This amped-up version of a grilled cheese uses Munster & Swiss along with bold beefy onions sauteed with rosemary and thyme. It’s the ultimate indulgence for a fall lunch. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ingredients
4 crusty panini buns
8 slices of Swiss cheese
4 slices of Munster cheese
1 large white onion halved and thinly sliced
1 medium red onion halved and thinly sliced
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tsp rosemary
2 tsp pepper
½ cup butter
Directions
Cut the buns in half and butter the outsides of each.
Place the remaining butter into a frying pan on medium heat. Add the onions and herbs. Cook for about 7 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the beef broth and continue to cook until all broth is absorbed by onions. Remove from heat
Heat panini press or create one by placing a heavy pan on top of the grilled sandwich in a frying pan.
Place 1 slice of Swiss cheese on the bottom slice then add an equal part of the onion mixture. Add a slice of Munster cheese and the second slice of Swiss. Place the top bun on and press in panini press or fry in a pan with the heavy pan on top until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove and cut in half. Server with sweet or dill pickles
Friends watching horror movie while sippin’ on a glass of wine
Usually, around this time of year, the wine and Halloween candy pairing stories start appearing everywhere. And, while we love the idea of stuffing our faces with Halloween treats while sipping Temecula Valley wines, in practice, most wine doesn’t actually taste that good with candy corn.
We think a much better sounding idea around Halloween is to pour ourselves a glass of our favorite Temecula Valley bubbly, crisp white, juicy rosé, or brooding red (or all of the above!) and curl up on the couch with a super scary movie. Nothing soothes the racing heart and sweaty palms that come from watching a spooky flick quite like a delicious glass of wine.
With that in mind, we asked our Temecula Valley Wine Country personalities to pair their favorite wines with their favorite horror movies… and the results were spine-chilling and glass-filling. Side of Smarties and Tootsie Rolls optional.
“It’s a not-so-common blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Mourvèdre, and 20% Grenache that’s full of mystery and intrigue. In the movie, college students are manipulated by mind altering drugs into the cellar of a remote cabin to be attacked by various dwellers.”
“Sit and sip to the theme of threes! Enjoy Tres Hermanos while watching the three Salem witches scheme during Halloween. Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre make up this Rhône blend. The entry is soft and rich, brimming with cherry and clove flavors that lead into a velvety mid-palate with a hint of caramel – perfect for a spooktacular evening.”
“Surely it has to be a Chianti with Silence of the Lambs… Are we classifying that as a horror movie? On a serious horror note, it has to be the original Freddy Kreuger paired with Akash Dreamville Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. Because as Freddy’s screen time was kept to less than 10 minutes in the original film, the same time frame goes when it comes to a bottle of the bubbles – it’s hard to not finish it in under 10 minutes!”
“My favorite scary movie is the 1963 version of The Haunting. It pairs well with our 2017 Long Valley Red – a comforting wine with aromas of chocolate and cherry, and flavors of jam, toasted oak, spices, and vanilla…perfect for a scary night.”
There is only one wine that Father Damien Karras will reach for after a long day of exorcising demons…that is of course, Robert Renzoni’s Vecchio Frate or “Old Friar”. This deep, intense wine not only takes the edge off after a long day of exorcising demons, but it also bears the name “Old Friar” which brings Father Karras an extra veil of comfort and protection that is needed to complete his fatherly duties.
And, as always, Gus, Wilson Creek’s well-known and much-loved winemaker understood the assignment perfectly and over-delivered, providing not one, but three brilliant pairings.
“Most people ask what grapes are blended in IT, making this wine an ideal candidate when watching IT. The flavor notes of blueberry, green peppercorn, and tobacco will help calm your nerves during the most suspenseful parts.”
“Looking for a concentration of flavor, intensity of aroma, and full-bodied character? We recommend our Zinfandel. A perfect pairing with liver and fava beans.”
“This wine displays notes of blackberry, herbs, and ripe plum with undertones of black pepper and smokey leather, making this wine frighteningly good. Order pizza, and watch as Leatherface terrorizes his victims.”
We suggest grabbing a bottle of every suggestion, calling up a few of your favorite people and planning the ultimate wine-soaked Halloween movie marathon.
Akash Winery Paint and Sip with Pretty Paints | October 4 from 5:30pm – 7:00 | $30 | Paint in the Vineyards! To reserve your spot, please use this link: https://www.prettypaintsparty.com
Movie Night – Top Gun Maverick | October 14 at 7:00pm | Relax on the patio with a glass of wine or beer as we take in the latest Top Gun installment. Bocconcini by Akash will be there firing up pizza, salads, and charcuterie, along with dessert and popcorn vendors. No coolers or outside food or beverage allowed. Entry is free!
