15th Annual Xenia Hospitality Award Winners Announced At Visit Temecula Valley Luncheon

TEMECULA, CA —The 15th annual Xenia Hospitality Awards, presented by Visit Temecula Valley, were awarded Thursday at Pechanga Resort Casino.

The two-hour event captured the true meaning of hospitality for those who work in the Temecula Valley, best expressed by Chris Baily, Visit Temecula Valley's Board Chair and local restaurant owner.

"Hospitality remains the heartbeat of our region's tourism, and the Xenia Awards celebrate the visionaries who turn a simple stay into a truly profound experience," Baily said. "We’re incredibly proud to honor this year’s winners and recognize nominees for their relentless pursuit of excellence and their role in making Temecula a world-class destination."

During the event, about 300 hospitality industry workers gathered to enjoy the company of their peers, a delicious banquet luncheon of chef salad, corn chowder and signature mini-cheesecakes over raspberry puree.

For a few hours, the people who spoil visitors to our valley were catered to, with food, drink and conversation. The luncheon was opened with a unique invocation by a Pechanga Development Board Member, who spoke in lyrical Luiseno, then English, as he blessed the meal and the company of those present.

During the presentation, guests were entertained by the friendly banter of local emcees Walter Carter, executive director of Danza del Sol and Masia de la Vinya Winery, and Abby Trybulski, a beloved member of the Visit Temecula Valley Hospitality Committee.

The 2025 Welty Award for Tourism Professional of the Year was presented at the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Gala, held on Saturday. All remaining Xenia Hospitality Awards, including the Welty Award for Tourism Professional of the Year, were presented at the Xenia Hospitality Awards Luncheon.

Awards were presented in 11 categories, and the annual Spotlight on Service recognition was given to 23 hospitality workers and small business owners.

2025 Xenia Spotlight on Service Award Recipients

• Anthony Arreola, E.A.T. Marketplace
• Jehan Assria, Margarita’s Cocina Y Cantina
• Nikki Bedford, Chili’s Grill & Bar
• Grace Betts, Marshall Stuart Wines
• Dan Brow, The Bar Next Door
• Miranda Burnette, Yogurt Island
• Sara Cox, Lorimar Vineyards & Winery
• Julia Dunn, The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars
• Som Eldridge, Bella Vista Vineyard & Winery
• John Fackelman, Corbeaux Wine & Tea House
• Hannah Herbach, Small Barn
• Anahii Jimenez, Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery
• Amanda Kreyenhagen, Wiens Cellars
• Gina LaMora, Grazing Theory
• Christian Larsen, Kompoocha Brewing
• Todd McGregor, The Bar Next Door
• Victoria Monroy, Kompoocha Brewing
• Marisol Ramos, Temecula Creek Inn
• Moe Raulfi, Akash Winery & Vineyards
• Michelle Starr, Richie’s Real American Diner
• Elizabeth Tyler, Grapeline Wine Tours
• Brandon Van Dam, Halter Ranch Temecula
• James Wallace, Oak Mountain Winery

One Spotlight on Service recipient rose to the top and was selected for the Service Star of Hospitality Award.

Moe Raulfi, of Akash Winery & Vineyards, was honored for consistently exceeding expectations and setting a positive example for others.

Xenia Hospitality Award winners are as follows:

2025 Xenia Award Winners by Category

• Ambassador Award: Ken Smith, Cross Creek Golf Club
• Champion Culinary Award: Taylor Israelson, Domenico’s Italian Chophouse at Truffle Pig Winery
• Cilurzo Award for Winery of the Year: Akash Winery & Vineyards
• Dining Excellence Award: Domenico’s Italian Chophouse at Truffle Pig Winery
• Golden Tap of the Year: Oscar’s Brewing Company
• Hospitality Award: Grapeline Wine Tours
• Innkeeper’s Choice Award: Domaine Chardonnay Winery Estate & Luxury Guest Suites
• Outdoor Adventure Pioneer Award: Destination Temecula Tours
• Social Media Award: Temecula Life

2025 Xenia Welty Award for Tourism Professional of the Year

The 2025 Welty Award for tourism professional of the year was presented to Andrew Masiel, Sr., Pechanga Development Corporation. This award is presented to someone who is innovative, visionary, and maintains a strong commitment to tourism in the Temecula Valley.

