Akash Winery is seeking Riverside County approval to add a restaurant and 225-guest event venue at its Calle Contento estate in Temecula wine country.
The Riverside County Planning Department filed a Notice of Intent on Tuesday, Oct. 13, to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project. The county's 20-day public comment period runs from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The plan calls for a 12,035-square-foot building addition at the 19.34-acre property at 39730 Calle Contento, about a mile east of Temecula in unincorporated Riverside County. The winery's existing approved building totals 4,932 square feet. New space would house expanded wine production and storage, a restaurant, wine tasting bars, a reception and event hall, offices and outdoor patio areas with freestanding patio covers.
The winery won the Cilurzo Award for Winery of the Year at the 2025 Xenia Hospitality Awards, according to Visit Temecula Valley.
The expansion would also scrap a previously approved winery hotel. That space would become additional parking instead.
Events for up to 225 guests
Under the county's environmental review, the winery could host weddings and other special events any day of the week for up to 225 attendees, including guests and staff. Events could begin as early as 8 a.m., with guests required to leave by 10 p.m. Outdoor amplified music would have to stop at 8 p.m. Indoor amplified sound would end at 10 p.m.
The project proposes 221 parking spaces, including 70 valet spots, six Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stalls and six electric vehicle charging stalls.
The property sits within the Temecula Valley Wine Country Policy Area. Roughly 14.5 acres are planted in vineyards, and the county requires 75% vineyard coverage be maintained. The project requires no general plan amendment or zone change.
Family roots on Calle Contento
The Patel family purchased the property in 2010 and opened the tasting room in 2018, according to the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. Akash Patel manages day-to-day operations. His father, Ray Patel, continues to lend business expertise, and Akash's wife, Elena Patel, serves as social media director.
In a July 2026 feature by Visit Temecula Valley, Akash Patel described the family's approach: "My parents built successful hospitality businesses with little more than sheer moxie and the support of friends. Because they started with very little, they understood the value of hard work and building community."
The winery's environmental documents describe the proposed architecture as "Rural Modern," with natural earth tones, wood and stone textures and terraced patios integrated with the surrounding vineyards. County air quality analysis found no significant emissions impacts. Eastern Municipal Water District confirmed in a July 2026 letter that it can provide sewer service to the expanded site.
County documents anticipate a single construction phase with an opening year of 2027.
How to comment
The Riverside County Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to consider the project at its Wednesday, Nov. 4 meeting at 9 a.m. at 4080 Lemon St. in Riverside.
Written comments can be sent to Tim Wheeler, principal planner, at the Riverside County Planning Department, P.O. Box 1409, Riverside, CA 92502-1409, or by email at [email protected]. The full environmental study is available at the county planning department's website and at the planning office at 4080 Lemon St.
