Temecula, CA: Bel Vino Winery and Event Venue

Atop the highest hill in Temecula Valley sits Bel Vino Winery, and newly opened event space, the Bel Vino House. Formerly Stuart Cellars, new owners Mike and Debbie Janko, completely renovated this gorgeous 3,000 square foot house on the hill into a full service wedding and event venue available for complete or partial rental.

At their grand opening special event, Mike told the crowd, "The view from this house is so beautiful, I wanted to live here myself." Putting their own comfort aside, they instead built an elegant homestead open to the public and available for brides and guests to enjoy year round.

The house can be rented in it's entirety for parties, corporate events, and weddings, and comes complete with a full kitchen, bridal suite, groom's room, bedrooms, bathrooms, wet bar, and an amazing living area. Two patio areas stand adjacent to the home, and the ceremony lawn and reception gardens are also within steps of the establishment.

Immaculately decorated with elegance and refinement, every square inch feels like a high-class estate. The house is available to rent fully or in sections as well.

There are several locations surrounding the property where wedding ceremonies can take place, each with a breathtaking view. Their ceremony lawn (as seen above) overlooking the back vineyards is not actually a living lawn, but rather composed of vibrant faux grass so as to keep the brides dress bright white, prevent muddy disasters, and ensure no guest sinks her heels into a soggy situation.

The reception can be set on one of the three lush lawns or indoors in the barrel room of the winery. One garden setting includes a permanent stage structure and overhead lighting for your musical entertainment. No matter your decision, each provides a simply gorgeous backdrop for photo ops and ever so memorable events.

Their facility has the capacity to accommodate up to 250 seated guests and parking enough for 150 automobiles. The barrel room provides a more intimate environment and can seat 80 guests with enough room for dancing too.

Their house wine, still under the Stuart Cellars label, is some of the award winning "Best in California," according to Mike Janko. From house to cellar, Bel Vino is the perfect venue to host any special event with a guaranteed dazzling outcome.


Bel Vino
33515 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591

(951) 676-6414
Website: Bel Vino Winery
Look book: Bel Vino House


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Temecula, CA: Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival, 2012

The Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival announced that LIVE’S Ed Kowalczyk has been added to the show and will perform on the main stage at 5:30 pm on Saturday, June 2 performing all the hits including “Lightning Crashes,” “I Alone,” “All Over You,” “Selling The Drama” and more. The weekend lineup includes Lifehouse, Phil Vassar, Chris Cagle, Gloriana, Soul Asylum and John Waite. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tonic will not be able to perform as part of the Saturday concert lineup.

A three-day showcase of Temecula Valley Wine Country June 1-3, the event shares abundant blue skies, wine tasting from Temecula Valley wineries, mass dawn hot air balloon launches, foodie events, concerts on two stages and arts and crafts.

A new foodie event has been added giving guests tips on cooking with premium beer and how to pair beer with various cuisine. Food pairing events include four courses each paired with a beverage, plus chef demonstrations and recipes, pairing tips. Food and Beer pairing offers cuisine from The American Culinary Federation - Riverside Chapter. Recipes shared during the event are: Palm Sugar Cured Sablefish Nigiri, Citrus Unagi Sauce with Local Micro Cilantro, Shock Top Raspberry Chocolate Mousse, Spring Vegetable Sausage Soup using Beck's Beer, and New Orleans Barbeque Shrimp. Wine and Food Pairing showcases gold and silver medal wines paired with tasty treats from local executive chefs sharing Italian, California Cuisine, and Cajun items plus fine pastry desserts.

Opening night, Friday June 1, 3 p.m. is a crowd-pleaser as families pour into the Festival in anticipation of the evening balloon “Glow” at 8:30 p.m. A visual spectacle that coordinates the "flicker" of the hot air balloon flame, with a musical beat, makes the hot air balloons appear to dance. Staying tethered to the ground, the giant colorful orbs delight young and old. This is repeated Saturday evening, June 2.

Country Friday at the Festival features, Phil Vassar, Chris Cagle, and Gloriana in concert. A prolific songwriter and versatile performer, Vassar has recorded six albums. His debut album, “Phil Vassar," was released in early 2000 and produced five hit singles on the U.S. "Billboard" country singles charts and was certified gold in the United States. Hits include “Carlene,” “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “American Child,” "That’s When I love You,” “In A Real Love,” “I’ll Take That as a Yes (The Hot Tub Song),” “Last Day of My Life,” and “Love is a Beautiful Thing.”