Halloween Happenings | October 30 | Things are getting eerie at Akash. Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls will rule the winery all day! Join the creepy crew and show us your best getup! Prizes will be awarded by our staff.
Europa Village Wineries & Resort CarnEvil Ball | October 28 & 29 | 6:00-10:00pm | CAUTION: The undead have risen and they’re ready to party! Do you have what it takes to survive a zombie apocalypse? Find out when you join us for our 2nd Annual CarnEvil Ball. Save the date and join us for a spirited good time with ghoulish delights and wicked drinks | To Learn more at: https://www.europavillage.com/carnevil-2022/
Falkner Winery Cabernet Vertical Tasting and Food pairing | October 12 | 6:00-9:00pm $65; $55 for Members Sangiovese Vertical Tasting & Food pairing | October 26 | 6:00-9:00pm $65; $55 for Members Tickets sold online- reservations required 21+ only https://store.falknerwinery.com/events–class-tickets-c19.aspx
Fazeli Cellars A Tribute to Elvis Presley Concert | October 1 | 6:00pm-9:00pm | $35 non-member; $25 member |Fazeli Cellars presents a tribute to Elvis Presley staring “”King Kruk”, California’s most exciting Elvis tribute artist! | For details and to purchase your tickets today please visit: https://shop.fazelicellars.com/res-393276/Elvis-Concert.html
Annual Haunted Masquerade Ball – Save-the-Date on October 29! Details to come!
Frangipani Winery Carrie the Musical – Fine Arts Network Theater Company Performances Thursday, October 13, 20, 17 at 7pm – Friday, October 14, 21, 28 at 8pm – Saturday, October 15, 22, 29 at 8pm – Purchase tickets at tickets.temeculatheater.org or call 866-653-8696.
Gershon Bachus Winery Family Photo Day at GBV | October 9 | $125+tax | Enjoy a photo session on the beautiful grounds of Gershon Bachus Winery. Session includes four edited digital files from Hulse Photography and includes a bottle of GBV wine. One date is open but additional dates may be added.
Signature Food & Wine Series | October 23 | 11:30-1:00pm | Our food and wine experts put together the freshest ingredients as they take you through a multi-course showcase featuring Monte De Oro’s award-winning wine | Tickets: https://shop.montedeoro.com/res-401044/Signature-Food-Wine-Series.html
Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown | October 29 | Doors open @ 6:30pm | The two greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time face off in a once-in-a-lifetime show. Featuring Beatles tribute band Abbey Road and Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction | Tickets: https://shop.montedeoro.com/res-401011/Beatles-Vs-Stones-A-Musical-Showdown.html
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery Winemaker Dinner | October 22 | 6:30-9:30pm | Only 24 seats available! Join us for a Family Style wine dinner with wine pairings included | Contact the tasting room at (951) 676-7900 or email Cindy@palumbowines.com for tickets | Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Peltzer Family Cellars Peltzer Pumpkin Farm | Open from Sept. 24th-Oct. 21st | Mon-Fri from 10-8pm, Sat & Sun 9-8pm | Join us at the Peltzer Pumpkin Farm for its 26th season! For details on attractions, pumpkin passes, live music, and local food trucks please visit our website: https://www.peltzerfarms.com/
Peltzer Pumpkin Painting Class | Every Tuesday & Thursday in the month of October from 4:30-5:30pm | Come join us on the Farmstead, check in with our host, and snag a seat for a Pumpkin Painting class! Each class will be a different painting for different ages. To book your class please head over to our website calendar: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/
Hallowine Party | 21+ only | Grab your ghouls and trick-or-teat yo’self! Creep, float, or crawl on over to the Crush House October 29th at 7pm because you’re invited to our HalloWine Party! IT’S GONNA BE A SCREAMER. This will be a ticketed event, to purchase your tickets head on over to our website: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/
Behind The Vines Tours | Every Fri-Sun at 11am & 2:30pm | Take an in-depth stroll through our property, productions, and history of all things Peltzer. Awaken the sense with a specialty wine and cheese pairing and take in the Temecula Valley views. To make a reservation, please head over to https://www.peltzerwinery.com/the-winery/wine-tour/
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa Rhythm on the Vine® Concert Series – Final 2 Shows of the Season! October 6 – The Wallflowers | Doors open at 5 p.m.; concert begins at 6:30 p.m. October 7 – Yächtley Crëw | Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at https://rhythmonthevine.com/tickets/
Thornton Winery Friday Night Live Music October 7th – Big Revenge – 6:00 pm October 21 – Crimson Crow – 6:00 pm October 28th – John Demps & Full Effect – 6:00 pm All October Friday Nights – No Cover Charge | For Dinner Reservation – https://bit.ly/3Cdf3Qr or Call – 951-699-0099
Wilson Creek Winery Harvest Festival | October 27th | 6pm-9pm | Live music by Kahoots Band, food, grape stomping, costume contest, pumpkin carving |TICKETS COMING SOON at WilsonCreekWinery.com
With slow, moist braising, pork shoulder becomes fork-tender and succulent. Trim the meat well before cooking and your stew will be rich but lean. Butternut squash and dried plums contribute the sweet notes that pork loves and bring the flavors and colors of fall to your table. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Syrah.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds (750 g) boneless pork shoulder (butt), trimmed of fat, in 1-1/2 inch (4 cm) cubes
