FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kimberly Adams, President and CEO
Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau
951/491-6085; Kimberly@TemeculaCVB.com
Early Summer’s Best Places to Shop in
Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country
TEMECULA VALLEY Southern California Wine Country, June 12, 2012 – “Among many great reasons to vacation in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, is the great variety of fun shopping adventures – from Downtown Old Town Temecula to Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, the Promenade Temecula, and Lake Elsinore Outlets, too,” shares Kimberly Adams, Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO. “Get ready for Southern California’s longest season with an early summer stay and explore Temecula Valley’s best places to shop. From specialty artisan foods and the season’s top fashions, to perfect accents and favorite wines for summer entertaining and celebrations. For greater, individual attention – and special, mid-week hotel rates – plan your stay for Sunday through Thursday and more fully enjoy Old Town Temecula, Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, and Pechanga Resort & Casino.” The casual, picturesque valley is 1 hour from Orange County and Palm Desert; 1½ hours from Los Angeles.
Old Town Temecula: Sensational for foodies and others, too.
Revel in early summer at the 60+ specialty stores of the hip and historic, 12-block, Old Town Temecula shopping-dining-entertainment district. Temecula Olive Oil Company is an excellent first stop. Taste and learn at the (complimentary daily) olive oil and balsamic vinegar, tasting bar – actually an intriguing and informative mini-class in food ideas. Then gather oils, vinegars, peppercorns, herbs, mustard, rubs, and sauces for simple and delicious, summer meals to make at home. Purchase also a fresh baguette and a bottle of ‘Just Dip It’ to enjoy back at the hotel.
At Old Town Spice Merchants, the shelves hold an amazing variety of spices, sea-salts, and teas. Sample the fresh-brewed tea-of-the-day. Summer sensations include strawberry-kiwi, a refreshing herbal detox tea, and cranberry bog black tea. Also consider the savory barbecue rubs like Old Town mesquite, Temecula steak rub, and coffee barbecue. At Temecula Valley Cheese Company (complimentary tastings daily), experience a delicious assortment of cheeses from around the world with fruit, and an accompanying glass of wine; or purchase a picnic-package to-go.
Old Town Sweet Shop is known for its fresh-made fudge (free samples daily), great chocolate-lovers’ selection of chocolates and truffles, and incredible assortment of nostalgic, novelty candy. Other treats include twenty rotating flavors of hand-scooped ice cream. Old Town Root Beer Company features over 300 varieties of sodas, root beers, and ginger ales. Look for novelty flavors like ‘bacon’ and ‘peanut butter and jelly,’ too.
Step into charming Temecula Lavender Company for locally grown, pure, small-batch, signature lavender products for bath, body, and home. Sample lavender lotions; especially nice for summer is the lavender-lemon salt scrub. Down Front Street, find Old California Lavender with locally grown and made lavender lotions and oils, and flea-repellent pet products.
One of Old Town’s favorite shopping destinations is The Farmer’s Wife; women love this store! Shop here for classic summer sandals and accessories; books and journals; home décor and garden accents. Just across the river from Old Town Temecula is Granny’s Attic. Discover collectibles, antiques, vintage clothing, and one-of-a-kind American furniture dating to the 1800s.
All that shopping surely inspires an appetite. Dine alfresco with award-winning Temecula Valley So Cal wines at Old Town restaurants and bistros. Front Street Bar & Grill has specialties like Irish nachos, legendary Reuben sandwich, gourmet bleu-cheese burger, and jambalaya. For salad Caprese, thin-crust Margherita pizza, and classic lasagna, experience Palumbo’s Ristorante; tabouleh, tzaziki, falafel, and kabobs – Soros’s Mediterranean Grill; and for savory barbecue, Sweet Lumpy’s.
Save room for fresh-brewed coffee and classic, old-fashioned dessert made-from-scratch at Robin’s Nest. Temptations include treats like red velvet cake, German chocolate cake, carrot cake, lemon bars, and lemon meringue pie.
Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country: Sure palate pleasers and more.
Early summer visitors to gracious and friendly, Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country are easily enchanted by the quality, award-winning wines and unique merchandise at the valley’s approximately 40 wineries. Taste wines and purchase favorites for enjoying at home, for featuring when entertaining, and for sharing with friends.
