Southern California’s Temecula Valley
Temecula Wine
With Wine Country Romance packages, Will You Marry Me scenarios, romantic dining, wine country adventures, tours and tastings, Cinderella Carriage rides, exploring Old Town Temecula, Summer of Love the Musical, Englebert Humperdinck in concert, spa indulgences, and more, the gift of a stay in Temecula Valley promises to be remembered and cherished, long after February 2014 has passed. Welcoming 2 million visitors each year, and featuring Downtown Old Town Temecula, Temecula Valley Wine Country, Pechanga Resort & Casino, and the Temecula Wine Country Golf Trail, the casual, picturesque Temecula Valley is located 60-minutes from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs; and 90-minutes from Los Angeles and Hollywood.
TEMECULA VALLEY Southern California Wine Country, January 15, 2013 – “With Wine Country Romance packages, Will You Marry Me scenarios, romantic dining, wine country adventures, tours and tastings, Cinderella Carriage rides, exploring Old Town Temecula, Summer of Love the Musical, Englebert Humperdinck in concert, spa indulgences, and more, the gift of a stay in Temecula Valley promises to be remembered and cherished, long after February 2014 has passed,” shared Kimberly Adams, Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO. “While traditional romantic getaways are Friday and Saturday, less-busy Sunday-through-Thursday nights make for appealing stays. Temecula hotels and resorts offer special (better-than-weekend) nightly room rates.” Welcoming 2 million visitors each year, and featuring the quality experiences of Downtown Old Town Temecula, Temecula Valley Wine Country, Pechanga Resort & Casino, and the Temecula Wine Country Golf Trail, the casual, picturesque Temecula Valley is located 60 minutes from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs; and 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Hollywood.
*1-Select a Temecula Valley Wine Country Romance Package
Throughout February’s 28 days and nights, Temecula’s charming hotels and resorts offer a variety of romantic lodging packages designed to create special, memorable stays. Selecting any one of the 16 inviting hotels and resorts conveniently located just off the I-15 freeway, puts couples minutes – even steps – from vibrant Old Town Temecula, beautiful Temecula Valley Wine Country, and exciting Pechanga Resort & Casino. From luxurious AAA Four Diamond hospitality to welcoming, quality hotel experiences, there are lodging options for every romantic getaway. Only-in-February-2014 Wine Country Romance packages will be found online atWineCountryRomance.com
*2-Propose in Temecula Valley Wine Country
Among a couple’s most cherished memories is often the marriage proposal. Temecula Valley naturally offers perfectly romantic venues for the occasion. Many local attractions, restaurants, and service providers will happily assist prospective brides and grooms in orchestrating romantic proposal scenarios.
Wine Rover Tours provides private Temecula Valley Wine Country tours by Range Rover that can include behind-the-scenes at wineries, and private wine tastings. Couples can also get engaged with Wine Rover Tours. The tour company welcomes requests to help plan unique marriage proposals.
South Coast Winery offers the “Will You Marry Me” package (appropriate for women and men). The all-inclusive, almost-unforgettable marriage proposal package includes a proposal coordinator, chocolate-covered strawberries, Bottle of South Coast Winery sparkling wine, two South Coast Winery glasses, votive candles, silk rose petals, and the use of an exclusive, romantic vineyard location.
After the engagement, wedding plans commence and the Temecula Valley is the perfect wine country romantic wedding venue. At Temecula Creek Inn, the catering team will host an engagement party on-property for newly engaged couples February 15. The by-advance-reservation event assists couples looking for a location for their wedding.
*3-Wine Country Adventures and Activities in Temecula Valley
From hot air balloon flights to gracious, knowledgeable, wine country tours with transportation and guided equestrian rides, the adventures and activities in Temecula Valley Wine Country are experiences perfect for sharing. Nothing quite compares to floating serenely together over open-country in the basket of a hot air balloon with spectacular views of rolling hills and vineyards. Temecula Valley’s hot air balloon companies including A Grape Escape, California Dreamin’, D&D Ballooning, and Magical Adventures launch at sunrise. The morning air is fresh and crisp; row upon row of dormant vines enjoy winter rest; and snow-capped mountains may semi-circle the valley.
Wine country tours and transportation provided by local, professional companies are offered in a variety of vehicles: cable car, executive van, Hummer, Jeep, limousine, and trolley. For Valentines, The Winemakers Tour offers special tours just for two. Grapeline Wine Tours offers its yearly “Hearts and Wine” tour, a full day of wine tasting with a romantic twist: during lunch, guests dine at tables for two, with flowers for the women, and a dessert to share. Additional local tour and transportation companies include A Vineyard Tour of Temecula, Brewers Empire Trolley, Destination Temecula, DeVine Tours, Temecula Valley Jeep & Wine Tours, Rockin’ Wine Tours, Winenormous, and Wine Rover Tours.
