Tag: visit temecula

Why Temecula Valley’s Climate is Perfect for Wine Grapes… And Vacationers!

“It’s too hot to grow wine grapes in Southern California.”

We hear this a lot out in Temecula Valley. Every time we do, we smile to ourselves as it’s an open invitation to explain why this wine region is not only perfect for vacationers, but for producing world-class wines as well.

Picture your ideal vacation. Does the image of waking up to a beautiful sunrise that warms the air just enough that you can enjoy coffee out on your balcony or get in a quick morning run in slightly crisp air with no sticky humidity sound about right?

Does sitting on a patio enjoying a Southern California lunch in 72-degree weather, sun shining, not a cloud in the sky in mid-November while your friends back home are kicking muddy slush from an early snowfall off their boots before getting into their cars on a grey and dreary day sound appealing?

Imagine yourself in a luxurious king-sized bed at your hotel after a fun and sun-filled day of wine tasting, hiking or shopping, all windows open to allow in the cool night breezes to lull you to sleep.

This is vacationing in Temecula Valley, all year round. It also describes key aspects that make this region suitable for growing wine grapes.

A Mediterranean Climate is generally classified as having a long growing season (early Spring to late Fall) of moderate to warm temperatures, moderate winters and relatively low rainfall. Since regions of Mediterranean climate are influenced by cold ocean currents during the Summer months, the weather during this time is dry, stable and pleasant with strong diurnal shifts. This means that, while the days are warm and sunny, the nights cool down quickly. These regions receive most of their precipitation for the year during the Winter months.

Major wine producing regions with Mediterranean climates include Tuscany and parts of Southern Italy, the Southern Rhone Valley, Provence, most of Greece, many parts of Spain, Southern Oregon, Baja California, the Napa Valley and, of course, Temecula Valley. These are many of the regions we think of when we think of premium wines and dream travel experiences.

What makes Temecula Valley at home among these well-known wine regions is that it boasts long, sunny days that allow wine grapes to ripen and develop the sugars that will ultimately turn the grapes into wine. However, the region is home to significant maritime influence as well. Just 22-miles from the Pacific Ocean, Temecula Valley is bordered by coastal mountain ranges and inland valleys. As the sun warms the inland valleys east of Temecula, the warm air rises, forming a low-pressure area which pulls the cooler, much heavier air from the Pacific Ocean in through two breaks in the mountains — The Rainbow Gap and the Santa Margarita Gap. This cool air creates the pattern of warm sunny days, breezy afternoons and cool nights, ideal conditions for the wine grapes to develop complex flavors and aromas, while retaining pleasant balance and freshness from desirable acidity levels.

Think about it: Virtually year-round sunshine and warm or moderate temperatures, cool nights, relatively little rainfall, not to mention high quality wines, unique wine-tasting experiences, and the relaxed, welcoming vibe that is synonymous with Southern California. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just looking for a dream vacation, Temecula Valley should be added to your list of top wine destinations to visit.

October Winery Events

The long, exhausting days of harvest are in full swing and cooler days are signaling the start of fall here in Temecula Valley Wine Country. Our wineries are getting into the swing of the holiday season hosting a myriad of events.

Avensole Winery
Painting the Staves / October 8, 2018, 2:30-5pm / Stave the date for this fun painting and pairing class! Create a piece of art for your home or a thoughtful personalized gift! Customize your own beautifully stenciled message while enjoying Avensole wine under the direction of our talented class leader. Each ticket includes one glass of Avensole’s Seasonal Sangria, Merlot or Susan Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy discounts on featured wine / Cost: $45, Tickets must be purchased in advance online: http://www.avensolewinery.com/res-391245/Painting-The-Staves.html

Avensole Wine Wednesday /  October 17th, November 21st / 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm / $33 Wine Club and $42 Non-Member / Expand your palate with specially themed wine tasting classes every third Wednesday in the Discover Club, with our knowledgeable tasting hosts. Explore wines from around the world, compared with Avensole Winery wines. Taste six wines, each comparison paired with our handmade Mangia cheeses. Wine Special: $10 additional discount when purchasing all 3 bottles of Avensole wine sampled at the event / For questions please contact tours@avensolewinery.com. Tickets must be purchased in advance online: http://www.avensolewinery.com/reservation-events

Hosted Tour & Wine Tasting /Available on Sunday of each the month / 2pm-3:30pm / For every adventure, there is discovery, for every unique place, there is a story. Take a guided journey through our lush vineyards and experience our rich heritage and handcrafted Avensole wines / Cost. $35 / Reservations required. Please call 951.252.2003 x312 to reserve.

Gourmet Cheese Artisanal Tour & Wine Tasting / Available on Friday of each month / 12pm / For the ultimate Wine Country experience, delight in an educational tour through our picturesque vineyard vistas and conclude this tour with a culinary treat of artisanal wine pairings featuring 7 Avensole wines / Cost: $75 / Reservations required online at link: http://www.avensolewinery.com/res-369934

Baily Winery
Estate Library Tasting / Every Thursday-Sunday / Available 11am-4pm / Enjoy exclusive library tasting of 5 different vintages (varietal will vary monthly). Tasting will take place at Baily Estate Tasting Room located on Pauba Road / Tours are available upon request / For reservations and pricing information please call Lisa at 951-972-9768

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
The Who Generation Tribute Band / October 19 / 6:00pm to 10:00pm / Admission $28.00 Wine Club Members $25.20 / The Who Generation is the amazing tribute band to the British rock group THE WHO! Join us for a stellar night, under the stars, where they will recreate visually and sonically the magic of the original band! / Purchase Tickets: http://www.callawaywinery.com/res-408137/The-Who-Generation.html

Prix Fixe Friday & Sunday at Meritage / 5pm to 8pm / For $35 guests may enjoy a starter, an entrée and a dessert / Live Music offered on Friday nights / Reservation is not necessary. For menu information call 951.587.8889

Brunch Specials every Sunday at Meritage / 11am / Cost is $25 / Includes a mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice, entrée and dessert. All food from Meritage is farm-to-table, either grown on property in restaurant garden or locally outsourced.
Callaway Winery Tours offered daily / 11am and 1pm / Tour only, $10 per person. Tour with tasting, $25 – tour includes 1 tank sample, 1-barrel sample and 4 additional tastes at the Tasting Bar / Reservations not necessary, but for 10 or more highly recommended / For more information call 951.676.4001

Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Elegant Food & Wine Pairing / $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member / 1pm & 3pm Monday-Sunday / 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 seasonal accoutrements. Each pairing lasts approximately 90 minutes and is limited to just eight participants to allow for one-on-one interaction / Reservations recommended Book a pairing on CarterEstateWinery.com

Danza del Sol Winery
Harvest Bluegrass Fest / October 20 / 6pm-9pm / Featuring THUNDERWÜDE Bob’s favorite band all the way from Michigan! Two Food Trucks, wine, beer and games / Admission: $15 per Member; $18 per Non-Member (Includes one glass of wine or 8 oz. beer) / ADULTS ONLY / Purchase tickets here or RSVP to Kelly at k.hefley@danzadelsolwinery.com or 951.302.6363 x26 / Refundable cancellations permitted with a 72-hour advance notice / This is not a dog friendly event

6th Annual Danza de la Muerte – Halloween Party / October 26 / 5:30pm-10:00pm
Join us in your best costumes, for a WICKED good time! / Two Food Trucks, Music by DJ C Square Events, Costume Contest / Free General Admission (doesn’t guarantee a seat) /
VIP Table Wine Club Members: Table for 4 – $50 includes 1 bottle of wine; Table for 8 – $100 includes 2 bottles of wine / Non-Member VIP Table: Table for 4 – $55 includes 1 bottle of wine; Table for 8 – $105 includes 2 bottles of wine / This is not a dog friendly event. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. VIP tables can be purchased at Danza del Sol Winery or by calling (951) 302-6363 ext. 26

Falkner Winery
Sip N Paint Class “Thankful” / October 11 / 6pm -8pm / $35 per person / Includes all materials. Wine available for purchase by glass or bottle. Members receive applicable discounts. Reservations are required online @ Artfusionbdk.myshopify.com
Wine Appreciation Class / September 15 / 10am -12:30pm / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge; $45/person /$40 Connoisseur/ $20 VIP; $70/person with lunch option. RSVP’s required 951-676-8231 x.109 or wineclub@falknerwinery.com

Wine Appreciation Class / October 20 / 10am -12:30pm / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge; $45/person /$40 Connoisseur/ $20 VIP; $70/person with lunch option. RSVP’s required 951-676-8231 x.109 or wineclub@falknerwinery.com

Fazeli Cellars
Fazeli Cellars Annual Haunted Masquerade Ball / October 27 / Doors open at 7pm / $20 Members / $25 Non-Members / Includes entrance and a glass of champagne. Food and drinks available for purchase. DJ & dancing; masks desired but not required / Purchase tickets here: http://shop.fazelicellars.com/res-390862/Masquerade-Ball-2018.html

Masia de la Vinya Winery
Pumpkin Succulent Soiree / October 13 / 2pm-4pm / $35.00 – $38.00 / Join us on this fall afternoon as we craft, sip, and relax while creating your own succulent topped pumpkin!! / For reservations please visit http://www.masiadelavinya.com and click on the link to event.

