Temecula Wine Country Special Events

When guitarist Jimmy Patton takes a seat in front of his audience, it’s always a bit of a crapshoot as to what type of show they will be getting. A human musical roulette wheel, it’s the diversity in Patton’s shows that keeps his fans coming back for more.

To kick off the autumn season, many of Temecula’s wineries uphold the yearly tradition of the grape stomp and harvest festival. Grape stomps, just as it sounds, consists of participants standing in large bushels and stomping until their feet turn purple. Just like the classic I Love Lucy episode, its good, not-so-clean fun.

As her own songwriter, manager and booking agent, vocalist Alaina Blair may be the hardest working artist for the new music generation. Performing at several venues in Temecula through the end of the year, including Lorimar Winery, Miramonte Winery and Public House, Blair is a Southern California native yet a country girl at heart.

The success of platinum-selling saxophonist Dave Koz is idolized by musicians all over the world; inspired to follow their artistic dreams through his music. Despite a career that is fast approaching legendary status, Koz still remembers the immortal words of the one who first inspired him.

Thornton Winery’s annual Champagne Jazz Series is a widely popular Temecula wine country tradition; offering musical lovers a chance to see some of the biggest names in the jazz genre in an intimate and beautiful setting. Now in its 28th year, the Champagne Jazz Series began as a way for the winery to gain recognition as not only a producer of fine wine, but also an entertainment and nightlife destination.

Europa Village Winery once again taps into Spanish culture with their own version of the La Tomatina Festival; the decades-old tradition in Buñol, Spain, where thousands of attendees hurl the plump red fruits (yes, they are fruits) at one another; turning the streets into a big bowl of marinara.

“The Altos” is a comedy spoof of the award-winning HBO series, The Sopranos; which picks up right where the drama left off – at Tony’s funeral (or is it)?

The Full Moon Run is an evening 5K run and 1K wine walk celebrating the full moon while supporting a good cause. All proceeds support the Temecula Theater Foundation, which develops, supports and enhances educational opportunities for the performing arts.

For those who won’t have the chance to make it out to Hawaii this summer, Lorimar’s Lei’d Back Luau will transport guests to the islands, complete will all the essentials you would expect from this type of hula hoedown. Guests will be receive the traditional lei greeting and enjoy live Hawaiian music, hula dancers and other traditional island entertainment.

Can’t make it to the Kentucky Derby this year? Well, turn that frown upside down because the Temecula Valley Dachshund Club is recreating the fun and excitement of the world’s most famous four-legged race but on a slightly smaller, and furrier, scale with their 6th Annual Wiener Fest.