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 thick slices of bacon, about ¼ pound (125 g), diced
1 large yellow onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup white wine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons fennel seed, ground fine in a mortar or spice grinder, or 1-1/2 teaspoons ground fennel
1 large fresh thyme sprig
2 cups (500 ml) chicken broth, diluted 50/50 with water if canned
½ pound (250 g) peeled butternut squash, 1-inch cubes
12 prunes
2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley, plus more for garnish
Serves 4
Directions
Season the pork all over with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large, broad Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the pot is hot, add the pork and brown well on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes, adjusting the heat to prevent scorching. Transfer the pork to a plate as it is done. Pour off the fat in the pot and return to low heat.
Add the bacon and let render slowly, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
Raise the heat to medium-low, add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Raise the heat to medium, add the white wine, and simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon to release any meaty bits on the bottom of the pot, until reduced by half. Add the flour and ground fennel and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Return the pork to the pot along with any juices on the plate. Add the thyme sprig and broth. Bring to a simmer. Cover, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook for 1 hour. Add the squash and prunes, re-cover, and continue cooking until the pork and squash are tender, about 30 minutes longer.
Remove the thyme sprig. Stir in 2 tablespoons parsley. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve immediately in bowls, garnishing each serving with a little more parsley.
Robert Renzoni Vineyard ~ 2019 Syrah– Aromas of boysenberry Jam and barbecue ribs. Rich and polished tannins frame flavors of blackberry, tobacco spice, and black pepper.
Callaway Vineyard & Winery ~2019 Syrah– Aromas of green apple accentuate both the nose and the palate, accompanied by bright acidity and flavors of honeydew and passionfruit.
You’ve got that right! It’s harvest season in Temecula Valley Wine Country.
It’s a beautiful time to visit us in wine country. Not only is it fun to see all the ripening fruit hanging on the vines, but there’s lots of action in both the vineyards and the winery cellars. They can’t wait for harvest time to get here – and they can’t wait for it to be over!
In honor of harvest season, we have many undeniably fun-filled events that are open to your family and friends! Join us as you do not want to miss out on a once a year experience.
Callaway Vineyard & Winery Sip, Stomp & Play! | September 17 at 6:30pm | Grape stomping time has officially arrived, and you won’t want to miss out on this epic event! Grab your friends and family for this unforgettable, undeniably fun-filled grape stomp and harvest festival! The fun-for-the-entire-family event will have face painting, live music, dinner, dancing, a Lucy look-alike contest, and most of all grape stomping contests! Show up in your most fabulous Lucille Ball costume for a chance to win prizes! Grab your tickets while you can, this event will sell out. Purchase tickets here: https://shop.callawaywinery.com/res-415419/Sip-Stomp-Play-2022.html
Maurice Car’rie Winery Annual Grape Stomp | September 17 from 4-8pm in The Barn | Additional information and tickets can be purchased in The Tasting Room or over the phone at 951-676-1711
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa Annual Grape Stomp in the Vintner’s Garden Fridays, September 9 and 16 Saturdays, September 3, 10, 17 and 24 Sundays, September 4 and 18 South Coast Winery’s Grape Stomp is back! Tickets start at $170 and include grape stomp participation for a team of two people, two tasting tickets to South Coast Winery and a case of wine per two participants. Reserve your spot by purchasing a timeslot on the online store | Tickets are available online at https://store.wineresort.com/grapestomp2022/
Altisima Winery Our First Paint & Sip | September 1 at 1:00pm to 4:00pm | $65 per person | Talented teacher Jill Roberts will lead you through a guided paint lesson while you enjoy the Altisima ambiance, a complimentary glass of wine, crudités, and more! | Learn more: https://altisimawinery.com/events/paintandsip/
Wednesdays in September | We’re celebrating California wine month by letting you experience our wine club for the day! Gain access to our members lounge and learn more about what it means to join the Altisima family. Reserve your spot by emailing wineclub@altisimawinery.com
Callaway Vineyard & Winery Sip, Stomp & Play! | September 17 at 6:30pm | Grape stomping time has officially arrived, and you won’t want to miss out on this epic event! Grab your friends and family for this unforgettable, undeniably fun-filled grape stomp and harvest festival! The fun-for-the-entire-family event will have face painting, live music, dinner, dancing, a Lucy look-alike contest, and most of all grape stomping contests! Show up in your most fabulous Lucille Ball costume for a chance to win prizes! Grab your tickets while you can, this event will sell out. Purchase tickets here: https://shop.callawaywinery.com/res-415419/Sip-Stomp-Play-2022.html
