23 for a solo sandwich which was mediocre at best. after asking about the chips he did bring us a order of fries. we also ordered dessert, which was just ok. all and all it was a very lacking experience for us. We have had our membership for over 6 years.

Carmen L.

Yelp

We purchased a Groupon for a Tour and Taste and were greeted by Jordan T, our tour guide. She was so friendly and so informative. She knew the ins and outs of every aspect of the winery. She was personable and just exceptional! I can't say enough good things about her and the overall experience. And the wines? They were all so delicious. I bought four with a nice discount. The views are breathtaking. Enjoyed every minute of it. Absolutely recommend.

Teo D.

Yelp

Love their french fries and wait staff service. But their kitchen can never make up when their last call for food is. We are here every week and sometimes they close at 415pm or sometimes 430pm. No idea still what time they close which is the most frustrating part. It does get windy. Views are excellent. Ponte on Rancho California Rd is a much better dinner choice. They have the complete package. Food, kitchen and service is another level than Leoness.

Lorna T.

Yelp

We decided to take my MIL to dinner at Leoness before she headed back home to NC. The weather was beautiful and asked if we could be seated outside. The hostess was able to accommodate our request. We were seated out on the side patio by the water fountain. The ambiance of the restaurant is very inviting and quite trendy. Our server, Amanda, is amazing. She is so friendly and provided the best customer service. We are very picky about our wine and Amanda took the time to ask what type of wines we liked. Based on our answers, the wine she recommended paired well with the lamb shank. We hiked around with Amanda, she is such a hoot. For starters we had the Tuna Tartare and a Caesar Salad. The Tuna Tartare was amazing! It melted in your mouth, so good! I enjoyed the crispy pancetta served with the Caesar salad. My husband and I both that the Lamb Shank and my MIL had the Hangar Streak. The lamb shank was very flavorful. My MIL seemed to like the hangar steak, I should have asked for a bite! For dessert we shared the Chocolate Mousse Cake (very light and tasty) and the Crème Brûlée (very creamy and just as good). The overall presentation of each dish was unique. The Manager, Dan (I think that was his name), came over to ask how our dinner was. We enjoyed speaking him. Thank you, Amanda, for such a great evening out. We can't wait to come back!!

Diana H.

Yelp

Visited Leoness for wine tasting and lunch. Sat on the owner's Terrace (we are wine club members). Food was delicious, wine was fabulous and the service was excellent. I'd like to give a shout out to waiter Jeff Guerrero who was very attentive and had a great sense of humor. Way to go ajess!

Tyra I.

Yelp

To say we had a disappointing experience at Leoness Cellars would be a massive understatement. Despite reserving an outdoor table two weeks prior for my 30th birthday and arriving 15 minutes early, we were shuffled around the property for almost an hour with no help, eventually ending up in a windowless conference room due to staff miscommunications. We barely had 40 minutes to enjoy our reservation due to this chaos. Additionally, we were misinformed about food options, resulting in meat dishes being served to vegetarians. Their supervisor displayed a lack of empathy and carried an attitude that clearly told me she couldn't care less about our experience, and if we came back. Akash Winery on the otherhand provided a complete turnaround with its seamless service and gorgous view. Avoid Leoness at all costs; there are far better options in Temecula.

Grace L.

Yelp

I'm a wine member here and have eaten here twice now. Both times the food was delicious. This time I brought my parents here for lunch on a beautiful Sunday. They don't drink very much so they didn't take advantage of my wine membership benefits (tastings or glasses) but I sure did. :0) We started off with the Mushroom Flatbread which was awesome. My Mom wanted to order another one but I assured her she should wait for her entree before diving into a second flatbread. I got the salmon which was cooked to perfection and did not leave you feeling stuffed. My Dad got the Ahi Tacos which was very fresh and light...again it didn't leave you feeling like you overate. And my Mom got the Codfish Sandwich (which I didn't get a pic of before she dove into it) which was also delicious. The bun was super soft and yummy and the fish nice and light. All of this didn't leave us feeling like we just left a buffet so we opted for the creme brulee. It had a nice, crunchy, crackly burnt sugar crust (like it's supposed to) and a rich creamy custard base. You can tell it was made with real vanilla bean from all the little specks in the custard. I definitely recommend this restaurant and obviously coming back again not only for the food buy my member benefits ;0).

