Tag: temecula wineries

Temecula Valley Winegrowers Hall of Fame

The Temecula Valley Winegrowers were excited to introduce the first Hall of Fame inductees at the 33rd Annual Grape Day conference on April 21, 2016 at South Coast Winery in Temecula, California. The inductees honored were Vincenzo and Audrey Cilurzo, and John Moramarco.

“The recent passing of wine country pioneer Vince Cilurzo prompted the TVWA Board of Directors to consider ways we could honor his memory,” stated Phil Baily, TVWA Board member. “In discussing this, we realized that other pioneers should be recognized, most notably Audrey Cilurzo, because Vince and Audrey partnered in their accomplishments. John Moramorco was unquestionably the key leader of our rise in the 1960s and for the following thirty-plus years.”

Vincenzo and Audrey Cilurzo planted the first commercial wine grape vineyard in the Temecula Valley. They established Cilurzo Vineyard and Winery as one of the first wineries in the Temecula Valley. As husband and wife, they championed the growing of red wine grapes, most notably Petite Sirah. They offered help, encouragement and support to all the wineries that followed them.

John Moramarco planted one of the first commercial wine grape vineyards in the Temecula Valley in 1968 while working for Brookside Winery. In the late 1980s his efforts helped Riverside County create the citrus/vineyard zone which preserved agriculture and laid the foundation for the remarkable growth of wineries over the ensuing years. Moramarco also worked to mobilize Riverside County, the City of Temecula, State and Federal efforts to successfully combat the spread of Pierce’s Disease in Temecula Valley vineyards.

Future inductees will be chosen from submissions that meet specified criteria, which will be announced in the coming months.

April Winery Events

Spring time is here!  The vines are budding out providing a beautiful backdrop of lush, green hills.  What a perfect time to come out and visit our three new wineries, as well as a few of your favorites! While you’re here, take in a special event or two.  Check out these winery events happening in April:

Avensole Winery
Grand Opening / April 9 / 10:00am-8:00pm / Open to the public / Situated on the hilltop above Rancho California Road, Avensole is Temecula’s newest winery. The Lytton Family invites you to experience Avensole Winery. Please join us in celebrating our Grand Opening with live music and specials all day such as 2 for 1 tastings and 2 for 1 beverages. Limits and restrictions apply.

Baily Vineyard & Winery
Dog Day Sundays / Every Sunday / 11:30a-2:30p / Bring your well-mannered pooch to lunch, doggie treats and special menu items / / Live acoustic music on the patio.

Estate Club Private Wine Tasting
Thursday-Sunday / 11:00a-2:30p / Tours and vertical tasting of library wines. Sit down with bread and cheese plate; $30 (Reservations required 24 hours in advance) / Bar Tasting; $20. Call for reservations: 951-972-9768.

Bel Vino Winery
Cigar Dinner / April 9th / 6:30p-9:30pm / $65.95 General tickets; Club Member price is $55.95 / Includes a three course gourmet dinner paired with Bel Vino wine, accompanied by hand rolled cigars from Casa Lovo. Live Classic American rock music / For reservations call Bel Vino Winery at 951.676.6414

Karaoke Night / Every Friday 6p-9p / Free admission / Karaoke every Friday night at Bel Vino Winery in the Barrel Room / Happy Hour from 6pm-7pm; select Bel Vino Bistro menu offered.

Briar Rose
Sip Into the Sunset / First Friday of each month / Open until 10pm / Live music from 6p-9m and wine under the stars in our enchanted garden or tasting room / Purchase a glass of wine or a bottle / Outside food allowed at these events only / Reservations required; call 951.308.1098

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
Live Music at the Winery Tasting Room / 1pm – 4pm / No charge / Enjoy live music in the main tasting room /

Happiest Hours / Friday’s from 3:00p-6:00p in the lounge at Meritage at Callaway / Grab your friends and join us for a marvelous time! 20% all tapas, 20% off bottles of Callaway wines and available domestic, import and craft beers.

Sangria Sundays at Meritage at Callaway / Every Sunday at Meritage at Callaway / 4pm-8pm/ Enjoy sipping on our very own Watermelon Sangria while soaking in the sunset vineyard views in our main dining room. Live music from local musicians begins at 6pm / No cover charge / Reservations for parties of 5 or more are required.

Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Elegant Food & Wine Pairing / $40pp / Available Mid-week 1pm and 3pm; Weekends 1pm and 3pm / Reserve your place for an indulgent wine and food pairing designed to tantalize the senses. Guests enjoy five specially-selected Carter Estate Winery wines paired perfectly with a variety of cured meats, artisan cheeses and accompanied with season accoutrements. Each pairing last approximately 90 minutes and is limited to just eight participants to allow for one-on-one interaction / For reservations call today: 844.851.2138

After Hours at Carter Estate / 6:00-9:00pm / Available Fridays and Saturdays / The oh-so-popular Carter Estate “After Hours” is back and you’re invited to come out to the winery tasting room on weekends this spring to enjoy wines by the bottle or the glass with live entertainment.

Cougar Vineyard & Winery
Friday Night Live Music / 5pm-8pm / Free to attend / Happy Hour 2 for 1 glasses of wine from 7-8pm / Industry and Wine Club benefits honored / Deli is open until 7pm / April 1st – Soul/blues/rock singer-songwriter Joshua Taylor / April 8th – Local singer song writer Jasmine Seek / April 15th – Original acoustic singer-songwriter Jeff Brinkman / April 22nd – Instrumental Rock and Roll Frankie and the Invisibles / April 29th – Indie, Pop, Rock and R&B singer-songwriter Evan Diamond-Goldberg

Danza del Sol Winery
Get Sauced / April 3rd / 3:00 – 6:30 PM / $60 per person | $54 Wine Club / Put a little Spring in your step and GET SAUCED! Join us for a fun filled afternoon of food, wine, and culinary entertainment in our Club House! / Call Kelly at (951) 302-6363 ext. 26 or purchase your tickets online

