Thornton Winery
Thornton Winery
3.5
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Nestled in the heart of the Temecula Valley Wine Country, Thornton Winery opened in 1988. The winery combines old world style with new world taste to create award-winning and premium varietal wines. Thornton Winery is known as the original Champagne House in Temecula, creating Sparkling Wine using the Méthod Champenoise process. Café Champagne is winery's award-winning restaurant and offers a perfect pairing for Thornton wines. During the warmer months, the winery becomes one of Southern California's premier concert venues. Dave Koz, Kenny G, Chris Botti, America, Melissa Etheridge, and Chis Isaak are just a few of the amazing legends to play during Thornton's annual summer Champagne Jazz Concert Series.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
237 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
68
Average
35
Poor
22
Terrible
26
wellnesscoach007
Phoenix, AZ43 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
What started out as our favorite place for jazz concerts and wine years ago is now outrageously expensive and disappointing. We were wine club members as well but when wine tasting is free the winery tacks on a service fee . $34 for a hamburger and fries.
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryKay s
Los Angeles, California, United States45 contributions
May 2023
Prices were absolutely ridiculous. Taco tuesday was two small tacos for $24, a beer was $15 and a burger was $35. What? Food was mediocre and extremely over priced.
Our server was competent and he even told us he thought the tacos were over priced. Is that why we were the only ones in the restaurant? Wake up, Managment! So many better options.
Our server was competent and he even told us he thought the tacos were over priced. Is that why we were the only ones in the restaurant? Wake up, Managment! So many better options.
Written 24 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shanee M
1 contribution
Apr 2023
In my opinion, the worst winery in Temecula, hands down, which is probably why they never seem to have many customers. The customer service is horrible. Large parties of minorities seem to have the worst experiences, based on what I've encountered, and what I've heard from a few other families who I've spoken with, regarding their experiences with Thornton. Their membership appears very deceitful. They advertise perks that are not actually perks, after they charge an inflated gratuity. My family and I visited for the last time a few weeks ago. They left the plastic from the cheese on my son's $35 cheeseburger, and when we told the waitress, she did not offer to have the kitchen remake it. The food was nasty and flavorless. They charged my daughter almost $30 for a shrimp salad, with four small raw shrimp on it. Additionally, they gave me two bills; one was the actual bill (about $290); excluding the membership discounts. The other was the original bill without the discounts (about $530). They claimed that they print both checks to show you how much you saved, but if you pay attention, they charge you the gratuity from the bill without the membership discounts, so basically, they tried to charge me $89 for gratuity, which is actually the price of about 3 to 4 of the so called "complimentary flights." Once you pay that, did you really get a discount? Anyway, the gratuity was the same on both bills/checks. $89 is not 20% of $290. They then canceled my membership, which after that experience, I was going to cancel anyway. They just beat me to it! Anyway, they were upset because I challenged their deceit on the bill/check. I ended up contacting my attorney, due to the deceitfulness of their membership and how I was treated. A letter was sent to them, and their response was to justify their seemingly fraudulent practices. Bottom line: Pay attention to your check/bill/receipts, and be careful with the membership. It's not what it says it is. The food is trash and the only decent wine, in my opinion, is the milk chocolate. Save yourself the disappointment and go to another Temecula winery. I've had good experiences at the other wineries, and have only been dissatisfied with Thornton. Also, I strongly advise against the horrible tasting food.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
busconi
Wenatchee, WA5,355 contributions
Apr 2023
First time to Temecula for wine tasting. Stopped first here at Thornton as one in our party really likes champagne. We also grabbed a lunch.
The food was good...my wife and I shared a caesar salad with chicken...chicken nicely cooked, salad dressing very tasty...a good salad. We grabbed a glass of Albarino and I have to say, it was very good. On the other hand, very disappointed with the champagne....just didn't have the flavor I expect from well crafted methode champenoise , and very few bubbles.
While we really enjoyed our server, friendly, attentive, I was disappointed that the serving staff knew very little about the wine. That is the main reason I gave only an average rating. The winery staff should be educated to talk about the wines.
The food was good...my wife and I shared a caesar salad with chicken...chicken nicely cooked, salad dressing very tasty...a good salad. We grabbed a glass of Albarino and I have to say, it was very good. On the other hand, very disappointed with the champagne....just didn't have the flavor I expect from well crafted methode champenoise , and very few bubbles.
While we really enjoyed our server, friendly, attentive, I was disappointed that the serving staff knew very little about the wine. That is the main reason I gave only an average rating. The winery staff should be educated to talk about the wines.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ndwaua
Aruba291 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The view is lovely.
Wines are so so. Let’s say they’re in development…
Tasting is expensive and over priced. $30 for 4 not even 10 cl poured glasses. One glass had much less then the others, one much more. The amount should be even.
Staff acted laughing when we said we wanted to share because we still had to drive.
Wines are so so. Let’s say they’re in development…
Tasting is expensive and over priced. $30 for 4 not even 10 cl poured glasses. One glass had much less then the others, one much more. The amount should be even.