Let There Be Brunch / October 14 / 10am-1pm / $34.00 – $38.00 / Fall into Brunch…move over coffee, today is a job for bubbles!! Featuring brunch by The Wood Fire Gourmet all while listening to Spanish instrumental guitarist Jesus Melicio / For reservations please visit http://www.masiadelavinya.com and click on the link to event.

Monte De Oro Winery
Bingo Night / October 5 / 7pm – 9pm / $25 per ticket / It’s time for bingo, Monte De Oro style! Join us on Friday, October 5th for a night of calling numbers and sipping your favorite MDO wine / Purchase tickets on our website at montedeoro.com

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy / October 12 / 6:30pm – 9:30pm / GA: $60; WC GA: $55; VIP: $110 / VIP WC: $100; VIP Table of 10: $1,050 / VIP Table of 10 WC: $950 / Join us in celebrating Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s 25th anniversary live at Monte De Oro! From their very first show at a backyard party, until today, nearly 3000 shows later, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s unending goal has always been to play good music and have fun while doing it / VIP tickets include reserved seating and dinner service. Purchase tickets on our website at montedeoro.com

Mount Palomar Winery
Paint Nite at Mount Palomar Winery / October 27 / 1:00pm – 3:00pm / Tickets $45 / Raise your glass to a NEW kind of night out! Paint Nite® invites you to create art over a glass of wine at a Mount Palomar Winery, 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!). Use the coupon code CREATE30 to save $15! https://www.paintnite.com/events/light-up-the-fall-at-mt-palomar-winery-10103002

Oak Mountain Winery
Murder Mystery Dinner / October 26 / 6:00pm -9pm / $69 per person $63 for wine club / There will be a murder at Oak Mountain Winery set in the Wild Wild West. Food, Wine & Fun! Reservation’s required, please call 951 699-9102 or visit online at https://shop.oakmountainwinery.com/event-tickets-c11.aspx

Ponte Winery
Happy Hour in The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn / Every Monday-Thursday / 4pm-6pm Free to attend / Head to Temecula Wine Country’s only cocktail bar, The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn, for happy hour specials on craft beer, flatbreads, Ponte wine on tap and more! Menu items $6 and up / For more information please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com

Brunch at Bouquet Restaurant / Every Saturday & Sunday / 7:30am-3:00pm / Offering indoor & outdoor seating options, Bouquet is the perfect spot to gather for a gourmet brunch. Enjoy a relaxing ambiance with stunning fountain courtyard, pond & vineyards views / To view menu and for reservations please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Wine, Dine & Paint / October 20 / 10:00am – 1:00pm / Cost: $75 | $70 Wine Club Work one-on-one with Jill Roberts, internationally-known, award-winning artist, at one of our all-inclusive Wine, Dine & Paint classes, complete with a three-hour guided Art+Vino painting class, painting supplies, aprons and canvas, Winemakers lunch at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant with a glass of wine / Reservation Information: Purchase tickets through our Online Store at SouthCoastWinery.com or call your Wine Club Concierge at 951.491.8506.

Behind the Scenes Wine Tours / Tours are held daily at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday/ $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member or Military / Learn more about our spectacular Southern California Temecula winery with a behind-the-scenes wine tour, from vineyards to crush pad. Each tour concludes with 5 wines paired with an individual plate of specially prepared lite-bite foods, designed to enhance your wine knowledge and experience / Reservation Information: Call 866-994-6379 Ext. 7217 to reserve your spot today / Due to the limited sizes of each tour, reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Guests must be over 21 years of age to attend.

Thornton Winery
Jazz Concert Series
MINDI ABAIR & THE BONESHAKERS / October 7 / 4:00pm /
General Admission $85. Gourmet Supper Package is $160

BONEY JAMES / October 13 / 7:00pm /
General Admission $85; Gourmet Supper Package (Sold Out)
To purchase jazz tickets online, please visit www.thorntonwine.com or by calling the winery at 951.699.0099

Friday Live Music / B. I. G. Soul R & B, Jazz / October 12 / 6:00p-9:00p / $10 Cover Fee / Reservations required for a Table. Call (951) 699-0099 *Must order dinner to reserve a table.
*Seats available for General Admission on first come basis.

Friday Live Music / Twisted Gypsy / October 26 / 6:00p-9:00p / $10 Cover Fee / Reservations required for a Table. Call (951) 699-0099 *Must order dinner to reserve a table.
*Seats available for General Admission on first come basis.

Wiens Family Cellars
Refugio Vertical Pairing Dinner / October 26 / 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm / $95 per person, $76 for wine club members / A Cabernet lover’s delight. This dinner will showcase 4 vintages, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, of our Refugio Cabernet Sauvignon. Each vintage will be paired with a delicious dish prepared by Chef Volker / Tickets available on site, online www.wienscellars/reservation-events, or by phone 951-694-9892. Tickets must be purchased in at least 3 days in advance.

Wilson Creek Winery
Lee Brice Concert / October 4 / 5:00-9:00 pm / Join us under the stars in the heart of wine country for an amazing acoustic up close and personal show with Lee Brice! Purchase tickets at: www.wilsoncreekwinery.com
General Admission: $75
Orchestra: $100

Bubble Brunch Buffet / Every Sunday 10am-3pm / $51.95, Buffet only: $41.95, Children: $16.95 / Enjoy all your breakfast favorites, omelet stations, waffle stations, seafood stations, carving stations and dessert stations with beautiful vineyard views / Buffet (+ unlimited sparkling). Now serving Bloody Mary’s! / Reservations can be made at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com or call 951.699.9463 for additional information.

Grilled Sausages with Fig and Onion Jam

Chances are you’ll find many other uses for this fragrant sweet-tart jam. Enjoy it on a grilled-cheese or ham sandwich or serve it with a cheese or charcuterie board. It’s the perfect complement for fresh goat cheese or a tangy Cheddar. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

¼ pound (125 g) dried Calimyrna figs, stems removed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, about 10 ounces (315 g), halved and thinly sliced from root to stem
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
½ teaspoon ground fennel seed
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, or more to taste
4 fresh Italian sausages, hot or sweet, 5 to 6 ounces (155 g to 185 g) each

Directions:

Put the figs in a small saucepan with 1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion, thyme, and fennel seed. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are soft, golden-brown, and sweet, about 30 minutes. Lower the heat if necessary to prevent burning.

While the onions cook, prepare a medium-hot charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

Lift the figs out of the liquid with a slotted spoon and slice thinly. Add the figs to the onions, along with the sherry vinegar and 2 tablespoons of the fig-cooking liquid. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid has been absorbed and the flavors have merged, 3 to 4 minutes. Taste for seasoning. The jam should be moist with a balanced sweet-tart flavor.

Grill the sausages until they are nicely browned all over and feel firm when probed, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately with the warm jam.

Suggested Pairings:

Bel Vino Winery ~ Cabernet Sauvignon Vintners Selection – Aromas & flavors of black cherry, plum and dark chocolate.

Callaway Winery ~ 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Syrah – Dark, spicy and brimming with black fruit, this vintage will only get better with time.

Danza Del Sol Winery ~ 2014 Syrah – Flavors of ripe black cherry, plum and hints of chocolate and tobacco laced finish.

Gershon Bachus Vintners ~ 2010 Aquilo God of North Wind Cabernet Sauvignon –  The smooth velvety finish carries a blackberry undertone

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Wine Institute of California

So, You Want to Be A Winemaker?

You sit down to dinner and uncork a beautiful bottle of 2014 Syrah. As you swirl and sip, you start to imagine life as a winemaker. The romance of waking up on a cool September morning, opening your blinds and looking out onto your perfectly manicured vineyards. The satisfaction of tending to your vines, watching them flourish, and ultimately fermenting and bottling the grapes for your family dinner table.