Chris Cagle hit the country charts in 2000 with the hit single “My Love Goes On and On" from his 2001 debut album "Play It Loud." The first album had two more hits "Laredo" and "I Breathe In. I Breathe Out." Since then his hits include “Chicks Dig It,” "What a Beautiful Day," "Miss Me Baby," “What Kinda Gone," and “Got My Country On”.

In 2010, Gloriana won the Academy of Country Music’s Award for Top New Vocal Group and was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for “Choice Country Group.” The best-selling debut country act of 2009, Gloriana debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and #3 on the Top 200 chart. The album spawned the hit single “Wild At Heart.” The group has a new album "A Thousand Miles Left Behind" due to be released this summer. The single “(Kissed You) Good Night” from the album is climbing the country charts.

Lifehouse, the L.A. based alternative rock band known most recently for their hit "All-In" will headline the Festival on Saturday, June 2 of the three-day event. The Main Stage is sponsored by Pechanga Resort and Casino.The band hit mainstream prominence in 2001 with the hit single "Hanging by a Moment" from their debut studio album, "No Name Face.” The single won a Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year, beating out Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys for the #1 Single of 2001.

Lifehouse released the album "Smoke & Mirrors" in 2010 which spawned the hit song "Half Way Gone,” "All In" and "Falling In." The album was #2 on the Billboard Rock Album Charts for 2010. Combined album sales are over five-million and Lifehouse singles have sold over three-million copies online including #1 hits "Hanging by a Moment" and "You and Me." Lifehouse singles "First Time,“ “Whatever It Takes," and "Broken" have also achieved major chart and sales success. The band's hits maintain chart positions on iTunes, years after their initial release and their video streams are at 70 million and counting.

The Festival's Rockin' Saturday lineup includes Soul Asylum. Formed in 1983, Soul Asylum has maintained their reputation heartfelt rock from their beginnings through their commercially successful days on A&M and Columbia Records (where they scored a Grammy for the monster hit single "Runaway Train"). The band has persevered through the good times of garnering several platinum albums and accolades including a performance for the Presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton. Soul Asylum will release their first album in six years, "Delayed Reaction" on July 17. Coffey opens the main stage acts at 4 p.m. followed by Kowalczyk and the headliners Soul Asylum and Lifehouse.

John Waite headlines the Wine Garden stage on Sunday, June 3. Waite, an English singer/songwriter first hit Billboard Charts in 1977 as the lead singer of The Babys with the hit "Everytime I Think of You." After a few hits the band broke up launching Waite into a successful solo career. On September 22, 1984, he found himself at number one on the hit parade with “Missing You.” The song topped the international charts. Twenty years on, this classic remains a radio staple around the globe.

Sunday will also feature The Metal Mulisha FMX Show featuring freestyle motocross champions, Metal Mulisha teammates, and an international cast of dare devil riders. Riders who have performed in the past include Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Todd Potter, Taka, Ox-Jeff Cargola, Wes Agee, Ryan Hagy, Australian riders Jackson Strong and Robbie Alberg and Cito Vascas from Brazil. There are always surprise guests at this show. Last year Metal Mulisha founder Brian Deegan came out to support the riders.

The Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival Gold Medal Awards were announced this week. 70 wines were presented for judging. This is the fourth year for the Festival awards coordinated by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association and the Festival.

Winners of the 2012 Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival Gold Medal are: Sparkling: South Coast Winery Resort & Spa ~ Extra Dry (NV), White Table: Single Varietal: South Coast Winery Resort & Spa ~ "Sans Chen" Chardonnay, 2009, White Table: Blend: Maurice Car'rie Winery ~ "Heather's Mist" (NV), Red Table; Single Varietal: Wilson Creek Winery ~ "Winemaker's Select" Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, Red Table; Blend: Lorimar Winery ~ Cabernet Sauvignon/Mourvedre, 2008, Blush: Miramonte Winery - Grenache Rose, 2009, Sweet/Dessert: Europa Village- Muscat Canelli, 2011.

The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival is sponsored by the County of Riverside and the City of Temecula. For information and tickets visit http://www.tvbwf.com or call (951) 676-6713. For hotel room specials visit http://www.goelevationtravel.com

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Temecula, CA: Five Interactive, Midweek-Vacation Adventures for Mature Travelers

Visitors to Temecula Valley can enjoy Southern California Wine Country’s award-winning wineries, premium varietals and proprietary blends, golf at vacation-worthy courses, experience Old Town Temecula’s artisan foods and wines, savor the great outdoors, and explore Promenade Temecula and Old Town’s shops.