Cougar Vineyard & Winery Yappy Hour! | September 23 from 3:00pm – 6:00pm | Featuring k9 police officer demonstrations by Paws 4 Law non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for the Murrieta Police Dept. K-9 Unit and other K-9 Units within Riverside County. 100% of all proceeds for dog bowls and hot dog specials sold during Yappy Hour will be donated to the foundation. Vendors and dogs available to adopt on-site too! | For more information, please visit www.Cougarvineyards.com
Europa Village Wineries & Resort The Great Taste of Europa Wine and Food Festival | September 18 from 11:00am to 4:00pm | We are excited to announce our FIRST-EVER wine and food festival, The Great Taste of Europa! Join us in exploring the sights and wonders of our European wineries & resort with over 30 different wines, local craft brews, spirits, gourmet food, and live entertainment. Wine aficionados and foodie lovers… don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event! | Purchase Tickets here: https://www.europavillage.com/the-great-taste-of-europa/
Sunset Sips | Every Thursday & Friday from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Take advantage of the long summer evenings and join us after hours for our new summer series, Sunset Sips. Delight in delicious bites, tantalizing wines, and live entertainment | Bolero Tasting Room | Thursdays 6 pm – 8 pm, C’est la Vie Tasting Room | Fridays 5 pm – 8 pm | For additional information, please visit www.europavillage.com
Frangipani Winery Karaoke Night | September 2 from 5:30pm-9:30pm | Hosted by Lillian Thomas of Sing It Like You Mean it | For additional information and cost, please call or visit www.frangipaniwinery.com
Wine & Paint Night | September 30 from 6:00pm-8:00pm | $45 per person – $35 per person for Wine Club Members | Includes a glass of wine and supplies for project – Instructor Melissa Cain | Reservations required by September 28 – Purchase tickets at www.Frangipanievents.com
Maurice Car’rie Winery Annual Grape Stomp | September 17 from 4-8pm in The Barn | Additional information and tickets can be purchased in The Tasting Room or over the phone at 951-676-1711
Wine Bingo | September 23 | It’s time for Bingo, Monte De Oro style! Join us for a night of calling numbers and sipping your favorite MDO wine! | Purchase Tickets: https://shop.montedeoro.com/res-400782/Wine-Bingo.html
Oak Mountain Winery Magic Show & Dinner | September 9 from 6:00pm-9:00pm |Come join us for a night of magic in the vines with a 3-course dinner | Members $89, Non-members $99 | Dinner Menu: Panzanella Salad, Oso Bucco and Tiramisu | Purchase tickets at https://shop.oakmountainwinery.com/event-tickets-c11.aspx
Late Nights at the Crush House | September 3 | 11am-10:00pm |Join us for extended hour in the Crush House with live music and local food truck bites… For details, check out our events calendar: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa Rhythm on the Vine® Concerts Series Beth Hart | September 1 | Doors open at 5 p.m.; concert begins at 6:30 p.m. 98 Degrees | September 2 | Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Los Lobos | September 23 | Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available for purchase at https://rhythmonthevine.com/tickets/
Rhythm on the Vine® Jazz Concerts – Last 2 Jazz Concerts of the Season! Michael Paulo, Blake Aaron & Tateng Katindig in Vintner’s Garden | September 11 Steve Oliver and Michael Lington in Vintner’s Garden | September 25 Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm | Ticket prices are $65 for general admission, $85 for preferred table seating, $150 for VIP Tickets, which are close to the stage, include a table, and a meet & greet reception with the artists! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.southcoastwinery.com/activities/rhythm-concert-series/jazz-concert-series
Annual Grape Stomp in the Vintner’s Garden Fridays, September 9 and 16 Saturdays, September 3, 10, 17 and 24 Sundays, September 4 and 18 South Coast Winery’s Grape Stomp is back! Tickets start at $170 and include grape stomp participation for a team of two people, two tasting tickets to South Coast Winery and a case of wine per two participants. Reserve your spot by purchasing a timeslot on the online store | Tickets are available online at https://store.wineresort.com/grapestomp2022/
Chicken Tikka Masala is widely considered Britain’s national dish. This culinary delight has Indian origins and was modified to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy. Tikka Masala is made of boneless chicken (can substitute chickpeas for vegetarians) marinated in spices and yogurt, roasted in an oven, and served in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 lb boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breast cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp minced jalapeno pepper
1 tsp of salt
Sauce
4 tbsp butter
2 small white onions (or 1 large onion) finely diced
1 tbsp garlic finely grated
1 tbsp ginger finely grated
1 tsp garam masala
2 tsp teaspoons ground cumin
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 can (156 ml) tomato paste
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups of 35% heavy cream or use heavy Greek yogurt 9% or 11%
1 tsp brown sugar
½ cup water
Serves: 8
Directions
Combine all chicken marinade ingredients, except oil, into a bowl and mix. Let stand for 10 to 20 min
In a heavy deep cast iron pan or other deep frying pan heat oil.
