Winery Spotlight: Get to Know… Ponte Family Estate
The Story
Located in the heart of Temecula Wine Country, Ponte Family Estate offers guests a “day in the country,” with its spacious rustic-style tasting room, al fresco dining, and extensive marketplace gift shop nestled within more than 300 acres of vineyard. The 60-room, mission-style Ponte Vineyard Inn is an ideal wine-country hotel for visitors to enjoy a “stay in the country.” Ponte Family Estate offers an approachable, memorable experience that welcomes both new and experienced wine lovers. Visitors can enjoy tours of the winemaking process, participate in special events like the Annual Grape Stomp Festival, or work with the winery’s event planners to create an exceptional wine country wedding or other special event. With its picturesque setting, approachable wines, farm-fresh cuisine, upscale lodging and array of activities, Ponte Family Estate is one of the most sought-after and complete wine destinations in Southern California.
The Wines
As a boutique California winery producing about 1500 cases a year for each varietal, Ponte focuses on quality rather than quantity. Ponte wines feature crowd-pleasing single varietals like Moscato and Pinot Grigio; plus their friendly signature blends, like Super T, Beverino and “Angry Wife” Red. Popular Ponte white wine blends include the “Isabel” and “Juliet” lines. Plenty of choices for the sweet wine lover, too! Ponte fans love the pretty Rosé Spumante and the many Late Harvest varietals, which pair well with a cheese plate or dessert. For a special holiday host gift, consider giving the Ponte Holiday Magnum or a Zinfandel Port.
To shop the Ponte wine store online, click here.
The Tasting Room, Marketplace and Winery Tours
Ponte’s tasting room is open daily from 10am-5pm. Tasting includes 6 wine tastings and a Ponte wine glass.
Mon – Fri $15 per person
Sat – Sun $20 per person
Located in the expansive country-style tasting room, the Ponte Marketplace is one of the best in the valley. Guests love to sip wine while shopping 3,500 square feet of fabulous and unique gifts. There are charming wine accessories, home accents and delicious specialty foods on sale every day.
Ponte Winery offers one-hour vineyard and winery tours seven days a week. Jump on board their new 12-passenger electric bus and tour the 310 acre ranch while learning about Ponte’s grape-growing philosophy. Taste three signature Ponte wines, right next to the vineyards they come from. Visit the winery facilities to learn about the art and science of winemaking. The tour ends with sample tastes from stainless steel tanks and giant oak casks.
Monday – Friday
1:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
11:00 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. | 3:00 p.m.
Vineyard Bus Tours are:
$25 per guest
Have a question? Please call 951-694-8855.
Dining at Ponte: Bouquet, The Cellar Lounge and The Restaurant at Ponte
Ponte offers more dining options than most other Temecula Valley wineries. The Restaurant at Ponte has been voted one of the top 50 best outdoor restaurants by OpenTable. This al fresco lunchtime eatery offers upscale California cuisine with Mediterranean flavors seven days a week. Dinner can enjoy the new Bouquet and The Cellar Lounge located next-door at the Ponte Vineyard Inn. The chefs at Ponte Estate focus on locally-sourced ingredients and artisan recipes.
Learn more about restaurant choices at Ponte Family Estate here.
Ponte Holiday Events and Ponte Vineyard Inn Packages
Cyber Monday Special: Sunday-Thursday bookings at Ponte Vineyard Inn made on Cyber Monday, December 2 will be priced 30% off regular rates. Subject to availability; stay should take place between Cyber Monday and the end of 2014. Blackout dates include all holidays.
Holiday Shopping Sundays: Ponte Winery’s festively decorated Tasting Room and Marketplace offers a carefully curated selection of gourmet delicacies, elegant housewares, cookbooks and wine. Guests are invited to shop while sipping hot cocoa and listening to holiday music under twinkling lights. Wine tastings are available for purchase. Sunday, December 15th and 22nd 10:00am-5:00pm.
New Year’s Eve Dinner and Package: The winery’s popular Restaurant at Ponte will be serving their full menu with specials in the winery’s stunning Barrel Room. Reservations accepted from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, on December 31st. For reservations, call (951) 252-1770. In addition, there will be a special seating for dinner at Bouquet Restaurant at Ponte Vineyard Inn with a prix fixe menu and wine pairings. Please contact Ponte Vineyard Inn at 951-587-8855 for tickets. After dinner, guests are invited to take the short walk via a designated path to neighboring Wiens Family Cellars for their vintage Las Vegas-themed New Year’s Eve Celebration, hosted by The King himself, Elvis Presley. Those who book rooms at Ponte Vineyard Inn will enjoy exclusive access to The Cellar Lounge, a complimentary bottle of Ponte Winery Moscato, a complimentary Bloody Mary at Bouquet the next morning and a 1:00pm late check-out.
To book a room at Ponte Vineyard Inn, call (951) 587-6688 or visit www.pontevineyardinn.com. To purchase tickets to the Wiens Family Cellars new Year’s Eve Celebration, please contact the winery at (888) 989-4367.
Ponte Family Estate is located at 35053 Rancho California Road, Temecula CA 92591 | www.pontevineyardinn.com | 951-694-8855
