San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Ladera Ranch; ranchocapwinery.com
Local winemakers and restaurateurs Kyle and Sylvia Fransen have brought the best of Northern and Central California wine country to Orange County.
As Kyle tells it, "When my wife Sylvia and I decided to create a local winery, we knew we wanted to locate it in what is believed to be the birthplace of California wine, San Juan Capistrano. Mission settlers planted and harvested wine grapes just a few hundred yards from our San Juan location. We were also intent on branding it for the area, marrying the region's rich ranching history with winemaking and giving it a name that reflects the region."
The result is Rancho Capistrano, which in its 12 years has blossomed into three locations in South County with restaurants accompanying the wine production.
Producing about 25,000 cases annually of about 40 different wines and 25 available at any given time from the finest areas in the West, Rancho Capistrano appeals to the most discriminating palates.
"Our exceptional wine club offers locals the chance to enjoy premier wine club benefits without the need to travel hundreds of miles," Kyle Franson said.
"Cult favorites," he said, are the Bella chardonnay; Maverick, a zinfandel blend; and "a special pinot noir named after my wife, Sylvia, each year."
The restaurants give customers a chance to experience fine dining from Chef Adrian's award-winning kitchen with customized wine pairings.
While many wineries in the Southland are inspired by our northern neighbors, Dan Stephenson fell in love with regions in Spain, Italy and France in the 1970s. He and a friend bought 300 acres in the then little-known Temecula Valley Wine Country and the dream-come-true result is Europa Village.
"Unlike anything today in Temecula Valley wine country, Europa Village is a uniquely themed multi-winery resort," said Jason Maciel, director of marketing and PR. "These exciting European-style venues include award-winning wines, boutiques, tasting rooms, unique European-inspired cuisine and resort-style accommodations all in one destination."
"There are 18.31 acres of vines on the estate with plantings of 18 different grape varietals," said Blake Miller, head winemaker, as well as grapes sourced from "ultra-premium vineyards," producing about 30,000 cases annually.
Although open year-round, the prime season is between June and October, "when the vines are in full bloom," according to Maciel.
A family owned winery, Wiens Cellars has been a part of the Temecula terroir for 28 years.
Since hand planting its first 14-acre vineyard in 1996, Wiens has grown to more than 70 acres of hand-cultivated vines.
Wiens Cellars was acquired by entrepreneurs Mark and David Steinhafel in 2022, but says "the legacy of Wiens lives on, bigger and better than ever before."
Joseph Wiens, a second-generation winemaker from the founding family, remains as the director of winemaking.
According to the Wiens website, the winery is "well known for our bold, proprietary reds; crisp, refreshing whites; sparkling wines, and a variety of blends," while experimenting with more than 30 grape varieties.
Wiens Cellar cellars plays host to tours, as well as introductory, standard and select wine tastings in its rustic yet elegant tasting room and patio. Wiens Cellars is also available for weddings and events.