Once the oil is hot pour chicken and marinade into the oil and cook for roughly 3 min aside. Moving it around to keep it from sticking. After 6 to 8 minutes, remove from pan and set aside. It won’t be fully cooked at this point. It will finish cooking in the sauce during the next steps.
After removing the chicken from the pan, add butter, onions, and garlic and cook till soft.
Add spices, jalapeno and tomato paste into the pan and mix. cook for about 2 min while stirring.
Add cream or yogurt, chicken mixture, and brown sugar to the pan and cook for about 10 to 15 min. Add water as and if needed to reach your desired sauce consistency. The sauce should be nice and creamy.
Altisima Winery ~2020 Sauvignon Blanc– Aromas of green apple accentuates both the nose and the palate, accompanied by bright acidity and flavors of honeydew and passionfruit.
From lower yields and gophers to promising cabs and new babies, Temecula winemakers share how they’re feeling about harvest this year
‘Tis the season! Harvest season, that is.
Harvest in Temecula Valley is a magical time of year. The vines are lush and green, the grapes have reached full ripeness, and the wineries are abuzz with the excitement of a new crop.
While Temecula Valley is known for bright whites, classic methode sparkling wines, rich reds, and a range of sweet and dessert wines year after year, the real excitement comes with the small – and sometimes striking – differences between each harvest. Was it a hot year or unusually cool? Was there a lot of rain? Late spring frosts? How are yields looking? This kaleidoscope of factors contributes in no small way to vintage variation and keeps winemakers on their toes. It’s also part of what makes wine so beguiling to us – the wine lovers who get to enjoy each bottle after harvest.
Temecula Valley has a warm, Mediterranean climate, with long sunny days, cool mornings and nights, and late afternoon breezes. The growing season is long and there is relatively low rainfall throughout the year, which means lots of time for grapes to develop their sugars and flavor ripeness without the pressure of humidity and late-season rains that can lead to disease and other problems during harvest. The large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures – called a “diurnal shift” – allows the grapes to retain their acidity despite the heat, creating fresh and balanced wines with lots of flavor. A range of grapes grows well in this climate, which is why Temecula is known for so many different types of wines. Some of the world’s most celebrated wine regions have a Mediterranean climate.
Harvest time can be exciting, frenetic, and nerve-wracking for winemakers. Many Temecula Valley winemakers pick grapes at night or in the very early morning hours to take advantage of the cooler temperatures – not just for more comfortable working conditions, but to ensure that the grapes arrive intact and don’t start fermenting or oxidizing before they reach the winery. The long hours, rigorous physical work, and unpredictable schedules can make this an exhausting time at the winery for many.
We caught up with a few Temecula Valley winemakers to check in on how they are feeling about this year’s harvest, and what they are most excited about this season. Joe Wiens from Wiens Family Cellars, Jon McPherson from South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery, and Renato Saís from Akash Winery all shared their thoughts on the upcoming harvest.
TVWA: How is the 2022 harvest looking for you?
Joe: “The growing season has been fairly moderate for our vineyards. We had a freeze event in mid-April (which affected most of the west coast). This freeze resulted in some crop losses in our higher elevation vineyards, especially in the early-to-bud varieties like Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. We have also noticed uneven ripeness as we near harvest, especially in the early varieties. Grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon ripen later in the season and seem to have escaped much of the frost damage and uneven ripeness.