VisitTemecula.org is pleased to share five, popular, interactive, midweek-vacation adventures for mature travelers, age 50 and better. The casual, picturesque valley is one hour from Orange County and Palm Desert, 1½ hours from Los Angeles; and includes Downtown, Old Town Temecula; Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country; and Pechanga Resort & Casino.

1-Do a Dedicated Discovery of Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country - Weekdays naturally provide greater opportunities for appreciating, approximately 40, award-winning wineries’ individual styles, and potential conversations with winery family-members or winemakers. As 5,000+ awards attest, the diverse appellation is gaining well-deserved recognition. Most wineries are family-owned and open daily for impromptu, winery-to-winery wine-tasting.

For in-depth learning, join Callaway behind-the-scenes tours or reserve-in-advance experiences like: Leoness’ 'touch-the-vine-and-taste-the-wine’; South Coast’s ‘wine-cheese-and-fruit pairing’; Wiens’ seated, reserve-andlimited-red wine tasting; Thornton’s sit-down wine-and-champagne tasting; and Palumbo’s hands-on ‘Followthe-Grape’ with Temecula Creek Inn. Consider also: local tour-and-transportation companies’ tours; wineryrestaurants pairing quality wines with fresh, seasonal foods.

2- Golf Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country’s Vacation-Worthy Courses - Midweek can offer prime, tee-time reservation availability on seven, impressive courses. Arthur Hills-designed, Journey at Pechanga is known for its 435-yard, signature-6th hole with spectacular 175-foot drop from the tee - greatest elevation drop on a California course. With course-designs by Ted Robinson Sr. and Dick Rossen, Temecula Creek Inn features 27 holes of championship golf: Stonehouse-Nine, Creek, and Oaks courses. Arthur Hills describes Cross Creek as “…beautiful variety and challenge for golfers of all abilities. Ted Robinson-designed Legends (formerly Temeku Hills) is on a celebrated rebound as one of Southern California’s best golfing experiences.

With Southern California’s only island greens, Ron Fream-designed Red Hawk is California’s 7th-best, publiccourse. Golf purists flock to Robert Trent Jones-designed Golf Club at Rancho California (formerly SCGA). Accented with oaks, beautifully manicured Pala Mesa provides challenges at every turn.

3- Experience the Old Town Temecula Tasting Trail’s Artisan Foods and Wines - Leisurely weekdays mean more attention in nine, palate-pleasing specialty-food shops and seven, genuinely friendly wine-tasting rooms. Temecula Olive Oil Company’s tasting bar is renowned for fresh, 100% California, 100% extra-virgin, hand-blended olive oil, and knowledgeable, obliging staff. Unique and satisfying, is Temecula Valley Cheese Company. Congenial, Old Town Spice Merchants’ herbs, spices, salts, and teas are intriguing. Old Town Sweet Shop tempts with fresh fudge, caramel-apples, chocolate-dipped treats.

Discover also: Old Town Root Beer Company. Presenting local, boutique wines, many tasting rooms feature live-music weekly. Showcasing works of local artists, Lorimar is popular for structured-tasting or premium, handcrafted wines-by-the-glass. Twenty-one restaurants also serve-up flavorful sensory-experiences. Delve into Baily’s weekly prix-fixe menu; Palumbo’s excellent lasagna and gnocchi; Soro’s fresh, Mediterranean-inspired specialties.

4- Savor with Gusto Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country’s Great Outdoors - Visitors appreciate Temecula’s natural gifts of climate and geography; midweek, you may even be able to call skies and trails your own. A hot air balloon flight over 5,000+ acres of rolling hills with a commanding wine country view is exhilarating. Launch at sunrise with A Grape Escape, California Dreamin’, D&D Ballooning, or Magical Adventures.

The 8,300-acre Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve protects unique ecosystems like rare oak savannah, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, and bunchgrass prairie. Forty miles of trails (easy-to-advanced plus wheelchair-friendly) are ideal for hiking, nature study, photography. A guided, Wine Country Trails by Horseback ride through vineyards is another scenic, leisurely way to experience wine-country’s natural richness. Ride mornings, afternoons, or at sunset.

