TEMECULA, Calif., Sept. 22, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in the heart of Temecula's Wine Country, is beginning to take shape as the final touches are made to the landmark property's conference center, European style spa and restaurant.
The 2,000-square-foot tasting room and gift shop opened in July and Vineyard Rose, owner Jim Carter's vision for fine dining in Wine Country, opened its doors in August for breakfast and lunch with an innovative menu that includes peppered duck salad, five spice BBQ pork sandwich and asparagus and pancetta ravioli.
"When I started this project, all I had was a dream," said Carter. "Now all the pieces are coming together for what I hope will be the premier winery, bed and breakfast, spa and restaurant in Wine Country."
Executive chef Dan Saito plans to open Wine Country's newest and largest restaurant for dinner in October. The Vineyard Rose seats 150 diners under open-beam ceilings of Douglas fir and another 120 on outdoor patios that offer vineyard vistas.
Saito, former head chef at the top-ranked Manele Bay resort, said Vineyard Rose will focus on what he called "international fusion", which brings together ingredients from all over the world using a European cooking style.
Chef Saito's world-class European culinary training from La Serre Culinary Academy (Paris, France) includes an internship and apprenticeship at the world-class Maxim's of Paris, which is recognized as one of the highest culinary achievements.
The menu will be moderately priced and family friendly, promised Saito, who worked for 10 years in the Hawaiian Islands. He said Vineyard Rose will offer a unique dining experience in Wine Country with a concept and presentation he described as "Euro Pacific flavors with a Midwest twist."
For a taste of what Vineyard Rose will be offering go to: http://www.wineresort.com/recipe.htm
The tasting room serves award-winning wines from South Coast Winery and features a 65-foot bar and panoramic murals of Wine Country and its wildlife, painted by local artists John Else Busch and Ethelene Owen.
Carter is in the process of building a two-story, 6,000-square-foot spa and co-generation plant. He's also planting 75 acres of grapes across the street from the winery and making plans for additional lodging facilities for those who use his 7,200-square-foot conference center.
All told, Carter is investing about $30 million in South Coast to make sure his guests experience the ultimate Wine Country experience.
"Here you can walk around a working vineyard and working winery," said Carter. "You can't get that experience in Napa."
For more information about this release, electronic photos or to schedule a private media tour of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, contact Don McAuliffe at (951) 302-1045 or don@parallaxcommunications.com