Some places require a little intention.
To visit Café Rhône, you leave behind the bustle of town and head east of the 15, climbing into Highland Valley, where the roads begin to wind, vineyards appear in the distance, and giant boulders dot the hillsides. The landscape shifts subtly as you drive, feeling much less like suburban San Diego and more like a quiet corner of California wine country.
Tucked beside the long-loved winery Domaine Artefact, Café Rhône feels almost like a discovery. Easy to miss at first glance, the narrow driveway opens onto a lush, unexpected scene: a beautiful patio dotted with vibrant orange umbrellas, communal tables, and views of the surrounding vineyards. It’s the kind of place that immediately encourages you to slow down.
On the property, Café Rhône is a polished, garage-style space with a roll-up door, curated artwork, shelves of olive oil and pantry goods, and the kind of soundtrack that makes you want to linger. A record player sits out, with records like Led Zeppelin and the Almost Famous available for play.
At the center of it is Kristin Puccini, manager and niece to Domaine Artefact’s owner.
Kristin has created something that feels deeply personal here—baking every pastry and preparing every menu item herself, creating a small-batch, seasonal menu that changes with what’s inspiring her and what’s available both locally and from Domaine Artefact’s land. Intentionality is a word that comes to mind.
Olive oil from Domaine Artefact’s own groves makes its way into dishes and baked goods. Lavender is sourced locally. Sourdough comes from Ramona’s Nessie’s Dough Lights. The menu is built around seasonal ingredients, and every item is available only until sold out—adding a sense of rarity that makes each visit feel a little special.
When visiting, the menu featured a lemon rhubarb tart, a prosciutto, burrata, and nectarine sandwich, and a honey lavender latte—each one thoughtful, beautifully balanced, and plated with remarkable care. The tart arrived adorned with edible flowers and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. The olive oil cake, served with basil whipped cream (made fresh in-house daily) and fresh lavender, struck the perfect balance between sweet and savory.
Then there are the classic (but standout) gooey brown butter chocolate chip cookies, chocolate tahini bars, rosemary-roasted focaccia made in-house, and a thoughtfully curated selection of pantry items and gifts: from José Andrés potato chips to bottles of Domaine Artefact’s own olive oil.
But perhaps what makes Café Rhône feel so special isn’t simply the food. It’s the feeling that you’re being welcomed into something.
Kristin greet guests like old friends, eager to talk about ingredients, local sourcing, and what’s coming next. Their vision extends far beyond coffee and pastries. They’ve already hosted intimate dinners and collaborations and hope to continue creating experiences that bring people together—gatherings centered around food, community, and connection.
And perhaps nowhere is that mission more meaningful than here, high in the hills above Escondido.
For residents of Highland Valley, Café Rhône has quickly become something they haven’t had before: a neighborhood café. A place to grab a proper cappuccino without driving twenty minutes into town. A place to meet a friend, read a book on the patio, or settle in for a slow afternoon over a cheese board and a glass of wine.
For everyone else, it’s worth making the trip.
Come for coffee and a pastry. Pair lunch with a tasting at Domaine Artefact. Stop in after a morning of winery hopping. Or simply spend an afternoon on the patio and let the pace of the place work its magic.
Discover Café Rhône
Located at Domaine Artefact
15406 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
Hours:
Friday: 12–7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Open two hours before Domaine Artefact’s tasting room each day.
Follow @cafe_rhone
Domaine Arefact