Think you’ve got what it takes?

We sat down with some of Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country’s local rockstars – our winemakers – to ask them what really goes into producing the delicious wines that we simply get to open and enjoy. From grueling hours to the infamous “black hands” to strange harvest rituals, they gave us the good, the bad and the ugly on what it takes to be a winemaker during harvest.

Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association: What does a typical day during harvest look like?

Greg Pennyroyal, Vineyard Manager, Wilson Creek Winery: It is Monday at 11: 30 PM. My crew shows up in 30 minutes. We will harvest Viognier until dawn because that is what is best for wine quality. Quality of life can wait until next year when this wine will be on my dinner table and hopefully yours. Some may say this is exceptional effort but for those of us who are possessed by the muse of Vitis Vinifera, it is the best way – no, the only way – to bring in the fruit that I have nurtured since last fall. People ask, “Why are you here in the middle of the night?” To which I quote Thoreau, “Why are you not here?”

Dakota Denton, Winemaker, Gershon Bachus Vintners: I wake up, put my boots on, and walk the vineyards in the cool of the morning. Then, it’s off to the cellar or crush pad for pump-overs and to crush more grapes. By the time this is done it is time to pull samples for the lab, a second set of pump overs and a beer to end the day. Then repeat!

Olivia Bue, Winemaker, Robert Renzoni Vineyards: First and foremost, attire: Jeans (even if it’s 100° F out), old t-shirt (stained with the previous vintage’s wine), steel toe boots (always make sure to shake out dirt and grape skins), big harvest hat…Oh, and of course our purple cracked hands.

Then the day consists of early morning vineyard visits to collect grape samples for analysis; hydrometer and temperature readings on all fermenting wines; smelling the top of each fermenting tank to make sure there are no off odors or nutrient deficiencies (making sure to not get too close, lest we get hit with a CO2 bomb); and, most importantly, tasting each lot daily.

Once reds come in the real harvest bootcamp begins! This means pump-overs 3 times daily with at least 3 hours off in between. This involves sanitizing all hoses and pumps before and after each lot, making any necessary adjustments to the wine, and removing fallout seeds to minimize astringency. As the reds approach the end of alcoholic fermentation, it’s time to drain the tank of all its wine, leaving behind skins to get pressed out. To remove skins from the tank, we jump inside to shovel them out into the bins below the tank door. This is always a good workout!

TVWA: What is the hardest part of harvest?

DD: Waking up early.

OB: When my alarm goes off at 3 AM.

Gus Vizgirda, Winemaker, Wilson Creek Winery: The harvest has its many expected effects, such as exhaustion. But one that is seldom talked about is what I like to call the “Black Hand.” This happens when calloused hands come in contact with red grape juice. It is the natural condition of a winemaker during harvest. As much as “Black Hand“ is an honorable winemaking badge, it has disadvantages. My wife thinks it’s disgusting and makes me look dirty; and my grandchildren think that I have some sort of disease, avoiding my hugs. So, if you see me around during this time of the year with my hands in my pockets, understand this: I have “Black Hand.” I’m polite not to show it in public, but – believe me – in the privacy of my home late at night I look at my hands in wonderment and passionate pride, remembering the good times I had this Harvest… and longing for grandchildren’s hugs.

TVWA: What is your favorite part of harvest?

GV: Getting to the winery at 3 AM. I love to work in the morning and see the sunrise as we are pressing the grapes. I enjoy completing most of the work before the heat of the day.

OB: Processing grapes as the sun rises. And, when the last lot is pressed out; not because harvest is over but because I can finally look back and feel proud of all the blood, sweat and tears put into the vintage.

DD: The nonstop craziness from start to finish.

Joseph Wiens, Winemaker, Wiens Family Cellars: The change of pace is welcoming. We are busy bottling non-stop before crush to free up our tank space, so we look forward to getting back into the harvest season. This is also our first look at the new vintage. We’re excited to see the fruit that we’ve been watching mature on the vines finally come in for processing into wine.

TVWA: Do you have any harvest rituals – before, during or after?

DD: Every harvest I stop shaving (not saying I ever started).

OB: Happy hour at 9am.

JW: We have a rule that after our first 8 hours of work for the day, we can start cracking brews to get us through the remainder of the day.

Javier Flores, Winemaker, South Coast Winery & Carter Estate Winery: The Sunday before Harvest, I pray for a good crop and that no one gets hurt. A safe harvest is a good harvest. Then the very first day of Harvest we buy breakfast burritos for all the winemaking team members to celebrate the beginning. The very last day of Harvest we hang a plastic Skeleton with dates marking the start and finish of the harvest. Then the following Friday we have a super lunch at our winery, prepared by winemakers.

GV: I play my bugle at passing hot air balloons and play “Reveille” at sunrise for [Wilson Creek owners] Rosie and Gerry. The balloon passengers are always surprised.

TVWA: What is the craziest/scariest/funniest thing that has happened to you during harvest?

DD: Not knowing that a keg that it was still fermenting, I started to open it. After the second turn of the clamp, there was a loud bang (as if a shotgun had gone off right in front of me), and wine shot up to the ceiling, covering me from head to toe.

JW: A couple of years ago, we got a new press. We overloaded it with Zinfandel that had fallen apart (the skins didn’t hold up, and the whole lot looked more like a grape smoothie than wine). The Zin smoothie clogged up the drain holes in the press, and once the press started pressurizing, the wine had nowhere to go. The seals on the press broke open, and about 4 tons of purple slop poured out onto the crush pad. We frantically started trying to shovel it up, and soon decided it was a lost cause. We were up to our ankles with slop, and one of our workers made a snide remark. I flung a shovel full of slop at them, which devolved into a full-fledged Zin slop fight. It was a huge mess, and a bummer to lose some wine, but we laughed about it in the end, and learned the limitations of our new press!

TVWA: What is the timeline of a bottle of wine, from planting to uncorking it for dinner?

JW: It really depends on the wine. We will actually start bottling our 2018 white wines in early October. These early bottlings (like our dry rosés, Albariño and Pinot Grigio) have light, volatile aromatics that tend to flash off if we wait too long to bottle, so we try to capture that freshness as early as possible. We could be enjoying a nice, crisp rosé of Pinot Noir for dinner while we are still processing reds! Our red wines take anywhere from 1 to 4 years to make it onto our lists, as their aromas and flavors develop slowly with barrel ageing. Typically with newly planted vines, it is the “third leaf,” or third growing season, before we harvest any fruit. So, planting-to-uncorking could be as short as 4 years for our whites, to more than 40 for some of our old vine reds.

DD: Anywhere from 5 to 10 years depending on what kind of wine, and how long you are aging the wine in barrels and bottles.

Special thanks to the Temecula Valley winemakers who shared their harvest stories with us for this article.

Next time you uncork, take a moment to reflect on just what went into making that magical juice in your bottle, and give a toast to your local winemakers.

Happy harvest to winemakers all over the world, and happy California Wine Month to all.

Photo courtesy of Burlile Photography

California Wine Month ~ Temecula Style!

This September marks the 14th consecutive year that California’s governor has proclaimed California Wine Month; in honor of our state’s contribution as the leading wine industry in the United States.

September is the perfect time to visit Temecula Valley Wine Country. Besides the fact that it is our favorite month, we’ve got several events and promotions up our sleeves and we want you to celebrate with us!

Here are the highlights:

SIP Passport Program

When: Valid Monday through Friday the entire month of September (excluding the Labor Day holiday).

What: Passport for a full tasting flight at any five participating Temecula Valley wineries; includes souvenir wine glass. Passport includes discounts on wine purchases, wine club memberships and dining.

Tickets: $45 per person. For more information and tickets, click here.

#DRINKTEMECULA Social Media Challenge
Do you love social media almost as much as you love Temecula wine? Then this challenge is for you! The entire month of September, we’re inviting you to post a picture each day showing how you are celebrating wine month without comment; you nominate a friend to do the same, both of you using the hashtag #drinktemecula

CRUSH ~ A Wine & Culinary Showcase
Although we never need a reason to raise a glass in celebration, we’ll be doing just that at our 9th annual CRUSH event. CRUSH is Temecula Valley Wine Country’s signature event and is The ONE and ONLY event showcasing the wines of 30+ member wineries in one location! Winery and local restaurants will also be on hand to pair small bites with the wine. Mix and mingle with winery owners and winemakers at this most anticipated walk-about tasting! Yves Bouvier

When: Saturday, September 29 – 7:30p-10:00p
Where: Monte De Oro Winery
Cost: Standard ticket – $89

Click here for more information and tickets

September Winery Events

Nothing screams “Harvest Time!” more than a good old-fashioned grape stomp! September is always a busy time in Temecula Valley Wine Country and our wineries are busy planning a few celebrations of their own.

