Splendor in the vines...

Now that Jake has his new Canon, I've inherited his Nikon. I made a trip to Old Town Temecula, but before I tell you about some amazing Artisanal Old Town Culinary shops, I played photographer with some BRILLIANT colorful grape leaves at Lorenzi Estate Winery, and Monte de Oro Winery...

Lorenzi Estate Winery

Lorenzi Estate Winery

Lorenzi Estate Winery

Monte de Oro Winery

Monte de Oro Winery

Monte de Oro Winery

If you haven't visited a wine country in the fall, it can be as spectacular as the spring leaf set... HOPE you enjoyed these... OH, and this was fun too...

Little piece of metal art at Lorenzi Estate Winery

Hope you enjoyed my first photo shoot in the vineyards!

NOW FOR THE TEMECULA STORY - AFTER THE JUMP...

Old Town Temecula – A Culinary Walk!

If you haven’t visited Old Town Temecula lately, you’re in for a big surprise. This quaint, historic Old West destination complete with historic buildings, wooden sidewalks, and hitching posts, is enough reason to visit, but now you can add several culinary stops as added incentive.

First stop: Temecula Olive Oil Company (TOOC)...

Like wine, olive oils come in many varieties and flavors. This family-owned business is the perfect place to begin your culinary tour complete with an olive oil education. Located on the corner of Front and Main Street, this quaint shop is rapidly becoming an Old Town favorite. With 35 different olive varieties planted on roughly 100 acres in nearby Aguanga, TOOC had their first harvest in Fall 2001. Owner Thom Curry says, “We are all about authentic farming practices, fresh and handmade, from picking, to pressing, to bottling. “ Thom is an active member of the California Olive Oil Council Tasting Panel, and is a Certified Taster by the International Olive Oil Council. Thom has serious olive oil tasting chops!

TOOC olive oils are extra virgin first cold pressed on a one-of-a-kind stainless steel olive press modeled after original stone presses. They also offer a series of cold pressed flavored oils, including the most popular Roasted Garlic. When you visit, be sure to ask about this process; their tasting room staff love to explain how blood oranges, basil leaves, or jalapeño chilies are cold pressed with the olives.

In addition to olive oils, they make their own balsamic vinegars. Thom explains, “We’ve started a new program for aging balsamic vinegars using traditional aging methods – aging in custom made oak, chestnut, juniper, and redwood barrels for better aromatics.” He goes on to say, “these types of woods are used to bring out the subtle flavors found in balsamic vinegars.” Another interesting fact Thom shared: Balsamic is a derivative of balsam wood. Balsam is an aromatic wood very similar to juniper.

Loaded with many more great olive oil facts, the staff makes it a fun and educational visit to this Old Town shop. You will also love the cooking classes and olive oil tasting seminars in their demonstration kitchen located above the store. Finally, don’t forget to join their club guaranteeing seasonally released olive oils delivered to your door.

Next stop Old Town Spice Merchants...

Founded by owners Sue and Anthony Delbono in December 2007, this shop is a spice and tea junkie’s dream. It seems to have every spice and tea combination known to mankind! Bulk jars and canisters line the walls of this shop from top to bottom. They encourage your senses to go wild while sniffing your way through the store.

Spice Merchants Wall of Wonders

It's a dazzling shop full of every imaginable spice!

Sampling stations throughout the shop let you taste away too. Jar and canister displays also mean you can purchase as little or as much as you’d like; no more having to buy that whole jar of Madras curry you needed for that one-off recipe. You can buy what you need, and not worry about all those stale spices languishing in your spice cabinet.

Canisters and little zippy bags!

The Spice Merchants’ staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to offer new and easy ways to use the many spices and rubs found in this wonderfully eclectic store. They also offer a great selection of gift ideas for the spice junky – salt cellars, spice racks, tea infusers, etc.

Finally, I visited the Temecula Valley Cheese Shop! Owner and cheese maker Shawna Smoot is FANTASTIC! She knows her cheese stuff!!!

Shawna Smoot - Cheese Queen!

The Temecula Valley Cheese Shop offers boutique/artisanal cheeses from around the world. If you want creamy and smooth, they got it; firm and dry, they’ve got it; soft and stinky, bingo! They’ve got big wheels of true Parmigiano Reggiano, Morbier from France (ask them about the vein of ash running through the middle of this cheese, they’ll love to tell you), and one of my favorites – Humboldt Fog from Northern California. Staff member Jasmine Gioia recommends a baguette, with Humboldt Fog cheese drizzled with honey, she says “it’s like Christmas in your mouth!”

Fun Temecula Valley Cheese Shop!

They also have a diverse selection of cured meats, and condiments. Don’t forget the olives you can buy bulk...

Pretty Olives in all different colors!

They’ve also recently begun offering Panini sandwiches, and a big bonus – they sell beer and wine!!!

Little wine tasting area in back of store

I picked the Temecula Valley Cheese Shop as the last stop on this tour for one important reason: the patio serving wine and beer, often accompanied with live music. The perfect way to end your day – a soft hunk of cheese, a crusty loaf of bread, a thin slice of prosciutto, some cured olives, a nice glass of wine, and memories of your newly found Old Town Temecula culinary hot spots.

Temecula Cheese Company Patio... DREAMY

STAY TUNED... I HAVE A FREE-RANGE GOOSE AND MUSCOVY DUCK IN THE FRIDGE FROM TAJ FARMS... WHAT SHALL I DO???