“Fortunately we haven’t had any big heat waves in 2022 (knock on wood!), which means the variation in cluster ripeness is able to somewhat even out naturally. We are expecting roughly the same tons per acre as last year, which is down from our usual average. This is likely due to the lack of rainfall, which naturally washes away salt buildup in the soils. The salt will hinder the plant’s ability to take up water from the roots, resulting in lower yields. Overall, the fruit looks very clean and pristine, which should make for a beautiful, if not bountiful harvest.”
Renato: Although it has been a very dry year for all of us, and it seems that is the trend nowadays, temperatures have remained very steady and mild compared to other hotter years. Fruit-set is really nice. Our biggest issue in the vineyards is the squirrels and gophers! Managing them has been the biggest challenge this year for us. Other than that, we expect a very humble harvest from our vines.
Jon: “2022 Harvest looks to be average yields with above average quality. Warmer spring temperatures pushed us into an earlier start as we are picking our Wild Horse Peak Pinot Noir later this month for sparkling wine.”
TVWA: What are you most excited about this season?
Joe: “Because we are expecting a lighter harvest, we are looking forward to spending more time with each lot of wine. This extra attention should result in the highest quality wine possible, across the board. We’re also expecting a baby in late September, which is very exciting for my wife and me, and perhaps less so for the rest of our production team (who will have to pick up a little slack). Fortunately, we have a passionate and dedicated winemaking team, which I am fully confident will not skip a beat. Our production crew is excited for harvest to start as we wind down our bottling season. The change of pace is fun, and we always look forward to getting our hands on the newest vintage of grapes.”
Renato: “Like any other harvest, I am excited about the challenge of making wine, having fun, and enjoying the time and effort in the vineyard and in the cellar to transform the beautiful fruit. I’m always thinking this is the best harvest that is ever going to be – optimism must exist and, along with it, timely execution.”
Jon: “We are excited for another opportunity to make great wines.”
TVWA: Are there any grapes you feel will be stand-out for you this year?
Joe: “Our Bordeaux varieties, which will make up roughly 3/4 of our production by volume, look beautiful. They escaped much of the frost damage and have benefitted from the moderate weather. Look out for our 2022 Cabernets!”
Renato: “Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate. I’m always expecting the best of the grapes – they look amazing.”
Jon: “Everything should be outstanding.”
TVWA: Anything you are worried about?
Joe: “As the climate continues to change, I am worried about the long-term viability of many of the world’s wine-growing regions. From lengthy droughts, massive wildfires, and unusual weather patterns, we have a lot to keep an eye on as generational winemakers and grape growers.”
Renato: “I am definitely worried about a lot of things: A lack of experienced workers available, the economy, but we are all worried about this… In our industry, the most I am worried about and in the long term is drought, gophers, and squirrels.”
Jon: “We are only worried about having enough water at our Wild Horse Peak vineyard to make it through the season.”
Altisima Winery Taco Tuesdays and Sangria Thursdays | 4:00pm-8:00pm every week! Live music every Saturday and Sunday, and Self Care Sunset on the last Thursday of the month | For more information please visit www.altisimawinery.com
Callaway Vineyard & Winery IDOLX Concert! | August 19 | Doors open at 7pm concert starts at 8pm | Wine Club $36 | General Public $40 | IDOLX accurately pays tribute to the music of Billy Idol and Generation X. Join us for this fun-filled tribute where IDOLX performs all of your favorite Billy Idol and Generation X songs! Seating is provided but feel free to bring your own. Wine and beer are available for purchase. Food is provided by Devilicious Food Truck and The Baja Shrimp. No outside food or alcohol is allowed. Purchase tickets at: https://shop.callawaywinery.com/res-415193/Idol-X-2022.html Danza del Sol Winery New Member Tour | August 21 at 11:30AM | Walking tour of our barrel room, Club House and production facilities while sipping your favorite Danza wine | Wine Club $10 | General $15
Comedy Night in the Vines | August 28 at 7:00pm | Doors Open at 6:00pm | Tickets: Wine Club $20 | General $30 | VIP Tables Available -Table of 4 (includes a bottle of wine); Wine Club $120 | General $130 | Table of 6 (includes two bottle of wine); Wine Club $180 | General $190 | To reserve please visit us at https://www.danzadelsolwinery.com/reservation-events
Falkner Winery Pinnacle Late Night Salsa Wednesdays | August 10 & 24 | 5pm-9pm | $15 cover charge | Come and learn to dance Salsa from 5-6- Open dancing with DJ Andre 6-9. This event will be held in our Pinnacle restaurant and open to 21+ only | Food, Sangria, Wine & Beer will be available for purchase | Please call 951-676-8231 ext. 101 with any questions. Reservations are not required.