Jay R.

Yelp

Not a great experience. Food was okay. Wine was great. Ambiance was nice. Service however was not at all good. Restaurant felt very understaffed and messy. Food orders came all out at random times and many times to the wrong people at the table. Waitress got an order wrong and then alluded to us changing our mind last minute when she got the order down wrong. We ask for more pita bread for the hummus platter and that amounted to an additional $30 dollars on the tab. Everything just felt like nickle and dimed each step of the way at this restaurant and not once did we have a waiter come by and ask how everything was going. While the scenery was great this place might as well be a cafe than a restaurant given the lack of hospitality and service.

Taufiq H.

Yelp

Erin was an amazing hostess. We had 4 2oz tastings of some great wine. Well worth visiting here. Lots of items in their gift shop.

Donna H.

Yelp

Leoness was our last stop on a Sunday of wine tasting. Erin our server was wonderful. She was informative, friendly and made us fell like we were part of the family. The wines were excellent and it was very tempting to join the wine club (maybe next time). We will definitely return as it was the best winery of the day.

Mary C.

Yelp

I am leaving two stars because the wine was ok, and the venue itself is nice. Our server, Heidi, though was rude and condescending. Maybe it was because we had a Groupon, but that's no excuse for how we were treated. We arrived an hour and a half before closing, but the first thing out of her mouth was, " just to let you know, I am leaving early today. So, I am out of here at 5 PM, no matter what." (even though their closing time is 5:30 PM.) She then proceeded to shove the wine at us as quickly as she could. She ruined what could've been, and should've been a lovely, 5 Star experience. I'm not sure if we will be back to give it another try, or not.

Cindy W.

Yelp

A group of us, comprised of locals, as well as visitors from LA and NYC, visited Leoness to have a delightful wine-tasting and dining experience. However, our expectations were not met with the treatment we received from the staff. Initially, the host informed us we could occupy an outdoor table for wine tasting. So, we did, but that's when the service started to deteriorate. One of the servers failed to return with menus after being reminded, and another staff member approached us rudely, informing us that the table was only for dining, while we were still waiting for the menu. This was perplexing since the interior had plenty of available seating, and it was not peak hours. Seeking a resolution, we asked for the manager. While he listened patiently, his response lacked empathy or reassurance that would invite a return visit. The encounter overshadowed the meal quality, which was decent, and the wine, which we found to be average.

Bre R.

Yelp

Beautiful views and excellent wines. Vickie & Heidi provide awesome service tasting at the counter!! Their members terrace food is not so good any more. The charcuterie is not worth the price. Couple chunks of cheese, big pile of grapes & bread, tiny bit of Italian meat. Salmon is awful on it. Recently got margharita flatbread & apparently they think micro greens are basil. Not tasty. The black cod sandwich was embarrassing for us to order for guests. See photo. Tiny piece of fish. The burger is good but ridiculous at $20+. We are long time customers but growing weary of the food. Bringing guests for tasting & lunch is what it's all about.

Cierra H.

Yelp

Leoness was the first stop today at the wineries, and we were so happy to have Janice assisting us with our wine tasting. She was knowledgeable about all the wines we tried and extremely attentive. Her recommendations were spot on! We really appreciate that she recommended to drink on the terrace with the live music and an amazing view. The live music was beyond amazing as well today.

Leslie B.