Taco Tuesday / April 19th / 5:30 – 8:30 PM / Free admission / Tuesday just got tastier! Join us on the Tasting Room Patio for Tacos, Burritos, and Live music! / Wine and selected beer for purchase. Wine club discounts apply to bottle purchases only

Food Truck Friday / April 29th / 5:30pm to 10:00pm / $8 Presale | $10 at the door | $7 Inter-winery / Little Bit of Country – Live performance by JD Priest / Food Trucks: Local Favorite – Devilicious & Urban Eats from San Diego / Beer and wine available for purchase. No outside food or alcohol permitted. No wine club complimentary glasses allowed. Wine Club discounts on bottles only. Only bottles purchased during event are permitted. / This is not a dog friendly event. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend / Call (951) 302-6363 ext. 26 or purchase your tickets online

Live Music on the Patio / 1:00-5:00pm / Grab your friends and head over to Danza del Sol for a Saturday afternoon of wine and great music / April 2 – Desert Rose / April 9 – Vivien Gaines / April 16 – Rosewood & Rye / April 23 – Sean Wiggins / April 30 – The Roamies / Free admission /

Europa Village
Friday Night Entertainment / 5:30p- 8:30p / Free to the public / Live entertainment on our outdoor Veranda / April 1- Jason Weber / April 15- JD Priest / April 22- James Wells / April 29- Michael LeClerc
Live Music every Sunday/ 1pm- 4pm / Free to the public / Live entertainment on our outdoor Veranda / April 3- Sam & Stacy / April 10- Jimmy Patton / April 17- X Spanse / April 24- Joe Baldino

Frangipani Winery
Cigar Night / April 2 / 5:30pm-9:00pm / $49 pp; Frangipani Wine Club Members $39pp / Enjoy Casa Lovo Cigars and food catered by Mad Mike / Call winery at 951.699.8845 for more detailed information and reservations. RSVP is required.

Falkner Winery
Wine Appreciation Class / Saturday, April 16 / 10:00am-12:30pm / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge / $45pp; $40pp Connoisseur; $20pp VIP; $70pp with lunch / Reservations required 951.676.8231 x.109

Sunday Funday in the Yard Garden / April 17 & 24/ 12:00-3:00pm / Lawn game competition, Taco Bar, Sangria, Luscito, Beer / Free admission

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery
Spring Art Show at The Gallery/ April 8 & 9 / This two day art show will run both days from 12pm – 8pm with special artist receptions from 5-8pm. RSVP requested through the website. Event is free! http://www.lorimarwinery.com/reservation-events

Academie Du Vin / April 14 / 6:00-8:00pm / Learn about the Bordeaux wine regions and taste Lorimar varietals paired with cheese and charcuterie from Pairings / Tickets are $25/$20 WC and on sale now http://www.lorimarwinery.com/feat-event-157439/Academie-Du-Vin.html

Movie in the Vines / April 25 / Watch The Big Lebowski under the stars on our Vineyard Lawn / Admission is free. Movie starts at Sunset.

Miramonte Winery
Live Music & Entertainment / Every Friday and Saturday / 7pm-10pm / Free to the public /
April 01, Nathan James-winner of the International Blues Challenge /April 02, DevOcean- local reggae-rock band / April 08, Ruben V- Latin and salsa music / April 09, Bluefish- big rock sounds from the 70s, 80s, and 90s / April 15, Mickie Arnett- 90s rock and covers / April 16, Missy Andersen- known as Southern California’s top blues diva / April 22, Midnight Satellites- Gutsy, modern rock performers. Big sound! / April 23, JD Priest- wildly soulful, all-American rock / April 29, Cougrzz Rock- all girl group, pop, rock, high energy dance band / April 30, Mercedes Moore- old school soul, blues, R&B / No reservations required. For more information please visit www.miramontewinery.com

Monte De Oro Winery
Sounds of Sunday / 1:00-5:00pm / Come, relax and end the weekend with a glass of wine and a Bistro entrée. Live music program every Sunday on our outdoor patio / For additional information please visit us at www.montedeoro.com

Mount Palomar Winery
Murder Mystery Dinner at Annata Bistro/Bar / April 1 / $120 per couple (+ gratuity + taxes) / Doors open at 7:00 pm / Show and dinner start at 8:00 pm / Enjoy a three course meal and drinks while solving a mystery at Annata Bistro/Bar! The year is 1949, and YOU a member of Tinsel Town’s elite, are invited to the world premiere of “The Hollywoodland Murder”, which has stirred up some controversy. Critics claim it is an exploitation of the infamous murder of “The Black Dahlia,” only a few years since it shocked the nation. Unbeknownst to YOU and other premiere attendees, guests have entered a one of a kind hostage situation, as they innocently mingle & dine on a delectable 3 course meal. The Killer has arrived and carefully constructed a twisted game, where guests must work together by participating in various challenges and tests of wit to solve this murder mystery, before the body count grows! / This event is RSVP only; you can register online at http://www.mountpalomarwinery.com/Murder-Mystery-Dinner or in the Mount Palomar Winery tasting room.

Sunrise Stretching at Mount Palomar Winery / $60 / starting April 2nd every Saturday and Sunday morning Mount Palomar Winery will host a Sunrise Stretch class. The class will be led by a professional trainer, and exercise mats will be provided. Cost of class includes breakfast with a mimosa and after class wine tasting. Class starts at 9:00am, breakfast is served at 10:00am, and wine tasting starts at 10:30 / For more information contact Alan Shields, 951-515-3692 or email weddingsandevents@mountpalomar.com

Paint Nite in the Barrel Room / April 3rd & April 10th : 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM / $45 / Raise your glass to a NEW kind of night out! Paint Nite® invites you to create art over cocktails at a local restaurant or bar, guided by a professional artist and party host. Grab your friends and spend two hours drinking, laughing, and flexing your creative muscles. There’s no experience necessary and we’ll provide all the supplies, so you don’t have to worry about a thing (except having a great time!) / Must be 21+. Food and drink may be purchased at the event. Tickets online at https://www.paintnite.com/events/1063639.html

Sinatra-Esque, a celebration of music from the Rat Pack / April 22nd: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM / $30 (+ $3 credit card fee) / Enjoy a beautiful evening in the vineyards, under the stars at one of the Temecula Valley’s most renowned wineries: MOUNT PALOMAR WINERY! This will be a very special evening as the band plays selections from FRANK SINATRA, DEAN MARTIN, TONY BENNETT, BOBBY DARIN and more greats from the golden era of music.

