Wine Country Events Light the Holiday Spirit

Good times and fine wines are a fixture in Temecula Wine Country, but when the clock strikes December, its 35+ wineries light up with seasonal events and deserve a visit.  Each in its own way, most wineries design their tasting rooms, even some of the vineyards, with  festive, colorful images for visitors.

 

 Here’s a collection of ideas and events for your next visit to Temecula for holiday cheer and New Years celebration:

 

Cougar Vineyard – Fri. Dec. 21 6 to 8pm. Live holiday music with special wine prices and discounts on clothing purchases.

Falkner Winery – Nightly, a spectacular display that includes more than 100,000 Eco Lights.

Mt. Palomar Winery – Presents the “Charlie Brown Christmas” Fri. Dec. 21 from 5 to 8pm. 3 piece Jazz ensemble.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa – Great Horse Drawn Carriage Rides through the vineyards daily.  Call 951-587-9463 for details.

Fire & Ice New Years Eve Extravaganza with seating from 6:30 to 9:30pm.  4 course menu and music by a 5 piece band.  $ 150. pp. Party and balloon drop from 8 to 1pm.  $75. pp. Call 800-730-5042 for details and a RSVP or on-line www.wineresort.com.

 

Tesoro Winery – Swing into 2013 at Tesoro Winery with a Sinatra Tribute starring Steve Justice 9:30 to 12:30am in their Old Town Tasting Room.  $25. includes 2 glasses champagne and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Dance floor.  RSVP at 951-308-0000.

Wilson Creek Winery – A Jet-Setting Rockin New Years Eve Celebration from 7pm to12:30am.  Hosted wine, champagne and 4 course dinner with funky soul music for dancing. Cost is $160.  RSVPs at 951-699-9463.

Wiens Family Cellars – “The Great Gatsby” event with a 1920’s New Years Eve speakeasy theme from 8 to 1am.  Dancing, appetizers and more.  $55. ea. Club members $44. Call 951-252-1770.

 

Closer to San Diego, the magnificent Grand Del Mar has planned a series of memorable times for its guests and the public. Their theme, “skip the dinner-making and enjoy the merry making” fits the resort, with their five-star, five diamond dining at the Addison and the holiday-delightful Amaya restaurants, with special menus on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Years’ Day, including a Breakfast Buffet at Amaya.

 

At the spirited M Club on New Years’ Eve, several guest DJ’s will entertain from 9 to 1:30am.  There will be a Grand New Year’s Eve Party in the main ballroom of the resort from 9 to 1:30am, where you can dance to the famous Wayne Foster Entertainment’s 6 piece band.  For full details and RSVPs call 858-314-1996 or book on-line at www. TheGrandDelMar.com.