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It’s a Foodie Paradise!

leoness

Most guests who are new to our wine country don’t realize just how unique the Temecula Valley Wine Country really is. Although, there are several aspects that make us unique, our thriving culinary scene certainly stands out at the top of the list!  In fact, there are over 15 of our wineries that have restaurants or eateries on their property.  Top chefs from all over Southern California are taking up roots in Temecula Valley Wine Country and several Temecula winery restaurants have received national acclaim.

One such restaurant, The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars, was recently rated #1 Winery Restaurant by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice.  Also voted Best Restaurant of the IE (Inland Empire) for 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, The Restaurant at Leoness features a variety of appetizers, colorful salads, unique flatbreads, and seasonal Chef Selections.

Additionally, The Restaurant at Ponte Winery was rated by OpenTable as one of the top 100 restaurants in the US for outdoor dining.  Their al fresco dining area is surrounded by vineyards and beautifully manicured gardens.

At Ponte Vineyard Inn, Bouquet Restaurant was recently awarded the TripAdvisor 2015 Certificate of Excellence! Dine indoors or out in the fine dining setting located at the luxurious AAA Four Diamond Inn, surrounded by manicured Italian gardens with stunning views of the vineyard and our 1-acre pond. Or, if you’re just looking for a quick bite, the alluring and elegant underground Cellar Lounge is located on the basement level of the Inn and features signature cocktails, craft beer, gourmet entrées and small plates.

No stranger to winning awards, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s Vineyard Rose Restaurant has been the winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past five years.  They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, pairing their seasonal menu expertly with their award-winning wines.

Be sure to visit one of our winery restaurants on your next visit to Temecula Valley, Southern California’s Wine Country.  You’ll be glad you did!

Additional award-winning Temecula Valley Winery Restaurants:

Avensole Restaurant & Marketplace –  As Temecula’s newest Wine Country restaurant, Avensole offers a charming place to savor eclectic foods and delicious wines in a lively atmosphere.

Breezeway Grill at Lumiere Winery – Enjoy beautiful vineyard and mountain views from the patio of the Breezeway Grill.  Try the new peaches and ice cream dessert made with Lumiere’s Sauvignon Blanc.

Carol’s Restaurant at Baily Winery – Walking into Carol’s is somewhat like walking into a medieval or European castle. The menu features a variety of beautiful entrée salads, appetizers, sandwiches, fresh fish, steak, and pasta dishes.

Bel Vino Bistro -Bistro diners enjoy an upscale American menu with plates such as the seared albacore sandwich, delicious signature flatbreads, and fresh seasonal salads inspired by Chef Nathaniel Philips.

Meritage at Callaway Winery – Sitting high atop Temecula’s breathtaking wine country, Meritage at Callaway offers guests incredible panoramic views of the rolling hills and vineyards. Guests can enjoy a delightful array of fresh, farm-to-table meals, made from scratch.

Sangio’s Deli at Cougar Vineyard & Winery – Want a quick meal in the midst of wine tasting?  Look no further than Sangio’s Deli.  All Salads and Sandwiches are made to order with Boar’s Head quality products. Sliced meats and cheeses are also available.

Pinnacle at Falkner Winery – The Pinnacle offers great panoramic views, outstanding Mediterranean style food, and high quality service. Critics have consistently praised the food quality, customer service, and great ambiance at Pinnacle.

Baba Joon’s Kitchen at Fazeli Cellars – Baba Joon’s Kitchen provides a unique – and extensive – Mediterranean Persian fusion menu that results in a perfect wine pairing experience.

Flower Hill Bistro at Miramonte Winery – The bistro offers a variety of craft food items from the Fromage + Tomato, to the amazing Roasted Veggie flatbread, to the glorious Piri Piri Half Chicken.

Monte De Oro Bistro at Monte De Oro Winery – Offering casual lunch fare – seasonal salads, Panini’s, and pasta dishes along with delectable appetizers including meat & cheese plates, hummus, and seasonal snacks.

Annata Bistro at Mount Palomar Winery – Annata Bistro/Bar has a full service bar, handcrafted signature cocktail menu, beer on tap, all of the Mount Palomar Wines you know and love, and a Mediterranean inspired menu.

Cave Café at Oak Mountain Winery – With a focus on small plates of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with creative flavor and presentation, head chef Eric Celaya offers a menu with the variety necessary to create snack plates, tapas, light meals, full Mediterranean-style dining, or even just an intimate dessert.

Mama Rosa’s Trattoria at Robert Renzoni Vineyards – Pizzas, gourmet sandwiches and pasta rule the menu here.  Guest favorites include tortellini stuffed with braised short ribs, Gorgonzola cream sauce, garlic and Prosecco, and a meatball sandwich layered with sauce, salami, chili oil and Provolone, baked and finished with basil and Parmigiano.

Café Champagne at Thornton Winery – A breathtaking entrance to the Temecula Valley Wine Country, Café Champagne’s elegance combines with “Contemporary Fusion Cuisine” to create a well-rounded flair for the total gourmet experience.

Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek Winery – Dine al fresco among the vines and enjoy casual, yet tasteful items fill the menu with delicious appetizers, gorgeous salads, scrumptious sandwiches, and of course Creekside seasonally inspired specials.

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Temecula Wine Pairings For Your Thanksgiving Table

Autumn table setting with pumpkins. Thanksgiving dinner and autumn decoration.

In just a few weeks, your tummy will be rumbling and your mouth salivating with the promise of the once-a-year feast that is Thanksgiving. America’s biggest food holiday serves up the chance to do some serious (and seriously fun) wine and food pairing. Here in Temecula Valley, Southern California’s Wine Country, we’ve got the perfect wine pairings to go with each Thanksgiving course. No matter what your budget, this simple guide will have your friends and family giving thanks to you for making their holiday meal extra special.

Light Appetizers + Mellow Whites

These bright yet mellow whites pair well with lighter dishes to kick off your Thanksgiving meal. The floral notes of light white wine complement a fall salad of pears, blue cheese and walnuts; a selection of fruit and cheeses match nicely with a Chardonnay; and light Pinot Grigio will sing next to your pumpkin soup.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery 2012 Special Selection Chardonnay; $25.00

Danza Del Sol Winery 2015 Pinot Grigio; $28.00 (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)

Monte De Oro Winery 2015 Nostimo; $23.00 (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)

Herbacious Side Dishes + Spicy Reds

The spicy notes derived from these unique wine grapes pair especially well with stuffings and gravies seasoned with holiday herbs like sage, thyme and rosemary. Having a vegetarian Thanksgiving? These wines work well with earthy mushroom and winter squash dishes too!