Wine Country Wiener Fest / May 1st / 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM / Free to attend / It’s time for the annual Wine Country Wiener Fest! Mount Palomar Winery is proud to host this yearly event to support local Dachshund rescue groups. The event includes Dachshund races, other doggie games, silent auctions, raffles, door prizes and more. For more information about the event, go online to http://wienerfest.info/

Ponte Family Estate Winery
Live Music in The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn / Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday / Head to Temecula Wine Country’s only cocktail bar open late every day, The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn. The Cellar offers live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night! Sip to the sounds of a variety of musicians, from jazz sax and alternative contemporary to rock blues! / Time and Entertainment schedule varies / Free to attend / Visit www.pontevineyardinn.com for an entertainment schedule.

Happy Hour in The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn / Every Monday-Thursday / 4pm-7pm / Free to attend / Head to Temecula Wine Country’s only cocktail bar, The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn, for happy hour for specials on craft beer, flatbreads, wine and more!

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Blessing of the Vines / April 10 / 4:00-7:00pm / $45 for adults, $15 for children / Spring is in the air and South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is kicking off its winegrowing season in the grand celebration. Come and celebrate in pure unabashed South Coast splendor as our vines get blessed by a special invocation and prepare to light up our world with new growth and the promise of a fruitful harvest. Big kids and little ones join in the fun with plenty of games and fun-filled activities / Reservations are limited and required. Call 951.491.8077 or visit SouthCoastWinery.com to reserve today!

Wine, Dine & Painting Class / April 25 / 10:00am-2:00pm / $75 per person; $70 Wine Club / This exclusive package comes with three-hour instruction and supplies to paint your masterpiece, and follows with a select lunch menu to redeem at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant / Purchase tickets online at SouthCoastwinery.com or call 951.587.9463 Ext. 5250

Behind the Scenes Wine Tours / Tours are held daily at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday/ $40pp; $35pp Wine Club Member / Because you’ve got good taste…Get up close and personal as you learn more about our spectacular Southern California winery with a behind-the-scenes tour. From vineyards to crush pad, each tour concludes with a specially prepared wine and food pairing. Due to the limited sizes of each tour, advance reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Must be over 21 years of age to attend. Call 800-539-1375 Ext. 350 to reserve your spot today.

Why Limit Happy to an Hour? / Happy Hours at Vineyard Rose Restaurant Monday-Friday 3:00p-5:30p / Join us in the Vineyard Rose Lounge for reduced priced selected appetizers, award winning select glasses of South Coast wines and local drafts. PLUS corkage fees are waived for any South Coast Winery wine bottles brought in to the Vineyard Rose Restaurant and consumed while dining on Wednesdays too! / Visit www.WineResort.com to view menus and find out more.

Thornton Winery
Friday Night Live Music / 6:00 – 9:00pm / Admission is free / April 1- Lifetime Rockers / April 8 – Missy Anderson / April 15- Crimson Crow / April 22- Fleetwood Mac Tribute / April 29- B.I.G / For reservatio
ns call 951.699.0099

Welcome New Temecula Wineries!

We’re excited to announce the opening of three new Temecula Valley Wine Country wineries!  We’ve been out to visit all three and can say that we were both impressed and enamored with them.  Here’s a brief introduction:

Avensole Winery:

Situated on the hilltop above Rancho California Road, Avensole is Temecula’s newest winery. Formerly Van Roekel Winery, this hilltop estate has long been known for its old-growth vines producing some of Temecula’s finest grapes. The property was purchased by the Lytton family in 2014 and has been extensively remodeled, includes a new restaurant, a marketplace with both wine and craft beer bars, a tasting room, a new indoor-outdoor wedding venue, and park-like setting with pond.  The Lytton Family is committed to using the property’s premium fruit to produce some of Temecula’s finest, premium wines. Their grand opening is on Saturday, April 9th…be sure to stop by!
34567 Rancho California Rd. Temecula, CA 92591

Fazeli Cellars:

Masia de la Vinya:

Holiday Gift Giving ~ Temecula Style!

Need that perfect holiday gift?? We’re sure that nothing would be appreciated more than a little something from Temecula Valley Wine Country! What could be better than sipping wine while shopping for everyone on your list? Our Temecula Valley winery gift shops offer unique and charming wine-themed gifts, specialty food, home decor and, of course, wine!

Not only does wine make the perfect gift for friends, neighbors and family, but it also makes for a great host gift or corporate gifts. You can purchase by the case for the best price!

Besides wine, wine club memberships make excellent gifts! Most Temecula wineries offer affordable wine club memberships with year-round benefits such as free wine tastings, VIP pricing on wine and special events, pick-up parties and more. If you’d prefer to shop online, many wineries offer the ability to sign up for wine clubs online. Of course, wine can also be purchased online and shipped to most states.

Or, perhaps, you’re just looking for wine for your holiday gathering. Many of our wineries offer festive white and red dessert wines, either late harvest or port-style. Some festive wine options include: South Coast Winery’s sparkling wine line, Thornton NV Cuvee Rouge, and Callaway’s Late Harvest Cabernet and dessert wines. Be sure to check out Wilson Creek Winery, which offers white, red, and sparkling wines with custom and personalized holiday labels.

Happy holidays from Temecula Valley Wine Country! We look forward to celebrating with you soon.

November Winery Events

Fall is an exciting time in wine country. The leaves are changing, the weather’s getting cooler and the wineries are beginning to prepare for the holidays. For our U.S. military active duty and veteran friends, be sure to head out to Temecula Valley Wine Country on Veterans Day for wine tasting specials. And for guests planning to visit towards the end of the month, be sure to check out the Thanksgiving dinner events, Black Friday specials and tree lighting events!