Avensole Winery
Hosted Tour & Wine Tasting /Available on Sunday of each the month / 2pm-3:30pm / For every adventure, there is discovery, for every unique place, there is a story. Take a guided journey through our lush vineyards and experience our rich heritage and handcrafted Avensole wines / Cost. $35 / Reservations required. Please call 951.252.2003 x312 to reserve.

Gourmet Cheese Artisanal Tour & Wine Tasting / Available on Friday of each month / 12pm / For the ultimate Wine Country experience, delight in an educational tour through our picturesque vineyard vistas and conclude this tour with a culinary treat of artisanal wine pairings featuring 7 Avensole wines / Cost: $75 / Reservations required online at link: http://www.avensolewinery.com/res-369934

Baily Winery
Shakespeare in the Vines presents: All’s Well That Ends Well / September 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22/ Show starts at 7:00 pm/ Presented by Shakespeare in the Vines and stages at an outdoor venue at beautiful Baily Winery / Tickets: General admission $22; $17 for Seniors 55+, Students and Military / For ticket sales and more information please visit: http://shakespeareinthevines.org

Estate Library Tasting / Every Thursday-Sunday / Available 11am-4pm / Enjoy exclusive library tasting of 5 different vintages (varietal will vary monthly). Tasting will take place at Baily Estate Tasting Room located on Pauba Road / Tours are available upon request / For reservations and pricing information please call Lisa at 951-972-9768

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
Fleetwood Mac Tribute Concert / September 28 / 6pm-10pm / Gen. Adm. $28, Wine Club $25.20 / Rumours takes you back to a time when music was still an unbridled cultural experience and bands weren’t afraid to put on a show. Relive the rock and roll magic with Rumours under the stars at Callaway Winery! For tickets: http://www.callawaywinery.com/res-408138/Rumours.html

Prix Fixe Friday & Sunday at Meritage / 5pm to 8pm / For $35 guests may enjoy a starter, an entrée and a dessert / Live Music offered on Friday nights / Reservation is not necessary. For menu information call 951.587.8889

Brunch Specials every Sunday at Meritage / 11am / Cost is $25 / Includes a mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice, entrée and dessert. All food from Meritage is farm-to-table, either grown on property in restaurant garden or locally outsourced.

Callaway Winery Tours offered daily / 11am and 1pm / Tour only, $10 per person. Tour with tasting, $25 – tour includes 1 tank sample, 1-barrel sample and 4 additional tastes at the Tasting Bar. Reservations not necessary, but for 10 or more highly recommended / For more information call 951.676.4001

Danza del Sol Winery
Havana del Sol / September 8th / 6:30pm-9:30pm / Members $45/ Guests $48 / Held in the Barrel Room, enjoy Dinner, Live Music, Cigars, Uqsha Hats. Adults Only Please. Reservations Required. 951-302-6363 x26

Doffo Winery
Comedy Show / September 22 / 7:00pm / Come enjoy a night of comedy at Doffo Winery. Johnny Herrara is inviting his friends “Mr. Punchline” Scott Wood, Sean Williams, and “The Grandma of Comedy” Miss Anita Milner for some great laughs.  Limited Reserved Seating (includes glass of wine) $25, General Admission $15, Wine Club Member General Admission $12. Food available for purchase. Please no outside food allowed. Wine will be available by bottle or glass. To reserve please shop.doffowines.com

Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Elegant Food & Wine Pairing / $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member / 1pm & 3pm Monday-Sunday / 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 seasonal accoutrements. Each pairing lasts approximately 90 minutes and is limited to just eight participants to allow for one-on-one interaction / Reservations recommended Book a pairing on CarterEstateWinery.com

Europa Village
Comedy Show / September 1 / 6:00pm / Come out to Europa Village for a fun night of wine and laughter with headliner Amy Ashton and comics from HBO, Netflix and Comedy Central! Tickets: $55 / Société $49.50 / For reservations please visit www.europavillage.com

Bolero Night at Europa Village / September 18 / 6pm-9pm / “Enjoy Bolero music by Ruben V and The Latin Sounds, salsa music and dancing, and a live paella demonstration by Executive Chef Dean Thomas! Tickets: $28 / Société $25.20 / For reservations please visit www.europavillage.com

Oktoberfest / September 18 / 6:00pm – 10:00pm / Tickets: $25 / Société $22.50
Dinner Plate & Admission: $45 / Société $40.50″Celebrate Oktoberfest with us and support a great cause while you’re having fun! Enjoy beer from some of our local breweries, Europa Village Wine, German Food and Live Music! / For reservations please visit www.europavillage.com

Falkner Winery
Labor Day Weekend Celebration / September 1st-3rd / 10am -5pm / Special Weekend Lunch Special for 2 in the Pinnacle $59, Special Wine Sales, Lawn Games, BBQ. Reservations required 951-676-8231 Option 4.

Sip N Paint Class “Fall Day” / September 6 / 6pm -8pm / $35 per person / Includes all materials. Wine available for purchase by glass or bottle. Members receive applicable discounts. Reservations are required online @ Artfusionbdk.myshopify.com

Wine Appreciation Class / September 15 / 10am -12:30pm / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge; $45/person /$40 Connoisseur/ $20 VIP; $70/person with lunch option. RSVP’s required 951-676-8231 x.109 or wineclub@falknerwinery.com

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery
Winestock / Friday, September 7 / 5:00pm-9:00pm / Join us for live music at the Barrel Room and the Sunset Patio. We’ve got wine, food, vendors, face painting and more! All ages are welcome / Wristbands for 21+ are $5, with 100% benefiting Temecula Valley High School music department / For tickets please visit www.lorimarwinery.com

Masia de la Vinya Winery
Wine Down Wednesday / August 1 / 5pm-7pm / Join us on the Vintner’s Lounge Patio for a tapas evening featuring Chef’s Pantry. Assorted tapas available for purchase $2.00 – $5.00. Wine by the glass and/or bottle available for purchase. Wine club complimentary glasses & tastings are not included. No reservations required.

Monte De Oro Winery
5th Dimension Concert / September 8 / 6:30pm -10:30pm / Legendary and Multi-Grammy Award Winner 5th Dimension Concert performing their classics Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In; Wedding Bell Blues; One Less Bell to Answer; (Last Night) Didn’t Get to Sleep at All; Up, Up and Away and many more. This concert will benefit Music Therapy for Veterans. Come join us for a Great Evening on our outdoor patio under the stars. Cost and reservation information: VIP Dinner Package/Tickets available – $105 to $115 General Admission Tickets available – $60-$65. To purchase and reserve tickets – visit www.montedeoro.com, go to “Store & Event Tickets”, then click on “Events” in lower left-hand side.

Ponte Winery
Happy Hour in The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn / Every Monday-Thursday / 4pm-6pm / Free to attend / Head to Temecula Wine Country’s only cocktail bar, The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn, for happy hour specials on craft beer, flatbreads, Ponte wine on tap and more! Menu items $6 and up / For more information please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com

Brunch at Bouquet Restaurant / Every Saturday & Sunday / 7:30am-3:00pm / Offering indoor & outdoor seating options, Bouquet is the perfect spot to gather for a gourmet brunch. Enjoy a relaxing ambiance with stunning fountain courtyard, pond & vineyards views / To view menu and for reservations please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Annual Grape Stomp Event / September 16 / 5:00pm – 8:30pm / Cost: GA $55 | GA w/ Stomp $80 | Wine Club $50 | Wine Club w/ Stomp $75 / Join us for South Coast Winery’s Grape Stomp! Enjoy live music, grape stomping, great food & wine and great company! / Purchase tickets through our Online Store at SouthCoastWinery.com. 21+ event.

Wine, Dine & Paint / September 22 / 10:00am -1:00pm / Cost: $75 | $70 Wine Club / Work one-on-one with Jill Roberts, internationally-known, award-winning artist, at one of our all-inclusive Wine, Dine & Paint classes, complete with: A three-hour guided Art+Vino painting class Painting supplies, aprons and canvas, Winemakers lunch at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant with a glass of wine / Purchase tickets through our Online Store at SouthCoastWinery.com or call your Wine Club Concierge at 951.491.8506. Must be 21+ to attend. Weather permitting. Additional wines by the glass or bottle available for purchase. Location subject to change. Due to the limited size of the event, all sales are non-refundable/exchangeable.