Mount Palomar Shorty’s Bistro Red; $20.00

Avensole 2012 Second Block Zinfandel; $60.95  (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)

Doffo Winery 2013 Syrah; $58.00

Poultry & Meats + Bold Reds

Whether it’s wine or food, everyone looks forward to the main course. The dark fruit flavors in these big reds will enhance similar flavors in your herb-rubbed turkey or peppered roasts. Whether you’re serving poultry, lamb or beef, all three are bold enough to stand up to a rich meat course.

Baily Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon; $30.00

Fazeli Cellars 2012 Khayyam; $58.00

Wiens Family Cellars 2014 Bare Knuckle Petite Sirah; $48.00

Dessert + Sweet Wines

Your Thanksgiving meal isn’t complete without dessert, and no dessert is complete without wine – at least that’s how we feel! Apple pies and pear tarts are practically made to pair with Ponte’s sweet moscato, where red delicious apples, kiwi , pears, and apricots come together nicely with honeysuckle and jasmine undertones. Or try the People’s Choice Blind Tasting award winner, Briar Rose’s Estate Riesling with your fruit tarts or pies.  And for a special treat, buy a bottle of Renzoni port to pair with a fudgy chocolate cake.

Briar Rose 2013 Estate Riesling; $25.00 (1st Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting Award Winner)

Ponte Winery 2015 Moscato; $28.00

Robert Renzoni Paradiso Port; $49.00

One Meal, One Wine

Looking to simplify your evening by serving one wine from start to finish? Any of these four, well-priced wines fit the bill. Each is lighter on the palate, with only subtle hints of sweetness making them suitable to drink from appetizers all the way to dessert. Bon appetit!

Maurice Car’rie 2015 Chenin Blanc; $20.95

Miramonte Winery 2014 Grenache Blanc; $28.95

Falkner Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc; $24.95

South Coast Winery Ruby Cuvee; $22.00

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February Winery Events

valentines-wineFebruary is filled with some memorable dates; we can’t wait to see if the groundhog will see his shadow on February 2nd, and we’re busily planning our Valentine’s Day celebrations. But, did you know that February 18th is National Drink Wine Day? Can’t think of a better reason to visit Temecula Valley Wine Country this month!

Baily Vineyard & Winery

Romantic Valentine Candlelight Tasting for 2 / Feb. 11th – 14th / 11:30am -3:30pm; Seating every hour / $35 pp / Special Cabernet Sauvignon and port tasting, charcuterie and chocolate plate for 2 / Seating is extremely limited, call today for reservation 951.972.9768 at Baily Estate Tasting Room.

Valentine’s Day Lunch at Carol’s Restaurant / Feb. 13th & 14th / 11:30am-3:30pm / Celebrate Valentine’s Day at lunch and forget the dinner crowd with a relaxing three course lunch. Live Music with Chuck Sacayan on Saturday John Malcolm Penn on Sunday / $29.95 pp. plus tax and gratuity / Reservations only with credit card / For reservations please call 951. 676.9243

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. 1st / 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

Karaoke Night / Every Saturday 6p-9p / Free admission / Karaoke every Saturday night at Bel Vino Winery in the Barrel Room / Happy Hour from 6pm-7pm; Half off wine and beer and open kitchen.
Live Music / Saturday 12pm – 4pm / Sunday 11am-3pm

Briar Rose Winery

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

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Meritage Restaurant / Feb. 13th – 14th / Two seating’s each day, 5pm and 7:30pm / $150 per couple / Enjoy a 3-course wine-paired menu with roses for the ladies and live music / For reservations please visit www.callawaywinery.com

Sweetheart Flights / Feb. 13th & 14th / Couples wine tasting from 11am-4pm / $35 per couple /
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

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

9TH Annual Super Chili Bowl / Feb. 7th / 3pm-8pm / Join us for chili tasting, food, wine, beer and football on the super BIG screen. Chili competition kicks off at 3pm. Only 10 competitors allowed. Official rules apply, must pay in advance to reserve competitor spots / $15 pp for competitors, $25 for wine club, $30 for non-wine club. Price increases by $5 the day of the event / For tickets please email wineclub@cougarvineyards.com or call 951.491.0825

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

Europa Village

Friday Night Entertainment / 5:30p- 8:30p / Free / Live music in the Cave / Feb. 5th – Shoot for Tuesday / Feb. 12th – Two Fish / Feb. 19th – Apryle Dalmacio / Feb. 26th – Danielle Taylor

Live Music every Sunday/ 1pm- 4pm / Free / Live music on Veranda / Feb. 7th – Bryan McManus / Feb. 14th- Jimmy Patton / Feb. 21st – Michael LeClerc / Feb. 28th – Joe Baldino

Falkner Winery

Valentine’s Lunch Special for 2 at the Pinnacle Restaurant / Feb. 12 & 14th / $59 for two, plus tax / For full menu please visit www.falknerwinery.com / Reservations required at 951.676.8231 option 4

Valentine’s Dinner at the Pinnacle Restaurant / Saturday, Feb. 13th, $99 plus tax per person; $89 plus tax for Wine Club / Sunday, Feb. 14th, $115 plus tax per person; $104 plus tax for Wine Club / For full menu please visit www.falknerwinery.com / Entertainment provided by Classical pianist Thomas Reich / Reservations required at 951.676.8231 option 4

Wine Appreciation Class / Saturday, Feb. 20th / 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.

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery

Singles Mix & Mingle / Feb. 11th / 7pm-9pm / Lorimar Winery is hosting its first Single’s Mix & Mingle night. Join us for a night of fun and flirtation in Wine Country / Tickets include light appetizers and a glass of premium wine. Tickets are pre-sale only! / Cost is $15 / Call 951.694.6699 or visit our website at www.lorimarwinery.com

Valentines Day Brunch / Feb. 14th / 10am-1pm / Breakfast for two? Lorimar is hosting a breakfast buffet on the Sunset Patio, which will be exclusively for lovebirds! Breakfast starts at 10:00am and the Sunset Patio will remain exclusive until 1:00pm / $35 per person includes breakfast and mimosas. Wine Club members received 10% off ticket price / Call 951.694.6699 ext. 4 for tickets or visit our website at www.lorimarywinery.com

Leoness Cellars

Live Music at The Restaurant at Leoness / Every Friday & Saturday from 5pm-8pm / Free to the public

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

1963 Winemaker’s Soirée / Feb. 11th / 6pm – 10pm / Cocktail & hors d’oevres, 5 course wine paired dinner, big band entertainment. Come dressed in your 1960’s best! / $100, $90 Wine Club / Reserved seating, call for reservations 951.302.7601 ext.1

