Barrel Tasting in Temecula: Wine, Food, and a Whole Lot of Fun!

Ahh, that magical time of year when wine lovers flock to Southern California’s very own wine country—Temecula—for an event unlike any other: Barrel Tasting Weekend! If you’ve never been, let me paint you a picture. Imagine swirling, sipping, and savoring wine straight from the barrel before it’s officially bottled, getting a sneak peek at what’s to come. Now add delicious food pairings, breathtaking vineyard views, and a whole lot of laughter with friends. Yep, that’s exactly what went down!

The Lowdown on Barrel Tasting Weekend

Hosted by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, this two-day event (held on Saturday and Sunday) features around three dozen wineries opening their cellars and barrels for wine enthusiasts to explore. The festivities kick off at 11 AM and wrap up at 4 PM, giving you five glorious hours each day to make the rounds, sip amazing wine, and indulge in gourmet bites carefully crafted to complement each pour.

My friends and I set out on a mission: Hit as many wineries as possible while still finding time to actually enjoy the experience. Easier said than done, but hey, we love a challenge! And if you’re anything like me, you’ll strategically bring a friend or two who don’t always use all their drink tickets… you know, for a little extra ‘research.’

What to Expect at Each Winery

Each participating winery offers one tasting from a barrel plus three additional tastings of their finished and newly released wines. Every tasting is one ounce, and let’s just say—by the end of the day, after eight wineries, I was probably one sip away from dancing on a tabletop.

While some people meticulously plan their route based on wine preferences, my friends and I had slightly different priorities: food pairings. Because let’s be real, good wine is great, but good wine with amazing food? That’s a whole new level of happiness.

Here’s where we ended up this year:

🍷 Cougar Winery – Known for their Italian varietals and generous pours, Cougar set the bar high with their rich reds and perfectly paired bites.

Food Pairing: Their famous spicy Arrabiata sauced meatballs made with our Estate Barbera. Served with a garlic crostini.

🍷 Europa Village – A little slice of Europe in Temecula! The ambiance, the wines, the cheese—everything about this place screamed sophistication.

Food Pairing: Traditional wild Mushroom bruschetta carefully prepared with the finest ingredients by Chef Hany Ali & the Europa Village Culinary Team

🍷 Bel Vino Winery – Cozy vibes and bold wines made this stop a must. Their Syrah straight from the barrel? Chef’s kiss.

Food Pairing: Chocolate Mousse Cups by VeneCacao

🍷 Lorimar Winery – If you love live music with your wine, Lorimar is a must-visit. Bonus points for their perfectly paired small bites!

Food Pairing: Italian Sausage & Pepper Pasta - Sauteed sliced Italian sausage, onions, mixed bell peppers and garlic tossed with marinara cream sauce & penne pasta served with focaccia bread 

🍷 Wilson Creek Winery – Famous for their almond sparkling wine, but their barrel tasting was equally impressive. This is always a crowd-pleaser!

Food Pairing: Sliced Akaushi Wagyu Ribeye, perfectly seared to buttery perfection. Paired with blue cheese- crushed red potatoes that add a creamy, tangy flair, and finished with a luxurious truffle demi-glace 

🍷 Oak Mountain Winery – Home to Temecula’s only wine cave! Sipping barrel wine in an underground cave? Yes, please!

Food Pairing: Cave Shrimp - Seasoned shrimp wrapped and deep fried in a crunchy wrap served with a sweet and spicy sauce.

🍷 Leoness Cellars – A fan favorite for a reason! Their barrel-aged reds were smooth and delicious, and the food? Let’s just say we considered sneaking seconds.

Food Pairing: Temecula Catering: Slow Braised Beef Bourguignon, Mushrooms, Carrots, Bacon and Pearl Onions 

🍷 Masia De La Vinya Winery – A hidden gem with Spanish-style wines and a laid-back vibe. Their Tempranillo was bold and delicious, perfectly complemented by a well-thought-out food pairing.

Food Pairing: Short Rib Croquette with Chimichurri aioli garnished with Micro Bulls Blood by Savage Chef

By the end of the day, our wine glasses were empty, our stomachs were full, and our spirits were high. Barrel Tasting Weekend in Temecula is an absolute must for anyone who loves wine, food, and a fun-filled weekend in beautiful wine country. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or just in it for the vibes, this event never disappoints.

And I don't know if this counts as a 9th winery or not, but we ended the day in Greg's living room which happens to be a Satalite tasting room for Chapin Winery.

