Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Callaway predates the modern Temecula wine scene. When Ely Callaway — yes, the Callaway who would later make a fortune in golf clubs — bought the property and planted vines in 1969, the valley had no AVA, no tourist trail, and only a handful of growers attempting commercial production. Callaway was one of the names that proved Temecula could grow grapes well enough to bottle, alongside Mount Palomar which planted the same year. That alone makes the visit interesting if you care about the history of California wine country outside of Napa and Sonoma — we cover the founding-decade context in the “Best historical visit” entry of our Best Wineries in Temecula 2026 guide.

What’s here now

The current incarnation of Callaway is several owners removed from the original family operation. The vineyards are still in the same spot — among the higher-elevation plantings on the Rancho California trail — and the hilltop tasting room with its long terraced patio remains one of the nicest views in the valley. On a clear day, you can see across the entire valley floor and out to the hills beyond. It’s the kind of patio that justifies the drive on the basis of the view alone.

The wine quality has gone up and down with ownership transitions. The current lineup is most reliable on the white side: the Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, dry, and one of the few Temecula whites that doesn’t lean into excessive oak; the Chardonnay is a more conventional California-style Chardonnay with toasty notes that the Sauvignon Blanc avoids.

The reds have been improving over the past several vintages. The Cabernet Sauvignon and the Bordeaux-style blends are the strongest pours. The Merlot is a solid mid-range bottle, particularly for visitors who haven’t been able to find a good Merlot since the Sideways effect drove it off most California lists.

The food and the patio

The on-site restaurant — Meritage at Callaway — runs a competent California-cuisine menu that pairs intentionally with the estate wines. Lunch with a flight is the move; reservations are smart for weekends. The patio seating is the better choice unless the wind is up; you came for the view, sit where you can see it.

For a casual visit without a full meal, the cheese-and-charcuterie boards at the tasting bar are large enough to share between two people and pair well with the Sauvignon Blanc.

What’s underrated

Callaway’s late-harvest Chenin Blanc, when it’s available, is the dessert wine sleeper of the valley. It’s not heavily promoted, the production is small, and the bottle is one of the few genuinely memorable sweet wines in Temecula that isn’t trying to be the Almond Champagne. If you’re a dessert-wine drinker, ask whether they have any in stock.

The hilltop, the wedding traffic

The patio doubles as a wedding venue most weekends in season, which means Saturday afternoons can have a ceremony being staged on the terraces while you taste. It’s not disruptive — Callaway runs the events well — but it’s worth knowing if you’re looking for a quiet sit-and-sip kind of stop. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are the quietest.

Who this is for

Callaway is for visitors who want a hilltop view with their tasting, history-curious tasters interested in the founding decade of Temecula wine, and anyone whose plan includes a sit-down lunch at the on-site restaurant. The Cabernet program is solid enough to justify the visit on wine merit, though it’s not the strongest argument for the property.

It’s not the place to go if you’re hunting small-production, hard-to-find bottles or a single-vintner conversation. Callaway’s scale and ownership structure make those experiences hard to come by here.

Practical notes

Tasting fees are mid-range for the trail and are usually waived with bottle purchase. The wine club has multiple tiers and includes restaurant discounts. Parking is plentiful but the lot is uphill from the tasting room — wear shoes that handle a paved incline if you’re not parking in the upper lot.

The view is best in the late afternoon, when the light hits the western slopes. Plan a 4 pm tasting if you can.