The Restaurant at Leoness / Extended Restaurant hours 11am – 8pm, Sunday, February 14th / Special Prefixed 4 course dinner menu being offered for February 14th only. Seasonal February menu will also be available / For menu information and reservations please call 951.302.7601 ext.1 or visit www.leonesscellars.com/Winery-Events

Miramonte Winery

Valentine, an intimate affair Dinner / Feb. 14th / 7pm-9pm / Our most popular dinner of the year! Hosted by Cane & Becky. Expect live musical accompaniment, endless shimmering candlelight, Dom Perignon Champagne reception, 3 courses of fine cuisine, and a remarkable, personalized etched wine commemorating your evening with us. Cane will present the wines of the evening, including barrel samples of the next vintage Opulente and Estate Syrah. It’s always an amazing night and we’d love for you to join us / Seating is very limited; tickets are $120pp for general public, $100pp for club members. Tickets are currently available to Wine Club only until Monday, and then the event is open to the public / Please visit www.miramontewinery.com to reserve.

Live Music & Entertainment / 7pm-10pm / Feb. 5th – Mercedes Moore / Feb. 6th- Devocean / Feb. 12th- Ruben V / Feb. 13th- Bluefish / Feb. 19th- Mickie Arnett / Feb. 20th- Nathan James / Feb. 26th- Midnight Satellites / Feb. 27th- JD Priest

Monte De Oro Winery

Syrah Blind Tasting / February 5th / Reception 6pm; Tasting at 6:30pm / Come taste, compare and contrast up to 10 different Syrah at Monte De Oro. Which one is from France? From Oregon, from Paso? From Temecula Valley? All wines hidden in brown bags – we open them at the end and see the results. / Price$58.00. Wine Club Members $52.00 / Includes 2 appetizer courses and a dessert course / Reservations required at www.montedeoro.com / Subject to minimum participation of 24 guests

Valentines Day Dinner / Feb. 13th and Feb. 14th / Doors open at 7pm. Dinner at 7:30pm / 2 seating’s available / Enjoy a special 5 course meal paired with Monte De Oro’s award-winning wines with your partner and accompanied with live music and dancing. / Price: $150 per couple/$140 for Wine Club members / Reservations strongly suggested at www.montedeoro.com

Divas Half Marathon / Saturday, February 20th. / Starts at 7:30am / Includes complimentary wine tasting / To register visit www.runlikeadiva.com

Mount Palomar Winery

5K Kiss Wine Run / Feb. 6th / 10am-1pm / The annual 5K Kiss Wine Run takes place in the beautiful vineyards of Mount Palomar Winery in Temecula, CA on a scenic, point-to-point course. It starts on the hills of the beautiful Vineyards of Mount Palomar Winery and proceeds to continue on to more amazing views of their spectacular vineyards. You will have live performance by the 80z All Stars, as seen at Disneyland, motivating you to cross the finish line along with those tastings of wine that are waiting for you! Each finisher will receive a 5KHR Mount Palomar Winery Finishers commemorative stemless wine glass. There are also medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, as well as best costume. Register online at http://www.5khr.com/5k-kiss-run

Valentine’s Day Dinner / February 13th and 14th / Enjoy a romantic, four course dinner for two at the newly opened Annata Bistro/Bar. Dinner includes an appetizer, soup or a salad, two entrees, and a dessert to share, plus a bottle of wine, for $120 per couple. Wine club members pay $100 per couple! The full menu and restaurant hours are available online at http://www.mountpalomarwinery.com/Annata / Reservations only. Please call 951-676-5047 ext.10

Paint Nite / February 28th / Two hour class. Time TBA / Raise your glass to a NEW kind of night out! Paint Nite invites you to create art over a glass of wine at Mount Palomar Winery, guided by a professional artist and party host. Grab your friends and your sense of humor and spend two hours drinking, laughing, and flexing your creative muscles. Photographing drinks can be a bit frustrating sometimes. But it’s also fun and it can allow you to get creative. 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!).”Drink Creatively” in the Barrel Room (with our own bar…ooooh yeah) at Mt Palomar Winery / Online details at http://bit.ly/mppaintnites

Oak Mountain Winery

Grand Opening Weekend Tours at The Cave at Oak Mountain / Feb. 13th- 14th / Explorer Tour, $15 / 30 minutes duration / Start your adventure in the Main Tasting room followed by a tour of the grounds and our 10,000 sq. ft. underground wine Cave while sipping on three great wines / Foodie Tour, $55 / 45 minutes duration / Tour includes gourmet grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of soup from our Cave Café to enjoy after your tour and one bottle of any of our white wines / For information and reservations please call 951.699.9102

Valentine’s Day Dinner Celebration / Feb. 14th / 6pm-9pm / Join our owners, Steve & Valerie at Oak Mountain Winery for a Valentine’s Day celebration dinner. Enjoy great food, wine and music by Sterling Productions / $125 per person, plus tax; $110 per person, plus tax for Wine Club Members / For menu information and reservations please call 951.699.9102 or email susan@oakmountainwinery.com / Reservations are required; tickets are non-refundable 3 days prior to event date.

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

Ponte Family Estate Winery

Super Bowl Sunday in The Cellar / Feb. 7th / 3:30pm / Temecula Wine Country’s only cocktail bar, The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn, will air live NFL coverage of Super Bowl 50! / Free to attend.

Valentine’s Day Barrel Room Dinner / Feb. 14th / 5pm-8pm / Treat your sweetheart to a romantic dinner in the Barrel Room this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy a special menu of gourmet fare fit for two while dining to the sounds of live Spanish Guitar / Cost varies. For menu information and reservations please call 951.252.1770.

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.

Live Music in The Cellar Lounge / Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday / 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

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Pre-Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Vineyard Rose / Feb. 1-3rd, 8-10th, 15-17th / 5:30p-9:00p / $99 per couple, plus tax & gratuity / Celebrate the season of Love. It’s Valentine Month in the Vineyard Rose Restaurant. Why wait to celebrate? Say those 3 special words with a three courses. Includes one glass of select wine per person. / Reservations recommended. Call 951.587.9463 ext. 7230

Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Vineyard Rose / Feb. 14th / 5:30-9:30pm / The Vineyard Rose Restaurant presents the 3rd Annual Wine & Dine your Valentine. Includes a bottle of South Coast wine per couple / $119 per person plus tax & gratuity / Reservations required. Please call 951.497.8077
Live entertainment at the Vineyard Rose / Friday and Saturday nights for the month of February / 6:00-9:00pm

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.

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.

