Sip, Savor, and Celebrate Spring in Temecula’s Wineries
Spring is the perfect time to gather with friends and explore the scenic beauty of wineries. The fresh bloom of flowers and warm sunshine create a vibrant atmosphere for enjoying fine wine, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re savoring a crisp white wine or bold red, the company of good friends makes every sip sweeter. It’s a season of new beginnings, making it ideal for creating lasting memories at your favorite wineries.
Spring is just around the corner! The days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and it’s the prefect time to start planning your seasonal adventures, and what better way to welcome the sunshine than by gathering your friends for a day of wine tasting in the heart of Southern California’s wine country Temecula.
With rolling vineyards, breathtaking scenery, and a variety of wineries to choose from. Temecula offers an unforgettable experience for wine lovers and adventure seekers alike. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon sipping rose or a bold red with a unique atmosphere, there’s a winery for everyone. Here are a few of our personal favorites:
Europa Village - A Rose Lover’s Dream
If you love rose and elegant venues, Europa Village is a must-visit. Their Amorie Rosado is perfect for celebrating the beauty of spring, and the European-inspired architecture and lush gardens make for a dreamy escape. Whether you’re sipping a crisp glass of rose on the terrace or exploring their beautiful grounds, Europa Village offers an enchanting experience that feels like a mini getaway to Europe.
Doffo Winery - Bold Reds & Sustainable Winemaking
For those who prefer bold reds and a more unique atmosphere, Doffo Winery is a fantastic choice. This family-owned boutique winery is known for its limited-production wines made with zero pesticides, ensuring a more natural and environmentally friendly approach to winemaking. Their deep, flavorful reds are crafted with care, and because they focus on small-batch production, each bottle is truly special.
Adding to the charm, Doffo’s Moto-inspired venue features a collection of vintage motorcycles displayed throughout the property, creating an experience that blends fine wine with a touch of adventure. If you’re looking for an intimate, high-quality tasting experience, Doffo is the place to be.
Briar Rose Winery - A Fairytale Escape
Looking for something straight out of a storybook? Briar Rose Winery offers just that. This charming boutique winery is known for its sweet wines and whimsical, fairytale-like setting. The property was originally created by Beldon Fields, a former Disney Imagineer, who designed it to resemble the cottage from Sleeping Beauty.
With its storybook architecture and enchanting atmosphere, Briar Rose Winery feels like a hidden fairytale escape in the heart of Temecula. Whether you’re a fan of fruit-forward whites or just love the idea of sipping wine in a one-of-a-kind setting, this winery is a must-visit.
Make the Most of Your Wine Tasting Experience
Before heading out, here are a few tips to make your winery adventure even better:
Plan ahead - Some restaurants inside of wineries require reservations, especially on weekends.
Dress comfortably - Spring in Temecula can be warm, so opt for a light, breathable outfits with comfortable shoes.
Stay hydrated - Balance your wine tasting with plenty of water.
Bring a camera - These wineries offer stunning backdrops for beautiful photos, but if you don’t want to spend the whole day taking pictures, book us and we’ll capture the moments for you!
Adapting to a new environment: What we learned (and the mistakes we made) During our first networking event photoshoot.
Adapting to a New Enviroment: What we learned (and the mistakes we made) During our first networking event shoot.
Photographing a networking event for the first time was a new and slightly nerve wrecking experience for us. We've shot fast paced, high energy events like Electric Daisy Carnival but this was entirely different. Along the way, I made a few mistakes, like leaving our flash behind and underestimating how important it was to approach guest for posed shots.
We quickly learned that networking events are all about capturing subtle moments, like a handshake or meaning conversation and that preparation is key. One of our biggest lessons was not being afraid to asked for posed shots because as the great Wayne Gretzky said "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"
From blending into the background to learning the value of key interactions every challenge we faced taught us something new about adapting our photography skills to fit the environment. Though we stumbled a few times we walked away more prepared for future events and some cool photos to show for it.
Photographing a networking event for the first time was an eye opening experience for us. While we’ve shot at music festivals, graduations and weddings this felt like stepping into a completely new territory. The intimate business focused atmosphere came with its own unique challenges and we definitely made a few mistakes along the way. Here’s what we learned so you don’t have to make the same mistakes and how we grew from it.
MISTAKE: UNDERESTIMATING THE PACE At music festivals, everything is fast paced, chaotic and full of action. We expected the same level of movement during the networking event but things were more calm. We found ourselves anxiously waiting for big moments only to realize later that the beauty of networking events lies in the smaller, quieter exchanges, those genuine handshakes, warm smiles and moments of connection. LESSON LEARNED: Pay attention to the subtle interactions, these small moments tell the story of the event and capture the true essence of networking.
MISTAKE: BEING TOO OBVIOUS I’m used to positioning myself wherever I need to get the shot but in a networking event, standing in the middle of conversations or being too visible can interrupt the flow. I learned quickly that I needed to be more discreet, moving more slowly and blending into the background. LESSON LEARNED: At networking events it’s important to be a fly on the wall. Use longer lenses to keep respectful distance and avoid drawing attention to yourself.
MISTAKE: MISSING OUT ON KEY PEOPLE I focused so much on capturing the overall event atmosphere that I missed photographing a few of the key speakers and vendors. Networking events often revolve around specific individuals, businesses and those moments are crucial for your client. LESSON LEARNED: Communicate with the client ahead of time or Do Your Own Research (D.Y.O.R) to understand who the key players are and make sure to prioritize capturing them. A quick shot list can save you from scrambling or missing important figures.
MISTAKE: NOT PACKING ENOUGH GEAR We thought we could get away with just a camera and a few lenses but made a rookie mistake by leaving our flash at home. The lighting in the venue was much dimmer that we anticipated and it became a real challenge to capture well lit images without the extra light source. Thankfully, we were able to adjust the lighting in post but it was far from ideal. LESSON LEARNED: Always pack for the unexpected. Even if the venue seems well lit during the setup, bring flash, extra memory cards and plan for what if scenarios. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches if you prepare ahead of time.
MISTAKE: OVER RELYING ON CANDIDS While candid shots are a must at networking events, we initially hesitated to ask people for posed shots worrying it would break the flow of the conversation but we quickly learned that most people are happy to take a quick photo if you approach them with grace and confidence. LESSON LEARNED: Don’t be afraid to ask for posed shots, especially when people have naturally paused in conversation. As Wayne Gretzky famously said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” If you approach them with grace and respect, these photos are often the ones clients value most because they clearly highlight who attended the event.
Our final thoughts: Photographing our first networking event was a learning curve but it pushed us out of our comfort zone in the best way. Every mistake helped us refine our approach and sharpened our eye for capturing the subtle but important moments. While shooting a networking event may be slower paced than a music festival, the challenge of telling a story through quiet, candid moments just as rewarding.
Next time, we’ll be more prepared, lighter on our feet and ready to capture those all important connections without a hitch!