Old Town for the Last Glass

Old Town is not “wine country.” It’s a walkable grid with dinner, hotel rooms, and three places that still pour seriously.

La Fata Cellars — 41955 5th Street

Italian-heritage lounge, broad California list (Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Graciano). The 2021 Freedom of Life Syrah took Double Gold and 94 points at Toast of the Coast. Live bands, food plates. Open late on Friday and Saturday (until 9). Founded by Vito and Anna La Fata; the brand was acquired by McClain Cellars in 2025. Still worth going. Don’t pretend it’s a two-person shop.

Corbeaux Wine & Tea House — 41923 Second Street, Suite 105

The Schneider family’s Matin Du Bois wines plus a French-Asian kitchen, about 25 teas, mead, wine cocktails, jazz on select nights. Chef Chris Gimeno, 2024 Xenia Culinary Award. Thursday–Monday, open until 9. This is the one that is actually dinner.

Big Nose Winery — 42100 Main Street, Suite D

Inside the historic Hotel Temecula. Roger and Janice Mattar, garage in 2012, licensed in 2018. Bold reds, whites, rosé, library bottles. Fruit from San Diego County to Sonoma — they say so, which is rarer than it should be. No reservation. A good last glass. Hotel lodging on the same property is not the winery’s.

How to do it

Park once. Eat at Corbeaux or next door. Walk. You do not need a car between these three, and you should not use one.

The filterable directory for these three is on the wineries page; this note is the walking order, not a ranking.