CLANG-CLANG-CLANG WENT THE TROLLEY

I had seen the classic vehicle on the streets of Temecula for the past six months, usually in Old Town or parked at a winery on Rancho California or De Portola.  I thought it was a cute rental vehicle for private parties and put it on my “maybe someday” list.  That was until I met Amy Brewen, the vehicle’s owner and event planning mastermind behind Brewen’s Empire Trolley.

Amy is a woman on a mission to fill up the valley’s social calendar with exceptionally fun events and take the stress out of attending them.  Mr. WINEormous and I caught up with her this past week and hopped aboard for the premiere “underground night on the trolley.”  Passengers gathered at the first destination which on this tour was Read more »

Being with a group of writers from the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) in my home town for three days was an eye opening experience. It’s not often you get the chance to explore where you live as a visitor. That’s exactly what happened to me. Until this visit, I had never visited the ranch where Temecula Valley Olive Oil Company makes their oils. I’m ashamed to admit I hadn’t even visited their gift shop and tasting room in Old Town. It’s the type of thing Read more »

Temecula Valley Olive Oil Company Ranch

A hot air balloon ride provided by D & D Hot Air Balloon Adventure was on the schedule for 5:30 Tuesday morning. Mother nature had other ideas. We slept in, grabbed a bite of breakfast and took for for Aguanga for a visit to the Temecula Valley Olive Oil Company Ranch. Owners Thom Curry and Catherine Pepe were on hand to welcome us and gave us great insights into the hows and whats of olive oil. Thom started as a winemaker and winery owner, and after several visits to Europe began developing a palate and appreciation for olive oil. He says he discovered that Read more »

Future site of Lorimar Winery's visitor center & tasting room

“I’ve got a song in my heart, and I want our visitors to have a song in their hearts when they spend time here.” Temecula’s newest winery, Lorimar, has a music note on several of its bottles. When I asked co-owner Mark Manfield why, that was the answer I received. Mark grew up in the bar and restaurant business, working in his dad’s restaurant in Kansas City, MO since he was nine years old. When he left college he took over the bar and remained in charge until they lost the family business they had owned since 1948 to eminent domain. Mark moved to California and got into real estate and Read more »