Friday Nights in the Rhone Valley Vertical Tasting | August 12 | 5pm-7pm | $50pp; Wine Club Members $45pp | Reservation required at www.falknerwinery.com | Explore Falkner Winery’s New Released 2020 Syrah with a vertical pairing. Enhance your love for Syrah! Chef Luis Sandoval will dive into the Mediterranean cuisine to help enhance every vintage of our Library Syrah through the years. With most of our Syrah’s rating 90pts and receiving the highest merit in international, and regional competitions. We hope you join us for the wine and food but add a little sunset and the new and improved patio area to the list! 2010 Syrah, 2012 Syrah, 2016 Syrah, New Released 2020 Syrah
Friday Nights in the Rhone Valley Vertical Tasting | August 19 | 5pm-7pm | $50pp; Wine Club Members$45pp | Reservation required at www.falknerwinery.com | Explore Falkner Winery’s New Released 2020 Amanté with a vertical pairing. Falkner Winery is now open to the public and we want to share our flagship wine the Amanté-Super Tuscan. Chef Luis Sandoval will dive into the Mediterranean cuisine to help enhance every vintage of our Library Amanté through the years. With most of the Amanté’s rating 90pts and receiving the highest of merit in international, and regional competitions. We hope you join us for the wine and food but add a little sunset and the new and improved patio area to the list. 2011 Amanté – Super Tuscan, 2013 Amanté – Super Tuscan, 2015 Amanté – Super Tuscan, New Released 2020 Amanté – Super Tuscan. Live Music. Wine for sale at the event, member discounts, and limited availability.
Foot Path Winery Food Wine and Music event | August 27 | 7:00 to 9:30 pm | Admission: Wine Club members $35pp; $40.00 pp, plus tax | Maria Tri-tip menu. Music by Tim Cash | Admission $35.00 wine club. $40.00 non-wine club. Call 951-265-9951 for reservations.
Frangipani Winery A Tribute to Sinatra & Friends | August 12 & 14 | Show starts at 7:30pm | Presented by Triple Threat Productions – General Admission $30; Students/Seniors/Military $25 | Performances outdoors – Enjoy an evening under the stars! Purchase tickets at frangipanievents.com or call the winery at 951-699-8845
Mad Music & Wine Country Dinner | August 27 | Dinner at 6pm | Presented by Mad Mike of Mad Mike’s American Gourmet Sausages | Enjoy a 3-course dinner at Frangipani Estate Winery. For price & reservations email frangipaniwine@yahoo.com
Masia de la Vinya Winery Battle of the Sangria’s | August 6-7 | Masia’s serving staff face off in creating the best Sangria recipe and a claim to bragging rights | Come Sip & Vote starting Aug 6, winner announced Aug 7 at 5:30 pm |Sangria Flights $25/guest $18/Wine Club complimentary stemless logo glass with wine purchased from a Sangria recipe.
Vines & Vendors | August 14 from 11am – 4pm | Local Market Edition. Come shop over 15+ local vendors, food trucks, live music, and more | Sangria & Mimosa specials, 15% off bottles during the event, no reservations, family-friendly
Monte de Oro Winery Polynesian Night & Luau | August 13 | 7:00pm – 10:00pm | Join us for an island style evening featuring music, Polynesian Dancers, Tahitian Drummers, Fire Dancers, a delicious spread (including a pig roast!) and Sangria!!
Wine Bingo | August 19 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm | It’s time for Bingo, Monte De Oro style! Join us Friday, August 19th, for a night of calling numbers and sipping your favorite MDO wine!
Signature Food & Wine Series | August 28 | 11:30am – 1:30pm | A culinary offering unique to Monte De Oro. Our food and wine experts put together the freshest ingredients and take you through a multi-course showcase featuring Monte De Oro’s award-winning wine. For reservations and pricing on Monte De Oro events please visit www.montedeoro.com
Oak Mountain Winery Doogie Date Day Carnival for your pup! | August 20 | $20 donations and one glass of wine included | 2:00pm to 8:00pm | Cafe will be open, vendors, and live music, and raffles. Fun Day with the pups, proceeds go to Cause Fur Paws 5201c3.