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5- Explore the Shops of Promenade Temecula and Old Town Temecula - With distinctive, upscale, and unique stores, weekday exploring of Promenade Temecula and Old Town often yields unexpected surprises. Contemporary, 75-acre, 1.14 million-square-feet, Promenade Temecula is outdoor mall, entertainment plaza, plus trendy Main-Street setting. Browse some 100, specialty-shops like Apple, Express, Coldwater Creek, Walking Company, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Papyrus, Barnes & Noble and anchors like Macy’s.

The pedestrian-friendly, Old Town entertainment-dining-shopping district is home to 60+ independently-owned stores featuring art and antiques to vintage records. Discover specialties like Temecula Lavender Co.’s candles, bath and body products; and Pennypickle’s Workshop unique, educational kids’ toys. Then venture into Granny’s Attic for one-of-a-kind handcrafted furniture and vintage clothing.

For hotel accommodations and tour reservations, contact Elevation Travel at: http://www.goelevationtravel.com/

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Cabazon, CA World's Biggest Dinosaurs

The T-Rex greets visitors upon entering

We have all driven by them, some of us have stopped to look at the two big ones in front, but even fewer of us have gone to the back to see the Museum. The "Worlds Biggest Dinosaurs" in Cabazon, CA is a hidden, small, but fun and educational time.

First, my kids and I started with a short little video that told us about all the things they have to do there. I was pleasantly surprised that they actually had interactive things for the kids to do. As we walked through their museum, we looked at the small robotic dinosaurs. They do move and, for the smaller kids, it can be a little frightening if you don't prepare them. A few of the dinosaurs have a seat on top and, for a small fee, children under 40 lbs. can ride them. The museum has things to buy so we could purchase a keepsake for the day.

Outside, as we followed the trail of dinosaur tracks, we came to the dinosaur dig. The kids dug in the sand to find rocks with a dinosaur name on them. When they found a rock they took it to the front desk and turned it in for a small prize. The kids really enjoyed that part!

Next, we arrived at the Gemstone panning.  For free, we panned for small rocks. They showed up in our pan as the sand fell through the grate and put them in the little bag they gave us at the front desk. For a fee, you can purchase a panning bag. The large bag contains larger rocks and gemstones. All the gemstones and rocks you find are yours to keep.

As we followed the trail, we saw a lot of other dinosaurs and boards full of information about dinosaurs and fossils. There is a small building on the trail that we went into to check out some fossils.

...inside the mouth of the beast!

Don't get EATEN!!

At the peak of our adventure, we came to the Tyrannosaurus Rex. We went inside his body to find a few sets of stairs. When we got to the top of the stairs we were inside the mouth of the beast! You can look outside between his teeth and there is some room for a picture. How many opportunities do you have to have your picture taken inside a dinosaurs mouth?!

They have some tables set up so we could enjoy a picnic with the dinosaurs. Other than the stairs in the T-Rex, it was easy to get around and plenty of space for a stroller. The trail is outside so this would be an adventure for a good weathered day.

We were only there for about an hour and a half but had we known how much there was to do and that we could bring food we would have scheduled more time in the day.

Overall the kids had a good time.  It was small, but so was the fee to get in.  They had things to do so they were not bored and the educational boards added a little learning.

So, the next time you are planning a trip that travels down the 10 Freeway, stop in and visit "The World Biggest Dinosaurs."  It will give everyone some time to stretch their legs and add some fun and learning to your day.


Cabazon Dinosaurs and Museum
50770 Seminole Drive
Cabazon, California 92230
951.922.0076


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Hot Air Ballooning in Temecula

Once you arrive in Temecula you will quickly learn that the Temecula Valley is namely known for two things, wine and hot air balloons.

While the local vineyards are lovely, and abundant, you can find wineries most anywhere you travel. What really makes this city unique is the fleet of hot air balloons that take flight nearly every morning. There are dozens of companies to trust to sail you into the sky; we would recommend Above The Rest Hot Air Ballooning, well, above the rest.

Beginning before the sun even rises an experienced team of balloon pilots and supporting ground crew tests the early morning air and promptly decides on a location for take off.

The team works quickly unfolding the larger than life nylon and Nomex balloon. Then using industrial strength fans they begin to inflate the 210,000 cubic square foot balloon.

From beginning to end, the experience is really rather spectacular. Each passenger gets to observe first hand how a balloon of such magnitude comes to life and then takes flight.

The feeling is nothing short of magical...

The truly enchanting part of the balloon trip begins the moment the basket leaves the ground. The feeling is nothing short of magical, as though you are being drawn into the sky by the unseen hand of some otherworldly force.

