:: Lorimar Winery Sleepover ::
A couple of weeks ago, Sara and I were invited with a small group of bloggers, to Lorimar Winery in Temecula. The Lorimar Winery Sleepover was coordinated by the amazing Sharon from Cupcakes and Cutlery, along with Lauren from A Fabulous Fete. The girls put together a lovely wine adventure in Temecula Valley with Lorimar Winery hosting the event {we got to stay on the grounds in their Coach House}, as well as Visit Temecula Valley whom showed us around Old Town Temecula. Sara and I love Temecula and have a special place in our hearts for this small/big town, but we got to experience Temecula in a whole new way! Our Lorimar Winery Sleepover, and all it’s grandeur, inspired us to make up a great Mulled Wine Recipe {keep posted}, using locally based ingredients.
Have you ever visited Temecula? If you haven’t, read on… it’s only a short drive away, right here in Southern California.
This trip and sleepover was a much-needed get away from our day-to-day run around. It’s hard to admit, but Sara and I haven’t been on a girls/work trip in over 4 years. Life, kids, and the crazy fire schedules have kept us from doing so, but it was time… and better yet, we got to meet a few new bloggers, as well as experience Lorimar, Leoness, and Wiens Wineries. I grew up in the area, but since having the kiddos, we rarely get to experience Temecula Valley like we used to. I mean, how can you not make more time to visit Temecula, when this is your view walking into the Lorimar Winery tasting room?
Luckily staying right at Lorimar, we were able to stay on their fantastic grounds, and the best part was that Patrick the General Manager gave us a little schooling on wine and all of Lorimar’s varietals. We loved that it was not in a wine snobbish way… we really loved learning more about wine and it’s flavors.
After our tasting at Lorimar, we were spoiled with a limo and a fantastic driver named Brendon from Limelite Limousine. It’s the way to go! Brendon was fantastic and professional {I have actually had horrible limo service in Temecula}. This would be perfect for a fun birthday or day of wine tasting {responsibility is key}! We then went to lunch at Leoness Cellars. I had been there once when they first opened, and let’s just say their restaurant and their amazing French fries are to die for…. but just let’s focus on this view…. this truly represents the beauty in Temecula Valley.
And Leoness still had a few grapes left from their fall harvest….
Our day winded down with a tasting at Wiens Cellars. We headed back to the Coach House and caught up on some girl time. Dinner was planned for 7 back at Lorimar Winery. They amazed us with a fantastic dinner provided by Vineyard Gourmet Catering. It was relaxing and allowed us to talk and eat without kids asking us for a glass of milk or cleaning up spilled milk {wink}. Just when Sara and I thought we had been spoiled in the food and wine department, we woke to ready ourselves for breakfast in Old Town Temecula.
Breakfast was one of my favorite parts. I thought it would have been a simple coffee and maybe a muffin or two, but no, E.A.T. Marketplace is nothing of the sort. This restaurant is AMAZING and words can not describe how fantastic the meal was provided by Leah and her staff. Her Farm to Fork belief on local sustainability is fantastic and it was a nice treat to meet local farmer Paul Grieve from Primal Pastures. The food was fresh, scrumptious, and cheery! A must visit if you are in the area.
Lastly, Marlene from the Convention and Visitors Bureau greeted us. She gave us a guided tour of Old Town. We enjoyed shopping at Old Town Spice Merchant, Old Town Sweet Shop {we even found a few treats for the kids!}, Temecula Lavendar Company, and Temecula Olive Oil Company.
Temecula feels like the small town I know and love. Sara and I can’t wait to share with you a holiday Mulled Wine Recipe, so stay tuned! We hope the next time you have an open weekend, that you visit Lorimar Winery and take a stroll through Old Town Temecula. Girl’s trip? The Coach House sleeps 10 {wink}!