Behind the Scenes Wine Tours / Tours are held daily at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday/ $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member or Military / Learn more about our spectacular Southern California Temecula winery with a behind-the-scenes wine tour, from vineyards to crush pad. Each tour concludes with 5 wines paired with an individual plate of specially prepared lite-bite foods, designed to enhance your wine knowledge and experience / Reservation Information: Call 866-994-6379 Ext. 7217 to reserve your spot today / Due to the limited sizes of each tour, reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Guests must be over 21 years of age to attend.

Wilson Creek Winery
Symphony in the Vines / September 23 / 7:00-10:00 pm / Enjoy a Symphony in the Vines with Temecula Valley Symphony, Music Director John Mario, and featuring vocalist Jonathan Hawkins and friends! Experience a unique and charming evening filled with fabulous food, wine, and captivating music. Purchase tickets at: www.wilsoncreekwinery.com
General Admission: $50
Beef Dinner & Concert: $90
Vegetarian Dinner & Concert: $90

Lee Brice Concert / October 4 / 5:00-9:00 pm / Join us under the stars in the heart of wine country for an amazing acoustic up close and personal show with Lee Brice! Purchase tickets at: www.wilsoncreekwinery.com
General Admission: $75
Orchestra: $100
VIP: $200

Bubble Brunch Buffet / Every Sunday 10am-3pm / $51.95, Buffet only: $41.95, Children: $16.95 / Enjoy all your breakfast favorites, omelet stations, waffle stations, seafood stations, carving stations and dessert stations with beautiful vineyard views / Buffet (+ unlimited sparkling). Now serving Bloody Mary’s! / Reservations can be made at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com or call 951.699.9463 for additional information.

Photo courtesy of Jimmy Fu Photography and Callaway Vineyard  & Winery

Baked Striped Bass with Peperonata, Olives, and Saffron Aioli

Braised sweet peppers, potatoes, and tomato make a succulent foundation for baked fish. Sauced with a garlicky, saffron-scented aioli, the dish needs only some crusty bread to complete it. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Grenache Blanc or Rosé.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 red onion, halved and sliced
1 pound (500 g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced ¼ inch (6 mm) thick
½ pound (250 g) peeled plum tomatoes, halved and thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, halved, seeded, and sliced
1 green bell pepper, halved, seeded, and sliced
1 gold or yellow bell pepper, halved, seeded, and sliced
¼ cup chopped Italian parsley, plus some for garnish
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
Kosher or sea salt
½ cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) white wine
1 dozen black olives, preferably unpitted
4 fillets of striped bass or other firm white fish, 5 to 6 ounces (155 g to 185 g) each

Aioli
1 large clove garlic
Kosher or sea salt
1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
½ cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large, wide Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onion, potatoes, tomato, peppers, parsley, oregano, saffron, and 2 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes render their juice and the vegetables begin to soften, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the wine and simmer for a couple of minutes to evaporate the alcohol. Cover the pot and adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and peppers are tender, about 20 minutes longer. Stir in the olives. Taste for salt.

Season the fish with salt and place the fillets on top of the bed of vegetables. Add ¼ cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) water, cover and cook until the fish just flakes, about 10 minutes.

While the fish cooks, make the aioli: In a mortar, pound the garlic and a generous pinch of salt to a paste; alternatively, mince to a paste by hand. Put the egg yolk in a small bowl, add a splash of lukewarm water, and whisk. Begin adding the olive oil gradually—drop by drop at first—whisking constantly. (Recruit a helper to pour while you whisk.) When you have achieved an emulsion, you can add the oil a little faster. When you have incorporated all the oil, whisk in the garlic paste.

When the fish is ready, tilt the cooking pot and draw off about ¼ cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) of the juices. Whisk enough of these flavorful juices into the aioli to make it thin enough to drizzle. Taste for salt.

With a spatula transfer the vegetables and fish to individual shallow bowls or plates. Spoon aioli over the fish. Garnish with more chopped parsley.

Suggested Pairings: 

Chapin Family Vineyards ~ Rosella Rosé – Delicate flavor with a hint of grapefruit and a slightly dry and crisp finish.

Hart Winery ~ 2016 Rosé of Sangiovese –  Lightly pink, near-dry, delicately scented and flavored Rose′ wine, very much in the dryer, food-friendly European style.

Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery ~ 2016 Grenache Blanc – Green apple and mandarin orange dominate with citrus peel with herbal notes in the mix.

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Wine Institute of California

August Winery Events

Avensole Winery
Hosted Tour & Wine Tasting /Available on Sunday of each the month / 2pm-3:30pm / For every adventure, there is discovery, for every unique place, there is a story. Take a guided journey through our lush vineyards and experience our rich heritage and handcrafted Avensole wines / Cost. $35 / Reservations required. Please call 951.252.2003 x312 to reserve.

Gourmet Cheese Artisanal Tour & Wine Tasting / Available on Friday of each month / 12pm / For the ultimate Wine Country experience, delight in an educational tour through our picturesque vineyard vistas and conclude this tour with a culinary treat of artisanal wine pairings featuring 7 Avensole wines / Cost: $75 / Reservations required online at link: http://www.avensolewinery.com/res-369934

Baily Winery
Shakespeare in the Vines presents: Richard II / August 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 / Show starts at 7:30 pm/ Stage at an outdoor venue at beautiful Baily Winery / Tickets: General admission $22; $17 for Seniors 55+, Students and Military / For ticket sales and more information please visit: http://shakespeareinthevines.org

Estate Library Tasting / Every Thursday-Sunday / Available 11am-4pm / Enjoy exclusive library tasting of 5 different vintages (varietal will vary monthly). Tasting will take place at Baily Estate Tasting Room located on Pauba Road / Tours are available upon request / For reservations and pricing information please call Lisa at 951-972-9768

Bel Vino Winery
Endeavor Classic Rock Laser Show / August 4 / 6:00pm-10:00pm / $25 General Admission; $15 Wine Club; $150 VIP table that seats 8 people / Tickets can be purchased at belvinowinery.com

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
NO DUH in Concert / August 17 / 6:00pm to 9:00pm / General Admission $28.00, Callaway Wine Club $25.20 / No Duh is not just the best tribute to No Doubt & Gwen Stefani, they’re one of the best tribute acts in the world. It’s not just great music, it’s a complete, high energy, audio-visual explosion! No Duh mixes the experience & energy of a live No Doubt concert with nostalgic visuals, styling’s & props of the No Doubt & Gwen Stefani videos, complete with costume changes & even some humor! Close your eyes or keep them open, you will feel like you are experiencing the real thing. It’s rare to see a tribute act excite an audience like this band! / Tickets can be purchased via phone (951) 676-4001, at the Callaway Tasting Rooms in Temecula and San Diego, or online: www.callawaywinery.com/res-408126/No-Duh.html

SIP, STOMP & PLAY Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival! / August 25 / 6:00pm to 9:00pm / $68.00 per person, Callaway Wine Club $61.20, Kids ages 4-11 $30.00 (price does not include tax) /Grab a bunch of your family and friends and join us for this fun-for-the-entire-family grape stomp and harvest festival! Bring the kids! We’ll have face painting, live music, dinner, dancing, a Lucy look-alike contest and, of course, grape stomping contests! Channel your inner Lucy and dress up for a chance to win prizes! Our executive chef is serving up some hearty cuisine that’s perfect for keeping your energy up while you stomp and dance the night away! Get your tickets while you can, you won’t want to miss this event! Tickets include: Admission to the event, one glass of Callaway wine, dinner, dancing, wine specials and grape stomping! / Tickets can be purchased via phone (951) 676-4001, at the Callaway Tasting Rooms in Temecula and San Diego, or online: www.callawaywinery.com/res-408129/Sip-Stomp-Play-2018.html

Prix Fixe Friday & Sunday at Meritage / 5pm to 8pm / For $35 guests may enjoy a starter, an entrée and a dessert / Live Music offered on Friday nights / Reservation is not necessary. For menu information call 951.587.8889

Brunch Specials every Sunday at Meritage / 11am / Cost is $25 / Includes a mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice, entrée and dessert. All food from Meritage is farm-to-table, either grown on property in restaurant garden or locally outsourced.