For light, refreshing wines to enjoy on Mother’s Day and with summertime picnics, consider the 2011 Pinot Grigio at Cougar Winery; and the newly released Mousseux muscat sparkling wine at Oak Mountain Winery. For sparkling wines to toast college graduations, anniversaries, and the 4th of July, consider the sparkling wine at Lorimar Winery and the brut champenoise at Briar Rose.
Luscious red wines for Father’s Day and summer barbecues with steaks or classic burgers, include the 2008 Zinfandel at Mount Palomar Winery; and the 2005 Meritage at Baily Vineyard & Winery. (Among wine country dining: Mount Palomar has Shorty’s Bistro; Baily, Carol’s Restaurant.)
Much to the delight of enthusiastic shoppers, most of Temecula Valley So Cal wineries host gift areas or winery gift shops. At Ponte Family Estate Winery – the stately barn with the wrap-around porch – the Ponte Marketplace is especially popular for its unique dipping oils, wine accessories, and home accents. On-site is alfresco dining at The Restaurant at Ponte.
The gift boutique at Tuscan-inspired South Coast Winery Resort & Spa features summer resort wear like dresses, jeans, and trendy tops; plus home décor and lighting, and rustic taper candles in wine-themed colors. On-site are indoor and outdoor dining at the Vineyard Rose.
Maurice Car’rie Winery is a charming, Victorian-style farmhouse. The gift shop features a great variety of wine accessories, wine-related and wine-themed items. Deli items are also available to enjoy in the picnic area.
At Callaway Vineyard & Winery, summer 2012 will include the debut of the new visitor center, gift shop, and tasting room. The Callaway gift shop has long been recognized for its beautifully displayed merchandise ranging from wine-related accessories to seasonal offerings like bright, summer tableware, garden décor, and fun jewelry. On-site is Meritage Restaurant with stunning vineyard views.
Promenade Temecula: Stylish, cool, and looking good.
The Promenade Temecula is the perfect summertime destination for shoppers of all ages. With a distinctive indoor/outdoor lifestyle layout featuring some of today’s most sought-after stores and a wide variety of unique restaurants, the shopping center offers an unparalleled experience for visitors.
With more than 170 specialty stores to choose from, guests may enjoy a variety of high-end shopping and family fun. Shoppers can stop by to pick up the latest summer trends at Macy’s, H&M or the Lemonchello Boutique; select a timeless piece at Coach; or check out the latest technology to capture those summer memories at the Apple store. Later guests are invited to relax and savor a delicious summer meal at one of Promenade Temecula’s outstanding selection of restaurants, including Lazy Dog Café, PF Chang’s China Bistro, and Yard House.
Treat yourself, family, and friends to the newest summer blockbuster at Edwards 15 Cinemas, or enjoy the fine Southern California weather by spending time in the center’s unique open-air Main Street-style plaza. The outdoor shopping plaza features a full array of restaurants and specialty shops including Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn.
Guests are also invited to visit the newly installed Wine Walk, an interactive wine country experience created especially for Promenade Temecula guests. This unique installation features six of the most well-respected Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country vineyards including Briar Rose Winery, Gershon Bachus Vintners, Leoness Cellars, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, and Wilson Creek Winery.
Promenade Temecula also hosts a wide variety of exciting events throughout the summer, including family-friendly gatherings and a summer-concert series.
Lake Elsinore Outlets: The delights of discounts.
At the northwest corner of the valley is Lake Elsinore Outlets with 50+ discounted and factory stores. Shop popular outlets like Bath & Body Works, Billabong, GAP, Guess, Levi’s, O’Neill, OshKosh, and Pacific Sunwear. For name-brand footwear, explore Bass, Nike, Reebok, SKEECHERS, and Vans.
Inquire in advance about the Lake Elsinore Outlets ‘Shop and Play’ package that includes special savings and souvenirs, and two tickets to a Storm baseball game. The minor league team is the Class A Advanced affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
***All information is believed to be accurate but may be subject to change.
The Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the region’s official tourism marketing organization and resource for visitors, is online at VisitTemecula.org; “Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country” on Facebook; and @Visit_Temecula on Twitter. The Temecula Valley CVB Visitors Center is open 7 days in Old Town Temecula at Third Street and Mercedes, adjacent the Temecula Civic Center. For more information and assistance, visitors may also call 888/363-2852 or 951/491-6085.
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Maralyn D. Hill, The Epicurean Explorer
President, International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