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Wine & The Super Bowl? You Bet!

real-football-fans-drink-wine-550x641

Sure, wine may not be the first image that comes to mind when planning your Super Bowl celebration, but we’d bet that we can convince you that it should be!  Of course, when it comes to wine, we sure have a hard time imagining any celebration without it.

Here are some game day staples and some of our wine pairing recommendations:

Hot Wings ~ Riesling makes a good choice here….it will temper some of the heat of the wings!
We’d suggest: Baily Winery 2011 Riesling,  Danza del Sol Winery 2014 Riesling or Mount Palomar Winery’s 2013 Riesling

Pizza ~ Mmmm….pizza!  How about trying a Barbera with that?
We’d suggest: Europa Village 2013 Estate BarberaHart Winery 2012 Barbera or Ponte Family Estate Winery’s 2013 Barbera.

7 Layer Dip ~ Our favorite pairing for foods with Mexican flavors?  Malbec!
We’d suggest: Carter Estate 2011 MalbecDoffo Winery 2013 Malbec or Foot Path Winery’s 2012 Malbec,

Burgers ~ Those of us in Southern California are lucky enough to be able to grill on most Super Bowl Sundays.  If you get that lucky, why not grill up a burger and enjoy with a hearty glass of Chardonnay?
We’d suggest: Oak Mountain Winery 2014 Chardonnay, Thornton Winery 2013 Chardonnay or Wilson Creek Winery’s  2014 “Yes Dear” Chardonnay

So, as you can see, wine and Super Bowl fare really are a match made in football heaven!

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Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Guide

thanksgiving-wine-horizWho’s as obsessed with Thanksgiving as we are?  The turkey, the trimmings, the pumpkin pie and the WINE!

This is the time of year we get the most questions about wine pairings.  While there is no “right” or “wrong” wine to pair with your feast, there are a few varietals that, if paired with your favorite dishes, will send your taste buds into sensory overload.  We’re reprising this “oldie but goodie” Thanksgiving wine guide and have updated it with some suggested pairings to try this year.

Light Appetizers + Mellow Whites

These mellow whites pair well with lighter dishes to kick off your Thanksgiving meal. The floral notes of a Viognier complement a fall salad of pears, blue cheese and walnuts; a selection of fruit and cheeses match nicely with a Chardonnay; and a light Pinot Grigio will pair well with your pumpkin soup.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery – 2011 Chardonnay; $30.00

Danza Del Sol Winery – 2014 Pinot Grigio; $28.00

Briar Rose Winery – 2014 Estate Viognier; $25.00

Herbacious Side Dishes + Spicy Reds

The spicy notes derived from these unique wine grapes pair especially well with stuffing and gravies seasoned with holiday herbs like sage, thyme and rosemary. Having a vegetarian Thanksgiving? These wines work well with earthy mushroom and winter squash dishes too!

Cougar Vineyard & Winery – 2012 Sangiovese; $31.00

Leoness Cellars – 2012 Zinfandel; $39.00

Doffo Winery – 2010 Syrah; $52.00

Poultry & Meats + Bold Reds

Whether it’s wine or food, everyone looks forward to the main course. The dark fruit flavors in these big reds will enhance similar flavors in your herb-rubbed turkey or peppered roasts. Whether you’re serving poultry, lamb or beef, all three are bold enough to stand up to a rich meat course.

Baily Vineyard & Winery – 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon; $30.00

Monte De Oro Winery – 2010 Merlot; $32.00

Wiens Family Cellars – 2013 Tempranillo; $42.00

Dessert + Sweet Wines

Your Thanksgiving meal isn’t complete without dessert, and no dessert is complete without wine – at least that’s how we feel! Apple pies and pear tarts are practically made to pair with a sweet Moscato, where red delicious apples, kiwi, pears, and apricots come together nicely with honeysuckle and jasmine undertones. Looking for a lovely intimate wedding venues in NYC? Start with DareToDream there are plenty of great places to get married in NYC in all five boroughs. Oak Mountain’s Port has a nutty honeyed flavor to perfectly complement the nutmeg and allspice flavors of pumpkin pie.

Oak Mountain Winery – Port; $28.00

Miramonte Winery – 2014 Moscato; $25.95

Robert Renzoni – Paradiso Port; $49.00

One Meal, One Wine

On a wine-buying budget? Or just looking to simplify your evening by serving one wine from start to finish? Any of these three, well-priced wines fit the bill. Each is lighter on the palate, with only subtle hints of sweetness making them suitable to drink from appetizers all the way to dessert. Bon appetit!

Maurice Car’rie Vineyard & Winery – 2012 Chenin Blanc; $19.95

Falkner Winery – 2014 Sauvignon Blanc; $19.95

South Coast Winery – Ruby Cuvee; $22.00

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September Winery Events

Grape StompBaily Vineyard & Winery

Shakespeare in the Vines – Twelfth Night ~ A Romantic Comedy /Sept. 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 and 27 / Oct. 1, 2 & 3 / Showtime 7:30p / Price $22, Seniors, Military and Students $17 / For tickets visit www.ShakespeareInTheVines.org or call 951.402.7488

Celebrate California Wine Month ~ 2012 Vintage Preview Tasting / Preview tasting available Thursday thru Sunday for the Month of / 11am – 4pm / $25 per person / Taste 5 unreleased 2012 red wines accompanied with La Brea flatbread, Brie & Dry Cured Salami / Tank sample of fermented unfinished wine included. Call for reservations 951.972.9768

Sangiovese Saturdays at Carol’s
Saturdays in August / 11:30a-2:30p / Live music on patio / Half price Sangiovese, Sangiovese Sangria and special menu items.

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

Live Music / Saturday 12pm – 4pm / Sunday 11am-3pm / Sept. 5 Shoot 4 Tuesday / Sept. 6 The Sweedes / Sept. 12 All In / Sept. 13 Red Wave / Sept. 19 JD Priest / Sept. 20 DOSE / Sept. 26 Kenny Hale / Sept. 27 Kings of Rhythm

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

Happiest Hours
Grab your friends and join us for a marvelous time! Friday’s 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. Reservations for parties of 5 or more are required.

Entertainment / 9/4 Dustin Lake / 9/5 Vini Contreas / 9/6 Tim Moyer / 9/11 Midnight Satellites / 9/12 Micke Arnett / 9/13 Robin Adler, Dave Blackburn, John Quint / 9/18 Al & Brad / 9/19 Vini Contreas / 9/20 R.O.C Duo / 9/25 Buzz Campbell / 9/26 Vini Contreas / 9/27 Harmony Road

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

Friday Night Live Music / 5pm-8pm / Wine by the glass or bottle purchase available / 9/4 Vini Contreas, Rock, Folk, Christian / 9/11 Frankie and the Invisibles, Instrumental Rock & Roll / 9/18 Kenny Hale, Rock & Blues / 9/25 Vini Contreas.