Callaway Winery Tours offered daily / 11am and 1pm / Tour only, $10 per person. Tour with tasting, $25 – tour includes 1 tank sample, 1-barrel sample and 4 additional tastes at the Tasting Bar / Reservations not necessary, but for 10 or more highly recommended / For more information call 951.676.4001

Danza del Sol Winery
Laugh Lounge / August 3 / 6pm – 9pm / Join us for a night of laughs as we present Danza del Sol’s Laugh Lounge! Sip on some wine, savor some tasty bites, and grin as three comedians tickle your funny bone! Adults Only Please! / $32 Wine Club Members | $38 Member Guests. VIP Table – Reserved Seating for 4 Guests & a Bottle of Wine for the Table $160 Wine Club Members – VIP Table | $175 Member Guests / Call Kelly at (951) 302-6363 ext. 26

Food Truck Friday featuring Missy Andersen / August 24 / 5:30pm-10pm / Come join us for a night of fun as we celebrate Summer with food, wine, and Missy Andersen! Free admission; VIP tables for 4 available with a bottle of wine beginning at $45 per table for members/$50 for non-members / Call Kelly at (951) 302-6363 ext. 26 to reserve your table!

Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Elegant Food & Wine Pairing / $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member / 1pm & 3pm Monday-Sunday / 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 seasonal accoutrements. Each pairing lasts approximately 90 minutes and is limited to just eight participants to allow for one-on-one interaction / Reservations recommended Book a pairing on CarterEstateWinery.com

Europa Village
Festa Europa Featuring Big Truth / August 3 / 5:30pm – 8:30pm / Enjoy wine, food and live music by Big Truth, benefiting Navy League of the United States Inland Empire! Tickets: Free Admission; Food Tickets: $18

Italian Cooking Class / August 11 / 12:00pm & 2:00pm / Tickets $58; Société $52.20 / Embark on a culinary adventure to the Piedmont region of Italy, led by Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Educator Dean Thomas. Discover what historical influences shaped the culture and cuisine of this region while savoring a three-course wine paired lunch

Movie in the Vines / August 16 / 6:00pm / Join us for a movie in the vines featuring “Under the Tuscan Sun” rated PG-13. Movie will begin approximately at 7:30 pm / Concession items available for purchase no outside food or drinks allowed

Italian Wine Education Class / August 26 / 12:00pm / Tickets $38; Société $34.20 / Let Europa’s Sommelier, Dr. Doug Garman take you on a journey through Italy, sampling Europa’s Vienza Italian wines, and savor samples of fine food pairings prepared by Executive Chef Dean Thomas

Falkner Winery
Sip N Paint Class “Summer Lanterns” / August 2 / 6:00-8:00 pm / $35 per person / Includes all materials. Wine available for purchase by glass or bottle. Members receive applicable discounts / Reservations are required online @ Artfusionbdk.myshopify.com

Wine Appreciation Class / August 18 / 10:00am-12:30pm / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge; $45/person /$40 Connoisseur/ $20 VIP; $70/person with lunch option / RSVP is required 951-676-8231 x. 109 or wineclub@falknerwinery.com

Fundraiser 4 Makayla in the Yard Garden / August 25 / 5:30-10:00pm / $20 donation for entry / All proceeds go to raising funds 4 Makayla for a Wheelchair Accessible Van / Wine and Sangria by the bottle/glass, beer, Food truck, raffles, silent auction / Live Music by The Barstow Prophets

Fazeli Cellars
Salsa Night / August 11 / Doors Open at 6:30 with a 45-minute Salsa Lesson / Admission fee is $20 for non-members (plus tax) and $15 (plus tax) for Wine Club Members / Includes a glass of Sangria / No partner or experience needed! / Special Food Menu Items! Wine, Beer, Sangria available for purchase! / Purchase Tickets at http://shop.fazelicellars.com/res-390697/Salsa-Night-72118.html

Foot Path Winery
Food, Wine and Music / August 18 / 6:30pm- 9:00pm / Featuring Tim Cash on guitar / Cost is $30.00 per person which includes the food, music and a glass of wine / For reservations, call the winery at 951-265-9951

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery
Ladies Night at Lorimar / August 9 / 7:00pm / This one’s for you, ladies! Join us for a night of wine, vendors, karaoke, massages, activities and more. Tickets are $10 and include one glass of wine / Available now at www.lorimarwinery.com or calling us at 951.694.6699

Masia de la Vinya Winery
Wine Down Wednesday / August 1 / 5pm-7pm / Join us on the Vintner’s Lounge Patio for a tapas evening featuring Chef’s Pantry. Assorted tapas available for purchase $2.00 – $5.00. Wine by the glass and/or bottle available for purchase. Wine club complimentary glasses & tastings are not included. No reservations required.

Summer Luncheon featuring Audrey Cilurzo /August 18 / 12:30pm – 2:30pm / Price: $27.00 – $30.00 / Masia De La Vinya is honored to have Audrey Cilurzo speak at our very first luncheon. Audrey Cilurzo has been a part of our beautiful wine country for over 50 years and successfully opened one of Temecula’s first vineyards with her husband in 1967. Come enjoy a delicious lunch while Audrey shares a rich piece of Temecula Wine Country’s history. This is an experience you won’t want to miss!! / Salad, Fresh fruit, 2 sandwiches, assorted desserts with one glass of Masia wine included in ticket price / Members $27 • Non-Member’s $30 / To RSVP email wineclub@masiadelavinya.com or www.masiadelavinya.com/events

Monte De Oro Winery
Polynesian Night & Luau /August 18 / 7:00pm – 10:00pm / $60 Gen. Admission; $50 Wine Club / Mahalo, and welcome to Monte De Oro’s 2nd annual Luau! Join us for an island style evening featuring music, Polynesian Dancers, Tahitian Drummers, 3 Fire Dancers, a delicious spread (including a pig roast!) and Sangria!! / For reservations please visit www.montedeoro.com

Huey Lewis & The News Tribute Concert /August 25 / Doors Open @ 6:30pm / Join us for The Heart of Rock & Roll, A Tribute to Huey Lewis and the News! The Heart of Rock & Roll brings to life all the hits of the 80’s super group Huey Lewis & the News. “The Heart of Rock & Roll”, “I Want a New Drug”, “If This Is It” & “Heart & Soul” are just some of the hits from their 1984 multi-platinum album, Sports. And they’ll forever be remembered for their soundtrack contributions to the blockbuster film Back to the Future, which included the #1 hit, “The Power of Love.” / General Admission: $30 / VIP (Included Reserved Seating & Dinner Service): $65 / General Admission Wine Club: $25 / VIP Wine Club: $60 / For reservations please visit www.montedeoro.com

Mount Palomar Winery
Paint Nite in the Barrel Room / August 5 & 26 / 1:00pm-3:00pm / Tickets $45 / Raise your glass to a NEW kind of night out! Paint Nite® invites you to create art over a glass of wine at a Mount Palomar Winery, 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!). Use the coupon code CREATE30 to save $15! / For tickets: https://www.paintnite.com/venues/mt-palomar-winery-133232

Appetite for Destruction, the Ultimate Guns N’ Roses Experience / August 8 / 6:00pm-10:00pm / Appetite for Destruction will deliver the definitive Guns N’ Roses Show live at Mount Palomar Winery in Temecula! Performing all the hit singles, rock radio stables, and fan favorites, they are the ultimate lookalikes and soundalikes for the legendary band / Tickets: $25 Preorder, $35 day of event / For tickets: https://www.heyday.com/gnr

ESCAPE: The Journey Tribute / August 31/ 6:00pm-10:00pm / ESCAPE: The Journey Tribute faithfully re-captures the thrill generations of Journey fans remember. Like Journey, ESCAPE features 5 top California musicians who have performed live in nearly every state in the nation. Altogether, these five rockers from Los Angeles hold more ammunition to capture the look and sound of Journey beyond all other Journey tribute bands / Tickets: $25 Preorder, $35 day of event / For tickets: https://www.heyday.com/escape

Ponte Winery
Ponte Winery’s 2018 Grape Stomp / August 19 / 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. / We’re celebrating our 15 Year Anniversary at the Grape Stomp this year! Each ticket will include: Admission to the Grape Stomp event & competition (competition optional), 1 Bottle of Our Limited Production 15th Anniversary Red Wine (per guest), Drink Tickets (3 per guest) valid for Ponte wine and/or beer, Gourmet Dinner Buffet. Dinner will include a selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres, Mediterranean-inspired salads, savory entrées & sides, and delectable desserts. Check-in starts at 3:00 p.m., Hors d’oeuvres & bar open at 4:00 p.m. & the competition begins at 5:00 p.m. / General Admission: $125; Wine Club Price: $112.50 / For reservations please visit https://shop.pontewinery.com/res-408189/Grape-Stomp-2018-15-Year-Anniversary.html

