Ponte Family Estates

My magical trip to Napa this year

had me recently missing visiting wineries

so we decided to drive east of our Orange County home

to Temecula.

A drive of just more than an hour

Jeff and I used to visit  the Temecula wineries often

before kids.

So it had been quite a while since we went out

and
 really explored the area.

And just like our kids have grown up

so too have the Temecula wine region  in the last two decades!

Changing from a few handfuls of mainly 

mom and pop wineries

into some top of the line destinations like

the Ponte Family Estate.

The Estate is  comprised of a beautiful hotel and restaurant

surrounded by 300 acres of working vineyards.

With it's  picturesque views and stunning property 

the Ponte Estate has become a highly  sought  after destination wedding venue as well.

The hotel architecture is inspired by the prevalent 

Spanish Missions that were built by Father Serra

and
 his men in the late 1700's up and down California.

The in is set up in a horseshoe shape with
an expansive open ended grassed courtyard.

Large canopied terraces line the buildings

all opening out to …

the views on the property that are truly magical!

Set a short walk away from the hotel

is the tasting room and restaurant.

The restaurant features alfresco dining

and a most delicious produce driven menu.

Everywhere on the patio has been beautifully styled

right down to even the bus stations!

The styling detail I was most taken with is 

the basket that appears from the seating hostess

to place your purse in while dining.

You can look across the patio and see a beautiful collection of baskets on the ground

all keeping the guest purses  clean!

I am always absolutely taken with such attention to detail!

The food  at the Ponte restaurant was fabulous as well!

My favorite salad this summer was made up of

 watermelon, heirloom tomatos, barrata chees, basil

with an herbed  balsamic dressing.

Summer perfection in my book!

Well that and maybe a little closing desert

with a most marvelous port wine!

Our alfresco lunch in Temecula

at the Ponte Family Estate

was definitely a summer weekend highlight!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

 as you style your life