South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is situated on 63 lush acres of rolling vineyards in Southern California wine country.

Just prior to the onset of the pandemic, my husband and I set off to enjoy a quick getaway at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. Located in Temecula, California, which is less than a two-hour drive from Los Angeles (depending on traffic), it’s the perfect escape when you need a change of pace and scenery without having to travel too far. It’s also a great place to visit if you’re traveling from far away or even from out of state and want to experience the best that Southern California wine country has to offer.

Spa Profile: GrapeSeed Spa at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Even though we were only staying for one night, it was still a great opportunity for us to check out most of South Coast Winery’s highlights—including their famed GrapeSeed Spa, which is the only full-service spa in Temecula Valley. In addition to a spa day, we were also scheduled for a wine tasting and dinner at the property’s highly-acclaimed restaurant. A weekend filled with wine, food, and spa treatments? I couldn’t have asked for more.

Safety Updates and Protocols:

I went on this trip in early March 2020, right before COVID-19 occurred. Since then, there have been some changes to services and offerings, which are mentioned below.

Carter Hospitality, the owner/operator of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, created the Carter Care program for its three winery resorts to ensure the safety of guests and employees during COVID-19. The Carter Care programs includes:

All guests are asked to wear face coverings in public spaces and comply with six-foot physical distancing policies.
Hand sanitizing stations are placed throughout the winery resorts, and enhanced sanitation measures utilizing Bioesque sprayers and hospital-grade disinfectants are used throughout the guestrooms and public areas.
Villas and bungalows are left vacant for a period of time between guest arrivals, and a seal is placed on all door locks to indicate they haven’t been accessed since they were last cleaned.
At GrapeSeed Spa, outdoor massages are available in five private patio massage rooms—four rooms for individuals and one for couples. Manicures and pedicures take place on the outdoor veranda overlooking GrapeSeed’s pool area and the Palomar mountains. Overnight guests are able to book private cabanas at the pool, complete with food and wine service.

In addition to 50 luxuriously appointed guest suites, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa also has 82 villas that are scattered among the vineyards. — In addition to 50 luxuriously appointed guest suites, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa also has 82 villas that are scattered among the vineyards.

Here’s what you’ll love about South Coast Winery Resort & Spa:

Situated on 63 lush acres of rolling vineyards in Temecula, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa offers the perfect getaway in Southern California wine country. It’s also a wonderful destination for wedding or bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday or anniversary celebrations, and corporate retreats.
A variety of fun activities are available for guests including a horse-drawn carriage ride through the vineyards, sunrise hot air balloon rides, golfing at nearby Pechanga or CrossCreek Golf Club, and biking or horseback riding.
The resort offers breathtaking vineyard views, indoor and outdoor event space, farm-to-table cuisine, award-winning wines, and a full-service spa.
The winery carries 45 wine labels, many of which are available for sampling in the main tasting room.
The luxurious accommodations (which are also pet-friendly) include 50 guest suites and 82 villas that have beautiful vineyard views and private patios. Amenities include gas fireplaces, luxury linens and down comforters, LCD flat screen TVs, and a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival.
The Vineyard Rose Restaurant is the property’s onsite restaurant that serves fresh, California-style cuisine masterminded by executive chef Jose Esparza and includes an elegant Tuscan-style dining room, in addition to al fresco dining on the landscaped outdoor patio.
GrapeSeed Spa is the only full-service spa in the Temecula Valley and is a three-story, 17,000-square-foot oasis of peace and relaxation.
The spa’s amenities include a boutique, nail salon, saltwater pool, two whirlpools, private lockers, a spa dining menu, fitness center, yoga studio, and 22 treatment rooms with patios and fountains.
The spa’s treatment menu offers a variety of treatments in a tranquil setting that range from deep tissue massages to HydraFacials.

Each villa includes a private patio surrounded by stunning vineyard views—the perfect place to start and end your day.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa was founded more than 20 years ago by Jim Carter, who built the area’s first full-service winery resort that is also family-owned and operated. Since its inception, South Coast has become one of the region’s most acclaimed and popular wineries. Read more about its history here.

Upon our arrival, we checked in and were directed to our Villa, which was located at the far end of the property overlooking the expansive vineyard. The resort offers two types of accommodations, Suites and Villas, depending on what you’re looking for. The Suites are located in the hotel tower, which is close to the tasting room and restaurant. Suites offer views of the vineyards and surrounding areas, and include amenities such as fireplaces, spa-style bathrooms with double tubs, and more.

The Villas are located closer to the vineyards and feel more like private homes—they’re especially great if you are traveling with family or a larger group and need separate accommodations but still want to be right next to each other. They’re also a great option for those traveling with pets, as the resort is dog-friendly and the villas have plenty of access to open space and areas for walking. Right next to our Villa was a park-like area with grass, and pet waste stations are located throughout the property.

What better way to welcome guests to a winery than with a bottle of wine?

When we arrived to our room, a bottle of wine greeted us accompanied by a beautifully arranged cheese and fruit plate. Our accommodations included a living area with a gas fireplace, dining area, large bathroom with a huge tub, and my favorite: an outdoor patio that overlooked the vineyards. I was looking forward to unwinding in our personal sanctuary, but first we had a wine tasting date followed by dinner.