Baily Vineyard & Winery

Dog Day Sundays
Every Sunday / 11:30a-2:30p / Bring your well-mannered pooch to lunch, doggie treats and special menu items / Doggie costume contest on Nov. 1^st / Live acoustic music on the patio.

Estate Club Private Wine Tasting
Thursday-Sunday / 11:00a-2:30p / Tours and vertical tasting of library wines. Sit down with bread and cheese plate; $30 (Reservations required 24 hours in advance) / Bar Tasting; $20. Call for reservations: 951-972-9768.

Bel Vino Winery

Live Music / Saturday 12pm – 4pm / Sunday 11am-3pm

Briar Rose

Sip Into the Sunset / First Friday of each month / Open until 10pm / Music and wine under the stars in our enchanted garden or tasting room / Reservations required; call 951.308.1098

Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Live Music at the Winery / 1pm – 4pm / No charge / Enjoy live music in the main tasting room / Nov. 7- Dave Reynolds / Nov. 14 – Michael LeClerc / Nov. 21 – JD Priest / Nov. 28 – Dave Reynolds.

Happiest Hours / Friday’s from 3:00p-6:00p in the lounge at Meritage at Callaway / Grab your friends and join us for a marvelous time! 20% all tapas, 20% off bottles of Callaway wines and available domestic, import and craft beers.

Sangria Sundays at Meritage at Callaway / Every Sunday at Meritage at Callaway / 4pm-8pm/ Enjoy sipping on our very own Watermelon Sangria while soaking in the sunset vineyard views in our main dining room. Live music from local musicians begins at 6pm / No cover charge / Reservations for parties of 5 or more are required.

Carter Estate Winery and Resort

Elegant Food & Wine Pairing / $40pp / Available Mid-week 1pm and 3pm; Weekends 1pm and 3pm / Reserve your place for an indulgent wine and food pairing designed to tantalize the senses. Guests enjoy five specially-selected Carter Estate Winery wines paired perfectly with a variety of cured meats, artisan cheeses and accompanied with season accoutrements. Each pairing last approximately 90 minutes and is limited to just eight participants to allow for one-on-one interaction / For reservations call today: 844.851.2138

Friday Nights After-Hours / 6pm-9pm / Summer may be “falling away’ but Friday Nights at the all-new Carter Estate Winery and Resort Tasting Room are guaranteed to keep things HEATED with Friday Night After Hours! All are welcome – from first time sippers to worldly wine tippers. Wine by the glass and live musical entertainment make a perfect pairing. The only thing missing is YOU!

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

Friday Night Live Music / 5pm-8pm / Wine by the glass or bottle purchase available / Deli is open until 7pm /.

Sunday Afternoon Live Music / 2pm- 5pm

Doffo Winery

Live Music on the Patio / 1pm-4pm / Free
Danza del Sol Winery

Live Music on the Patio / Saturdays from 1pm-5pm / Free / Grab your friends and head over to Danza del Sol for an afternoon of wine and great music

Europa Village

Friday Night Entertainment / 6pm-9pm / Free / Live music on Veranda; Food Truck / Nov. 6 – Mrs. Jones Revenge / Nov. 13 – Missy Andersen / Nov. 20 – Big Truth /

Live Music every Sunday/ 1pm- 4pm / Free / Live music on Veranda / Nov. 1 & 8 – Jimmy Patton / Nov. 15 – Kelly Moore / Nov. 22 – Michael Edon / Nov. 29 – Joe Baldino

Falkner Winery

Veteran’s Day Free Classic Tasting / Complimentary tasting for all military. Must have military ID / 4 tastes offered and 15% off all bottle sales. Lunch special in the Pinnacle Restaurant for all veterans.

Wine Appreciation Class / Saturday, Nov. 17 / 10:00am-12:30pm / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge / $45pp; $40pp Connoisseur; $20pp VIP; $70pp with lunch / Reservations required 951.676.8231 x.109

Black Friday Sales / Nov. 27 / 10am – 5pm / Sales TBD

Leoness Cellars

Live Music at The Restaurant at Leoness / Every Friday 5pm-8pm / Every Sunday 1pm-4pm / Free to the public

Live Music in the Barrel Room / Every Sunday / 1:00p-4:00p / Free to the public

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery

Annual Tree Lighting / Nov. 29 / Begins at 6pm / Begin your holiday season with Lorimar Winery! Come meet Santa, enjoy Christmas cookies, cocoa, mulled wine and more! / www.lorimarwinery.com

Movies in the Vines / Nov. 30 / Begins at sunset / The Hangover / Bring blanket and chairs for our monthly Movie in the Vines! / No outside food permitted.

Monte De Oro Winery

Masquerade Wine Dinner / Nov. 7 / Reception starts at 7:00pm; Dinner 7:30pm / $90 pp; $76 for wine club members / New Orleans style masquerade with 6 course meal in our main tasting room. Mask required (up to dinner time); costumes optional / Seating is limited. Reservations required visit www.montedeoro.com

Oak Mountain Winery

Bark Friday Sale / Nov. 27 / 5pm-8pm / No cover charge / Bring your leashed dogs and enjoy live music, wine, beer, food and vendors.

Live Music in the Pavilion
Every Saturday and Sunday in November / 1:00p-5:00p

Ponte Family Estate Winery

Wine Country Half Marathon / Nov. 21 / 7am-Noon / Join Team Ponte and contribute to a great cause! Race benefits Rancho Damacitas Children and Family Services. Race begins at Ponte Winery and ends at Wilson Creek, where there will be a Wine and Music Festival at the Finish Line! / Cost $80 / www.pontewinery.com

Team Ponte Training Runs/Walks through the Vineyard
Every Wednesday nights at 5:45p through mid-November / Ponte associates, wine club members and members of the community come out to Ponte Winery to train for the upcoming Wine Country Half-Marathon, which will be held on November 21^st. The group runs, walks and/or strolls a clearly marked 3.1 mile loop through Ponte Family Estate’s vineyards. Meet in front of the Ponte Winery Tasting Room porch/parking lot / Free to attend

Thanksgiving Dinner at Bouquet Restaurant / Nov. 26 / 5pm – 9pm / $28 pp / Bouquet Restaurant at Ponte Vineyard Inn will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving Feast Featuring all the trimmings. Reservations are highly encouraged at www.pontevineyardinn.com

Live NFL on the Big Screen / Every Thursday, Sunday and Monday throughout the 2015 NFL season / The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn / Free to attend.

