Bottaia Winery

By the 1969 Caddy team · Updated November 7, 2026

Bottaia brings a modern, Mediterranean-resort sensibility to Rancho California Road. Opened in 2018 by the team behind neighboring Ponte Winery, it feels less like a traditional tasting room and more like a design-forward Italian retreat — the kind of place where a chilled white by the pool is as much the point as the wine list itself.

The story of Bottaia

Bottaia Winery was established in 2018 and is owned by Claudio Ponte and partners, the same family name behind Ponte Winery a short drive away. Winemaker Arnaud Debons oversees production for both. At Bottaia, the output is split roughly between white and rosé wines (around 5,000 cases) and reds (around 6,000 cases), a balance that reflects the winery’s focus on fresh, food-friendly Italian styles.

The Ponte family’s experience running one of Temecula’s best-known estates shows in Bottaia’s polish. Rather than repeat Ponte’s formula, Bottaia was created with its own identity: Italian grapes, a contemporary aesthetic and a relaxed, social atmosphere built for warm Temecula afternoons.

What to taste at Bottaia

Bottaia is one of the best places in Temecula to explore Italian varietals. The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association lists Arneis, Vermentino and Pinot Grigio among the whites, Sangiovese and Montepulciano among the reds, plus red and white blends. Arneis, a Piedmont white with pear and almond notes, and Vermentino, a coastal Mediterranean grape with citrus and saline freshness, are two you will not find at every winery — start with them.

For reds, Sangiovese, the backbone of Chianti, shows Temecula’s bright cherry fruit and lively acidity, while Montepulciano brings deeper color and softer, plush tannins. Tasting the two together is a quick education in central Italian wine, translated to Southern California sun. Because Bottaia makes nearly as much white and rosé as red, it is a particularly good stop on a hot afternoon.

The Bottaia experience

The winery’s signature is its seasonal pool café and cocktail bar, which gives Bottaia a resort feel unlike most of its neighbors. Live music adds to the atmosphere. The setting is stylish and photogenic, with a clean, contemporary design that makes the red of a 1969 Cadillac pop in photographs.

Bottaia has a clear transportation policy: limousines carrying groups of up to eight guests are welcome with an advance reservation, while buses, party buses and coaches are not accepted. Our chauffeured '69 DeVille carries up to five guests, and we make the reservation for you so your arrival is smooth.

Who will love Bottaia

Bottaia is perfect for anyone who loves Italian whites, design-forward spaces and a sunny, social vibe — think birthday afternoons, couples’ escapes and friends’ weekends. Pair it with Ponte, its sister winery, for a two-stop Italian-themed afternoon, or with nearby Rancho California Road estates for contrast. Arrive with the top down, and let the afternoon stretch by the pool.

A practical tip: because Bottaia’s whites and rosés are such a draw on hot days, schedule it for early or mid-afternoon when the café is at its best, and save heavier red-focused tastings for later stops. It is an easy rhythm to build into a chauffeured day, and one that keeps everyone fresh until the last pour.

The grapes behind Bottaia Winery’s wines

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

• Arneis — a rare Piedmont white with pear, almond and floral notes.
• Montepulciano — a central Italian red with deep color, plush dark fruit and soft tannins.
• Pinot Grigio — a light, crisp Italian-style white with pear and citrus.
• Red blend — proprietary blends that let winemakers combine varieties into a house style; ask which grapes are in the current release.
• Sangiovese — the grape of Chianti — bright cherry, high acidity and an earthy edge that makes it one of the most food-friendly reds in the valley.
• Vermentino — a Mediterranean coastal white with citrus and a saline freshness, ideal on a hot afternoon.

Bottaia 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 Bottaia Winery in a 1969 Cadillac

Rancho California Road is where most chauffeured days begin, and it is the easiest stretch of Temecula wine country to string together in a classic car: the big estates sit close to one another, the road is wide and gently rolling, and the vineyards open up on both sides once you pass the first hill east of the freeway. With the top down on the '69 DeVille, it is a short, unhurried glide between tasting rooms, and your chauffeur handles the turns into busy weekend parking lots so you can step out right at the door.

Bottaia Winery is at 35601 Rancho California Road. 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 Bottaia Winery with two or three nearby wineries in a four- to five-hour booking.

Book the '69 Cadillac on DriveShare

Wineries near Bottaia Winery

Pair your visit with these neighbors on the Rancho California Road:

• Bel Vino Winery — 33515 Rancho California Road
• Callaway Vineyard & Winery — 32720 Rancho California Road
• Carter Estate Winery and Resort — 34450 Rancho California Road
• Chapin Family Vineyards — 36084 Summitville Street

See all 45 Temecula wineries →

Frequently asked questions