Leoness Cellars
A working hilltop winery in Temecula wine country, with vineyard-view ceremony grounds and a dramatic barrel-lined reception room — where Lulan Studio has photographed multiple weddings.
A working hilltop winery in Temecula wine country
Founded in 2003 by longtime Temecula-area vineyard managers Gary Winder and Mike Rennie, Leoness Cellars sits on a hilltop above its own Rolling Hills Vineyard, hand-planted with Cabernet Sauvignon in 1996. The estate hosted its first wedding in 2005. Ceremonies take place on an elevated lawn beneath a white pergola with panoramic views of the vineyard rows and surrounding hills, while receptions move into the Barrel Room — an arched-ceiling space lined with stacked oak barrels. In-house catering and bar service are standard for events here.
Multiple weddings photographed on this hilltop estate
We've photographed multiple weddings at Leoness Cellars, including a wedding for a couple whose original venue fell through and who booked us after moving their celebration here. We're familiar with the estate's vine rows as a first-look location — chosen for good sun positioning and an easy walk from the reception space — and with the Barrel Room's dramatic, low-lit interior for reception coverage.
Good to know before you book
- In-house catering and bar service are required — no outside catering appears to be permitted
- The venue maintains a preferred-vendors list, though vendors outside that list have shot weddings here
- Rental fees vary significantly by day of week and season, each with a different guest minimum
- A signed contract and 50% deposit secure your date; the remaining balance is due 30 days before the event
Where we like to shoot
- The vine rows just outside the reception space — a favorite first-look spot
- The elevated ceremony lawn's white pergola, framed by vineyard and mountain views
- The Barrel Room's arched ceilings and stacked oak barrels for reception photos
- Golden hour along the vineyard rows, roughly 4–5pm for warm, diffused light
What couples and guests notice about Leoness Cellars
A working hilltop winery with panoramic Temecula Valley views and vine rows that double as a natural ceremony backdrop.
An outdoor pergola ceremony lawn and the dramatic indoor Barrel Room give two distinct visual settings without leaving the property.
Catering and bar service are in-house only, and a 20% service charge applies on top of package pricing — worth building into your budget early.
Planning your day at Leoness Cellars
About Leoness Cellars
Leoness Cellars sits on the elevated De Portola Wine Trail in Temecula wine country, where terraced vineyard rows drop away toward the valley floor and the hills roll out beyond. The estate pairs a manicured ceremony lawn with a dramatic barrel room, so a full wedding day happens in one place with wine-country scenery in every direction.
Weddings here are all-inclusive: the in-house culinary team handles the food, the estate pours its own Leoness wines, and a venue coordinator runs the day. Couples get exclusive use of the grounds, dressing suites, and chauffeured carts to shuttle the wedding party between the vineyard and the barrel room.
Location · 38311 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Style · Winery / vineyard estate with barrel-room reception
Capacity · 40 to 200 guests
Ceremony · Elevated vineyard lawn with white pergola
Best season · Spring and fall for mild temperatures and green vineyards
Venue website and public wedding listings (Here Comes The Guide, The Knot), verified 2026
The complete Leoness Cellars planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · Up to 200
Standing/cocktail · Up to 200
Ceremony · Up to 200
Rentable spaces
- Ceremony Lawn — elevated lawn with a white pergola overlooking vineyard rows and the valley
- Barrel Room — one of the largest winery reception spaces in Temecula, with draping, chandeliers, and stacked wine barrels
- Dressing suites — private getting-ready rooms for the wedding party
- Vineyard grounds — terraced rows used for portraits and cocktail hour
Pricing
Peak Saturday · Site fee toward the upper end of the roughly $2,145 to $11,780 rental range, plus a ceremony fee around $3,125
Off-peak · Lower end of the rental range on weekdays and off-season dates
What's included · Exclusive venue use, tables, chairs, linens, glassware and place settings, in-house catering, Leoness wine, coordination, 1-hour rehearsal, 5-hour event time; food packages start around $80/person plus 20% service charge
Catering & bar
Catering is in-house only. The estate's culinary team provides all food through all-inclusive packages (buffet or plated dinner, hors d'oeuvres, sparkling wine toast, and cake service), and alcohol is served exclusively by the venue using Leoness wines and in-house bar packages. Outside caterers and outside alcohol are not permitted.
