Hans Christian Anderson once wrote, “To travel is to live.” I wholeheartedly agree. Whether you go on vacation, “go on holiday” like the Brits, or “get out of Dodge for a while”, up and leaving town is a great way to open one’s eyes to so many different things. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done for many of us. While we’d all love to pack up and go at our every whim, often work, family, money and life in general keep us right where we are most of the time. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just feel like we were out of town every now and then?


Patio in a Spanish villa? No, it’s just outside your room at Ponte Vineyard Inn


Hello, Tuscany! Or rather, hello, Temecula!

That’s where Ponte Vineyard Inn comes in. Far away, it is not, but it certainly feels worlds away from the hustle of the city. Located in the middle of Temecula Wine Country, surrounded by grapevines and sweeping mountain views, our boutique hotel is a picturesque example of serenity. You may hear birds chirping, our courtyard fountain flowing, and wine glasses toasting, but not much else. Taking your glass of wine outside, you can stroll by our pond, through the vineyards, and over to the gardens right next door to Ponte Winery. We can’t promise you European villas, Alpine skiing or soft sandy beaches, but we think you’ll definitely feel like you’re on holiday, especially if you visit Bouquet Restaurant.


A coveted appetizer… the Poached Octopus Carpaccio!

Dining at Bouquet just might make you think you’re eating on the Amalfi Coast when you order the poached octopus carpaccio appetizer (shown above), served with Calabrian harissa sauce and poached fingerling potatoes. Transport to Provence, France with house-made soup bursting with haricot verts, zucchini, cannellini beans and topped with garlicky pistou. Next, make your way to Tuscany by selecting the roasted bone-in pork chop served with pistachio and roasted sunchoke caponata and sautéed Tuscan kale. And if you feel like staying local with American meat and potatoes, we’ve got that, too, in the form of coffee and pepper crusted beef tenderloin medallions served with smoked goat cheese potato gratin.


First class dining awaits you right here in wine country

See the full menu here.

When the vacation must end, it’s nice to know a plane or train won’t be necessary to get you back home, just a short drive. Once settled in, be sure to post all of those pictures you took and tell everyone about your fabulous holiday!