Fazeli Cellars Winery

Temecula with a Persian accent: founder BJ Fazeli built this striking estate as a tribute to his homeland's 7,000-year winemaking tradition, and the theme carries from the architecture through to the Mediterranean-Persian kitchen. The hillside setting delivers some of the De Portola Trail's finest views over vines and rolling hills — more than one visitor compares it to Tuscany.

The winery is dog-friendly and welcomes children, making it one of the more relaxed stops on the trail. Tastings typically run six wines; the food menu is a genuine departure from standard winery fare and worth planning a meal around.