Aspiring equestrians appreciate Temecula Valley for the gentle horses provided, guided horseback rides, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Most romantic may be the horse-drawn rides provided by Temecula Carriage Company including a ride through the vineyards in the Cinderella Carriage; and other romantic carriage rides that include a gourmet picnic, premium Temecula Valley wine, and chocolate truffles. Other local equestrian outfitters and guides include Saddle Up Wine Tours and Vail Lake Stables.
*4-Dine in Temecula Valley Wine Country
With more winery restaurants than any other California wine region, Temecula Valley Wine Country invites couples to enjoy the pleasures of food and wine overlooking beautiful rolling hills and vineyards.
Vineyard Rose restaurant at South Coast Winery will be serving up romance each morning with heart-shaped Bananas Foster pancakes. Meritage restaurant at Callaway Vineyard & Winery will feature a special romance-filled menu for guests to enjoy, and a prix-fixe wine-paired dinner is planned. (At the Callaway Winery tasting room, a special Callaway rosé wine flight is scheduled featuring rosé wines and sparkling Bella Rosé with a special sweet treat.) The Pinnacle restaurant at Falkner Winery will feature Valentine luncheon specials for two, and a Valentine dinner with wine pairings is planned. (At the Falkner Winery tasting room, couples will find the proprietary blend red wine, Luscious Lips.) Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek Winery will feature Valentine specials and a Romance Celebration is planned. (At the Wilson Creek tasting room, couples will find romance- and love-themed, custom-labeled sparkling wine.) The Restaurant at Ponte Estate winery will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic dinner including music and dancing in the Ponte vineyard pavilion. Café Champagne at Thornton Winery will feature the Romantic Rendezvous, a 4-course meal served in private winery-estate locations on Valentine’s Day. Carol’s Restaurant at Baily Winery will offer a special, romantic, four-course Valentine menu with live entertainment.
*5-Savor Wine and Music in Temecula Valley Wine Country
Throughout February many Temecula Valley wineries feature romantic, signature wine-and-live music events. Couples can savor premium Temecula Valley wines and live music at Carol’s Restaurant at Baily Winery, Meritage restaurant at Callaway Winery, and at Europa Village, Lorimar, Miramonte, Ponte, South Coast, and Wilson Creek wineries. Along the De Portola Wine Trail, wine-and-live-music events are found at Leoness Cellars, Oak Mountain Winery, and Robert Renzoni Vineyards. Call or check websites for live-music schedules.
*6-Explore Old Town Temecula
Pedestrian-friendly Old Town Temecula is Temecula Valley’s vibrant, historic, dining-shopping-entertainment district. Couples can explore hand-in-hand to discover Old Town history and the Old Town Temecula Tasting Trail with artisan food shops and wine tasting rooms.
An Old Town Temecula Historic Walking Tour map/brochure is free at the Temecula Valley Visitors Center (adjacent the free Old Town Parking Garage). The self-guided tour includes repurposed structures built during Old Town’s railroad days (circa 1882) that still exist. Not-to-be-missed is the Luiseno basket-artistry inspired fountain at the base of the California mission-revival style Temecula Civic Center. The intricately woven, mosaic tile fountain is a landmark in Old Town Temecula highly popular for photo opportunities.
Couples can combine the historical walking tour with experiencing the palate-pleasing establishments of the Old Town Temecula Tasting Trail. Couple can taste fresh, 100% California, hand-blended olive oil, and balsamic vinegars at the complimentary daily Temecula Olive Oil tasting bar. The local extra virgin olive oils are the perfect heart-healthy gift. At Old Town Spice Merchants, the shelves are laden with glass canisters of loose teas, herbs, spices, salts, and blends. Old Town Sweet Shop’s chocolatiers make fresh chocolates, nut clusters, chocolate barks, and chocolate-covered bacon; and Old Town Rootbeer Company features a crazy variety of bottled sodas.
Among welcoming Old Town wine tasting rooms are Lorimar Loft and Fazeli Cellars. Lorimar Loft will be lowering the lights and keeping the wine flights flowing, with happy hours weekdays, and live music on Saturday evenings. The Temecula Valley wines at Fazeli Cellars celebrate a rich Persian culture; popular happy hours are Wednesdays through Sundays.