Happy Hour in The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn / Every Monday-Thursday / 4pm-6pm Free to attend / Head to Temecula Wine Country’s only cocktail bar, The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn, for happy hour specials on craft beer, flatbreads, Ponte wine on tap and more! Menu items $6 and up / For more information please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com

Brunch at Bouquet Restaurant / Every Saturday & Sunday / 7:30am-3:00pm / Offering indoor & outdoor seating options, Bouquet is the perfect spot to gather for a gourmet brunch. Enjoy a relaxing ambiance with stunning fountain courtyard, pond & vineyards views / To view menu and for reservations please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Wine, Dine & Paint / August 25 / 10:00am – 1:00pm / Cost: $75 | $70 Wine Club /Work one-on-one with Jill Roberts, internationally-known, award-winning artist, at one of our all-inclusive Wine, Dine & Paint classes, complete with: A three-hour guided Art+Vino painting class , Painting supplies, aprons and canvas, Winemakers lunch at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant with a glass of wine / Purchase tickets through our Online Store at SouthCoastWinery.com or call your Wine Club Concierge at 951.491.8506. Must be 21+ to attend. Weather permitting. Additional wines by the glass or bottle available for purchase. Location subject to change. Due to the limited size of the event, all sales are non-refundable/exchangeable.

Behind the Scenes Wine Tours / Tours are held daily at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday/ $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member or Military / Learn more about our spectacular Southern California Temecula winery with a behind-the-scenes wine tour, from vineyards to crush pad. Each tour concludes with 5 wines paired with an individual plate of specially prepared lite-bite foods, designed to enhance your wine knowledge and experience / Reservation Information: Call 866-994-6379 Ext. 7217 to reserve your spot today / Due to the limited sizes of each tour, reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Guests must be over 21 years of age to attend.

Thornton Winery
Jazz Concert Series
THE RIPPINGTONS, DAVID BENOIT & MARC ANTOINE / August 4 / 7:00pm /
General Admission $85. Gourmet Supper Package is Sold Out

ROBERT CRAY BAND / August 5 / 6:00pm /
General Admission $85; Gourmet Supper Package $160

CHRIS BOTTI / August 11 / 7:00pm /
General Admission $105. Gourmet Supper Package is Sold Out

NORMAN BROWN & BOBBY CALDWELL / August 18 / 7:00pm /
General Admission $85. Gourmet Supper Package $160

GEORGE BENSON / August 25 / 7:00pm /
General Admission $105. Gourmet Supper Package is Sold Out

To purchase jazz tickets online, please visit www.thorntonwine.com or by calling the winery at 951.699.0099

Friday Live Music / B. I. G. / August 24 / 6:00p-9:00p / $10 Cover Fee / Reservations required for a Table. Call (951) 699-0099 *Must order dinner to reserve a table.
*Seats available for General Admission on first come basis.

Friday Live Music / Neil Diamond Tribute – Jason Lohrke / August 31 / 6:00p-9:00p / $10 Cover Fee Reservations required for a Table. Call (951) 699-0099 *Must order dinner to reserve a table.
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Wilson Creek Winery
Thompson Square Concert / Sunday August 19th / 6:00-10:00 pm / General Admission $60; Orchestra $100 / Thompson Square is an internationally renowned Country duo created by the husband-and-wife team of Keifer and Shawna Thompson. Since breaking out in 2010 with the 2X-PLATINUM #1 smash “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” the duo has gone on to score two Top 5 albums and romantic #1 hits in the U.S. and Australia. Thompson Square have released their third studio album, MASTERPIECE. Join us for some music & wine in the vines!
Purchase tickets at: https://www.purplepass.com/#173033/Wilson_Creek_Winery-Thompson_Square_-_Country_Concert-Wilson_Creek_Winery_and_Vineyards-August-19-2018.html

Bubble Brunch Buffet / Every Sunday 10am-3pm / $51.95, Buffet only: $41.95, Children: $16.95 / Enjoy all your breakfast favorites, omelet stations, waffle stations, seafood stations, carving stations and dessert stations with beautiful vineyard views / Buffet (+ unlimited sparkling). Now serving Bloody Mary’s! / Reservations can be made at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com or call 951.699.9463 for additional information.

50th Anniversary Commemorative Wine ~ Now Available!

The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA) today announced the launch of their 50th Anniversary commemorative wine, a blend of Temecula Valley Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre produced and bottled in Temecula Valley by Temecula Valley winemakers.

The collaborative effort was led by TVWA’s enology committee, made up of Jim Hart of Hart Winery, Phil Baily of Baily Winery and Jon McPherson of South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery. The team presented numerous possibilities for consideration, including a Bordeaux blend, a “Super Tuscan”-style blend and an offbeat concoction made up of Portuguese and other classic international grapes, before landing on the final product, a blend of 50% Syrah, 26% Grenache and 24% Mourvèdre.

“Temecula Valley’s Mediterranean climate makes it well-suited to grow a lot of different grape varieties, which made this a particularly interesting exercise,” said Jon McPherson, Master Winemaker at South Coast Winery and Carter Estate. “Making this wine allowed us to dig deeper on who we are as a region. What we concluded is that this diversity of offerings is what makes us unique. The 50th Anniversary wine is only one example of a blend of grapes that truly shine in Temecula Valley. The possibilities were actually endless.”

Located just 22 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, Temecula Valley is bordered by valleys and coastal mountains ranging from 2,000 to 11,000 feet elevation. This creates a low-pressure area characterized by warm days, afternoon breezes and cool nights. Marine air is pulled into the Valley through two low-elevation points in the mountains – the Rainbow Gap and the Temecula Gorge — which allows wine grapes to develop full ripeness while maintaining desirable acidity levels.

“This wine is the perfect representation of our 50th Anniversary theme – the People, Passion and Perseverance of Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country,” said Krista Chaich, TVWA Executive Director. “Our talented winemakers came together to lend their expertise and deep commitment to this Valley in order to craft a wine that is not just delicious now, but that will stand the test of time…as our region has done over the past 50 years and will continue to do for the next 50. We cannot wait to share this wine with consumers.”

Temecula Valley grows over two dozen grape varieties. In addition to the Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre that make up the 50th Anniversary wine, those that especially thrive include common Italian varieties like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Vermentino and Arneis; classic Bordelaise grapes like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec; other Rhône Varieties like Viognier and Grenache Blanc; Spanish grapes like Tempranillo; and offbeat varieties like the Portuguese Touriga Nacional and Southern Italian Falanghina.

The 50th Anniversary wine will be available for purchase at special events and through Hart Winery. The wine will retail for $50 per 750 ml bottle. Special etched magnums will also be available for purchase.  There are limited quantities available!

July Winery Events

Ahhh….summer! 4th of July events, outdoor concerts and an axe throwing contest (yes, you heard that right!) are just a few of the summertime offerings in Temecula Valley’s wine country. Whatever day you choose to visit, you’ll be sure to find something fun to do!

Avensole Winery
Hosted Tour & Wine Tasting /Available on Sunday of each the month / 2pm-3:30pm / For every adventure, there is discovery, for every unique place, there is a story. Take a guided journey through our lush vineyards and experience our rich heritage and handcrafted Avensole wines / Cost. $35 / Reservations required. Please call 951.252.2003 x312 to reserve.

Gourmet Cheese Artisanal Tour & Wine Tasting / Available on Friday of each month / 12pm / For the ultimate Wine Country experience, delight in an educational tour through our picturesque vineyard vistas and conclude this tour with a culinary treat of artisanal wine pairings featuring 7 Avensole wines / Cost: $75 / Reservations required online at link: http://www.avensolewinery.com/res-369934

Baily Winery
Estate Library Tasting / Every Thursday-Sunday / Available 11am-4pm / Enjoy exclusive library tasting of 5 different vintages (varietal will vary monthly). Tasting will take place at Baily Estate Tasting Room located on Pauba Road / Tours are available upon request / For reservations and pricing information please call Lisa at 951-972-9768

Shakespeare in the Vines presents: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) July 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 / Staged from 7:30pm-9:30pm at Baily Vineyard & Winery / Tickets: General admission $22 / For ticket sales and more information please visit: http://shakespeareinthevines.org

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
For the Love of Music and Wine / July 27 / 5:30-9:00pm / Cost $35 / Join us for a night of original music while enjoying award-winning wines under the stars! Featuring Danielle Taylor with special guest Sophie Ray and Jeff Brinkman / For reservations and tickets please visit www.ticketor.com/danielletaylor/eventinfo?EventID=119249

Prix Fixe Friday & Sunday at Meritage / 5pm to 8pm / For $35 guests may enjoy a starter, an entrée and a dessert / Live Music offered on Friday nights / Reservation is not necessary. For menu information call 951.587.8889

Brunch Specials every Sunday at Meritage / 11am / Cost is $25 / Includes a mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice, entrée and dessert. All food from Meritage is farm-to-table, either grown on property in restaurant garden or locally outsourced.

