Hot Air Balloon and Wine Tasting

You know it’s on your bucket list: flying in a hot-air balloon! :-)
Riding in a hot-air balloon is one of the coolest experiences ever. Imagine floating 2,000 feet in the air while watching the sun rise over beautiful wine country. There’s nothing around you, and when they turn off the burners, you’re simply floating in complete silence. The experience is indescribable, even though I just described it. 😂

When we land, champagne and mimosas will be waiting for us. And yes, champagne, not sparkling wine! It’s a balloon-flight tradition, and the pilot will explain the history behind it while we’re in the air.

Afterward, we’ll already be in Temecula, the number-one wine region in Southern California, so we’re going wine tasting around the area. We’ll have breakfast at South Coast Winery. They usually give us coupons for a free breakfast with the balloon flight. Then we’ll grab a winery map and start our wine tasting right there at South Coast, which is one of the best wineries in the area.

THE PLAN

We’ll meet at 5:30 AM at the meeting point:
31963 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591

It’s a parking lot where we’ll leave our cars before being shuttled to the secret takeoff location that only the balloon pilots and secret agents know about. 😎

I know 5:30 AM is early. Well, it’s a sunrise balloon flight! Go to bed early Friday night and be there on time, ready for our adventure.

PRICE: $149

Their regular Saturday price is $189, but I’ve known the owner for 16 years and have even jumped out of one of their balloons, so... you’re welcome. The things I do for us... 😂

There is a $50 surcharge for anyone weighing more than 225 pounds. I know, that sucks, but it’s their rule.

I’m opening this to 10 people for now, but that may change. They go by total weight, not just the number of passengers, and availability also depends on how many balloons and pilots they have.
If we get a large group right away, I can probably add more balloons. However, the closer we get to the date, the harder it will be for them to find additional pilots, so I may have to close RSVPs early.

All right, see all you balloon riders and winos there!

Eduardo