*7-Wine and Dine in Old Town Temecula
Old Town Temecula hosts nearly two-dozen, independently owned-and-operated restaurants, bistros, and cafés. Many host alfresco/outdoor patios and dining areas; and many feature Temecula Valley premium varietal wines and proprietary blends.
Tapa-wine bar Pareau will feature a Valentine Dinner-for-two; and Baily’s fine dining a Sweetheart Menu, nightly February 13 through 16. Dining specials throughout February include the BBQ-Platter-for-two paired with Temecula Valley wine at Sweet Lumpy’s; and Fajitas-for-two at The Bank Mexican Restaurant. Additional dining options in Old Town include Mad Madeline’s Grill, Nitza’s Pizza, Palumbo’s Ristorante, Public House, Robin’s Nest Desserts, Texas Lil’s Mesquite Grill, and The Gambling Cowboy.
*8-Music and Entertainment in Old Town Temecula
Located just one block from Old Town’s main promenade is the Old Town Temecula Community Theater. The venue, 361-seat proscenium theater with balcony and box seats, will feature on-stage, February 6, Aquarius: Summer of Love the Musical. The production features Woodstock era performances honoring some of the most soulful and revered musical artists of the 60s.
The MERC, next door, is Old Town Temecula’s popular, 48-seat club with tall, 19th-century brick walls, excellent acoustics, and a variety of live music. Sunday afternoons (February 2, 9, 16, and 23) feature Classical musicians in chamber performances. Live Jazz acts perform Thursday evenings (February 6, 13, 20, and 27). Live Country music is showcased Opry-style, first and third Saturdays (February 1 and 15); and Broadway-style Cabaret is the last Sunday of the month (February 23).
*9-Spa Indulgence in Temecula Valley
Especially during February, couples appreciate the relaxing, nurturing, and rejuvenating experiences offered by a trio of Temecula Valley spas: the GrapeSeed Spa at South Coast Winery, Spa Pechanga at Pechanga Resort & Casino, and Murrieta Day Spa.
GrapeSeed Spa will feature a Decadence Romance package. A 50-minute massage for him and her in one of the spa’s private couple’s rooms is followed by a bottle of South Coast Winery’s finest sparkling wine and chocolate truffles.
Spa Pechanga offers a signature couples massage treatment. After massages, couples are treated to champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries and may continue to relax in the spacious couple’s retreat following the appointment.
Murrieta Day Spa features a couples packages. Included are two Swedish massages in a private couple’s room followed by lunch-for-two from the Murrieta Day Spa Café.
*10-Englebert Humperdinck at the Pechanga Theater
To celebrate wine country romance, a special concert is featured at the 1,200-seat Pechanga Theater at Pechanga Resort & Casino. Classic song manEnglebert Humperdinck gets couples in the mood for love during two Pechanga performances, February 14 and 15.
*11-Romantic Dining at Pechanga Resort & Casino
At Pechanga Resort & Casino, the AAA Four Diamond Great Oak Steakhouse features an amazing wine list with favorites from the Temecula Valley, Napa, Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Cuisine includes delectable fare and Valentine’s Day special entrees and desserts. Couples can also cozy up to each other at Paisano’s. Pechanga’s Italian restaurant features the freshest pasta and sauces, seafood and steaks.
*12-Beside the Rainbow Gap at the Temecula Creek Inn
Situated on 350 private acres/141 private hectares and with an 18-hole championship golf course, the Temecula Creek Inn resort features the new Farm House Kitchen, a rustic yet refined eatery. Couples can indulge in farmhouse fare that is locally sourced, down-to-earth satisfying cuisine with an eclectic spin on familiar items meant to share. To celebrate Wine Country Romance, the restaurant will showcase a fun, date-night menu.
*Information is believed accurate but may be subject to change.
ABOUT THE TEMECULA VALLEY AND THE TEMECULA VALLEY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
With natural gifts of climate and geography, bolstered by Pu’eska Mountain, the Rainbow Gap, and the Santa Margarita Gap, Temecula Valley is widely recognized for its scenic vineyards, quality wines, and gracious and friendly wineries as Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. The popular boutique destination is home to the 2013 California State Winery of the Year, South Coast Winery.
The Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, the region’s official tourism marketing organization and resource for visitors, is online including a complete daily Events Calendar at VisitTemecula.org; “Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country” on Facebook; and @Visit_Temecula on Twitter. The Temecula Valley Visitors Center in Downtown Old Town Temecula (Third Street and Mercedes adjacent the free Old Town Temecula Parking Garage) is open 7 days.
