Eight great ways to wine and dine your valentine

Valentine’s Day is approaching and Temecula Wine Country offers spectacular ways to celebrate — from on the cheap to the decadent. Whether you and your sweetheart cuddle up to share laughs over dinner, or enjoy fine dining and champagne in glorious style, there is something for every taste.

Whether you and your sweetheart cuddle up to share laughs over dinner, or enjoy fine dining and champagne in glorious style, there is something for every taste in Temecula Wine Country. (Flickr: Isante Magazine)

If you need to celebrate before the big day, Mount Palomar Winery offers Passionate Pairings at the Red Door Lounge the weekend before Valentine’s Day on Feb. 10-11. What they describe as “intoxicating indulgence,” includes four courses beautifully paired with four different wines, and dancing from 8:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.

Keyways Winery is offering couples the chance to join winemaker Daniel Raffaele for a walk through the vineyards. The tour includes the chance to sip as you stroll. The romantic walk gets underway at 3 p.m. on Feb. 14.

Wiens Family Winery is offering a more do-it-yourself faire. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., pack up your basket and head to the winery patio or lawn to set up your picnic, your way. First come, first served. Awards will be given for most Creative, Most Elaborate, and Most Gourmet picnics.

At Oak Mountain Winery, what could be finer than a gourmet steak dinner, wine, and West Coast Swing dancing lessons? The fun kicks off from 6 p.m to 9 p.m on Feb. 14.  Reservations required and can be made by calling 951-699-9102. Tickets are available to purchase online.

Europa Village Winery shows another way to have a heart  with the H.E.A.R.T. Children Valentine’s Dinner & Silent Auction, in the Europa Village Wine Cave at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12. For more information, or to order by phone, call Sharon Racz at 951-775-1615.

Head to South Coast Winery Resort & Spa for the Grapeseed Spa for the Decadence Massage Package. Treat your special someone to a fifty minute massage, topped off by a glass of delectable South Coast sparkling wine and delicious chocolate covered strawberries. The package includes access to all spa amenities. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 866-994-6379 ext. 7280.

Spend an evening at Wilson Creek’s elegant Champagne Ballroom. Starting at 7 p.m., dinner includes a four-course meal and a bottle of champagne. Reservations are required. Call 951-699-9463.

The Restaurant at Ponte Winery is offering a delectable five-course prix-fixe dinner, plus passed hors d’eovres, champagne and wine pairing beginning at 7 p.m. on Feb. 14. Tickets are $95 per person and $86 for wine club members.

Ashley Ludwig is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to SWRNN.