Temecula June 2015

Temecula Wine Country

June 2015

A little back story on why we chose Temecula as a destination. Summer concerts have been a big part of wineries for many years. It's something we had heard about but never explored. Some top (formerly) acts can be found at places throughout California-Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Keeny Loggins-you get the drift.

 I looked up the Thornton Winery and saw that America was performing. They were T's first concert when she was 12 in Denver with her newly renewed BFF Sue. See the Denver posting in 2014. I picked up a pair of tickets and made it a full circle from 12 to today. With one less member the band did not disappoint. Songs from our youth stand up pretty well with the familiarity soundtrack that plays along in your head.

It was a quick one nighter that started at the Vindemia Winery. A pretty outdoor tasting spot with good TripAdvisor reviews and some decent wines.  We are not wine snobs, we taste it and if we like it then its decent. If we dont like it then its not. Pretty simple Sommalier evaluation. If we click with a place when we are tasting then we ask them for their recommendation and they gladly steered us next to Chapin Family Vineyards for our next samples. Chapin was a blast being hosted by a gentlemen who also does a local jazz radio show. He was a hoot and we had a blast.

Short on time we headed to Thorton for America and settled in with a beer bucket and champagne. Lee Rocker opened (Stray Cats fame) and America hit the stage for a nearly 2 hour non stop hits show. Our first winery concert was a success and to think its only been going on for 40+ years!

  

  



Checked in at our local Marriot, the Fairfield Temecula (great rate and completely nice accommodations for a one nighter). Dinner was holy smokes spectacular at Trattoria Toscana around the corner. Now food can be our snob wheel house and we are versed in good food and good cooking. This place was a winner, also highly rated on TripAdvisor. Not what I would have assumed off the 5 freeway an hour north of San Diego. We would go back.


The next day explored old town Temecula and hit the dusty trail back to LA. A stroke of T's inspiration caused us to veer off the road in Pasadena for Pie and Burger, a 50 year old hole in the wall Pasadena tradition. I would recommend the burger followed by the pie. Or the other way around, up to you.

One night away can be a welcome respite when the schedule is full and the music, food and wine are flowing.