TEMECULA, Calif., Oct. 24, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Join nearly two-dozen award-winning Temecula wineries as they celebrate one of the best harvests on record with two-days of entertainment, art, wine and food tasting.
The annual Harvest Celebration, which starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 1-2, is a great opportunity to visit 22 award-winning wineries and sample great wine and wine-friendly food. Travel from winery to winery and taste barrel and tank samples of new and unreleased wines.
The two-day event also is an incredible value for wine lovers. With tastings at individual wineries each costing $10, this is a great way to try wines from 22 Temecula wineries for $89 -- the price of a ticket for the weekend event.
The Harvest Celebration is about more than just great wines paired with gourmet food samples. It's a great way to relax and experience a weekend among vines and wineries that are a short drive from San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Enjoy live music at several wineries as you tour through wine country. Stuart Cellars will host tractor rides for $8 a person and Falkner Winery will have an art show with artist demonstrations.
Keyways Vineyard & Winery, Southern California's only woman owned and managed winery, is using the occasion to also mark the contributions of women to Wine Country with a female chef and musician.
Tickets for the Harvest Celebration can be purchased online at www.temeculawines.org or by phone at (800)801-9463.
The Temecula Valley is the premier winemaking region in Southern California. It is home to the best winery in the state. South Coast Winery, which opened its doors just five years ago, won the California State Fair's Golden Bear Winery trophy, which goes to the winery that wins the most medals and awards at the prestigious wine competition.
Over the past decade, Temecula wineries and growers have taken dramatic steps to improve the quality of their grapes and wine. Wines from Temecula this year received 35 Double Gold and Best of Class awards. Double Gold requires unanimous approval from a panel of four judges and Best of Class reflects superiority, typically in a price category.