Like many people, I am fascinated by flying. I love to get on an aircraft not only because it take me to faraway land, but also because it gives me a feeling of being lifted up in the sky. To me, it’s a great way to start the day with peace, tranquility and stunning views.

A few years ago my husband and I and some friends took a helicopter tour over volcanoes national Park on the big Island in Hawaii. Now that was a great time! The flight itself lasted approximately 45 minutes, which does not really seem like a long time. But we got to see a lot in those 45 minutes.

It seems like whenever I want to try a new adventure, I head for smaller and smaller aircraft, as is evidenced by this flight in a hot air balloon over the Temecula wine country. For my next adventure I’m really kicking around the idea of doing some hang gliding on the Oregon coast.

I loved the peace and tranquility of being up in the air with the birds, without the noise of a propelled craft. Although the sound of pumping hot air into the balloon to keep us aloft was quite noisy. Other than that, the absolute solitude was astounding. The views of the vineyards in the Temecula Valley was awe inspiring. I cannot imagine a better way to start the day!

We took the morning flight, which had us up in the air in the while it was still fresh. They served Champagne before the flight, and we departed from one of the Temecua Valley wineries. After the flight, we had lunch on a lovely terrace overlooking the vineyards and rehashed our flight. Then we continued on to the ground portion of our wonderful Temecula wine tour with an open air jeep tour. In addition to the wineries we visited, there was even some off roading to a spot with a great view of the valley from a cliff side vantage point, that was off the beaten track.

It is hard to describe how it feels to hang in the air. It is not quite the same sensation as being in an airplane, because an airplane is rapidly moving through the sky. A hot air balloon, while not motionless, is moving so slowly that it feels as if you are motionless. But, unlike the hang gliding I will try next, with a hot air balloon ride you have the security of a floor under your feet and walls around you.

And the views! I am a big fan of rooftop bars or tall buildings with views. As long as there is some type of railing or barrier between me and the view, my fear of heights does not kick in. My camera had a busy morning of it, capturing the oh so different angle we had of the vineyards. It was impossible to not end up with some great photos. It was also one of the most romantic mornings I have ever had in my life. Since my husband and I were the only passengers, our guide graciously left us alone unless we addressed him.

It was great to be able to see the vineyards from the air, and then to finish up my Temecula wine tours adventure in an open-air Jeep, visiting the wineries that I recently viewed from the air. It’s a good thing we did not do it the other way around. Although it would be great fun to climb into a hot air balloon after a day of wine tasting, since I swallow instead of spit when I am wine tasting, I cannot see them allowing me to do that.

Temecula Wine Tasting

What type of wine goes well with a big, red juicy steak? We all know that red wine is usually considered the best candidate. In looking to choose the best red for your next meal, visiting a wine tasting will certainly help you narrow down your choices. In the city of Temecula, California, Californians and cross-country vacationers practice “taste-budding” different sorts of wine. In particular, Temecula is truly renowned for its antique stores, jazz festivals, and of course its wine festivals and tastings.

Old Town Temecula exhibits its wine tasting locally through its popular Temecula Valley vineyard. Built it 1968, winemakers Vincenzo and Audry Cilurzo decided to convert their establishment into a modern commercial vineyard dedicated to wine exporting and farming. Although it has gained recognition over the past fifty years, a minimum of twenty-five different vineyards have opened ever since its popular inception in 1968. Currently, it holds second place after the much higher production competitor from Napa Valley AVA in Northern California and the Santa Ynez Valley AVA (which was made famous in the Academy Award Winning movie Sideways).

Recently in 2007, 18 of Temecula’s 58 wines were selected to represent South California. Wine enthusiasts and wine spectators judged the five major categories of wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon and other blends of the aforementioned line-up. With these in mind, you can confidently say that Temecula is best known for its wineries because they really are everywhere. In fact, there is a very excellent opportunity for you to visit several other cities in Temecula for a more distinctive feeling of wine tasting. You can expect the details of this in another report focusing on the different locations where wine tasting is also a spectacular way of spending a lovely weekend and getting to know the locals who shop, golf, and drink there.

Since I have already implanted an idea for you in case you haven’t already checked them out yourself; some upcoming festivals are right around the corner-and they usually do involve wine tasting as well. In April and May, Cougar Winery and Miramonte Winery are hosting wine tasting events every single day in preparations for the Temecula Wine and Music Festival. The events are always accompanied by wine enthusiasts and speakers of all different states supporting the Temeculan tradition. One of California’s largest wine and music festival brings in more than fifteen different artists from Pop, Jazz, and R & B genres. Participating Temecula Wineries are Callaway, Francis Coppola, La Cereza, Stuart Cellars, Maurice Carrie, WC, Keyways, Yellow Tail, Wiens Family Cellars, The Briar Rose Winery, and the Temecula Valley and Resort. So set up your calendar and make sure you get yourself decked out in comfortable clothes and put on your wine tasting cap and relax in a soothing atmosphere where wine meets man at one of the most popular wine regions in the county, Temecula, California.

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