Briar Rose Temecula Winery

This enchanting property began in the 1970’s when Beldon Fields who worked for Disney purchased this land in  Temecula to build replicas of Snow White’s cottage for his wife.  In the early 1990’s Les and Dorian Linkogle were looking for a place with open space for their son Larry to ride his motorcycle.  They found this property in Temecula and purchased it from Beldon Fields with the promise to not change the cottages.  Larry went on to become one of the most popular extreme natural terrain riders in the world int he early 2000’s.

Grapes were growing well in Temecula so in the late 1990’s Les planted Viognier, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon & Riesling, initially for a tax break.  Soon they started selling grapes to local wineries and then Carl Key of Keyways encouraged them to open their own winery.  From 2002 to 2007 they worked toward this dream. They opened the winery in 2007.

The wines here are unfiltered and have no added sugars and they rack the wines every 90 days by hand.  This process exposes the wine to more oxygen and cleans it up separating the wine from the tiny solids left over from fermentation.  They produce somewhere between 2,400 to 3,500 cases annually and even do a wine lager called “Talking Frog”

Les is a Bronze Star Veteran and wanted to do something to honor the men and women who dedicate their lives to defend our country.  He created a Bordeaux style wine and named it “We Remember”.  10% of the proceeds from this wine goes to the Veterans Research Corporation for world-class medical research for veterans.

They are a reservation only tasting room and like to pamper their guests.  They take reservations for sit down tastings Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00-5:00 pm, with tastings lasting 45 min to 1 hr.  Typically you should set a reservation at least a day in advance, but during the week you may call in the morning for an afternoon appointment.

This winery is off of the beaten path. From Rancho California turn right onto Calle Contento then another right on Madera de Playa and a final right onto Calle Cabrillo.  You will find yourself in a quiet area on a ridge. The  curving drive makes you feel like you are approaching an exclusive hidden retreat, and you are.  Tastings run $15 to $25 per person.  They do also have crackers and a bourbon infused smoked creme cheese as well as an apricot brandy smoked salmon available for purchase if you are hungry.