We made our way over to the winery tasting room, which is located towards the front of the property. It’s a short walk from the Suites and Villas, but there is also a parking lot right in front should you choose to drive. However, if you’re planning on indulging in some of their wines, walking is strongly advised, especially since it’s such a short distance away. While walking over, we caught a beautiful sunset—the perfect way to begin our wine tasting adventure!

We managed to catch a beautiful sunset before our wine tasting.

The winery is impressive, to say the least. Over the years, it has accumulated more than 5,000 awards and accolades, and is the only winery to be named the four-time winner of the prestigious California State Winery of the Year award from the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.

With 45 wine labels on offer—many of which are available for sampling in the main tasting room—guests are certainly spoiled for choice. From reds and whites to sparkling and dessert wines, there is something for everyone on the menu. The winery also features a team of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores. If you’re a gift shop junkie like me, the Boutique (located just outside the tasting room) carries a wide variety of resort and wine-themed merchandise, perfect as gifts for others and as mementos of your trip.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa offers 45 wine labels, a majority of which are available for sampling in the main tasting room.

The winery has accumulated more than 5,000 awards in domestic and international wine competitions, and is a four-time winner of the prestigious California State Winery of the Year Award from the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.

We chose the red wine tasting, which included samples of some of the winery’s best including our newfound favorite: 2014 Group Therapy. It features spicy notes of Grenache combined with the earthy and fruity character of Zinfandel, with the acidity of Sangiovese, and a few other varietals mixed in. We loved it so much that we ended up ordering two bottles to take home!

For avid wine lovers, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa also has a Wine Club that offers its members access to exclusive, limited release, and pre-released wines. They also received preferential pricing across the resort, including at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant, GrapeSeed Spa, and the hotel and villas. To join the Wine Club, click here.

We enjoyed a sampling of some of the winery’s best red wines (white wines and sparking/sweet wines are also available).

After indulging in some incredible wine, we were ready for dinner. The Vineyard Rose Restaurant is conveniently located just a few steps away from the tasting room. The elegant Tuscan-inspired dining room offers a menu featuring fresh, locally-grown ingredients and serves California-style cuisine by executive chef Jose Esparza.

Brunch is served daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. Between my husband and me, we shared the Iceberg Wedge Salad, Lobster Mac ’n’ Cheese, Seared Scallops, and the Grilled Filet Mignon—accompanied by more great wine, of course. After splitting an Ice Cream Sundae for dessert, we ended the evening by strolling around the beautiful open grounds of the resort and winery before eventually heading back to our Villa.

Note: Currently, dining is available outdoors on the front patio and back veranda only.

After our tasting, we enjoy a a first-class dinner at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant, which includes an elegant Tuscan-style dining room and an outdoor patio.

The California-style cuisine, which is masterminded by executive chef Jose Esparza, features a variety of fresh and delicious dishes, including the iceberg wedge salad and the lobster mac ’n’ cheese.

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing soak in our extra-deep bathtub, which helped prepare me for a relaxing sleep session. Afterwards, I turned on the gas fireplace with the flip of a switch and curled up on the comfortable sofa next to it—the perfect end to our first day at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa.

After dinner, I enjoyed a relaxing soak in our spa-style bathtub.

I spent the remainder of the evening curled up in front of our cozy gas fireplace before turning in for the night.

The following morning, we ordered room service on our television and used the remote control to place our orders. Before we knew it, fresh breakfast and coffee had arrived at our door. We opted to dine outside, as the scenery was simply too good to pass up. Sipping on coffee while looking over the vineyards was an amazing way to start our morning, and we had one last treat in store before heading home: spa services at GrapeSeed Spa!

Ordering room service was easy and convenient using our remote control to select from the on-screen menu.

We enjoyed a lovely breakfast on our private patio surrounded by the stunning scenery.

The spa was just a few minutes away by foot and as we strolled down the winding tranquility paths that led to the entrance, I was starting to feel more relaxed by the minute. Off to one side of the spa and down a set of stairs is a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment including various free weights, treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical trainers, machines, and towel service. A private yoga studio is also available for small groups or individual sessions with a team of yoga instructors.

To the left of the spa entrance is the heated outdoor saltwater pool, which is set to 83-degrees year-round. It is open to hotel and spa guests, and includes covered cabanas that can be rented, along with a poolside menu that guests can order from. Use of spa facilities is included with a hotel stay or any spa service over $60. A Spa Day Pass provides access to the fitness facilities, locker room, steam room, sauna, and outdoor hot tub.

GrapeSeed Spa is the only full-service spa in the Temecula Valley.

The three-story spa spans 17,000-square-feet and offers a wide variety of relaxing amenities.

A beautiful tree-lined path leads to the spa’s entrance.

A peek at the spa over the top of the plants.

Fitness Club, Spa Club, and Pool Club Memberships are also available and include special pricing on spa services, food and beverage, retail merchandise, and more. To learn more and to apply for membership, click here.

Adjacent to the spa is a fitness studio that is open to all guests.

