Bella Vista Winery

By the 1969 Caddy team · Updated November 7, 2026

Every wine region has a place where it all began, and in Temecula, Bella Vista can claim a piece of that history: the winery stands on the location of Temecula’s first commercial vineyard. Today it is a relaxed, picnic-friendly stop on the Calle Contento corridor, with a short, red-focused tasting list and a new chapter underway.

The story of Bella Vista

Bella Vista Winery was established in 1978. Its modern history is tied to Imre Cziraki, who began making wine at the age of seven with his grandfather in Hungary. He bought his first vineyard in La Cresta in 1982, followed by the Bella Vista vineyard in 1998 and the winery property in 2004.

More recently, Bella Vista was purchased by the owners of Somerset Winery on the De Portola Wine Trail, and the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association lists Kurt Tiedt as owner. The new team has been renovating the interior and introducing a refreshed look. Production runs between 5,000 and 8,000 cases a year.

What to taste at Bella Vista

Bella Vista keeps its focus tight: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo are the varietals listed for the winery. That makes for an easy, coherent tasting — three reds that each express Temecula’s warm days in a different way. Cabernet brings structure, Syrah brings dark fruit and spice, and Tempranillo, the great grape of Spain, brings savory, earthy notes that work beautifully with food.

Taste them in that order, or try the Tempranillo first if you want to see what makes it different. With a short list, it is also a good stop to buy a bottle and slow down rather than rush through a long flight.

The Bella Vista experience

This is one of Temecula’s friendliest stops for a picnic. Bella Vista offers picnic areas, is dog friendly and family friendly, and has wedding and event spaces plus a gift shop, where snacks are available during business hours. For limousine and bus groups, the winery asks for a day’s advance notice — which we handle as part of planning a chauffeured visit.

Who will love Bella Vista

History lovers will appreciate standing where Temecula’s commercial vineyards began, and picnickers will enjoy one of the corridor’s most relaxed settings. Families and dog owners are welcome too. Combine Bella Vista with a stop at its sister winery, Somerset, on De Portola Road for a two-winery story in one afternoon — a short, scenic drive that the '69 Cadillac makes all the more memorable.

With renovations underway under new ownership, it is worth checking the winery’s website for the latest on what is open before your visit — part of what we confirm when planning a chauffeured day.

The grapes behind Bella Vista Winery’s wines

A quick guide to the varieties on Bella Vista Winery’s list, and how they tend to show in Temecula:

• Cabernet Sauvignon — the king of Bordeaux grapes; in Temecula’s warm days and cool nights it ripens to dark cherry and cassis with firm, age-worthy tannins.
• Syrah — the great Rhône grape — dark berries, black pepper and smoke — and one of the varieties best suited to Temecula’s climate.
• Tempranillo — Spain’s signature red, with cherry, leather and savory notes; it thrives in Temecula and loves food.

Bella Vista Winery fact sheet

Details from the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association directory. Hours, menus and policies change, so confirm on the winery’s website before visiting.

Arriving at Bella Vista Winery in a 1969 Cadillac

Calle Contento runs north off Rancho California Road, and within a minute the traffic thins and the road narrows into a quieter corridor of family wineries, ranch gates and long views across the valley. It is a lovely road for an open-top cruise: slow enough to enjoy the vines rolling by, close enough to the main trail that you can pair a Calle Contento stop with a lunch on Rancho California Road in the same afternoon.

Bella Vista Winery is at 41220 Calle Contento. We plan the route, confirm any reservation or group policy with the winery, and time the drive so you arrive relaxed — and leave without anyone in your party needing to drive after tasting. Chauffeured hire is $325 per hour with a three-hour minimum; most guests pair Bella Vista Winery with two or three nearby wineries in a four- to five-hour booking.

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Wineries near Bella Vista Winery

Pair your visit with these neighbors on the Calle Contento corridor:

• Briar Rose Winery — 41720 Calle Cabrillo
• Akash Winery — 39730 Calle Contento
• Europa Village Wineries & Resort — 41150 Via Europa
• Falkner Winery — 40620 Calle Contento

See all 45 Temecula wineries →

Frequently asked questions