Europa Village is sort of like the Disneyland of viticulture.
The 45-acre resort in Temecula was envisioned as being divided into three themed “villages,” each representing a diffrerent wine-growing region of Europe.
That vision grew closer to reality on Friday, Jan. 12, with the grand opening of Vienza, an Italian-themed village.
It’s been a long time coming. The dream began in 2007, according to managing partner Dan Stephenson, followed by the opening of a first section, called Prelude in 2011.
The first village, Bolero with a Spanish theme, opened in 2020. A French village, C’est La Vie, is yet to be built.
“We’re creating something that’s never been created before, and it’s exciting,” Stephenson said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Before Friday, Vienza was only previewed to small groups of investors. But it already has an award-winning wine. Metodo Classico Brut, which won double gold and Best in Show Sparkling at the 2023 California State Fair, according to a news release.
After the opening ceremony, guests climbed an external stairway into Vienza, a multileveled complex surrounded by patios and balconies. Facilities include a tasting room, ballroom, a market selling Italian products and a deli serving wood-fire pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and gelatos.
“It’s the realization of an extremely important part of our vision,” said Matt Rice, director of winery operations at Europa Village. “It’s got more amenities than you can possibly imagine.”
But there is more to come, he said. Landscaping will continue for a few weeks, and facilities yet to be built include a hotel and amphitheater.
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“I would say in three to five years we expect everything to be completed. That includes the French village,” he said.
The theme park analogy is not new to Rice.
“That’s something we give a lot of credence to in our model, because when you go to Disneyland you have Frontierland and all the other different lands. Here we have that same kind of experience.
“It also makes sense as a business model. Most people who go wine-tasting will visit two, three, maybe four wineries in a day. But it’s not a lot of fun if you’ve got to jump in your car and waste time driving and driving and driving. For us, when you put three unique experiences on the same property, why not just stay here all day.”
Vienza at Europa Village
Where: 41150 Via Europa, Temecula
Information: 951-506-1818, europavillage.com