The fitness studio includes a variety of state-of-the-art exercise machines.

After we checked into the spa, we were offered our choice between red and a sparkling wine. I was excited to see that my favorite wine from our tasting the night prior was on the menu, so I went with a glass of the Group Therapy, which was brought to me in the upstairs tranquility lounge a little later into my visit.

GrapeSeed Spa also has a large retail boutique that carries a wide variety of spa and skincare brands, including Kopari (which was used in my treatment), as well as other favorites like Epicuren, FarmHouse Fresh, and Sonoma Lavender. The boutique also sells workout clothing and loungewear, along with swimwear (I had forgotten to bring a swimsuit when I packed, so I conveniently picked up a cute bikini while I was there).

Upon checking in, I was offered my choice between white and red wine.

The spa has a large retail boutique that carries well-known spa brands, swimwear, workout clothing, and other accessories.

Within the spa and past the retail boutique is The Nail Cellar, which offers manicure and pedicure services, in addition to foot and hand treatments, and polish changes. Services in The Nail Cellar also include a glass of pre-selected wine.

The Nail Cellar is located inside the spa and offers manicure and pedicure services.

My husband was led to the men’s locker room, while a female attendant assigned me a locker in the women’s locker room, which came with a plush robe and comfortable slippers. In addition to the changing area, there are private showers for guests who want to rinse off before or after their services, as well as a separate bathroom area. Amenities also include a dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and a relaxing al fresco saltwater tub, where I enjoyed a long relaxing soak before heading upstairs to the tranquility lounge.

One of the locker rooms and changing areas in the women’s side of the spa.

My locker came with a comfy robe and slippers.

The women’s side also includes a private saltwater hot tub.

Back by the retail area there is an elevator that takes you to the second floor where the tranquility lounge and treatment rooms are located. The lounge is co-ed, so my husband and I met up there and were served our glasses of wine. There is also a snack station that included fresh fruit, water, and an assortment of tea.

An elevator leads to the second floor of the spa where the treatment rooms are located.

The various upstairs hallways lead to 22 private treatment rooms.

Refreshments included fresh fruit, water, and an assortment of teas.

I sipped on my glass of wine while relaxing and waiting for my treatment to begin.

The tranquility lounge has a set of double doors that lead outside to a large balcony that overlooks the swimming pool. There is plenty of comfortable lounge seating available in the event that you want to relax in the sun (or shade) while enjoying views of the surrounding vineyards as well.

The tranquility lounge also leads to a spacious outdoor deck.

The upstairs deck overlooks the spa’s saltwater pool.

Plenty of comfortable seating is available accompanied by vineyard views.

It was finally time for my service, so I followed my therapist down the hall into one of the private treatment rooms. Today I was getting the 80-minute Coconut Remedy Body Ritual, so my room had two treatment beds in it along with a private shower.

To start out, my therapist had me lay down on one bed, which had towels on top of it. She performed a full-body exfoliation using a coconut crush scrub that consisted of brown sugar and Tahitian coconut shells. All of the products used in my treatment were from Kopari, one of my favorite skincare brands that features 100% pure, organic coconut oil sustainably sourced from small family farms in the Philippines.

After she had scrubbed me from head to toe, my therapist turned on the shower for me and then stepped out of the room so that I could rinse off before the next portion of my service. Once I had washed away all of the scrub, I laid back down under the weighted blanket on the second table. Shortly after, my therapist returned and proceeded to massage an organic coconut melt all over my skin.

Following this, she performed a coconut oil scalp treatment on me and finished off with a foot massage that left me completely relaxed and rejuvenated. Not only did my skin feel soft and my hair hydrated, but the pleasant aroma of coconut left me smelling like a tropical vacation!

My treatment room included two beds and a private shower.

The 80-minute Coconut Remedy Body Ritual includes a full-body exfoliation followed by a warm shower, ending with the application of an organic coconut melt all over the body, a scalp treatment, and foot massage.

The treatment incorporated Kopari products, which are made with 100% pure, organic coconut oil sustainably sourced from small family farms in the Philippines

As we walked back to our Villa to gather our things, my husband and I agreed that at some point, we needed to plan another trip to South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. Whether it be a couples’ weekend with a few other friends or another overnight getaway for just the two of us, we knew we had found the perfect place within driving distance that will serve as one of our favorite escapes for the years to come.

One thing is for certain—next time we come back, we’re signing up for a sunrise hot air balloon ride and a horse-drawn carriage ride!

After our amazing spa day, we enjoyed a walk around the park-like grounds next to our villa before heading home.

Cost: Coconut Remedy Body Ritual, 80 minutes ($190)

Insider Tip: Arrive 15-30 minutes early so you can enjoy the amenities before your treatments or set aside time to relax afterwards. Bring a swimsuit/trunks for the pool and hot tub.

Note: At this time, spa services do not include any amenity access. The pool is currently open for hotel guests and spa & gym members, and available by appointment only due to state regulations. Call to book your pool reservation today.

Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Daily)

Address: 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591

Phone: 844-508-8799

For more information and to book an appointment, visit South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s website. Follow them on Instagram: @grapeseedspa

[Images by Kamala Kirk]