Sunday Afternoon Live Music / 2pm- 5pm / 9/6 Don Brennan, Acoustic Guitarist, / 9/13 Will Sumner, Smooth Jazz / 9/20 Shaula Walko, Steel drum island vibe / 9/27 TBA

Doffo Winery

Live Music on the Patio / Saturday, Sept. 5 / 1pm-4pm / Carlos Naranjo – Classic Rock /

Free Yoga on the Hill / Saturday, Sept. 19 / 9:30are / $12 per person / All levels are welcome

Everyday Essentials –Wellness for the Mind, Body and Soul / Saturday, Sept. 19 / 11am – 1pm / $35 public; $30 wine club members / includes a glass of wine and appetizers / Simple tricks and ideas to enhance your daily routine with natural and homemade products / Sign-up at www.doffowines.com

Europa Village

Classic Oldies – FAN Fundraiser / Sunday, Sept. 6 / 6pm / $20 Gen. Adm. / $18 Students, seniors, military / For more information and tickets visit temeculatheatre.org

Movies in the Vines – “Bottle Shock” / Thursday, Sept. 10 / 7:30pm / $5 admission / For more information visit www.europavillage.com

Elvis & Friends – FAN Fundraiser / Friday, Sept 18 / 7pm / $20 Gen. Adm. / $18 Students, seniors, military / For more information and tickets visit temeculatheatre.org

Live Music / Fridays from 6:00p-9:00p and Sundays from 1:00p-4:00p / Free / 9/4 Mrs. Jones Revenge / 9/6 Jimmy Patton / 9/11 Cougarz Rock / 9/13 Jimmy Patton / 9/18 Buzz Campbell / 9/20 Kelly Moore / 9/27 Joe Baldino

Falkner Winery

Labor Day Celebration / 12pm – 3pm / Saturday – Monday / Sept. 5-7 / Case sales, Free Concerts / Saturday, Harmony Road, Sunday, Danielle Taylor / Restaurant special $55 per couple / 50% off carafes / BBQ in yard garden with hot wings special!

Wine Appreciation Class / Saturday, Sept. 19 / 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

FREE Concert / Sundays 12:00p-3:00p / /Dancing, Sangria, Beer, BBQ in the yard garden / Sept. 13, 20, 27 Guilty Conscience Band

Leoness Cellars

Live Music at The Restaurant at Leoness / Every Friday 5pm-8pm / Every Sunday 1pm-4pm / Free to the public / 9/4 Michael SG / 9/6 Inbar Horowitz / 9/11 Astra Kelly / 9/13 Tim Cash / 9/18 Dustin Jake / 9/20 Sam & Stacy / 9/25 Vince Mendoza / 9/27 Michael LeClerc

Live Music in the Barrel Room / Every Sunday / 1:00p-4:00p / Free to the public / 9/5 Malissa Lauren Miller and Jerod Dulaney / 9/12 Adler, Blackburn and Quint / 9/19 Dustin Jake / 9/26 Joel Reese

Lorimar Winery

Grape Stomp & Harvest Festival / Saturday, Sept. 26 / 4pm-8pm / $65; $60 wine club / Grab your partner and join us at the Barrel Room for an afternoon of foot stompin’ fun! Live music, hayrides, dinner and more! / Tickets available online, at the winery or by phone 951.694.6699. www.lorimarwinery.com

Movies in the Vines – Clueless / Monday, Sept. 28 / 6pm / Film starts at sunset / No fee

Mount Palomar Winery

Bridal Showplace Bridal Show / Sunday, Sept. 13 / 11am-3pm / Tickets $7 pre-sale; $10 at the door / Contact Sophia M. Benfil 562.381.2865 or Sophia@bridalshowplace.net

STRANGE LOVE a tribute to Depeche Mode / Friday, Sept. 25 / Tickets $25 pre-sale, $30 at the door / Contact Robert Walker 760.716.6295 or heyday@heyday.com

Ponte Family Estate Winery

Grape Stomp / Sunday, Sept. 27 / 4pm-9pm / $95 Reg. Adult / $86 Wine Club Adult / $55 Reg. Child / $50 Wine Club Child / Join us for the 13th annual Grape Stomp, where teams of two compete to see who can stomp enough grape juice to fill a wine bottle! Great prizes, gourmet food stations, wine, live music and stompin’ good fun! / Purchase tickets www.pontewinery.com

Team Ponte Training Runs/Walks through the Vineyard
August – November 11 / Wednesday nights at 5:45p / This is a great way to get in shape, walk or run. Learn about Team Ponte and meet new people. Join us! Meet in front of the Ponte Winery Tasting Room. Run or walk a 3-mile route through our beautiful vineyard; feeling good? Do it twice! / Free to attend

First Sundays – Live Music in the Reserve Room*
Sunday, Sept. 6 / 12:00p-4:00p / Indie / Blues Americana / 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.

Oak Mountain Winery

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

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Blessing of the Wines Grape Stomp & Harvest Festival
20, 2015 / 4pm to 7pm / Reserve your tickets today for this year’s Grape Stomp & Harvest Festival. This is a fun-for-the-entire family “blessing” you don’t want to miss! Dance to live musical entertainment provided by Latin Jazz extraordinaire, Diego Mondragon & his band Savio. Games, competitions, face painting, tractor rides through the vineyards and Grape Stomp competitions. Fun family memories that last a lifetime. Tickets include entrance to the festival, all you can eat buffet, complimentary toast with the blessing, live musical entertainment, unlimited game play, plus a chance to win exciting prizes and everybody’s favorite – stomp those grapes! All ages welcome. / Adults $55 pp inclusive: $50 pp Club. Kids 4-12 $15 (3 under are free)

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 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.

Summer Wine Series
Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, 6p-8p / Join us for extended hours in the Tasting Room Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights this summer! $30 ticket gives you access after hours from 6:00p-8:00p and includes a bottle of South Coast wine to take home. Call 951.587.9463 ext. 7261 for more information.