First Sundays – Live Music in the Reserve Room*
First Sunday of the month/ 12:00p-4:00p / The Lookouts, Classic Rock / The Reserve Room will host a variety of live musical artists the first Sunday of each month in 2015. *The Reserve Room is a tasting room for wine club members only. Join the Wine Club and enjoy complimentary tastings in our exclusive venue.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Autumn Escape Spa Special / Take time to relax this fall with decadent spa treatments, pumpkin spice, and the warmth of treatments that are sure to renew the mind, body, and spirit / Call for various offers and pricing and book today: 951.587.9463 ext. 3513 / Special ends November 30, 2015.

Get movin’ & Groovin’ to the Grapeseed Spa this fall / Nov. 6^th / 7pm-9pm /. Meet up with your spa friends and enjoy live entertainment. Best of all, it’s all fee, but reservations are required / Award-winning wines and appetizers available for purchase / Call to book today! 951.587.9463 ext. 3513.

Wine, Dine and Painting Al Fresco / Nov. 15^th / 10am-1pm (painting portion 10am-12pm) / Take in the views and tap into your inner artist, then enjoy a fantastic lunch at the Vineyard Rose. This exclusive package comes with two-hour instruction and supplies to paint your masterpiece, and follows with a select lunch menu and glass of wine to enjoy / Wine can be purchased during painting class by the glass or bottle / To purchase tickets call 951.587.9463 ext. 5250 or visit southcoastwinery.com

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant / Nov. 26^th / 12pm- 9pm / The menu is a 4 course meal with a single price based on the entrée selected. Beverages, tax and 18% gratuity are additional / Reservations are limited and required / Call 951.491.8077

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony / Nov. 29^th / 6pm-9pm / Wines have been toasted; halls have been decked, Santa is scheduled, the only thing missing is you. Be our guest at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is an official Toys for Tots drop-off location. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate at the Tree Lighting ceremony.

Happy Hours at Vineyard Rose Restaurant Monday-Friday 3:00p-5:30p / Join us in the Vineyard Rose Lounge for reduced priced selected appetizers, award winning select glasses of South Coast wines and local drafts. PLUS corkage fees are waived for any South Coast Winery wine bottles brought in to the Vineyard Rose Restaurant and consumed while dining on Wednesdays too! / Visit www.WineResort.com to view menus and find out more. La sala da gioco ha recensioni positive – questo è il motivo principale per cui dovresti fidarti dei casinò online. Immediatamente dopo aver caricato il sito in un browser, sarai accolto da un’interfaccia amichevole e intuitiva. Come sottolineano le recensioni di Play Fortune, la navigazione nei casinò ti consente di navigare rapidamente, trovare i giochi e le sezioni giuste. Tra i motivi della registrazione al sito ci sono: https://italy-bonusesfinder.com/online-casinos/betn1-casino C’è una reale possibilità di vincere soldi. Un jackpot viene sorteggiato al casinò e un alto pagamento sulle macchine dà la possibilità di guadagnare denaro.

Vintage Vantage Menu
Monday-Thursday 11:30a -3:00p / Specially priced $9.99 lunches at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant for those aged 55 and over. Call 951-587-9463 x 2 for more information or reservations.

Behind the Scenes Wine Tours
Tours are held daily at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday. $40pp / $35pp Wine Club Member. Get up close and personal as you learn more about our spectacular Southern California winery with a behind-the-scenes tour. From vineyards to crush pad, each tour concludes with a specially prepared wine and food pairing. Due to the limited sizes of each tour, advance reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Must be over 21 years of age to attend. Call 800-539-1375 Ext. 350 to reserve your spot today.

Yoga Classes at Grapeseed Spa
Sunday 9a-10a / $12 per class / Yoga mat, towels and water provided. Call 951.587.9463 ext. 3513 to reserve your session.

Thornton Winery

Friday Live Music
Wine Specials, Live Music, Food Specials, and Dinner Menu / 6:00p-9:00p / No Cover Charge. Seating Available at Courtyard, Covered Patio & Café / Reservations suggested, call 951.699.0099

Wilson Creek Winery

2015 Late Harvest Festival / Sunday, Nov. 1 / 6pm to 9:30pm / Join us as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year – Harvest! Experience an amazing harvest festival with a seasonally inspired buffet, live entertainment, grape stomping, wagon rides, a pumpkin carving contest (with prizes) and barrel tastings / Regular admission $85; Wine Club members $76.50 / Reservations at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com

Wine Academy Class / Pinot Noir Experience / Nov. 14 / 11am, 1pm to 3pm / Taste great Pinot from different world regions. Our top notch winery instructors will make your wine experience interactive and interesting. / Wine Club $25; Non-members $35 / Call Wine Club to reserve your spot 951.699.9463

Live Entertainment / Free / 12p-4pm / Nov. 7- JD Priest / Nov. 8- Vito Gambino / Nov. 14- Smoothie Jones / Nov. 15- Astra Kelly / Nov. 21- Joachim Nordensson / Nov. 22- Ruben Gonzalez / Nov.28- JD Priest / Nov. 29- Rod Firas.

Temecula Valley Winery Owners Tell All! Their “Family Favorites.”

Have you ever wondered which wine is a “family favorite” at your favorite Temecula Valley winery?  We have too…so, we decided to ask a few of our winery owners which of their wines is their favorite….and, why.  Of course, we knew that asking them this question would be much like asking parents of multiple children which is their favorite, but we thought we’d give it a whirl!

