Mount Palomar Winery
Mount Palomar is one of Temecula’s founding wineries, established in 1969 — the same year as our Cadillac. Today it spreads across more than 315 acres, with its winery and guest center tucked away from the Rancho California Road thoroughfare, so visitors step into a relaxing, peaceful setting with views across the entire valley.
The story of Mount Palomar
The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association lists Mount Palomar Winery as established in 1969, making it one of the oldest names in Temecula wine. Winemaker Nathan Zema leads production of about 10,000 cases a year.
The estate is large and varied, with meticulously cared-for vineyards, a traditional winemaking facility, tasting bars brimming with award-winning wines and romantic photographic settings throughout. Its position slightly off the main road gives it a calm, secluded feel despite being in the heart of wine country.
What to taste at Mount Palomar
Mount Palomar’s list has a strong Mediterranean accent. The association lists Sangiovese, Vermentino and Nero d’Avola — the great red grape of Sicily, rarely seen in California — alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Zinfandel and red blends, plus Chardonnay, Viognier and white blends.
Nero d’Avola is the one to seek out: dark-fruited and supple, it thrives in hot climates and is a genuine rarity in Temecula. Pair it with Sangiovese for an Italian comparison, start with Vermentino or Viognier, and finish with a Bordeaux-style red.
The Mount Palomar experience
The on-site restaurant serves from morning into the afternoon on most days, with longer hours toward the weekend; last seating is an hour before close, and hours change seasonally. Mount Palomar offers picnic areas, live music, wedding and event spaces and a gift shop, and it is dog friendly and family friendly.
With its expansive grounds and photogenic spots, Mount Palomar is one of the best wineries in the valley for portraits — whether for weddings, engagements or simply a group photo with the car.
Who will love Mount Palomar
History lovers, photographers, Italian-wine fans and anyone who wants space to breathe will enjoy Mount Palomar. For guests celebrating a 1969 anniversary or birthday, arriving at a 1969 winery in a 1969 Cadillac is a pleasing bit of symmetry — and a great story to tell over the second glass.
Because the estate is so large, allow extra time to explore. Walk the grounds, find a viewpoint over the valley, and let your chauffeur reposition the car for photos while you taste.
The grapes behind Mount Palomar Winery’s wines
A quick guide to the varieties on Mount Palomar Winery’s list, and how they tend to show in Temecula:
- Cabernet Franc — Cabernet Sauvignon’s aromatic parent, lighter on its feet, with red fruit, herbs and a hint of spice; it performs especially well in Temecula.
- Cabernet Sauvignon — the king of Bordeaux grapes; in Temecula’s warm days and cool nights it ripens to dark cherry and cassis with firm, age-worthy tannins.
- Chardonnay — the world’s most popular white grape, made in Temecula in styles from crisp and unoaked to round and creamy.
- Nero d’Avola — Sicily’s great red grape — dark-fruited and supple — and a real rarity in California.
- Petit Verdot — usually a small part of Bordeaux blends, it is deeply colored and structured, with violet and dark-fruit aromas when bottled on its own.
- Red blend — proprietary blends that let winemakers combine varieties into a house style; ask which grapes are in the current release.
Mount Palomar Winery fact sheet
| Address | 33820 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591 |
|---|---|
| Wine trail | Rancho California Road |
| Established | 1969 |
| Winemaker | Nathan Zema |
| Annual production | 10,000 cases |
| Wines | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Nero d’Avola, Petit Verdot, Red blend, Sangiovese, Vermentino, Viognier, White blend, Zinfandel |
| Amenities | Wedding & event spaces, Picnic area, Dog friendly, Family friendly, Live music, Restaurant, Gift shop |
| Food | An on-site restaurant serving breakfast through late afternoon on most days |
| Website | www.mountpalomarwinery.com |
Arriving at Mount Palomar Winery in a 1969 Cadillac
Rancho California Road is where most chauffeured days begin, and it is the easiest stretch of Temecula wine country to string together in a classic car: the big estates sit close to one another, the road is wide and gently rolling, and the vineyards open up on both sides once you pass the first hill east of the freeway. With the top down on the '69 DeVille, it is a short, unhurried glide between tasting rooms, and your chauffeur handles the turns into busy weekend parking lots so you can step out right at the door.
Mount Palomar Winery is at 33820 Rancho California Road. We plan the route, confirm any reservation or group policy with the winery, and time the drive so you arrive relaxed — and leave without anyone in your party needing to drive after tasting. Chauffeured hire is $325 per hour with a three-hour minimum; most guests pair Mount Palomar Winery with two or three nearby wineries in a four- to five-hour booking.
Book the '69 Cadillac on DriveShare
Wineries near Mount Palomar Winery
Pair your visit with these neighbors on the Rancho California Road:
- Monte De Oro Winery — 35820 Rancho California Road
- Miramonte Winery — 33410 Rancho California Road
- Maurice Car'rie Vineyard & Winery — 34225 Rancho California Road
- Ponte Winery — 35053 Rancho California Road
See all 45 Temecula wineries →
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mount Palomar Winery located?
Mount Palomar Winery is at 33820 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591, on the Rancho California Road of Temecula Valley Wine Country.
What wines does Mount Palomar Winery make?
According to the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, Mount Palomar Winery pours Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Nero d’Avola, Petit Verdot, Red blend, Sangiovese, Vermentino, Viognier, White blend and Zinfandel.
Does Mount Palomar Winery serve food?
An on-site restaurant serving breakfast through late afternoon on most days. Menus and hours change, so check the winery’s website before you go.
Can I visit Mount Palomar Winery in a classic car or limo?
Yes. 1969 Caddy offers a chauffeured 1969 Cadillac DeVille convertible for Temecula winery visits from $325 per hour (three-hour minimum), booked on DriveShare. Many wineries set their own rules for chauffeured groups, so we confirm Mount Palomar Winery’s current policy and any reservations when we plan your route.
Toast Mount Palomar Winery from the back seat.
Chauffeured 1969 Cadillac convertible tours of Temecula wine country, booked on DriveShare.