As the balloon gains altitude, the basket gently swaying, all you can do is watch in awe as the details of below disappear from sight and you are suddenly surrounded by nothing more than the big blue sky.



It’s a surreal feeling, to find yourself floating into the wide open air, comparable only to maybe actually flying. On an optimum flight morning, the sky will swiftly fill with dozens of brightly colored balloons in an almost jolly manner.

Passengers are laughing and pointing out sights far below, as their skilled pilots ease them into the wild blue yonder. The pilot navigates with knowledge, educates their onlookers throughout the flight, and then safely lands on a grassy knoll just as seamlessly as he left the ground.





You will be greeted upon arrival back on solid ground with a celebratory champagne breakfast. The pilot will then let you in on the secret of why it is customary to carry a bottle of champagne on every balloon flight. We’ll let you find the answer to that yourself.

The adventure takes just under three hours total, and is worth every moment and penny spent.

Above The Rest Hot Air Ballooning
(888) 364-7421
[email protected]
Website: www.abovetheresthotairballooning.com

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Temecula, CA: Yard House of Temecula

Temecula is often synonymous with wines, the old west, antique shops, and golf. But thanks to a real estate boom in the 1990s and early 2000s, Temecula, CA has seen an influx of vibrant, urban living that has brought with it a more contemporary, modern lifestyle.

Yard House opened its doors to Temecula in 2009 as a centerpiece to the city's newly redesigned Promenade Mall, offering diners the finest in eclectic cuisine in the heart of Southwest California's energetic nightlife.

Our first step inside revealed modern, industrial decor with combination of angular steel beams and round pipes. Contemporary music showered down from the ceiling mixing with a cacophony of energetic, youthful clientele, while colorful artwork in the form of paintings and pottery reflected flair of an au courant touch.

Ales and lagers are the choice of Yard House patrons, contrary to the Temecula's well-known reputation for wineries. And you'll find 132 taps in all, enough for the establishment to claim as the largest collection under one roof. And not just domestic pilsners, but craft brews from small breweries throughout the west coast, including those in Southern California.

We started with Shrimp Ceviche Spoons from their Snacks menu, a mixture of mango & papaya salsa with seasoned tortilla strips, neatly placed on a set of four shiny spoons. Tangy is the word that seemed to dominate our thoughts culminating the freshness of the mango and papaya, bell pepper and corn.

From their Appetizer menu, we tried the Lobster, Crab & Artichoke Dip, combining maine lobster, blue crab, artichoke hearts, with a four cheese blend of feta, jack, parmesan and cream cheese, centered inside a mixture of tortilla chips and flat bread. The panko bread crumbs created a layer of crunch on top, while an olive oil blend teamed up with black pepper and parsley added extra flavor dimension.

Do you think you've already tried the best Mac & Cheese ever? You may give it another thought after trying Yard House's own version of the popular fare. With a blend of cheddar and parmesan, smoked applewood bacon, chicken breast, wild mushrooms, and truffle oil, tossed together into a cheesy, chunky, pasta party, we found it to be the ultimate expression of creative Americana.

But the Pan Seared Ahi, which we understood to be among the restaurant's most popular item, to be the most impressive. Large chunks of soft, silky sashimi grade tuna, seared rare over jasmine rice, and doused with a chinese black bean sauce, fried basil, and accompanied with asparagus, was a sight to behold. Easy enough to cut with a fork, the tuna was a perfect fit for the lightly sweetened, black bean sauce, which had touches of soy sauce and ginger.

To satisfy the sweet tooth, we recommend the Trio Sampler, a mini serving of their lemon soufflé, peach apple cobbler and chocolate soufflé. The lemon soufflé was tangy, with rich lemony flavor, real whipped topping, that reminded us running through the sprinklers on an August afternoon, and finishing up with a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade.

The chocolate soufflé was lightly sweet, just right, warm and moist with a contrasting compliment of cold ice cream and mint leaves, like sensual kisses of Godiva chocolate that takes your breath away.

But we couldn't leave you without recommending a glass of Yard House's very own Belgian Trippel Ale. Brewed in Belgium by Brasserie de Silly, an award winning brewery since 1850, we found it to be a excellent belgian trippel in its own right, well balanced between a candied malt flavor, hoppy finish, and just enough kick to leave you smiling in between sips.

Yard House of Temecula
40770 Winchester Road (Promenade Mall)
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 296-3116

Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM - 1:15 AM

Website: http://www.yardhouse.com/

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