Nick Palumbo, owner of Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery says that he and wife Cindy’s fave is the “Tre Fratelli” Meritage blend.  As Nick tells it, not only is this wine consistently very good, but it’s got sentimental value for the Palumbo Family as well.  It is one of the first blended wines they produced in 2002 when Palumbo Winery opened and takes its name “three brothers” from the 3 boys of the Palumbo Family. The current release 2012, is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

The Lin Family, owners of Callaway Vineyard & Winery, have a brand new favorite wine. They challenged their winemaker, Craig Larson, to pull out all the stops and “do whatever it took, with no cost restrictions” to create a Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects their dedication and passion to bring the best quality wine in all of Temecula Valley and California.  What came of this challenge is the OPR, the Owner’s Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which the Lins believe has captured the very essence of everything they envisioned.

Over at Oak Mountain Winery, owners Steve and Valerie Andrews’ favorite is their Tenacious.  This wine is a Syrah-heavy Rhone blend named after Valerie’s mother who passed away over 25 years ago.  Val says “my mother, Arlene was tenacious in everything she did, and she did plenty.  Her license plate on her car was Ten8shs.  Whether she was working in the family liquor store, volunteering at the hospital, battling cancer or just being a great mom and friend, she was tenacious.  My parents introduced the wine industry to Steve and I, and look what happened!  Sorry to say, the wine is so good we drank it all…but a new vintage is coming soon.”

Monte De Oro Winery’s Ken Zignorski is passionate about their Syrah.  For him, it’s all about how well it pairs with food. Ken says “I like pairing the Syrah with a nice ribeye steak or tri-tip on the grill.  It’s got a full-bodied, mellow and a nice, lasting finish for me.  And, I think that Syrah is one of those grapes that really demonstrates Temecula Valley’s capabilities as a wine region.”

Rick & Jennifer Buffington, owners of Cougar Vineyard & Winery, lists Aglianico as their family favorite.  A black grape grown in the southern regions of Italy, it originated in Greece and was brought to the south of Italy by Greek settlers. Although it’s not a popular wine amongst the Temecula wineries, it is one that the Buffington family is proud to offer since it isn’t widely available and is very unique.  They appreciate the wine’s complexity, high acidity, firm tannins, rich flavor and its ability to pair well with food.  Plus….it only gets better with age!

At Briar Rose Winery, owners Les & Dorian Linkogle didn’t hesitate when it came to their favorite wine.  Sacrament is a rare and historic Mission Wine.  The Mission Wine is made from the Mission Grape planted by Father Junipero Serra to use for the Sacrament of Communion as he established 9 California missions from 1769-1782.  These Mission Grapes, also known as the Heritage Grape of the State of California, were planted along the El Camino Real by the Founder of California Missions.

Well, it’s safe to say that our owners love their Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends!  So, what is your favorite Temecula Valley wine….and why??

Behind the Vine: Harvest Predictions

During a recent conversation with one of our winemakers we had to laugh when he said “there are only three things certain in life: death, taxes and Harvest!”  That’s true…Harvest IS looming.  For months, we’ve been hearing predictions, and even some friendly wagers among our winemakers, on just when we should expect for harvest season to start.

Generally, wine harvest season takes place for about 2 months because wine grapes ripen at different times. We normally see harvest August through October.  But, in recent years, harvest has come early for most varietals due to mild winter and spring seasons and dry, hot summer months.

So, are we on track for another early Harvest?  The season definitely started with an early bud break, but we did have a longer, cooler spring than expected, so things did slow down a bit. And, following tradition the past few summers, we’ve experienced some monsoonal-type thunderstorms in the afternoons bringing much needed rain.  So what does all this mean for the start of harvest?  It’s really anyone’s guess.

But, one thing’s for sure….”Squeezin’ Season” as we lovingly refer to it around here, is just around the corner.  It’s a perfect time to visit wine country; not only are the vineyards beautiful with all that ripening fruit, but there’s a lot of activity going on in the vineyards and in the winery cellars.  And, if you’re lucky, you may get to experience part of what wine grape harvesting is all about!

May 5th is Cinco de Vino Day!

Oh me, oh my, oh!  It’s Cinco de Vino!  Okay, so it’s really Cinco de Mayo, but come on!  Loving all things wine, what else are we gonna’ talk about?

Mexican food with wine, you say?  If you’ve never ventured into pairing wine with your favorite Mexican food, trust us.  It’s as fun as it is easy!

Let’s start with a little hint: alcohol intensifies the heat of chiles, and chiles intensify the alcohol, so choosing lower alcohol wines is the first step.  The second step is to choose those that are crisp with acidity.  They’re best suited to complement the complex flavors and spices of great Mexican cuisine.  And thirdly, always pair the wine with the sauce, not the protein. i.e., consider the ingredients in your dishes.  In general, red wines will work best with earthy chipotle, pasilla or adobo chile sauces – or if it’s all about that cheese!  White wines will work better with lime, citrus, tomatillo and cilantro or herbal sauces. Cinchy, huh?

Some particularly good white varietals to consider might include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, an Albarino – or even a dry Riesling.

Red wine lovers should try Tempranillo, Sangiovese or Malbec, a luscious Zinfandel or even a supple Syrah.

But, like we always say, wine guidelines and suggested pairings are just that – suggestions. The right wine for you is the one you like best!  We just recommend that if you’re entertaining, play it safe and have a couple of different options available.

There’s a Temecula Valley wine out there that will make your Mexican fiesta excelente and take your meal from tasty to sabroso!

Some Temecula Valley white wines to try:

Hart Winery “Two Vineyard Blend” Sauvignon Blanc
Cougar Winery 100% Pinot Grigio
Baily Winery dry Riesling
or Danza del Sol “Sabroso”, a Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc – perfect for dessert!

If you prefer reds, try:

Longshadow Ranch Estate Tempranillo
Frangipani Winery’s Estate Sangiovese
one of Doffo Winery’s many Malbecs
Lorenzi Winery “Zin City” Zinfandel
Falkner Winery “Rock Creek” Syrah

January Winery Events

It’s the start of another new year (again) and if you haven’t visited Temecula Valley Wine Country lately, now’s the time!  There’s never a dull moment in wine country, and this time of year is no exception.  Check out the wine country calendar of events and make plans to visit us soon!

