Located in Southern California within a 2 hour drive of Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and Palm Springs, is Temecula Valley, Southern California’s wine country and one of our favorite spots for a weekend getaway. Temecula Valley is made up of a historic town square surrounded by rolling hills and sprawling vineyards. Over the last decade, Temecula Valley has blossomed into a thriving wine scene, complete with upscale resorts, trendy restaurants, and over 40 wineries, making it a popular destination for wine lovers like us.
We chose to stay at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, a luxury hotel set on 63 acres of lush rolling vineyards. As soon as we checked in, we knew we made the right decision. The staff was super friendly and attentive, and the grounds were breathtaking.
The resort has 50 guest suites and 82 villas, ranging in size from 490 to 850 square feet. Suites are located in the hotel tower while villas are scattered among the vineyards. All accommodations are dog-friendly. We stayed in a Deluxe Villa, which was truly amazing. The spacious villa included a super comfy king-size bed, living room, dining area, wet bar and marble bathroom with jacuzzi tub.
Our favorite part of the villa was the large patio overlooking the breathtaking vineyards. It was the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine before heading to dinner. And in the morning, we watched the sun rise over the hills while hot air balloons floated over the vineyards. Truly magical!
Due to the current situation with Covid-19, the GrapeSeed Spa and fitness center are currently closed, however the pool is open for hotel guests. The weather in Temecula gets pretty hot in the summer so the pool felt so refreshing after a day of wine tasting. Free reservations are required for pool sessions. There are cabanas available for rent as well as food and drink service.
Featuring fresh, California-style cuisine masterminded by executive chef Jose Esparza, The Vineyard Rose Restaurant offers al fresco dining on the beautifully landscaped patio.
The main reason visitors flock to South Coast Winery is for the wine. South Coast Winery is a family-owned and operated winery, producing estate grown, certified sustainable, award-winning wines. South Coast offers 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling – from robust reds such as tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, petit syrah, merlot and pinot noir to whites including sauvignon blanc, viognier, pinot grigio, chardonnay, riesling and sparkling. Wine tasting is available on the outside veranda. Reservations are recommended.
Our stay at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa was truly an exceptional experience and we can’t wait to visit again!
XO