Peltzer Family Cellars Nashville Nights | August 13 | 21+only | No cover | 3pm-10pm | Our summertime fan favorite is B A C K and better than ever. Nashville Nights has officially entered the farm, y’all! Throw on your flannels and dancin’ shoes, country music is in the air! Surround yourself with all our vintage Rusty Gold, twinkling market lights, yard games, and charming photos ops. Psst, don’t forget to enjoy the bars in every farm corner, they’ll be pouring up the good times. Be sure to soak up every bit of the scenic Peltzer grounds, it sure is a looker this time of year! Click the link for more details: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/
The Killer Dueling Pianos | August 25 | 21+ only | $55 cover | 6pm-9:30pm | Dancing? Encouraged. Singing along? Obviously. Attendance? A must. Join us at the Crush House for an interactive dueling piano performance by The Killer Dueling Pianos! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/
Endless Peltzer Summer | August 27 | 21+only | No cover | 6-10pm | Let’s get together and feel alright, y’all. Dance to reggae tunes, sip on Summer Sangria Flights, and taste some local Food truck bites! We’re stirrin’ up a lively time at our darlin’ Crush House with our Endless Peltzer Summer event! Chillax at our front porch tables and let the sunny SoCal times roll. Click the link for more details: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/.
Paint and Sip for Autism | August 31st | 21+only | $45 per painter | 5-8pm | Join Pretty Paints for a fun step-by-step Painting Class hosted by @prettypaintsparty at the beautiful Peltzer Farm & Winery Farmstead! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.prettypaintsparty.com/new-products-2/aug31peltzerpaintandsip
Wine Wednesday | Every Wednesday at the Crush House | All ages welcome | 11-8pm | Join us for extended hours in the Crush House with live music and local food truck bites… For details check out our events calendar: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/
Late Nights at the Crush House | August 6 & 20 | 11-10pm | Join us for extended hour in the Crush House with live music and local food truck bites… For details, check out our events calendar: https://www.peltzerwinery.com/event-directory/events-calendar/
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa South Coast Winery New Summer hours | Tasting Room open daily from 11 am and closing at 5pm Sunday through Thursday. Open until 8 pm on Fridays and 6 pm on Saturdays. Live music on Fridays from 4pm – 8pm and on Saturdays from 1pm – 5pm. Come visit us today!
Sweet Oaks Winery Mom’s Monday Day Off | Every Monday in August |11:00am-6:00pm | $20 tastings fo those ladies that hold our lives together! Unwind – with or without the kids | RSVP: https://fb.me/e/1Blso03sN
Wine Down Wednesday | Every Wednesday in August | 11:00am-6:00pm | Bring your own picnic and come relax on our ranch! Taste our newest Summer Releases, spend time with our furry friends, play yard games, and so much more! | RSVP: https://fb.me/e/3HlPHDnPs
Thirsty Thursday | Every Thursday in August | 11:00am-6:00pm | Come sample a flight of our 6 exclusive wines. With every $50 purchase, take home a complimentary insulated wine tumbler | RSVP: https://fb.me/e/22J0pti9k
Vitagliano Vineyards & Winery Looking for the perfect date night? Try our self-guided wine tasting. An only by reservation tasting experience allows you and a guest to try five wines hand-selected by our winemaker, perfectly paired with an assortment of meats and cheese. You can pre-order this experience at https://vitaglianowines.com/tasting-experiences/
Wiens Family Cellars Seated Paired Tasting | Want a more intimate tasting experience? Try our seated paired tasting. An only by reservation tasting experience held in our private Cellar Room, Cellar Patio or Barrel Room with our reserve or limited-production red wines paired with cheeses, meats, and nuts. Available Thursday -Sunday at 11am, 1pm or 3pm. For pricing and reservation please visit https://www.exploretock.com/wiensfamilycellars
Wilson Creek Winery Wilson Creek Late Nights every Friday night! Have a night out with friends in Wine Country! Enjoy wine, delicious food, and live music. No reservations needed – just come on in from 5pm – 8:30pm.
Dinner at the Creekside Grille every Thursday and Friday Night with new summer menus! Reservations are highly recommended at www.WilsonCreekWinery.com
Temecula Valley has been nominated by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice for Best Wine Region!
Temecula Valley is known for its diversity of varietals, with more than 50 types of grapes grown in the area. Wine grapes have been grown in the area for more than 200 years, but these days, the warm region is best known for its Italian and Rhone varietals.
In today’s present time we now have over 47 wineries located off Rancho California Road, Calle Contento, and De Portola Wine Trail.
Come out and explore Temecula Valley Wine Country for what we bring to the table (or the glass…). We are known for our dining experiences, wine country lodging, special events, and of course we cannot forget the daily wine tasting.
Raise your glass high for Temecula Valley for being nominated for Best Wine Region. Cast your vote today by clicking HERE.
Vote daily from multiple devices and help us reach number 1 before July 17th.
