It’s almost that time of year again for the spectacular Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at the Lake Skinner Recreational Area in Winchester, CA.   Last year’s festival was so much fun that we are giving those folks our most sincere endorsement.

Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival

The excitement begins before you even enter the festival as you approach the area.  You’ll see the sky lined with colorful tiny balloons floating in the distance.  As you get closer to them they loom larger and become enormous hot air balloons.  You can even fly in one if you dare.  That’s not all the excitement at the Temecula festival.  You’ll be entertained with live music, freestyle Motocross, educational booths on balloon flight, and plenty of shopping of fine art, wine furniture and wine accessories.

The best part of the festival is the local wines.  You can get a glimpse of some of the wines of Temecula during a pleasant walk of the balloon covered grounds.  There are many peaceful areas to spread a picnic blanket, kick back and enjoy the buzz and art over head.

Last year’s line up for wine tasting included:

• Thornton Winery
  
• Wiens Family Cellars
• Callaway Vineyard & Winery
• Santa Maria Cellars
• Temecula Hills Winery
• The Collective Valley Winery
• Churon Winery
• Cougar Vineyard & Winery
• Foot Path Winery
• Lorimar Winery and Vineyards
• Twin Oaks
• Wilson Creek Winery
• Lumiere Winery & Vineyards
• Van Roekel Vineyards and Winery
• Masia de Yabar
• Maurice Car’rie Vineyard and Winery
• Winery at Canyon Crest
• Robert Renzoni Vineyards
• Oak Mountain Winery
• Leonesse Cellars
• Stuart Cellars
• Briar Rose Winery

The highlighted wineries are medal winners of the 2010 festival.  I usually favor the reds, but on this hot day a couple of whites stood out from our tastings.  Try Wiens Family Cellars slightly dry yet very refreshing Amour De L’Orange Sparkling Chardonnay.  Van Roekel Winery’s Raspberry Private Cuvee and 2009 Viognier were really good and priced at a value.  If you’ve read our past posts you know how much we enjoy Briar Rose Winery’s wines.  Most of these vineyards are giving out coupons for 2 for 1 tastings at their tasting rooms.

Old Town Temecula

We finished off the day with a stroll through Old Town Temecula which I highly recommend as well.  There are many restaurants, shops and quaint sitting areas to enjoy the atmosphere of this historic town.  A visit to Temecula Olive Oil Company is a hoot.  If you’ve had enough wine tasting take a break and try an olive oil tasting.  This family business created a wonderful shop and delicious olive oils made from 100% California extra virgin olive oil.