Falkner Winery

Falkner Winery and Pinnacle Restaurant

March 7, 2013 Posted by Robin Renken CA, Grapes and Varietal's, Merlot, Sangiovese, Temecula Winery's, Temecula, CA, Vineyard's and Winery's, Wine and Food Pairings No Comments

Driving down Rancho California Road in Temecula Wine Country, there is lots to look at. Beautiful vineyards, wineries on all sides, but you won’t be able to miss Pinnacle restaurant. The rounded building sits on the hill top on just past Calle Contento Road. The windows and patio will have you wanting to turn in and take in the view from the other side! So make the turn and take the steep drive up to this stunning building. Before you get there, you will find the winery and tasting room tucked into the trees behind the restaurant and I encourage you to stop in here and do a tasting before treating yourself to lunch and the view from Pinnacle.

Falkner Pinnacle

The tasting room is open daily from 10-5 and the restaurant is open from 11:30- 3:30 for lunch. If you get there after 3:30, never fear the gift shop at the tasting room offers food items to purchase and create a picnic to enjoy out on the picnic tables in the tree lined area outside.

You will find great lends such as their Amante which is a Super Tuscan style red with Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. They also do a Bordeaux style Meritage with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

The winery was founded in 2000 by Ray and Loretta Falkner. They opened the restaurant in September of 2006 and that gorgeous view is 1,500 feet up on the hilltop. New to me as I researched was the “Wine Cave” below the restaurant. This VIP room is a barrel shaped room with windows all around to see the barrels and case good that the winery has. This space seats up to 20 people and is available for special events.

Pinnacle Lunch

Michael and I tasted here on our very first trip to Temecula and then returned to have a stunning lunch paired with their wines on a later trip and the restaurant was busy! When the weather is nice the patio is lovely for lunch.

They offer a monthly Wine Appreciation class with their assistant Winemaker and in-house sommelier. This is a four hour class that includes lunch and is great for both novices and experts. You should plan ahead and register in advance for these classes that happen on the second Saturday of each month. They do have Public Tours available each weekend at 11 and 2 that are $10 per person.

Until you have a chance to get out to the winery and restaurant, you can enjoy a little at home by viewing their MAC and ME cooking classes online with Chef Mike. Learn how to make Prosciutto wrapped asparagus at home or a wide range of other delicious things.