Bel Vino Winery, Temecula CA

Bel Vino is currently owned by Mike and Debbie Janko, the winery was established as Stuart Cellars in 1998.  It produces around 6,000 Cases.

It was a little Tardis like!  Beautifully located on the top of a hill overlooking the valley the Bel Vino Tasting room is rustic in dark wood from the outside.  You walk in and it’s bigger on the inside then it looks on the outside!  We walked through one tasting room to the tasting bar at the back.  We were the first people of the day on a Thursday.  Nate was at the bar and told us just to relax and drink.

Bel Vino was previously known as Stuart Cellars.  Marshall and Susan Stuart started this winery in 1998 and just recently sold the winery, but still remain on staff producing the same great wines and service.  The business had grown and they were involved in all aspects of the business. Now they can get back to winemaking.

In addition to the two large tasting bars there is a barrel room reserved for wine club members that also serves as extra space for the “Tapas & Wine Pairings” on Saturdays and Sundays.  They require no reservations for the Tapas and Pairings but there is an additional $9.95 charge for the Tapas in addition to your tasting.  This tasting room is dark and warm and very comfortable.

As we began discussing the tasting Nate filled in with great information on the wines the vineyards and the winemaking methods.  All the wines here are unfiltered. The Field Blend was lovely.  It is a white blend that they do annually.  This year is was 55% Chard, 35% Riesling and 10% Sauvignon Blanc.  Nate tells the story that this was a happy accident.  A blending mistake a few years ago caused them to add a third varietal to temper the blend and it came out surprisingly good!  Here’s to happy accidents.

During the Spring and Summer there are plenty of events here at Bel Vino and it also makes a great location for special events.

 

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Directions Via Google Maps

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Bel Vino is currently owned by Mike and Debbie Janko, the winery was established as Stuart Cellars in 1998.  It produces around 6,000 cases annually[/bd_tab][bd_tab title=”Grapes”]

Bel Vino uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Lagrein, Cabernet Franc, Malbed, Mertot, Petite Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier grapes to make their wines.

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Bel Vino makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Lagrien, Long Valley Red, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tatria, Zinfandel, Chardonna, Field Blend, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, White Merlot, Port – Zinfandel. Bel Vino employs methods of racking, cold stabilization, and other old-school and time proven techniques, there-by retaining the natural and unfiltered qualities of the wine. They use  French and American Oak Barrels.  Bel Vino produces some of its wine’s as a Meritage blend,  used to denote both red and white Bordeaux style wines which are produced from a blend of Bordeaux grapes which are grown and fermented outside of the Bordeaux region of France.

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Bel Vino Tasting Room
Bel Vino Tasting Room

They have a Tardis looking tasting room, feels bigger on the inside when you walk in the door.

Amenities:  Tasting room, gift shop, hilltop picnic area, weddings, wine club

Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily

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Bel Vino Picnic, Concert Grounds
Bel Vino Picnic, Concert Grounds

They do have a wine Club, and have various events through out the year. They have a great picnic concert area which has a good view over looking their winery. Bel Vino is available to host weddings, they are planning a Valentine’s dinner, Bridal Expo and have Weekly concerts in December. Check out their Event Page for current Details.

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