Staff acted laughing when we said we wanted to share because we still had to drive.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lia F
1 contribution
Dec 2022
We’ve been to the restaurant before but not for a while. Really disappointed at the service and the prices. Wow, the prices. We figured Christmas Eve would be busy but we had reservations at 5 and at that time the inside wasn’t even half full. Yet we waited 40 mins just for overpriced appetizers (39 for a tiny calamari) that came with plastic to-go cup sauces. The server didn’t seem to care or apology for the wait. Even avoided our table because she knew. Everything was small and very over-priced. Yes the food was tasty but the prices didn’t seen worth it considering the atmosphere inside wasn’t very nice either. The wine tasted good but they barely gave you a quarter of a glass. Sad we wanted a special night and got disappointed. Even got the wrong check three times.
Written 25 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina M
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Friends
We attended a concert with 2 other couples which included the dinner. The table seating for 6 was small and we barely had enough room to eat. Second, the meal was terrible!!! For the amount of money per ticket $195, save your money it’s not worth the dinner package.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret S
1 contribution
May 2022
My Husband and I joined this winery April 2022, Our first tasting experience was amazing, in the wine making room, the men were very knowledgeable.
A few weeks later we went to a concert, we were told we would have our wine member discount, BOY after they doubled the price/restaurant pricing. We were so embarrassed we promoted the place and took at least 60 people.
Today, we thought we would give it one more try, since we ar locked in for a year. We had 8 FREE tastings/or glasses, two baskets of bread at 9.00 a basket.(5 banquette slices in each) are you ready......$64.01 They give themselves their own gratuity....READ THE SMALL PRINT. They charge you full restaurant tasting prices, then deduct it and keep the gratuity of the whole bill.
You check in for your tastings at gift shop, they send you to restaurant have you seated as if you were to dine with them.
NEVER have we written a review, it was a MUST. Wines and champagne are LOW end.
We have lived in Temecula since 2004, and have many memberships to many wineries.
BEST Wineries:
Altisima
GBV
Renzoniz
Danza Del Sol
Lorimar Loft & Winery
Bottaia
Lorenzi's
Fazelis
Callaway
GREAT WINES,GREAT OWNERS.
WARNING STAY AWAY FROM THIS UNETHICAL ESTABLISHMENT
A few weeks later we went to a concert, we were told we would have our wine member discount, BOY after they doubled the price/restaurant pricing. We were so embarrassed we promoted the place and took at least 60 people.
Today, we thought we would give it one more try, since we ar locked in for a year. We had 8 FREE tastings/or glasses, two baskets of bread at 9.00 a basket.(5 banquette slices in each) are you ready......$64.01 They give themselves their own gratuity....READ THE SMALL PRINT. They charge you full restaurant tasting prices, then deduct it and keep the gratuity of the whole bill.
You check in for your tastings at gift shop, they send you to restaurant have you seated as if you were to dine with them.
NEVER have we written a review, it was a MUST. Wines and champagne are LOW end.
We have lived in Temecula since 2004, and have many memberships to many wineries.
BEST Wineries:
Altisima
GBV
Renzoniz
Danza Del Sol
Lorimar Loft & Winery
Bottaia
Lorenzi's
Fazelis
Callaway
GREAT WINES,GREAT OWNERS.
WARNING STAY AWAY FROM THIS UNETHICAL ESTABLISHMENT
Written 30 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lawrence S
Las Vegas, NV31 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
The service was great. Our server, Lisa, was very knowledgeable about the extensive variety of wines served at Thornton Winery and seemed to know us better than we knew ourselves. She was able to guide us through the benefits of joining the wine club on our first ever visit to the winery.
Written 15 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marvin M
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Couples
We went to dinner at the winery and it was terrible! We placed our order and we waited 1 hour and 5 minutes for the soup and salad! During that time another couple came in 45 minutes after we did and got their order the same time we did. The food was just mediocre at best. The bread pudding tasted like a sheet cake from Walmart. The manager did nothing to check on the dining situation and was extremely unapologetic for the terrible service. NEVER again! 1 Star is an over rating for this place.
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What hotels are around the winery
DerD
Ashland, OR59 contributions
Pechanga Hotel and Casino was a very nice and clean hotel.
OnAir702042
Rialto, CA11 contributions
To line up early for concert, is there shade or seating,
tgt2c
Temecula, CA44 contributions
No shade, no seating in line.
Ginger6_67
California Cilty28 contributions
what hotels are with in walking distance if any from you or closest hotel to your location?
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Claim your listingThornton Winery (Temecula) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Thornton Winery
- Hotels near Thornton Winery:
- (0.33 km) Love at First Syrah - Pool & spa with 2 Casitas
- (0.89 km) The Inn at Europa Village
- (0.46 km) Bolero At Europa Village
- (0.96 km) Inn at Churon Winery
- (0.69 km) Close Enough To Do A Vineyard Wine Crawl
- Restaurants near Thornton Winery:
- (0.02 km) Cafe Champagne
- (0.53 km) Meritage at Callaway
- (0.47 km) Bolero Restaurante
- (0.57 km) Meritage Restaurant
- (0.78 km) Carol's Restaurant