Baily Vineyard & Winery

Sangiovese Saturdays at Carol’s
Saturdays in January; / 11:30a-3:00p / Live music, mulled wine, cheese fondue, 1/2 price Sangiovese

Dog Day Sundays
Every Sunday / 11:30a-2:30p / Bring your well-mannered pooch to lunch!  Live acoustic entertainment.

Estate Club Private Wine Tasting
Thursday-Sunday / 11:00a-2:30p / Tours and vertical tasting of library Cabernet Franc.  Sit down with bread and cheese plate; $30 (Reservations required 24 hours in advance) / Bar Tasting; $20.  Call for reservations: 951-972-9768.

“Inventory Reduction Sale”
Entire month of January / A sale on all current vintages to make room for the 2014 whites and rose and the 2011 reds.  Visit or call the winery for details.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Prime Rib Fridays
Every Friday at Meritage from 5pm-8:00pm in the main dining room.  Enjoy a three-course Prime Rib dinner for $35 per person!  Choose from soup and salad, a scrumptious Prime rib entree and finish with a house made Crème Brulee for two!  A special wine discount of 20% off Callaway wines by the bottle is available throughout the evening.  Vini Contreas performs live in the main dining room every Friday beginning at 6pm and continuing throughout the evening.  Reservations are not required.  No cover.  Cannot be combined with any other offers, including wine club member discounts.

Happiest Hours
Grab your friends and join us for a marvelous time!  Friday and Sunday from 3:00p-6:00p in the lounge at Meritage at Callaway.  20% all tapas, $2 off wine by the glass, 20% off bottles of Callaway wines and available domestic, import and craft beers.

Sangria Sundays at Meritage at Callaway
Every Sunday at Meritage at Callaway from 4pm-8pm in the main dining room.  Enjoy sipping on our very own Watermelon Sangria while soaking in the sunset vineyard views.  Live music from local musicians begins at 6pm.  No cover charge and no reservations required.

Open Mic Night at Meritage at Callaway
Thursday, January 8 / 6:00p-9:00p / A creative life needs to be lived out in the OPEN; heard and shared with others. Join us for an evening of tapas, wine & creative collaboration. We will provide the stage, you provide your words, your unique sound and your talent. Come early to sign up.  Call (951) 587-8889 or email stefano_butto@callawaywinery.com for more information.

Europa Village

Live Music
Fridays from 5:30p-8:30p and Sundays from 1:00p-4:00p / January 2 – Radical Pie / January 4 – Mark Norris / January 9 – Dustin Jake / January 11 – Jimmy Patton / January 16  – James Wells / January 18- Dustin Jake / January 23 – Bryan McManus / January 25 – Joe Baldino / January 30 – Two Fish

Murder Mystery Dinner – “And, The Murder Goes To….”
Saturday, January 24 / 6:30p-9:00p / $70 per person / Societe Members $63 per person / Purchase tickets at www.europavillage.com

Murder Mystery Dinner – “And, The Murder Goes To….”
Sunday, January 25 / 6:30p-9:00p / $70 per person / Societe Members $63 per person / Purchase tickets at www.europavillage.com

Falkner Winery

Wine Appreciation Class
Saturday, January 17 / 10:00a-12:30p / $45 per person

Frangipani Estate Winery

9th Year Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, January 10 / 1:00p-5:00p / Wine specials throughout the day.  Special wine cocktails.

Lorimar Winery

Live Music

Fridays & Saturdays 6p-9p / Sundays 2p-5p

Mount Palomar Winery

Bottles “n” Brushes Painting Class with Wine
January 7, 22, 24 / 11:00a-2:00p / January 24th class is from 12:00p-3:00p / $45 per person – includes a glass of wine!  (Discount given for multiple guests) / To sign up or for more information, please contact Dorothy Hawthorne at 951-302-3088 or doughawthorne@verizon.net.

Oak Mountain Winery

9th Anniversary Party
Saturday, January 17 / 6:00p-9:00p / Come join us to celebrate our 9th anniversary party for Oak Mountain Winery.  Dinner, wine and live music by Rhandi & Associates.  Call 951-699-9102 for more details.

Live Music in the Pavilion
Every Saturday and Sunday in January / 1:00p-5:00p

Oak Mountain Winery University

Bubbles 101 – We want to burst your bubble with our champagne class / Oak Mountain Winery’s Sparkling Wine Class will have you taste three of our handcrafted sparkling wines made and bottled here in Temecula.  You will be served 3 of our sparkling wines paired with artisanal cheeses.  Learn fun facts you always wanted to know about sparkling wines and champagne.

Blending Reds – Create, bottle and label your very own blend / In our Blending Class, you get to be the Winemaker!  You will be supplied with three of Oak Mountain’s red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, tasting notes, a measuring flask and pipette, three wine glasses for sampling your creation and a “cheat sheet” provided by our own winemaker to help you with the process.  You will have the option to bottle your custom blend of wine for an additional $29.  We will then pop in a cork and add a personalized label and you’ll take home wonderful memories – as well as a one-of-a-kind bottle of wine.

Wine Tasting for Dummies 101 / Our beginners class for Wine Tasters.  This is a good class to take if this is your first visit to a winery and want to know the basics of wine tasting.  You will taste three wines paired with delicious gourmet cheeses and dark chocolate toffee.  You will also get to sample eight of our infused Avocado Oils and Balsamic Vinegars that are only available at Oak Mt. Winery.

Rhone Wine Class 201 / Our second, more advanced class after taking Wine Tasting 101 is our Rhone Wine Tasting Class 201.  Learn how these grapes are grown here in the valley and how wine is made, while tasting varietals from different areas in the Rhone region of France. best python ide  Just like the 101 class, you’ll get 3 wine tastings and 8 tastings of Avocado Oil and Balsamic Vinegars.