Yoga Classes at Grapeseed Spa
Sunday 9a-10a, Monday 10:30a-11:30a / $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 / Sept. 4- Crimson Crow / Sept. 11- Missy Anderson / Sept.12 – Ry Bradley (Country Western) / Sept. 18- The Kepi Payne Project / Sept. 25- Mor Sol / No Cover Charge. Seating Available at Courtyard, Covered Patio & Café / Reservations suggested, call 951.699.0099

Champagne Jazz Concert Series

Saturday, 20 – George Benson / 7:00p / General Admission tickets – $95 Open seating / Gourmet Supper tickets – $170 SOLD OUT (3 course meal, concert ticket & assigned table)
Saturday, 26 – Boz Scaggs / 7:00p / General Admission tickets – $95 Open seating / Gourmet Supper tickets – $170 SOLD OUT (3 course meal, concert ticket & assigned table) n this growing digital age, where people are spending their whole day on the screens, it is essential to be aware of different monitoring services. FlexiSPY is a software that can be installed easily on your mobile phone for comprehensive tracking of its working. The app will let you keep track of all the activities on your phone, laptop, or tablet. Once you install flexispy on your device, it will make note of all your movements and transactions and stores it on a web portal. You can easily access this web portal flexispy at a convenient time of your choice and retrieve the information. #flexispy

Wilson Creek Winery

Live Entertainment / Saturdays & Sundays in

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June Winery Events

Girls-with-wine

The weather is warming up, school’s just about out and we’re dusting off our backyard grills in preparation for summer get-togethers. If your summer plans include spending some time in Temecula Valley Wine Country or if you’re local and plan on entertaining out-of-town guests, be sure to check out some of the great events being hosted by our wineries.

Baily Vineyard & Winery
Sangiovese Saturdays at Carol’s
Saturdays in June; / 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 wines. Sit down with bread and cheese plate; $30 (Reservations required 24 hours in advance) / Bar Tasting; $20. Call for reservations: 951-972-9768.

Father’s Day at Carol’s Restaurant
Sunday, June 21 / 11:00a / Menu specials for Dad!

Shakespeare in the Vines presents: Julius Ceasar
June 11-27 / Visit www.shakespeareinthevines.org for pricing information and reservations or call 951-402-7488.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
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.

Live Music Fridays
Every Friday from 5:00p-8:00p

Cougar Vineyard & Winery
Father’s Day Special at Cougar Winery
Sunday, June 21 / Take care of Dad by taking him out for what he wants, you know he deserves it!  Mad Mike’s Gourmet Sausage with a choice of toppings served with a side of coleslaw and paired with a glass of our wine or a glass of Black Market Beer for $14 per person.  For our wine club members, enjoy yours for $12 per person.

Live Music
Every Friday evening / 5:00p-8:00p / Come enjoy live music at Cougar Winery. The deli is also open later until 7:00p. For musician schedule, visit www.cougarvineyards.com.

Danza del Sol Winery
Live Music on the Patio
Saturdays in June / 1:00p-5:00p / June 6 – James Wells / June 13 – Rosewood & Rye / June 20 – JD Priest / June 27 – Tralain Rox

Europa Village
Live Music
Fridays from 5:30p-8:30p and Sundays from 1:00p-4:00p / June 5 – Mrs. Jones’ Revenge / June 7 – Danielle Taylor / June 12 – Nite Riders / June 14 – Jimmy Patton / June 19 – Barstow Prophets / June 21 – Dustin Jake / June 26 – Kanan Road / June 28 – Joe Baldino

Music & Wine Pairing Dinner – “Bella Notte”
Thursday, June 25 / 6:30p-9:00p / $85 per person / $75.60 per person, wine club / Buy tickets in the tasting room or online at www.europavillage.com.

Falkner Winery
Wine Appreciation Class
Saturday, June 20 / 10:00a-12:30p / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge / $45 per person / $70 per person with lunch. / Reservations required by calling 951-676-8231 xt. 109

Father’s Day Lunch
Sunday, June 21 / 12p-3p / $55 for two, plus tax and gratuity (includes a salad, two entrees, dessert to share and non-alcoholic beverages) / Dancing, sangria, beer and BBQ in the yard garden. Reservations required by calling 951-676-8231 ext. 1

Live Music / Sundays 12:00p-3:00p / June 7 – Guilty Conscience Band / June 14 – Harmony Road/ June 28 – Guilty Conscience Band

Frangipani Estate Winery
Father’s Day Lunch
Sunday, June 21 / 11:00a-3:00p / Enjoy the breathtaking views of our estate vineyard, while you enjoy lunch and a glass of wine on our winery hilltop patio overlooking the vineyard. Menu includes Bourbon Brown Sugar Smoked Brisket, Caribbean Jerk BBQ Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, Garden Salad and Fresh Baked Dinner Roll/ $29 per person, plus tax. Reservations are required by June 17th by calling 951-699-8845.

Longshadow Ranch Winery
Summer Bonfire Saturday Nights
Every Saturday night through October / 6:00p-10:00p / No admission price / Live music, mechanical bull rides, along with wine. Supervised children with their families are welcome to attend.

Lorimar Winery
Live Music
Fridays & Saturdays 6p-9p / Sundays 2p-5p

Summer Art Show
June 5, 6,7 – all day / Join us for a special art show of summer-inspired art by some of the nation’s top artists. Entry is free.

“Dueling Pianos”
Thursday, June 25 / 6:00p / Join us for a night of music and fun with Dueling Pianos! $10 gets you in with a glass of sangria. Tickets available online at www.lorimarwinery.com.

Movie in the Vines – Bridesmaids
Monday, June 29 / 6:00p; movie starts at sunset / “Pairings” mobile kitchen will be available! No outside food allowed.

Mount Palomar Winery
Bottles “n” Brushes Painting Class with Wine
June 11 and June 28 / 12:00-3:00p (June 28 class is 1:00p-4:00p)/ $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 bottlesnbrushestemecula@gmail.com.

“Heart to Heart” Concert – A tribute to HEART
Friday, June 12/ 6:00p-10:00p / $25 per ticket (pre-sale) $30 at the door / Contact Robert Walker at 760-716-6295 or heyday@heyday.com

Oak Mountain Winery

Learn to Paint Event
Sunday, June 14 / 1:00p-4:00p / Includes all art supplies, hors d’oeuvres and a glass of wine. Reservations are required by calling 951-699-9102 or by email to events@oakmountainwinery.com.

Wine Blending Party in the Cave
Saturday, June 27 / 6:00p-9:00p / $65 per person; $60 per person, Wine Club / Sample three different red wine varietals and learn what differentiates them from one another.  Then, blend and taste as you craft your very own wine!  Includes a family-style dinner with a glass of wine.  Reservations are required by calling 951-699-9102 or by email to events@oakmountainwinery.com.

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

Oak Mountain Winery University
Bubbles 101 – We want to burst your bubble with our champagne class.

Blending Reds – Create, bottle and label your very own blend.

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.

Rhone Wine Class 201 – Our second, more advanced class after taking Wine Tasting 101 is our Rhone Wine Tasting Class 201.