Tours offered daily / 11am and 1pm / Tour only, $10 per person. Tour with tasting, $25 – tour includes 1 tank sample, 1-barrel sample and 4 additional tastes at the Tasting Bar / Reservations not necessary, but for 10 or more highly recommended / For more information call 951.676.4001

Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Elegant Food & Wine Pairing / $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member or Military / 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

Danza del Sol Winery
Laugh Lounge / August 3 / 6:00-9:00pm / Price: $32.00 – $175.00 / Get your tickets early! Join us for a night of laughs as we present Danza del Sol’s Laugh Lounge! Sip on some wine, savor some tasty bites, and grin as THREE comedians tickle your funny bone! Adults Only Please! / For reservations please visit www.danzadelsolwinery.com

Europa Village
Movie in the Vines / July 19 / Open to the public / Join us for a movie in the vines featuring “A Bugs Life” rated G Movie will begin approximately at 7:30 pm / Concession items available for purchase. No outside food or drinks allowed / Free admission starts at 6pm / For more information please visit www.europavillage.com

Comedy Show / July 20 / Starts at 6pm / Tickets $55; Société $49.50 / Come out to Europa Village for a fun night of wine and laughter featuring Mark Christopher Lawrence and friends! / For tickets please visit www.europavillage.com

Falkner Winery
Wine Appreciation Class / July 21 / 10:00am-12:30pm / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge / $45 per person, $40 Connoisseur, $20 VIP; $70 per person with lunch option / RSVP is required; please call 951-676-8231 x. 109 or @falknerwinery.com

Falkner’s 18th Anniversary Celebration! / June 30 – July 4th / 11:00am-5:00pm / Yard Games and Tournaments- Sunday 12-3 Wine raffles every hour! Huge Gift shop sales 50% off wine by the case sales, Restaurant lunch special for 2- $59 / BBQ- Saturday & Sunday 12-3

Fazeli Cellars
Salsa Night / July 21 / Doors Open at 6:30 with a 45-minute Salsa Lesson / Admission fee is $20 for non-members (plus tax) and $15 (plus tax) for Wine Club Members / Includes a glass of Sangria / No partner or experience needed! / Special Food Menu Items! Wine, Beer, Sangria available for purchase! / Purchase Tickets at http://shop.fazelicellars.com/res-390697/Salsa-Night-72118.html

Foot Path Winery
Food Wine and Music / July 21 / 6:30pm- 9:00pm / Featuring The Lookouts / Cost is $30.00 per person which includes the food, music and a glass of wine / For reservations, call the winery at 951-265-9951

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery
Put Your Axe Into It: Axe Throwing in the Vines / July 12 / 5:00-8:00pm in the Barrel Room / Unleash you Inner Lumberjack or Jane and join us for a lesson in axe throwing with SoCal Axe / Tickets are $35 and include one glass of wine or beer / Event is 21+. Pairings Food Truck will be available for dinner / www.lorimarwinery.com for more information or call 951.694.6699

Mount Palomar Winery
Paint Nite in the Barrel Room / July 15 & 29 / 1:00 to 3:00 pm / Raise your glass to a NEW kind of night out! Paint Nite® invites you to create art over a glass of wine at a Mount Palomar Winery, 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!) Use the coupon code CREATE30 to save $15! / Tickets $45 at https://www.paintnite.com/venues/mt-palomar-winery-133232

We Belong: A Tribute to Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo / July 20 / 6:00-10:00pm / ONE NIGHT, UNDER THE STARS playing all the hit songs such as: Heartbreaker • Love Is A Battlefield • You Better Run • All Fired Up • Hell Is For Children • Hit Me With Your Best Shot • Treat Me Right • Promises In The Dark and so many more great songs! / Tickets GA $25, $30 day of the show. 2 for 1 tickets available for a limited time at https://www.heyday.com/webelong

Oak Mountain Winery
Comedy Night / July 21 / 7:00-9:00 pm / A benefit for Cause Fur Paws helping animals with diabetes / Cost is $25 person / Price includes 1 glass of wine or beer. Food is available for purchase from the Cave Cafe / For tickets please visit events@oakmountainwinery.com or call 951-699-9102

Ponte Winery
Happy Hour in The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn / Every Monday-Thursday / 4pm-6pm / Free to attend / Head to Temecula Wine Country’s only cocktail bar, The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn, for happy hour specials on craft beer, flatbreads, Ponte wine on tap and more! Menu items $6 and up / For more information please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com

Brunch at Bouquet Restaurant / Every Saturday & Sunday / 7:30am-3:00pm / Offering indoor & outdoor seating options, Bouquet is the perfect spot to gather for a gourmet brunch. Enjoy a relaxing ambiance with stunning fountain courtyard, pond & vineyards views / To view menu and for reservations please visit www.pontevineyardinn.com.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Wine, Dine & Painting / July 21 /10:00am – 1:00pm / Work one-on-one with Jill Roberts, internationally-known, award-winning artist, at one of our all-inclusive Wine, Dine & Paint classes, complete with a three-hour guided Art+Vino painting class, painting supplies, aprons and canvas/ Winemakers lunch at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant with a glass of wine / Cost: $75 | $70 Wine Club / Purchase tickets through our Online Store at SouthCoastWinery.com or call your Wine Club Concierge at 951.491.8506. Must be 21+ to attend. Weather permitting. Additional wines by the glass or bottle available for purchase. Location subject to change. Due to the limited size of the event, all sales are non-refundable/exchangeable.

Behind the Scenes Wine Tours / Tours are held daily at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday/ $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member or Military / Learn more about our spectacular Southern California Temecula winery with a behind-the-scenes wine tour, from vineyards to crush pad. Each tour concludes with 5 wines paired with an individual plate of specially prepared lite-bite foods, designed to enhance your wine knowledge and experience / Reservation Information: Call 866-994-6379 Ext. 7217 to reserve your spot today / Due to the limited sizes of each tour, reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Guests must be over 21 years of age to attend.

Thornton Winery
Jazz Concert Series
CHRIS ISAAK / July 14 / 7:00pm / General Admission $95
Gourmet Supper Package is Sold Out

MICHAEL McDONALD / July 15 / 6:00pm / General Admission $95
Gourmet Supper Package is Sold Out
To purchase jazz tickets online, please visit www.thorntonwine.com or by calling the winery at 951.699.0099

Friday Live Music / Graceband (Elvis Presley Tribute) / July 27 / 6:00p-9:00p / $10 Cover Fee / Reservations required for a Table. Call (951) 699-0099 *Must order dinner to reserve a table.

Wiens Family Cellars
The Fixx – Summer Concert Series / July 20 / 6:00-10:00pm / In support of Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation. The Fixx are a British rock and new wave band formed in London in 1979. The band’s hits include “One Thing Leads to Another”, “Saved by Zero”, “Are We Ourselves?” / Tickets $55 Gen. Admission, $99 VIP Admission, $395 VIP table of 4, $950 VIP table of 10 / Event Info Line at Harbour Productions (951)658-2411 / http://www.wienscellars.com/res-409161/The-Fixx-Summer-Concert-Series.html

Wilson Creek Winery
Upper Room Wine Pairing Experience / Thursday-Sunday / 11-3:30pm / For a more exclusive and elevated wine tasting experience, join us on our second-floor overlooking the courtyard and vineyards in our Upper Room. Enjoy a guided tasting of our reserve wines paired with bites exclusively designed by our Executive Chef. Reservations required at http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Reservations.aspx

Bubble Brunch Buffet / Every Sunday 10am-3pm / $51.95, Buffet only: $41.95, Children: $16.95 / Enjoy all your breakfast favorites, omelet stations, waffle stations, seafood stations, carving stations and dessert stations with beautiful vineyard views / Buffet (+ unlimited sparkling). Now serving Bloody Mary’s! / Reservations can be made at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com or call 951.699.9463 for additional information.