Bordeaux Wine Class 201 / You will learn how these grapes are grown and how they are harvested and processed, while tasting Oak Mountain wines from different areas in the Bordeaux region of France.  Just like the 101 class, you will get 3 wine tastings and 8 tastings of Avocado Oil and Balsamic Vinegars.  We recommend that you have taken our Wine Tasting 101 class prior to this course.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Wine & Dine Chef’s Table at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant

For those who truly love to dine, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s culinary team offers a front row seat into their world with a special “Chef’s Table Dinner”. The Vineyard Rose Chefs create a custom five-course menu just for you. Our expert Winemakers then pair each course with our award winning wines to heighten the dining experience to another level. Whether it’s a special celebration or an intimate affair, our Chef’s Table dinner for 2 to 8 guests will define the art of fine cuisine with a memorable evening of food and wine for only $135 per person. Call 951-491-8077 to reserve your table today.

Happy Hours at Vineyard Rose Restaurant
Monday-Friday 3:00p-5:30p / Join us in the Vineyard Rose Lounge for reduced priced selected appetizers, award winning select glasses of South Coast wines and local drafts.  PLUS corkage fees are waived for any South Coast Winery wine bottles brought in to the Vineyard Rose Restaurant and consumed while dining on Wednesdays too!   Visit www.WineResort.com to view menus and find out more.

Wine Wednesdays at Vineyard Rose Restaurant
6:00p-9:00p / Wednesday nights just got even better at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant as award winning pianist, Blessie Isaac-Hopkins, takes the helm behind our elegant grand piano.  This world traveler and life-long student of music has performed internationally over the course of her career at many high-end hotels and resorts, including the Peninsula, Regent, Westin, Hilton and Shangri-la Hotel and now you can enjoy her music at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. Reserve today for an unforgettable Wednesday evening with fine wines, delicious food and live music between the hours of 6:30p to 9:00p. Call 951.587.9463

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s Touchdown Sundays
We’re making football Sundays a day for the ladies. Join us every Sunday during football season from 12 noon to 3pm in the Vineyard Rose Restaurant. Enjoy half priced mimosas, sangria and our signature Spumante Diamante. Reservations Recommended. Call 951-587-9463 x 2

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s Vintage Vantage Menu
Monday-Thursday 11:30a -3:00p / Specially priced $9.99 lunches at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant for those aged 55 and over. Call 951-587-9463 x 2 for more information or reservations.

Behind the Scenes Wine Tours
Tours are held daily at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday. Due to the limited sizes of each tour, advance reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Must be over 21 years of age to attend.   Call 800-539-1375 Ext. 350 to reserve your spot today.

Festival of Wines
January 18-24 / A whole week dedicated to tantalize your senses!  We’ve tasked each of our resort’s departments to create a special celebration dedicated to the Art of Wine!  Come out any day of the week to enjoy all that we have to offer!  Visit www.wineresort.com or call 800.539.1375 for more information.

Thornton Winery

Thornton Winery’s Chef’s Counter Dinner
Friday, January 30 / 7:00p / A one of a kind dining experience! An interactive Chef’s table in a private kitchen, where you will dine one-on-one while the chef prepares your five course meal right in front of you. Seating is limited to 10.  Reservations are required by calling 951-699-0099.

Dream Big ~ John Thornton, Thornton Winery

Check in every month where we feature a new interview with a Temecula Valley winery owner. You’ll learn where they came from before settling in Temecula, CA – and what keeps them passionate about the sometimes not-so-glamorous life of a winery owner.

The Thornton Family
l-r: Steve, Sally and John

Our ongoing series this month features John Thornton, of Thornton Winery, one of the valley’s “first”, which opened for business way back in 1988.  Learn why, after almost 30 years, “Mr. T”, as he’s lovingly known to us, still lives and breathes wine.

Why – or how on earth! – did you get into the wine business? And why was Temecula your chosen region?
Well, Sally and I used to travel extensively on business and everywhere we’d visit, we’d try to eat and drink local.  We loved the social aspect of food and wine together.  We thought, “Hey, we can start our own place and offer food and wine and it’ll be easy.” Boy, were we WRONG!  At the time, Ely Callaway was marketing Temecula as the perfect place to make wine and although the area had a small wine industry, we did some research and it did appear to be a “natural” fit for a wine country and poised for growth.

Running a small family winery – even one that’s been around for awhile like Thornton has – must present a unique set of challenges. What keeps you up at night? And what gets you up in the morning?
I think some of the same things that keep most business owners up at night; but for us it’s how to sell our wine, what wines to make, how to keep our customers happy, cash flow….but Steve works this part of the business, so I sleep pretty darn good!  What gets me up in the morning?  I get excited about the challenges in the business actually.  Challenges can be opportunities and we can take a challenge and turn it into something positive.

What do you MOST love about the wine industry?
What I love most about the wine industry is the people.  There are some of the nicest and most genuine people in this industry.  Another thing about this industry that is so great is sharing food and wine with friends;  it’s a wonderful thing.  You add music to that, and you’ve got the perfect combination.

Speaking of music, Champagne Jazz has been a staple in the music industry – and at Thornton – for almost 30 (!) years. Are you proud with its effect on our little wine country?
When we started Champagne Jazz, we never expected it to be what it is today.  It’s had a long life and it’s taken years and a lot of hard work to formulate.  It’s a continuous challenge to combine a food, wine and musical experience that will appeal to a broad audience.  We’re really proud that we’re bringing in some of the best jazz performers in the world. cheapigfollowers.com

Cafe Champagne was THE first restaurant in wine country. That must present its own unique opportunities and challenges?
Our biggest challenge was learning the food business.  It’s a tough business.  You’ve got to do a lot of research and make sure that you’ve got what people want.  You’ve got to come up with menus that appeal to customers and you’ve got to make the prices competitive in order to bring the people in.  The restaurant was originally “high-end”, but it’s now more casual.  Steve’s been teaching me that it isn’t always about what I want!  The customer is always right.  We’ve got to listen to them, try to pair the food and wine well, and make them happy.  We’ve got a lot more competition with our neighbors now, and while this is inevitable, it just keeps us planning and adapting.  We’re watching the valley get better and better and it’s exciting to watch!