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.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Frankie Ballard Concert
Sunday, June 7 / 6p-10p / South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and K-FROG are proud to announce country artist Frankie Ballard will be performing live and in person on Sunday, June 7th for another sold-out Rhythm on the Vine Concert. Doors open at 6pm. Get your tickets today. JUST ANNOUNCED: LOCASH added to line up. They’ve played at the Grand Ole Opry, rocked it at NYC’s Times Square, and now LOCASH will be opening the Frankie Ballard Concert on June 7th at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. Tickets start at just $50, so visit www.wineresort.com for concert details and to reserve your seat, or call 800-539-1375 today.

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”. 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.

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.

Vintner Vault Thursdays
Every Thursday is Couples Day at South Coast Winery’s Vintner’s Vault Tasting Room. Bring your spouse, your loved-one, your partner, your friend and treat yourself to a wine tasting experience for two. / Couples Tasting: $20 wine tasting for two people. Includes two keepsake South Coast Winery wine glasses with your paid tasting

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.

Thornton Winery
Friday Live Music
6:00p-9:00p / June 5 – Mor Sol / June 12 – Oceans of Sand / June 19 – Mrs. Jones Revenge / June 20 (Saturday) – Fleetwood Mac Tribute / June 26 – Lifetime Rocker

Champagne Jazz Concert Series
Saturday, June 6 – Bobby Caldwell & The Rippingtons / 7:00p / General Admission tickets – $75 / Gourmet Supper tickets – $150 (3 course meal, concert ticket & assigned table)
Sunday, June 21 – Spyro Gyra & Acoustic Alchemy / 4:00p / General Admission tickets – $65 / Gourmet Supper tickets – $140 (3 course meal, concert ticket & assigned table
Sunday, June 28 – America / 4:00p / General Admission tickets – $85 / Gourmet Supper tickets – $160 (3 course meal, concert ticket & assigned table)

Wiens Family Cellars
Father’s Day “Bacon and Syrah” Dinner
Sunday, June 21 / 6:00p / $85 per person / $68 per person, wine club / Celebrate Father’s day in style with a vertical tasting of four past Syrahs along with perfectly paired bacon dishes.

Wilson Creek Winery
“Wine Academy” ~ Wine and Cheese, A Divine Pairing
Sunday, June 7 / 1p-3p / Our top notch winery instructors will make your wine experience interactive and interesting. / $40 per person / $30 per person, wine club

Crawfish Boil
Friday, June 19 / 6p-9p / It’s back! Join us for a traditional Louisiana-style Crawfish Boil. Savor fabulous wines and feast on crawfish with all the fixin’s while enjoying the sounds of “Shades of J” rockin blues. / $49.95 per person / $39.95 per person, wine club

Father’s Day Brunch
Sunday, June 21/ 10:00a-3:00p / Surprise Dad with a Father’s Day brunch buffet in wine country! Play some bocce ball and listen to live music while enjoying a fantastic Father’s Day themed brunch. Brunch buffet: General $49.95 per person; Wine Club $44.95 / Brunch buffet with Sparkling wine – General $59.95; Wine Club $53.95

Live Entertainment
Saturdays & Sundays in June /12p-4p / June 6 – JD Priest / June 7 – Michael LeClerc / June 13 – Smoothie Jones / June 14 – Billy Watson / June 20 – Mark Norris / June 21 – Astra Kelly / June 27 – JD Priest / June 28 – Rod Frias

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May 5th is Cinco de Vino Day!

cinco de mayoOh 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

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April Winery Events

spring-easter-wines

Spring has officially arrived! We invite you to come out to wine country and enjoy Easter Brunch, take in a concert or comedy show, or simplywind down with a glass of wine and live music.

 Baily Vineyard & Winery

Sangiovese Saturdays at Carol’s
Saturdays in April; / 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 wines.  Sit down with bread and cheese plate; $30 (Reservations required 24 hours in advance) / Bar Tasting; $20.  Call for reservations: 951-972-9768.

Easter Sunday at Carol’s Restaurant
Sunday, April 5 / 11:30a-3:00p / Regular menu, plus a few Easter specials.  2nd Annual Dog Easter Egg Hunt at 1:00p.  Dogs will be hunting for plastic eggs filled with turkey hot dogs.  Live music by Lenny Hansell, local Idyllwild musician.

Bel Vino Winery

Live Music
Saturdays & Sundays in April / 12:00p-4:00p / April 4 – Debbie Diamond / April 5 – Sam & Stacy / April 11 – Crimson Crow / April 12 – Shameless / April 18 – Michael LeClerc / April 19 – Dominic Rocha / April 25 – Kenny Hale / April 26 – Sheyna Gee

Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Easter Sunday
Meritage at Callaway will be featuring an a la cart, brunch inspired menu from 10:00a-4:00p.

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.

Wine Flight Fridays
EVERY Friday beginning at 3pm
Travel around the world with us and experience a different wine region every month. Savor and compare the varietals that best represent a particular region paired with a special selection of Tapas typical of that region. This month, enjoy a wine flight of 3 wines from South America for $15.

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.

Live Music Fridays
Every Friday from 5:00p-8:00p

Open Mic Night at Meritage at Callaway
Thursday, April 2 / 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.

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

Live Music
Every Friday evening / 5:00p-8:00p / Come enjoy live music at Cougar Winery.  The deli is also open later until 7:00p.  For musician schedule, visit www.cougarvineyards.com.

Danza del Sol Winery

Live Music on the Patio
Saturdays in April / 1:00p-5:00p / April 4 – Two Fish / April 11 – Hamilton & Shultz  / April 18 – Nathan Rivera / April 25 – Samantha Shultz

“Get Sauced”
Sunday, April 12 / 3:00p-6:30p / Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of food, wine and culinary entertainment in our clubhouse.  $60 per person; Wine Club $54 per person.

Europa Village

Live Music
Fridays from 5:30p-8:30p and Sundays from 1:00p-4:00p / April 3 – Danielle Taylor / April 5 – Bryan McManus/ April 10 – James Wells / April 12 – Jimmy Patton / April 17 – Mrs. Jones Revenge Duo / April 19 – Dustin Jake / April 24 – Dustin Jake / April 26 – Joe Baldino

Magic Night
Friday, April 24 / 7:30p-9:00p / $17.50 per person; $15.75 per person, Societe Member (ticket price includes one glass of wine)

Falkner Winery

Wine Appreciation Class
Saturday, April 18 / 10:00a-12:30p / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge / $45 per person / $70 per person with lunch. / Reservations required by calling 951-676-8231 xt. 109

Free Concert – Guilty Conscience Band
Sundays April 12, 19 and 26 / 12:00p-3:00p / Dancing, Sangria, and BBQ in the yard garden

Club Vine at the Pinnacle
Thursday, April 23rd / 6:00p-10:00p / Reserve the date for a fun evening event with DJ, dancing, food wine and more!  Open to Wine Club, Industry and public.  Free cover or $30 (2) for reserved table.

