August 18, 2025 (Temecula, CA) — This September, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, a five-time recipient of the Golden State Winery of the Year Award, invites wine lovers and the Temecula Valley community to celebrate California Wine Month with a series of festive fall events. From family-friendly harvest activities and grape stomping competitions to an elegant winemaker’s dinner and live music in the Vintner’s Garden, guests can savor the peak of harvest season amid cooler temperatures, vibrant autumn colors and award-winning wines. Visitors can extend the celebration with the resort’s Autumn Awaits package, which includes a $50 gift card for each night booked, and enjoy free shipping on online wine purchases of $75 or more with code SHIP to bring a taste of Temecula home throughout September.
Harvest Festival and Annual Grape Stomp – Saturday, Sept. 13
The celebration kicks off with South Coast Winery’s Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering free admission for families and visitors of all ages. Guests can enjoy live music, a kids’ fall craft table, tractor rides, fall photo ops, lawn games, and festival food and beverages available for purchase. Menu highlights include Birria short rib tacos, chicken teriyaki, smash cheeseburgers, beef hot dogs, watermelon salad, gelato and sorbet, candy, and more. Beverage offerings include wine, beer, sangria, and fresh-squeezed lemon-limeade.
The resort’s popular Annual Grape Stomp takes place from 1 to 6 p.m. for guests 21 and older. Participants compete in teams to stomp freshly harvested estate-grown grapes, with prizes awarded for each round. A costume contest crowns winners in Best Individual, Best Team Theme, and Most Creative categories. General admission tickets include one grape stomp, dinner by Executive Chef Jonathan Alcala at 4 p.m., a glass of South Coast wine, the costume contest, and exclusive event wine discounts (25% off bottles, 30% off cases). Entrée choices for dinner include Summer Vegetarian Stroganoff, Short Rib or Chicken Teriyaki, served with salad and dessert.
Grape Stomp tickets are $130 per adult plus tax, and are available for purchase online.
Fall Winemaker’s Dinner – Friday, Sept. 19
Executive Chef Jonathan Alcala joins winemakers Jon McPherson and Javier Flores for an intimate six-course dinner at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant from 6 to 9 p.m. Each course is paired with a hand-selected South Coast or Carter Estate wine. The menu includes: Brassica vegetables paired with 2024 South Coast Winery Sauvignon Blanc; Octopus with salsa verde and patatas bravas paired with 2023 South Coast Winery Grenache Noir Rosé; Five-Spiced Duck paired with 2019 Wild Horse Peak Sangiovese; Herb-Crusted Lamb paired with 2019 South Coast Winery Malbec; Chateaubriand paired with 2021 Wild Horse Peak Cabernet Sauvignon and Carrot Toffee Cake paired with Carter Estate Winery Daybreak.
Tickets are $170 per guest, including gratuity but excluding tax, and guests must be 21 or older. Tickets can be purchased online.
Rhythm on the Vine Concert Series – September in the Vintner’s Garden
The month also features three concerts in the resort’s popular Rhythm on the Vine series. Doors open at 6 p.m. and shows begin at 7 p.m. Performances include:
Sunday, Sept. 7: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band with special guest Bobby Rush – blues and rock fusion.
Sunday, Sept. 14: Al Jarreau Reunion Band with Chris Walker – jazz, pop and R&B.
Sunday, Sept. 28: Kalapana 50th Anniversary Celebration – pop-rock and jazz from Hawai‘i.
Ticket prices start at $65 for general admission. For information and ticket purchasing visit online.
Autumn Awaits Package at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is celebrating the season with its Autumn Awaits package, which includes a $50 gift card for each night of a guest’s stay. The gift card may be redeemed at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant, GrapeSeed Spa, the Tasting Room, the resort’s gift shop or at their sister property Carter Estate Winery.
Package price starts at $278. Blackout dates may apply. To book, visit online.
Where:
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
34843 Rancho California Road
Temecula, California 92591
(844) 428-6292
www.southcoastwinery.com
About South Coast Winery
The only state winery to claim the title of California Winery of the Year five times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.
South Coast Winery is a family-owned and offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry. For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.
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