"The awards honor tourism businesses and individuals who have demonstrated exemplary hospitality and service to visitors and community members," a Visit Temecula Valley spokesperson said.

The awards take their name from the Greek word “Xenia,” which represents the concept of hospitality, defined as generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home.

Visit Temecula Valley, a membership-based organization, holds the annual Xenia Hospitality Awards to recognize partners in good standing who exemplify outstanding service and commitment to the Temecula Valley visitor experience. Partners may nominate a fellow partner, an individual within their organization, or themselves for consideration.

It's true that it's an honor just to be nominated for a Xenia award. The nominees for 2025:

The Social Media Award Nominees Are:

E.A.T. Marketplace
Pechanga Resort Casino
Temecula Life
The New Inn
Van'N Boozy Wine Tour Adventures

The Champion Culinary Award Nominees Are:

Ever Fuentes, Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery
Jonathan Gelman, Leoness Cellars
Marcial Quintero, The Cave Restaurant at Oak Mountain Winery
Robin McCoy, Oak Grove Culinary Creations
Taylor Israelsen, Domenico’s Italian Chophouse at Truffle Pig Winery & Vineyards

The Ambassador Award Nominees Are:

Alicia Marshall, The New Inn
Cherise Manning, Grape Escape Balloon Adventures
Karena Leon, Oak Mountain Winery
Ken Smith, Galway Downs
Leah Di Bernardo, E.A.T. Marketplace
Rebecca Farnbach, Temecula Valley Historical Society
Tina Delgado, Destination Temecula Wine Tours and Experiences
Victoria Gabourel, Temecula Salt Cave and Holistic Center

The Golden Tap of the Year Nominees Are:

Oscar's Brewing Company
Stone Church Brewing

The Hospitality Award Nominees Are:

Danza del Sol Winery
Destination Temecula Wine Tours and Experiences
Grapeline Wine Tours
Leoness Cellars
Temecula Creek Inn
Temecula Wine Trolley Wine Tours
The New Inn

The Cilurzo Winery of the Year Award Nominees Are:

Akash Winery & Vineyards
Cougar Vineyard & Winery
Doffo Winery
Falkner Winery
Leoness Cellars
Oak Mountain Winery
Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery
Wiens Cellars

The Welty Award for Tourism Professional of the Year Nominees Are:

Andrew Masiel Sr., Pechanga Development Corporation
Rebaux Steyn, Leoness Cellars

The Dining Excellence Award Nominees are:

Corbeaux Wine & Tea House
Corkfire Kitchen
Domenico’s Italian Chophouse, Truffle Pig Winery & Vineyards
Flower Hill Bistro at Miramonte Winery
Haven Haus Cafe
Small Barn Old Town
The Brunch House
The Cave Restaurant at Oak Mountain Winery
The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars

The Innkeeper's Choice Award Nominees are:

Domaine Chardonnay Winery Estate & Luxury Guest Suites
Gaia Inn & Spa
Hilton Garden Inn Temecula
Pechanga Resort Casino
Villa Fabulosa
Villa Inn

The Outdoor Adventure Pioneer Award Nominees are:

California Trails By Horseback, California Ranch Company
Destination Temecula Wine Tours and Experiences
Grapes & Gears UTV Tour, Danza del Sol Winery
Temecula Creek Golf Club
Wine Country Trails By Horseback, Inc.

The Service Star of Hospitality for the Year Award Nominees are:

Amanda Kreyenhagen, Wiens Cellars
Anahii Jimenez, Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery
Anthony Arreola, E.A.T. Marketplace
Christian Larsen & Victoria Monroy, Kompoocha Brewing
Elizabeth Tyler, Grapeline Wine Tours
Gina LaMora, Grazing Theory
Grace Betts, Marshall Stuart Wines
James Wallace, Oak Mountain Winery
Marisol Ramos, Temecula Creek Inn
Miranda Burnette, Yogurt Island
Moe Raulfi, Akash Winery & Vineyards
Sara Cox, Lorimar Vineyards & Winery
Som Eldridge, Bella Vista Vineyard & Winery

More information on the Temecula Valley Xenia Hospitality Awards can be found here.