Pro Tips for Next Year: ✔️ Pace yourself – It’s a marathon, not a sprint. ✔️ Stay hydrated – Water is your best friend. ✔️ Plan your route – Prioritize wineries with the best food pairings (trust me on this one). ✔️ Bring a designated driver – Safety first! Or better yet, book a wine tour shuttle and sip stress-free.

So, who’s coming with me next year? 🍷🥂

🚗🌮 Fueling Up My Car and My Belly? Yes, Please!

Taqueria Las Comadres #3

If you know me, you know I’ve been a loyal customer at Taqueria Las Comadres #1 in La Mirada for over a decade. And if you really know me, you know I’m all about finding good food in unexpected places. So when I found out that Taqueria Las Comadres opened a 3rd location in Fullerton—inside a gas station, right next to a car wash—I was way too excited. Did I mention the lovely outdoor seating option?

Lovely outdoor seating option.

Think about it: I can now get my car washed, fill up my tank, and treat myself to some top-tier tacos all in one stop. This is peak efficiency, people! Forget drive-thrus—this is the ultimate multitasking food experience.

Food made to order.

A New Location With Exclusive Eats

While the new spot still has all the classics that made me fall in love with Taqueria Las Comadres in the first place, the Fullerton location also features a few exclusive menu items. So naturally, Sal and I had to check it out and do some very important food research (aka stuffing our faces). Some of our picks were for immediate consumption, while the rest were strategically saved for dinner later—because smart decisions were made.

Located inside the gas station.

And, of course, in true Taqueria fashion, everything is made fresh to order, the service is fast, and the flavors do not disappoint. Here’s the lineup of what we tried:

🍔 Hamburger

Yes, Hamberger—not a typo. And let’s talk about the real crime here: Sal doesn’t like cheese. I know. I was just as shocked. It’s pure blasphemy, but I try to be a supportive partner and let him live his cheeseless life.

Some for now, some for later.

🦐 Super Burger (with Shrimp!)

This one is a game-changer! It’s already packed with flavor, but we decided to take it up a notch and add shrimp (because why not?). No regrets—highly recommend customizing your order like this if you’re feeling fancy.

Super Burger (with Shrimp added)

🐔 Chicken Sandwich

Crispy, juicy, and just the right amount of seasoning. It’s giving comfort food perfection. I added cheese because, unlike Sal, I'm all about that cheesy goodness.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich (with cheese added)

🍤 Shrimp Ceviche (New Recipe!)

This was a pleasant surprise! The Fullerton location has a new recipe for their shrimp ceviche, and honestly? I think it’s even better than the original. It’s fresh, zesty, and the perfect balance of citrusy goodness. 10/10 would eat again.

Worth the Stop? 1000% Yes!

If you’re ever in the Fullerton area (or just looking for an excuse to make a food trip), this new Taqueria Las Comadres spot is definitely worth checking out. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite between errands or just want to treat yourself to some seriously good food, this place delivers.

So, who’s coming with me next time? 👀🔥

Tonight’s Episode of Date Night Cooking: Adobo Edition!

Chicken Adobo

In honor of Jacob’s and Kenia’s Filipino roots, we decided to cook adobo! And in an unexpected (but totally delicious) twist, every single one of us picked chicken as our protein. Pork, if you’re reading this, please don’t take it personally—we still love you. Promise.

Now, I’ve made adobo plenty of times before, but something about it always felt just a little… off. Good, sure. But not quite that chef’s kiss moment I was hoping for. The missing puzzle piece? The soy sauce! I usually use Thai or Japanese soy sauce since that’s what I have on hand, but this time, I went full-on authentic with Filipino-style soy sauce—and BAM. That was it. My taste buds finally got the memo.

What made this night extra fun was that each couple made their own version of adobo. It turned into a mini taste-test showdown in the kitchen, with all of us comparing notes and figuring out ways to tweak and improve our recipes for next time. None of us nailed the perfect version (yet!), but we all walked away with ideas and full bellies, which is really the best kind of win.

Chicken Adobo with sinanag

Of course, no Filipino feast is complete without some essential sidekicks. A crispy batch of lumpia, some garlicky sinangag (Filipino fried rice), and a cold San Miguel beer all made an appearance—because balance, right?

Lumpia and San Mig

As for my batch? I think I finally cracked the code. This one’s officially earned its spot in the regular dinner rotation. So if you catch me rambling about soy sauce like it’s some kind of secret ingredient revelation… now you know why.

If you’ve ever struggled to get your adobo just right, try switching up your soy sauce—I swear it makes all the difference. And if you’ve got a tried-and-true adobo recipe, drop it in the comments! I’m always down to experiment (aka, find excuses to eat more adobo).