There is a lot of hidden beauty and unique places to visit in Southern California. The Thornton Winery falls in that category. It is not only a winery, but has an incredible Four-Star Restaurant and is one of the most popular venues in the area. People will drive the distance just to enjoy the ambiance of this lovely place.
The Thornton Winery is located in the Temecula Valley Wine Country which is about 100 miles east of Los Angeles and 50 Miles North of San Diego. Opened in 1988, the winery uses the Methode Champenoise process for producing it’s fine wine, and sparkling champagne.
Having won many awards and medals for it’s quality wine and sparkling champagne, the Thornton winery with the charm of an authentic French château overlooks the vineyards of Temecula Valley. Adding to the beauty is the wonderful Four Star Award-Winning Gourmet Café Champagne, a lovely Fountain Terrace and Herb Gardens, a Gift Shop unique to the winery, and the Champagne Lounge. The Café Champagne known for it’s cuisine of “Contemporary Fusion,” is fare one must sample while at the winery. In fact, the California Restaurant Writers Association, bestowed the awards of “Four Stars for Cuisine” and “Four Stars for the Wine List,” for eleven years in a row.
Those who live in the surrounding areas are familiar with the winery for the Winery’s reputation as an entertainment venue. From April through October, Thornton Winery hosts an amazing array of jazz artists hosted as a “Champagne Jazz Concert Series.” This is possibly the best venue in the area to combine a little bit of the best of Southern California in one venue. The jazz artists perform on the popular Fountain Terrace in an intimate and beautiful outdoor setting at the winery from April through October. During the concerts a gourmet dinner package prepared by the Cafe’ Champagne is offered to the guests for purchase. The package includes a reserved table, a three course meal, tax and gratuity. Reservations are advised to secure a table which is usually provided under the covered patio.
Thornton Winery continues to operate year round outside of the Jazz Concert Season. The fun doesn’t stop here, there is something for everyone every season of the year. For the fall Thornton Winery is having the Harvest Wine Festival, Harvest Cooking Classes and Thanksgiving Dinner. This Thanksgiving they will be providing an incredible gourmet meal. The costs for adults is $44.95, and for children $19.95 plus tax and gratuity.
The appetizer menu will consist of the following; Grilled, Marinated Portobello Mushroom Terriner Roasted Peppers, Eggplant, Whipped Mascarpone Cheese Balsamic Syrup, Basil Oil, and Pine Nuts. They will also be serving Duck Confit Cannelloni Poached Poached in Marsala Consommé, Roasted Baby Turnips, Leeks Cranberry-Cinnamon Syrup, with Parmesan Crisp. The other option is Gewürztraminer Saffron Poached Sekel Pear Danish Blue Cheese Mousse on FrisséToasted Walnuts, Belgian Endive Micro Beet Greens, and Boysenberry Vinaigrette. Another option is Blue Crab Ravioli, Roasted Fall Vegetable Hash, and Seafood Saffron Sauce.
The Entrée Selection will be Roasted Tom Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes,Green Bean Almondine, Sweet Potato Marshmallow Custard Cranberry-Orange Salsa. The other option was Braised Pork Chops, Rutabaga Ragout, Haricot Vert, Pearl Onions Braised Fall Greens, Marsala Reduction, Cheddar Ham Scalloped Potato Tower. The next entrée option is Colorado Lamb Loin, Cranberry-Apple Gastrique, Twice Baked Maple-Sweet Potato Soufflé. And finally Cedar Plank Broiled Atlantic Salmon, Sautéed Baby Spinach, Cauliflower, and Roasted Garlic-Tomato Butter. Reservations are advised as this is a popular event that attracts a crowd.
The Thornton Winery is not only a venue for wine tastings,fine dinners, and concerts, the winery is also used as a venue for weddings, banquets, corporate functions, fund raising, and wine tours. The professional services include a professional staff, catering services, menu planning, beverage service, site coordination, and a referral service.
For A Taste of Thorn the Wine and Champagne Tasting Rooms are open daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Sit down service is available with complimentary bread and goat cheese spread. A menu of Appetizers is available for perusing. The tastings range from $9-$15. Free tours of the winery are available on weekends only at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm. Thornton Winery is located in Temecula California at 32575 Rancho California Rd. The phone number for information and reservations is 951- 699-0099. Visit their lovely Web site for further information. For limousine service for wine tours contact Royal Limousine, one of many serving the area.
