Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series
Picture a warm Temecula evening, a glass of sparkling wine, the vineyard glowing at sunset and live jazz drifting across the lawn. That is the Champagne Jazz Series at Thornton Winery, one of the most stylish ways to spend a night in wine country.
About the series
Thornton Winery describes the Champagne Jazz Series as live jazz in a vineyard setting, accompanied by champagne and gourmet dining. Thornton — the gateway winery at the western end of Rancho California Road, founded in 1981 and known for its sparkling wines — is a natural host for an evening built around bubbles.
Recent lineup
The official page lists 2026 performances in September and October featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Chris Botti, Boney James, and Will Downing and Marion Meadows with Alex Bugnon — a roster that shows the caliber of artists the series attracts. Thornton notes that the current season has ended and the next lineup will be announced later, so check the official page for 2027 dates.
Planning your evening
Concert nights combine music with dining, so plan to arrive with time to settle in, order and enjoy the sunset before the performance. Popular artists sell out, so buy tickets as soon as the lineup is announced.
Tips for visiting
- Watch for the lineup announcement and book early.
- Bring a light layer; evenings cool down after sunset.
- Start with Thornton’s sparkling wine — it is the house specialty.
- Arrange a ride home so everyone can enjoy the champagne.
Arrive in style
A jazz night at Thornton is exactly the kind of evening our 1969 Cadillac was made for. Arrive at the winery with the top down as the sun sets over the vineyard, enjoy the music and the champagne, and let your chauffeur handle the drive home under the stars. It is a classic date night, an elegant anniversary or a memorable birthday — with no one needing to drive.
Who will love the series
Jazz lovers, couples, sparkling-wine fans and anyone looking for a sophisticated night out will love the Champagne Jazz Series. Pair a concert with an afternoon of tastings elsewhere on Rancho California Road, or with a stay at a nearby wine resort, for a full wine-country weekend.
Because concert dates are limited, book both your tickets and your chauffeured ride as soon as the next season is announced.
Planning your visit
Temecula’s festivals and events draw big crowds, so plan early: buy tickets as soon as they go on sale, reserve dinner nearby and book hotels well in advance for major weekends. Check the organizer’s official website for the latest schedule, parking, shuttle and road-closure information, and arrive early to beat traffic. Dress in layers, since Temecula’s days can be warm and evenings cool, and bring water and sun protection for outdoor events. If you plan to taste wine, arrange a ride or designated driver — and because classic-car rentals book up quickly on event weekends, reserve the 1969 Cadillac on DriveShare as soon as your plans are set.
Best time to go
Events draw crowds and fill nearby hotels and restaurants, so book accommodation, dinners and transportation well in advance, and arrive early.
Make a day of it
A sample Temecula day built around Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series:
- Late morning — pickup and a first tasting on the nearest wine trail.
- Midday — Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series.
- Afternoon — one or two more wineries nearby.
- Sunset — a photo stop among the vines before the ride home.
Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series at a glance
| Category | Jazz concert series |
|---|---|
| Address | Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591 |
| Area | Rancho California Road |
| When | Late summer and fall (the 2026 season ran in September and October); the 2027 lineup has not yet been announced |
| Organizer | Thornton Winery |
| Good to know | Live jazz in a vineyard setting with champagne and gourmet dining |
| Website | www.thorntonwine.com/champagne-jazz-series |
Getting to Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series in a 1969 Cadillac
This stop sits in or near Temecula wine country, so it pairs naturally with a chauffeured winery day. Your driver handles the turns and the parking while everyone in your party enjoys the tastings, and the route between stops — vineyards on both sides, the top down — becomes part of the experience.
Chauffeured hire is $325 per hour with a three-hour minimum, booked and protected through DriveShare. Tell us where you want to go and we will build the route — Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series plus a winery or two, a sunset stop and a ride home.
Book the '69 Cadillac on DriveShare
More things to do nearby
- Temecula Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend — events & festivals
- De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Celebration — events & festivals
- 1909 — restaurants
- Baily's Old Town Temecula — restaurants
All things to do in Temecula → · Month-by-month events calendar → · Temecula wineries →
Frequently asked questions
Where is Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series?
Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series is at Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591, in Rancho California Road.
When is Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series?
Late summer and fall (the 2026 season ran in September and October); the 2027 lineup has not yet been announced. Dates can change from year to year, so confirm on the official website before you plan travel.
What is Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series known for?
The Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series is known for live jazz performances in a vineyard setting with champagne and gourmet dining; the 2026 season featured artists including Jeffrey Osborne, Chris Botti, Boney James and Will Downing with Marion Meadows and Alex Bugnon.
Can I arrive at Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series in a classic car?
Yes. 1969 Caddy offers a chauffeured red 1969 Cadillac DeVille convertible from $325 per hour (three-hour minimum), booked on DriveShare. We plan the drop-off and pickup around Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series and can add nearby wineries to the same booking.
Arrive at Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series in style.
A chauffeured 1969 Cadillac convertible for your Temecula day — booked on DriveShare.