Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery

About Domaine Artefact

I recently headed out to Escondido’s back-country (yes, that is a thing) in Highland Valley to explore Domaine Artefact and sample their tasty wines. San Diego County has its fair share of beautiful wineries, each carrying its own charm. We are so lucky to have a climate the can help produce such tasty wines!

Domaine Artefact really exceeded my expectations when we visited.  Located on 30 acres, their wine selection is inspired by the wines grown in the Rhône Valley, France. The husband and wife duo, Mark Robinson and Lynn LaChapelle, alongside their team are not only busting out 95% of the wines they sell on their property, they have also created a wildlife refuge for so many animals.

We came out in springtime when the winery was just BURSTING with life and beauty.  The gazanias were in full bloom giving a spread of reds and oranges across the property, and the abundance of rain we received this year helped to restore an old-forgotten pond overlooking the tasting room.

Featured on left, co-owner Lynn

I was really impressed that the winery and estate is planted with California native plants – all to support local wildlife. On my visit, swallows were swirling above the pond and red-tail hawks soared high overhead.

Monarch butterflies were fluttering about checking out one of their key food sources: narrow leaf milkweed. I understand in August, they will be harvesting their first season of buckwheat honey with the goal to sell it in the tasting room. I am going to definitely stop by in the fall for a jar. 

About their wine

Domaine Artefact specializes in growing Rhône grape varietals that are famous in the South of France. Their wine varieties include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and more!

A wine tasting of four varietals is $30 and the helpful staff will guide you through a tasting of your choosing. You can also purchase wine by the glass or purchase a bottle to share onsite.

Pack a picnic, grab some friends and chill on their covered deck overlooking the vines and horse paddocks! I had honestly never tasted a white wine blend of four varietals before – the Les Beaux Blancs (the “beautiful whites”) is one of their signature white blends and was amazing!

I asked one of their sommeliers, Stevie Himmelright, what she felt the three standout wines are and she had this to say:

The 2020 “Fly a Kite”

Is a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) blend with a small percent of Petite Sirah, which boasts complex aromas of stewed strawberries and plums. Espresso, cocoa, and leather combine on the palate highlighting lovely notes of vanilla, baking spice, ripe cherries, and raspberries.

The finish is long and complex with silky tannins.

Food Pairings: GSM blends is a versatile food pairing wine that works particularly well with dishes featuring Mediterranean spices including red pepper, sage, rosemary, and olives. Cheese Pairings: a combination of soft and hard cheeses including Camembert, Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Gouda, aged-hard Cheddar, and Havarti.

2022 “Les Printemps” – which means Spring in French.

Is a delightful Grenache Rosé with a complex and pronounced nose. Aromatics of ripe strawberries, red plum, raspberries, Rainier cherries, orange marmalade, fresh earth, and dried herbs and sage greet the senses. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, bursting with bright ripe berries such as strawberry, plums, and pomegranate, with a hint of herbs and pink peppercorns.

This Grenache Rosé is a perfect choice for a warm summer day, pairing well with light and fresh meals. Including grilled seafood, seafood paella, tapas-charcuterie, grilled/herb roasted chicken, roasted pork with chutney glaze, tarragon chicken salad and much more!  As Julia Child said: “Rosé can be served with everything.”

Viognier is known for its complex and pronounced aromatics, and this wine is no exception.  This Viognier has an abundance of floral and honeysuckle aromas and tropical fruit flavors. Notes of jasmine,  lychee, guava, passionfruit, pineapple, and lemon peel add further complexity, with a hint of white pepper adding a subtle spice. This Viognier is dry and is medium – bodied.

While you’re in the area, make sure to check out Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead nearby!

Pair this Viognier with creamy curries like kormas, chicken salads with apricot/peach, dishes with coconut, ginger, and saffron, rich shellfish dishes (seared scallops, grilled lobster), roast pork/chicken, tagines with apricot, and filet mignon with citrus hollandaise sauce (a rare white wine/red meat pairing!)

The 2022 “Caroline” – Viognier just took home a gold medal at the Winemaker Challenge -International Wine Competition.

Domaine Artefact also makes an organic “Late Harvest” Mission EVOO olive oil. We tasted it with an incredibly fluffy focaccia bread – it was vibrant and fruity and excellent!

I walked the olive grove with the owner she explained why she selected this variety to grow. It’s a truly made in California varietal, having been developed by the Franciscan Missionaries in the late 1700’s.

It’s also classified by an endangered heritage food. It’s all part of Domaine Artefact’s origin story – having been named after hand tool artifacts that were found on the upper slopes of property. This olive oil is a real treat – grab it while it lasts only 1,000 litres are produced every other year.

Lynn in front of their olive trees

Membership

Amis d’ Artefact (Friends of Artefact) receive a 20% discount on twice-yearly club purchases of 6 bottles and a 15% discount on all additional wine purchases.

Wine club members receive an annual Club Card providing 12 complimentary wine tastings per annum. Club “pick up” parties are in April and October, where members are invited to join the festivities and pick-up their wine orders!

Lodging

What’s even more exciting is that they have lodging options!  Imagine getting to sleep on such a beautiful property and then wake up and go wine-tasting! Such a dream! They currently have a few lodging options which include an airstream (which they call winestream) with beautiful views of the pond.  Learn more about it here.

They also have a communal lodging option on the second story of their tasting room known as L’auberge.  Talk about being up-close and personal to all the action!  There are 3 different rooms available with a shared kitchen and living room.  It has a nice, upscale hostel vibe where you can make friends with other like-minded individuals! Learn more about it here.

Here are some shots of L’auberge.  The rooms have gorgeous views of the countryside property:

I loved the swallows decoration.  Couldn’t be more fitting!

And some shots of the winestream: 

Did I mention the animals? If you are lucky, you will see the winery’s two miniature spotted Juliana pigs – Petuna and Penny roaming about. There are horses out in paddocks and four friendly winery dogs that are generally hanging out around the tasting room.

They follow the winemaker, Mark Robinson about so if you see any of the pups, rest assured, the owners are close by! Claire, the Berniedoodle was one of my favs – she greets you by promptly turning around and sitting on your feet.

I love that Domaine Artefact is family-friendly.  Another memory made!

In addition to selling wine/olive oil, they host small dinners in the olive grove, French cooking classes, trivia nights, wine sensory classes, wine tours and private events.
A visit to Domaine Artefact is like spending your afternoon with longtime friends at a beautiful, nature-filled upscale winery. This winery is coming up on its 10th year in January, 2025 and is setting the gold standard for wines and wine time! Continue to expect big things from this small winery – check them out!