Yelp

Last Saturday, I met up with a couple of friends for a late lunch and wine tasting. They chose Leoness, which was a new winery for me. When I walked in, I noticed that the scenery was quite spectacular. My friends had made a reservation for us. I was a bit sad to see that we were in the restaurant rather than out overlooking the view. That said, the restaurant itself was very beautiful and modern. I learned that the dining area with the view was for wine members only, which is a bit of a bummer, as one of the reasons I go to wineries is for the scenery. My friend actually did decide to join the winery that day, which gave us free glasses, free tastings, and a small discount on lunch. I wasn't thrilled by the lunch menu, as it was really more of a fancy dinner menu, with mostly large entrees $30 and up. The only other items were a few salads and fries. I ended up ordering a kale salad with grilled chicken. It was very good. Service in the restaurant was also very good. We went to the tasting room afterward and sampled many red wines. I felt that they did a great job with the reds. I liked several. The pours were on the generous side as compared to some of the wineries in the area. My favorites were the Zinfandel and the Syrah. The tasting room also had a cute, though overpriced, shop with lots of fun fall items. I ended up buying a bottle of Zinfandel and a small. fall-themed cheese spreader. Had I not had to drive back home, I would have liked to have enjoyed another glass or two on the patio. The wine club seems like a great deal for people who live in the area and are able to go monthly. All in all, I really enjoyed the wine and the scenery. I do think they could add more reasonably priced lunch items to the menu, and I think the members area could have some space for non-members as well.

Jessie T.

Yelp

Get the truffle fries. Do the tastings. Get the cab franc. You won't regret any of it.

Melissa L.

Yelp

Came here on Sunday and had such a fun time listening to the live music (great band called Son & Reynolds's) while overlooking this view. We just came for wine tasting but I did see people ordering charcuterie boards while tasting that were $36. I wish they had more food or snack options at the tasting area. There are two areas where you can be served, upstairs at the entrance and downstairs in the patio. We grabbed our tickets at the entrance and walked down to the patio to listen to the music. The view overlooking the grape vines was amazing and picturesque. The wines themselves were only okay. I felt like the whites were not chilled as well as they could have been. They had some dessert wines included in the tasting if you like those which is nice.

Cindy Z.

Yelp

I came here with a group of 14 girls for a bachelorette party and the service and experience we got here was one to remember. We made reservations for a private tasting indoors, which was perfect since it was a rainy day. We had a wine tasting of 5 wines, which came by as soon as we finished our drinks. We had also ordered some sliders, cheese plate, and mozzarella tomato skewers through their catering service to accompany our tastings. Everything was all set as soon as we arrived and our wonderful host, Jeff was super friendly and helpful to our group. Since the restaurant is separate from the winery, we couldn't order from the restaurant menu, but Jeff was able to get us the duck fat fries that everyone raves about. They are definitely super delicious with lots of truffle flavor. It's thick and crispy as you can't go wrong with fries. Overall, it was an amazing experience. It is safe to say our entire group loved Jeff for being a trooper dealing with our crazy group while being a great host (especially since it was his first time!). My favorite was the White Merlot, which is more of a sweeter wine. Since our group also had two wine members, they were very accommodating for us. I can see why my friends have membership here. If I came here more often, it would definitely be worth it.

Tina A.

Yelp

What another beautiful winery in Temecula. Stopped here for a wine tasting on our Anniversary. Nice size wine bar area with tons of cute things for purchase! Did part of our tasting outside by the vineyard and ended it inside at the wine bar. The ladies that served us were very attentive and explained all the different wines we tasted. Nice size pours. They have a beautiful outdoor dining area to have food overlooking the vineyard. I would definitely like to come back to try the food next time. One of my fellow yelpers mention the food was outstanding here. We had a really nice day exploring the winery and enjoying our tasting! Looking forward to come back in the near future.

Angie S.

Yelp

The ambiance, the food, the wine and the view are all mixed with exceptional service. I have been invited for years by a good friend who enjoys a membership. When I began to enjoy this place I loved it from the start. The curtiere we larger with more goodies, this time it was beautiful but smaller yet good quality of cheeses. The food was good. Wine always excellent- white and red.

Yesenia H.

Yelp

So good I almost cried. The stuff dreams are made of. I took a bite of those Brussels sprouts and had no words, only feelings. I couldn't speak. I just wanted to keep tasting the flavors in my mouth. Then I take a bite of the filet mignon. I almost cried. Hands down best meal I've EVER had. Absolutely all the food we had was superb. I'm so glad it's here in Southern California. I don't have to travel far to get an out of body experience with food. Everything has so much flavor. The presentation of the food is beautiful. The staff is very friendly and kind. The restaurant has a modern feel. The entire property is great for day or night visit. Great ambience. Please give yourself this treat and visit soon!

Twee D.