Rules & restrictions
- 5-hour event time with a 1-hour rehearsal included
- Alcohol served only by the venue; no outside alcohol
- Amplified music allowed indoors; outdoor amplified music is restricted
- In-house catering required; no outside food
- 50% deposit to reserve the date, balance due 30 days prior
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · Private dressing suites on site for both parties
Parking · Complimentary on-site parking; chauffeured carts shuttle the wedding party
Load-in · Vendor load-in coordinated through the venue's event team
How to book
Book by requesting the wedding pricing guide and scheduling a private tour, then signing a contract with a 50% deposit to hold the date; the remaining balance is due 30 days before the wedding. Availability is limited and the venue recommends booking early, especially for peak spring and fall Saturdays. Contact the events team at (951) 302-7601.
Photographing Leoness Cellars
The elevated setting is the draw: the ceremony lawn and its white pergola frame vineyard rows that lead the eye to the valley and hills, and late-afternoon light rakes across the terraces for warm, golden portraits. Plan the ceremony for the back half of the day so the sun sits low behind the vines during couple's portraits.
The barrel room gives a completely different, moodier look for reception and rainy-day coverage, with chandeliers and stacked barrels. Between the two spaces the vineyard rows, the estate architecture, and the open valley overlook give plenty of variety without leaving the property.
Engagement sessions at Leoness Cellars
The De Portola vineyard rows and valley overlook make Leoness a strong engagement-session backdrop, ideally tied to a tasting visit.
Best time · Golden hour, roughly 60 to 90 minutes before sunset
Permit/fee · n/a — arrange access with the venue; not open for unscheduled shoots
Standout spots · Vineyard rows, the pergola lawn, and the valley overlook
Contact the venue in advance to confirm a date and time, since it is a working winery with tastings and events.
What couples love
- Panoramic vineyard, valley, and mountain views from an elevated setting
- All-inclusive packages with in-house food and estate wine
- A dramatic barrel room for receptions and weather backup
- Chauffeured carts and dedicated coordination that simplify the day
- Everything ceremony-to-reception in one location
Good to know
- Catering and alcohol are in-house only, so outside caterers are not allowed
- Outdoor amplified music is restricted; confirm sound rules early
- A 40-guest minimum applies, plus a 20% service charge on food and beverage
- A separate ceremony fee applies on top of the rental
- Temecula summers can be hot; spring and fall are more comfortable
A typical wedding day at Leoness Cellars
2:00 PM — Wedding party arrives, hair and makeup finish in the dressing suites
4:30 PM — Ceremony on the elevated vineyard lawn
5:00 PM — Cocktail hour among the vines with estate wine
6:00 PM — Dinner and toasts in the barrel room
10:00 PM — Last dance and send-off
Frequently asked questions
How many guests can Leoness Cellars hold?
The venue accommodates weddings from a 40-guest minimum up to about 200 guests.
Is catering in-house or can I bring my own?
Catering is in-house only; the estate's culinary team provides all food through all-inclusive packages.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
No. Alcohol is served exclusively by the venue, featuring Leoness wines and in-house bar packages.
Where does the ceremony take place?
On an elevated lawn with a white pergola overlooking vineyard rows and the valley.
Where is the reception held?
In the barrel room, one of the largest winery reception spaces in Temecula, with draping, chandeliers, and wine barrels.
How much does a wedding here cost?
Rental fees range roughly $2,145 to $11,780 by date, with a separate ceremony fee around $3,125, food packages from about $80/person, and a 20% service charge.
What is included in the rental?
Exclusive venue use, tables, chairs, linens, glassware and place settings, catering, coordination, a rehearsal, and a 5-hour event time.
Is there a getting-ready space?
Yes, private dressing suites are available on site for the wedding party.
How long is the event?
The package includes a 5-hour event time plus a one-hour rehearsal.
How do we reserve a date?
Sign a contract and pay a 50% deposit; the balance is due 30 days before the wedding.
Is parking available?
Yes, complimentary on-site parking is provided, and chauffeured carts shuttle the wedding party.
What is the best time of year to get married here?
Spring and fall offer the mildest weather and green vineyards; summers can be quite hot.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 38311 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Nearest airport · San Diego International (SAN), about 60 to 75 minutes; Ontario (ONT) is a similar drive
Drive time · About 15 to 20 minutes from central Temecula
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula
- Ponte Vineyard Inn, Temecula
- Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula
- Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula
The history behind Leoness Cellars
- Leoness Cellars is an established estate winery on Temecula's De Portola Wine Trail, known for its hilltop vineyards and barrel-room events.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens · L'Auberge Del Mar · The Lodge at Torrey Pines · Kona Kai Resort · San Diego Botanic Garden.
Planning a wedding at Leoness Cellars? Reach out to check your date →
More Temecula venues: Temecula & Inland Empire venue guide
