This year Callaway winery is celebrating its 40th Anniversary! Founded in 1969 by pioneer Ely Callaway, Callaway Vineyard & Winery was the first winery in the Temecula Valley. The facility has gone through major remodeling. Renovated and expanded, the barrel room can now accommodate up to 100 guests and a bridal suite and wedding consultation room have been added. But for us the most pleasing change is the restaurant, now called Meritage. With a spectacular panoramic hillside view of vineyards, in the far distance Rainbow Gap, and the most talented Michael Henry as executive chef Meritage offers a unique outdoor dining experience. In December 2007, Michael Henry left the Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside California to join the new Callaway team. From December 2007 until April 2008, date at which “Meritage” opened its doors, Michael Henry devoted all his time to create three completely new menus: Dinner, Lunch and Tapas. Michael Henry has cuisine in his blood. He started cooking very early in age and today, 37 years old, has reached perfection. He calls his cuisine modern, contemporary. We find these adjectives way too modest to qualify a cuisine, which has captivated the best that the world can offer. Michael Henry likes to use seasonal, fresh, local products but also successfully introduces exotic ingredients like Yucca root, which he fries or incorporates in a cabbage slaw. The three menus are very eclectic and with a generous use of herbs and spices, definitely have a Mediterranean flair. We had the privilege of tasting several dishes and Michael Henry kept bringing more. First a “terrine maison” with a distinctive foie gras flavor served with sourdough toasts. Following, a Cioppino of shrimps, clams, mussels, calamari and scallops with an aromatic safran tomato broth. Crabs cakes, actually made with crabmeat, served with fried Yucca root, which provides a very innovative flavor. Crispy Duck confit with roasted local carrots and Romesco sauce, a blend of hazelnuts, garlic, peppers, sage and cherry vinegar. Also Broiled yellow tail with mustard greens and finally lamb shop, grilled to perfection and served with the best eggplant side we ever had. Michael Henry shared his secret with us. He grills the eggplant quickly prior to marinating. Desert; a lime tart with crème anglaise, blueberries and strawberries. A perfect refreshing finale to close this sophisticated sampling. A wine pairing suggestion is listed after each dish. Two options are available; a glass or a taste. Meritage offers an extensive list of prestigious wines, not only from the Temecula valley and other wine regions of California, but from all over the world; Argentina, Australia, Chili, Italy and France. The Tapas menu is a great idea. Tapas are the perfect complement of wine Tasting. Here are a few examples; Shaved Prosciutto with Gorgonzola crostini, apple and endive salad- Smoked Carpacio with beets, green beans and horseradish cream – Fried Calamari with chile, mint and basil- just to name a few of the original and delicious small portions dishes. Revisiting the Callaway winery was a complete joy. We were very impressed by the talent and lack of pretension of Michael Henry, executive chef, as well as the dynamism of Susan Mary, our server who doubles as banquet captain. Kristin Sartore, Marketing Manager, came by to meet with us and promised to keep us up to date on Callaway Winery events. The Callaway restaurant Meritage name is a "combination of merit, superior quality or worth, and heritage, something that is passed down from generations; a tradition", fully deserves its name. Meritage serves Dinner Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. Lunch every day from 11 a.m. Menus change every three months. Daily specials and a prefix-lunch are offered The Callaway visitor’s Center is open daily from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's day. Callaway Vineyard & Winery and Meritage restaurant are located at 32720 Rancho California road, Temecula, Ca 92589. Tel (951) 676 4001
Graphic Design by Impact Graphics