Longshadow Ranch Winery

Summer Bonfire Saturday Nights
Every Saturday night through October / 6:00p-10:00p / No admission price / Live music, mechanical bull rides, along with wine.  Supervised children with their families are welcome to attend.

Leoness Cellars

Art & Wine Showcase ~ Featuring Erin Hanson Landscapes in Oil
Friday, April 17 / 6:00p-10:00p / Enjoy a night of Leoness wine, live music and hors d’oeuvres as we showcase the works of Erin Hanson.  A portion of the art sales will go to benefit the Our Nicholas Foundation, which supports those diagnosed with Autism and their families.  There is no cost for the event, however it is an exclusive event and therefore RSVP is required.  RSVP to Alexandra@leonesscellars.com.

Wine & Vine Symposium ~ Experience Syrah in a New Way
Friday, May 8 / 4:00p-6:30p / Members $45; Non Members $49 / Sip along with our team of expert farmers, winemakers and Master Sommelier, Eddie Osterland, as they share their anecdotes and insights into wine production – from seedling to bottle.  Tasting and discussing a variety of exclusive Leoness Syrahs not available in our tasting room. Pre-purchase tickets online at www.leonesscellars.com.

Lorimar Winery

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

Art + Vino with Jill Roberts
Friday, April 17 / 6:00p / An interactive and entertaining art experience!  Enjoy Lorimar wine while painting a beautiful picture. / $60 per person; $55 per person, wine club.  Price includes one glass of wine, small bites and all painting materials.  Tickets available online, in wine country, Old Town or by phone at 951.694.6699.

“Laugh Your Glass Off” Comedy Show
Thursday, April 23 / 7:00p / Join us for a night of comedy as we bring you talented comedians that will make you Laugh Your Glass Off! / $35 per person; $30 per person, wine club. Tickets include one glass of wine.  Mature audience only.  Tickets available online, in wine country, Old Town or by phone at 951.694.6699.

Movie in the Vines – The Avengers
Monday, April 27 / Sunset / Free admission; wine and concessions available for purchase.

Mount Palomar Winery

Bottles “n” Brushes Painting Class with Wine
April 9, 12, 28 / 12:00a-3:00p  (April 12th class is 1:00p-4:00p)/ $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.

LOVEDRIVE: A tribute to The Scorpions
Friday, April 24 / 6:00p-9:00p / $25 per ticket (pre-sale) $30 at the door / Contact Robert Walker at 760-716-6295 or heyday@heyday.com

Oak Mountain Winery

Live Music in the Pavilion
Every Saturday and Sunday in April / 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.  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

Vintner Vault Thursdays
Bring your spouse, your loved-one, your partner, your friend and treat yourself to a wine tasting experience for two. / Couples Tasting: $20 wine tasting for two people.  Includes two keepsake South Coast Winery wine glasses with your paid tasting

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.

Wiens Family Cellars

Crowded Vertical Dinner
Friday, April 3 / 6:00p / A vertical tasting dinner of several past Crowded vintages and the brand new 2013 Crowded.  We will be pouring and presenting four vintages of Crowded all on the same night!  At this event, you’ll taste our 2010, 2011, 2012 and the brand new 2013 Crowded along with food pairings.  All of these past releases will be available for purchase at the event.

Spring Fling Dinner & Dancing
Saturday, April 11 / 6:00p / The word from the bird is that we decided it’s time for a good old fashioned 1950’s spring fling dinner and dancing night!  We encourage you to come dressed in your primo cool cat and foxy attire for a night of fab food, wine and music.  It’s going to be a gas!

Wilson Creek Winery

Easter Brunch
Sunday, April 5 / 10:00a-3:00p / Brunch buffet $49.95, per person / Wine Club $44.95, per person / Children $14.95, per person / Brunch buffet with sparkling wine $59.95, per person / Wine Club $53.95 per person / Reservations required by calling 951.699.9463.

Wine Academy ~ “Wines of Australia and New Zealand”
Saturday, April 18 / 11:00a-1:00p / $35 per person; $25 per person, wine club / These monthly courses are aimed at empowering you in your wine knowledge and experience.  Our top notch winery instructors will make your wine experience interactive and interesting with each course highlighting a different topic. Limited space and reservations required by calling 951-699-9463.

Live Entertainment
Saturdays and Sundays / 12:00p-4:00p

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Wine Country Recipe: Cheese Fondue

FN_Tyler Flrorence Cheese Fonue.tif

Nothing screams romance more than fondue!  So, this Valentine’s Day, if you’d prefer to forgo the crowded restaurants and opt for a quick, simple and romantic meal at home, we’ve got you covered with this cheese fondue recipe.  Pair with a salad, your favorite Temecula Valley Riesling and perhaps some chocolate fondue for dessert…and…voilà, you’ve got the perfect Valentine’s dinner.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound imported Swiss cheese, shredded
1/2 pound Gruyere cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cherry brandy, such as kirsch
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch nutmeg
Assorted dippers

Directions:

In a small bowl, coat the cheeses with cornstarch and set aside.  Rub the inside of the ceramic fondue pot with the garlic, then discard.

Over medium heat, add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer.  Gradually stir the cheese into the simmering liquid.  Melting the cheese gradually encourages a smooth fondue.  Once smooth, stir in cherry brandy, mustard and nutmeg.

Arrange an assortment of bite-sized dipping foods on a lazy Susan around fondue pot.  Serve with chunks of French and pumpernickel breads.  Some other suggestions are Granny Smith apples and blanched vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and asparagus. FurnitureCap  Spear with fondue forks or wooden skewers, dip, swirl and enjoy!

Suggested pairings:

Baily Vineyard & Winery ~ 2013 Riesling – A delicate, dry and fruity white.

Briar Rose Winery ~ 2013 Riesling – Opening up with a soft apricot on the front and light fruity sweetness on the finish.

Lorenzi Estate Vineyards & Winery ~ 2012 Riesling – The nose is aromatic with spicy stone fruit with a combination of sweet Meyer lemons, along with tropical touches of mango and pineapple.

Mount Palomar Winery ~ 2012 Riesling – Prominent scents of pineapple and soft hints of star fruit, with a smooth tropical finish.

Recipe and photo courtesy Tyler Florence and foodnetwork.com.

 

 

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