On the Rancho California Wine Trail we visited Avensole Winery  which has an interesting history.  Vince Cilurzo and Bud Van Roekel, two of Temecula’s pioneer vintners, first planted the vineyards that now surround Avensole.  The Lytton Family acquired the hilltop property and vineyards in 2014, then known as Van Roekel, and renamed it Aversole.  These vineyards are  more than four decades old and  now consistently produce award winning wines.   Since 2012  these vintages have received 21 awards.
     The restaurant was designed by Susan Lytton, already an experienced interior designer.  The result is that one enters a hilltop, park like area offering wide vistas in every direction.  There is a complete bar and lounge and then an extensive patio for dining.  The menu shows salads, flatbreads like chicken pesto and avocado toast, sandwiches and lunch and dinner daily specials.  The mains include salmon, half chicken and shrimp linguini.
     Our lunch in this scenic ambiance included stuffed mushrooms, a  Avensole burger with caramelize onion and mozzarella cheese, as well as the fish & chips.
     Week days the restaurant is open for lunch only.  On Saturday and Sunday there is also  dinner service and live entertainment.
    Avensole Winery is located at 3467 Rancho California Road, Temecula, Ca. 92591.  Telephone 951 252-2003, web www.avensolewinery.com..
     Then it was back on the De Portola Trail.
     Another winery that was new to us was Somerset Vineyard & Winery.  But when we arrived there it all looked familiar to us from an earlier time.
     The mystery was soon cleared up for on our earlier visits it was named Keystone.  Now it was Somerset and we were greeted by Owner Kurt Tiedt.
     Arriving at  Somerset one passes a most elegant garden with flowering roses and in the distance vineyards.  Kurt explained that here the emphasis is on the Rhone styles varietals that originated in the south of France.  And promptly we met three that have already won awards. They were Somerset 2018 GRV, a white Rhone blend, Somerset 2018 Viognier and Somerset 2018 Roussanne.  Then there were blends like 2017 Le Merridio that included Grenache, Consault and Mourvedre or 2013 El Maestro with Grenache, Syrah and Tempranillo.
     The picturesque Somerset Tasting Room is surrounded by greenery covered patios perfect for picnics, tastings or just enjoying the countryside setting.
     On weekends things become even more active with live entertainment, special events including food trucks, and dancing.
     Kurt invited us on a tour that included the barrel room and then the winery itself with its gleaming stainless steel equipment.
     Somerset Vineyard & Winery is located at 37338 De Portola Road, Temecula, Ca. 92592, Telephone 051 751-6892, web www.somersetvineyard.com.