Nestled among the rolling hills of Temecula Valley’s Wine Country, thousands of eager music festival fans made the trek to Lake Skinner, Californa for the 34th annual Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival June 2-4. Featuring live entertainment, shopping, great food and rich, flavorful wines from some of Southern Californias premier wineries, those in attendance were treated to a one of a kind experience over the three-day event.
The Lake Skinner Recreation Area features three main campgrounds totaling roughly 400 camp sites, plus an overflow campground. Campsites for the festival sell out within an hour of online reservations opening, usuall, the first Tuesday of March, said festival promoter Melody Brunsting.
The Wine
This year’s featured wineries from Temecula Valley Wine Country were Wilson Creek Winery, Weins Family Cellars, Van Roekel Pouring and Maurice Carrie Winery, Monte De Oro Winery, Thornton Winery, Lorenzi Estates Vineyards and Winery, Europa Village, Briar Rose Winery and Curry Vineyard.
Also on hand at this year’s event was Twin Oaks Winery from San Marcos, Mahogany Mountain Winery from Ramona, Coyote Oaks Vineyards from Escondido, Canyon Crest Winery from Riverside, Casa Tiene Vista Vineyard from Fallbrook and Beach House Winery from Oceanside.
Wine and Beer Tastings and Wine and Beer Pairings were offered to those of legal drinking age in attendance and for those who were not, plenty of food vendors were on hand offering up a plethora of choices to hungry festival goers.
Beach House Winery Pouring: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc RESERVE = BHW Estate Merlot, Zin on the Beach (zin., cab., malbec)
Briar Rose Winery Pouring: White Zinfandel, Viognier (estate) RESERVE = Temecula One (red blend)
Canyon Crest Winery Pouring: Pomegranate, Orange Sangria, Peach Chardonnay RESERVE = Vidal Ice Wine, Black Forrest Port
Casa Tiene Vista Vineyard Pouring: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon RESERVE = Rembrandt Pinot Noir, Sir Charles Cabernet
Coyote Oaks Vineyard Pouring: Furry Friend, Predator, Two Vineyards (red blend) RESERVE = Carnivoire, Cabernet Franc
Curry Vineyard Pouring: Sauvignon Blanc RESERVE = Cabernet Sauvignon (reserve), Syrah (reserve)
Europa Village Pouring: Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay, Vendetta (red blend) RESERVE = Port, Merlot
LeGrange Pouring: Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, GSM
Lorenzi Estate Pouring: Tres Bianco, Chardonnay RESERVE = Obsessive (red blend), Syrah
Mahogany Mountain Winery Pouring: Zinfandel, Merlot, Carignan RESERVE = Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre
Maurice Carrie Winery Pouring: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sparkling Peach RESERVE = Syrah, Viognier
Monte De Oro Winery Pouring: Viognier, Muscat Canelli, Zinfandel, Merlot RESERVE = Synergy 65 Rose, Syrah
Thornton Winery Pouring: Blanc de Nori, Cabernet/Syrah, Muscat Canelli RESERVE = Syrah (estate), Brut Reserve
Twin Oaks Winery Pouring: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Sunset Red (red blend)
Van Roekel Pouring: Zinfandel, Grenache, Raspberry Sparkling RESERVE = GPS (red blend), Chardonnay
Wiens Family Cellars Pouring: Amour De L’Orange, Red Crowded, White Crowded RESERVE = Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Wilson Creek Winery Pouring: Sparkling Almond, Peach Ballini, White Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon RESERVE = Meritage
The Music
Two stages provided a variety of entertainment throughout the duration of the event, including Friday’s 80s Night on the main stage featuring some of the 80s biggest hitmakers such as the Motels, Tommy TuTone, Dramarama and Gene Loves Jezebel.
Saturday’s featured bands on the main stage were Bush, Gin Blossoms, Tonic and The Kickback, while Sunday’s “Country Sunday, Funday” included some of country music’s biggest names including David Nail, Cassadee Pope, Josh Turner and Chris Carmack from CMTs hit show “Nashville.”
The Balloons
sunrise morning balloon launches, morning balloon tethers and evening balloon glows rounded out the weekend, making this year’s Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival one to remember.
The Food & Craft Vendors
The shops open up at noon, so you can buy souvenirs, clothing, etc. There were a lot of vendors selling similar items and food trucks as well. Since it was so hot, I wanted ice cream! I got the swirl on a cone and sat in the shade for a while to cool down. Then we got hungry and decided to get some food and drinks.
Some vendors were cash-only, so make sure you bring enough money for parking too, which was $10. There is also an ATM available though, but with a $4 surcharge. Balloons come up again at night during sunset, so be sure to come early or stay late if you want to see the balloons come up.
The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival Vibe
Is About Family, Friends & Couples For Every Generation
The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival offers a great mix of 80’s 90’s and country music, hot air ballooning, wine tasting, kids fair, arts & crafts, and lots of amazing local food all packaged in a small town vibe where everyone knows everyone. FestPop will be back next year and many more years to come.
For more information on the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival, visit www.tvbwf.com
FestPop Staff Writer, Isabella Monore
