The Sound of Silence

A perfect place to take in the Christmas spirit: Ponte Vineyard Inn

When I think of my favorite holiday moments, there is one that always comes to mind almost immediately. My husband and I had returned home from a very long drive visiting out-of-state family. It was Christmas Eve. Our baby was sleeping peacefully and soundly upstairs. We lit a fire, poured ourselves some wine, turned out all the lights except for our Christmas tree, sat on the couch and just watched the fire. The quietness of that moment was lovely after all of the busyness we’d returned home from. Don’t get me wrong, the visit was wonderful and spirited and full of family memories, but there is something about silence that can be just as memorable.

Yes, ‘tis the season for bells ringing and voices singing. ‘Tis the season for boisterous holiday parties and crowds ‘o people shopping. It’s jolly, it’s joyful…but it’s also kinda loud. Those solitary moments of silence can be few and far between during the month of December but they are certainly precious – and possible. Believe it or not, one of the best kept secrets in Temecula Valley is the utter serenity that is found at Ponte Vineyard Inn.

While visiting Temecula this past summer I entered the Tasting Room. It was busy. People were talking and laughing, wine glasses were clinging, phones were ringing. Loud? Yes. But more like “spirited.” It was contagious, really. Walking into that kind of wonderful chaos in wine country made me want to have a glass of wine and join in on all the fun. Having an appointment next door at The Cellar Lounge, I exited the winery and started off on my way to the Inn. As I passed the Restaurant and Decanter Room, the sounds grew quieter and as I made my way through the vineyard path and into the courtyard of the Hotel, I experienced near silence. Well, silence in comparison to the sounds I’d just left. There was the faintest sound of trickling water coming from the fountain and a few birds were chirping. Other than that, nothing. It’s a tough concept to swallow, really, for one who has ever been to Temecula Wine Country on a busy day. There are lots of cars, lots of people…lots of noises. But this Courtyard might as well have been The Secret Garden itself. It felt eons away from anything resembling “busyness”. I couldn’t help myself – I sat down on one of the garden benches and just took it all in. It was completely peaceful.

I think it’s easy to forget the beauty of moments of silence during the month of December. I mean, really, we’re so busy with family and work as it is, but throw in decorating, shopping for gifts, holiday parties, planning and executing menus and it’s a wonder we can even remain on our feet. Christmas suddenly comes and we feel like we’ve missed the whole season because we never once stopped. Don’t miss the season this year. Take a weekend, an afternoon or even some time after a busy afternoon of shopping to stop by Temecula’s #1 rated hotel. Sit down by the fire in the newly-Christmas-decorated lobby with a cocktail from The Cellar Lounge. Or head outside to one of our fire pits where you’ll hear that soft trickle of fountain water. You don’t have to say a thing. Sip, sigh, repeat.

–Erica Martinez