Yelp

Beautiful location, restaurant and ambience!!! Love the indoor/outdoor atmosphere and chill vibe at this vinery. The entrees we ordered were cooked perfectly. Barramundi had a nice crunchy skin and flaky texture with just the right seasonings. Desserts were ok. I ordered creme brulee and the cream was not as rich as I would like it to be. Their wine though!!! Ordered the 2021 CS Sauvignon Blanc and it was so beautiful. Love the green apple and mango notes. While we were there, we saw a bridal party and birthday party. It is such a lovely place for those occasions.

Lisa W.

Yelp

The Terrace is beautiful and a perfect setting with the gorgeous view! The waitstaff is so professional and kind. Always so happy to have Sara or Dani take care of me when bringing friends...They are both are AWESOME, and always make it a wonderful experience!

Matt G.

Yelp

Great food, great wine, great ambiance, exceptional service. My wife and I go to a Temecula winery every year for our anniversary. We usually pick something new every time. However, we may start calling Leoness our home base if the experience we had this time is their standard. We got the Filet Mignon, the Duck, and the their signature Syrah, all of which were excellent. and our server, Adrian, was exceptional. He was attentive, knowledgable of their wine list and wine in general, and very fun. We will definitely be requesting him by name next time!

Emily J.

Yelp

We hade such fun here for our tasting. We got a 2 for 1 deal so we tried both reds & whites (did the whites first for all your winos out there critiquing this decision) The service was top notch and very chill. Recommend getting the reds. Whites are fine but can assault the taste buds a little.

Corinne H.

Yelp

Michael Nguyen was our tasting host today. He was very personable and informative. He answered all of our questions and guided us to our preferred wines. He made the entire experience fun and informative.

Bill J.

Yelp

The service staff is friendly and fast. The fries in duck fat is truly a highlight of the meal, this is a must try. I really enjoyed the charcuterie plate and the Caesar salad. The menu has a lot to offer so I'll be back to try more.

Leanne M.

Yelp

Whenever we visit eastern Temecula, Leoness is always on our list. This past visit however was disappointing. Typically we love the fun atmosphere, the wonderful service and the yummy wines. This particular visit however, we were served by Vicky, she only had us and another gentleman to serve, yet she seemed annoyed that we were there. No wine recommendations, no conversation just, " what will you try next?". Very unusual for this place and very disappointing. The wines are still decent, but with so many other options in the Temecula valley, I think that was our last visit to Leoness.

MaDonna W.

Yelp

We spent the afternoon at this winery, dining, drinking, listening to the wonderful music. Our friends are members, so we were able to enjoy some of their favorite wines and pick up some of our own. My favorite was the 2021 Viognier as well as the 2018 CS Meritage. We also had the opportunity to have several orders of the , in my opinion, world, famous , hand cut , duck-fat truffle fries ... they are so delicious. They will make your eyes roll back of your head.... In a good way if you know what I mean. We also enjoyed the flatbreads If you have room for dessert, they have a delicious raspberry cheesecake and a chocolate flourless cake. That was everything. ... so good! Even though it was hot outside, they have these amazing mistiers throughout the entire property, which made it so comfortable, and so enjoyable, the music was spot on. We were dancing in our chairs like crazy, very dog friendly property. So many cute dogs. People love to have social events, birthdays, wedding receptions , you name it , it's a very large property and so beautiful... their gift shop allows you to shop for things that are uniquely different. I ended up buying several gifts for friends. You're able to stroll along the vineyards. The staff are so friendly and so accommodating. We can't wait to come back with our friends, who are members and tell us that the membership pays for itself...

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-wineries-restaurants-wine-bar-food-temecula-valley

The Best Food and Drinks in Temecula Valley, California | Eater San Diego

https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/temecula-valley-wineries-visit

@foodandwine

These Are the Best Temecula Valley Wineries to Visit

"With its brick tower, Leoness is a familiar sight along the DePortola Wine Trail, which begins not far from Old Town Temecula." - Richard Nalley

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-san-diego-wineries-wine-tasting

The Best San Diego-Area Wineries to Visit | Eater San Diego

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-winery-restaurant-2024/

Best Restaurants in Temecula (2025)

https://www.visittemeculavalley.com/listing/the-restaurant-at-leoness-cellars/933/

Things to Do in Temecula (2025)