Temecula

The fastest-growing county in California rejected a massive, mountaintop rock quarry Thursday that supporters called an essential source of the ingredients that fed the region's economic ascent. In the end, however, neighborhood objections to increased traffic, possible health hazards and environmental destruction won out, a rare outcome in the pro-development frontier of the Inland Empire. Fierce opposition in Temecula, a city known for its vineyard-covered valley and rock-ribbed conservative politics, persuaded the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to vote down the proposed rock mine by a 3-2 vote, despite the promise of hundreds of new blue-collar jobs to the recession-flattened region.

A giant rock quarry proposed in the hills above Temecula had politicians from one of the most conservative corners of the Inland Empire railing Monday against corporate arrogance and environmental devastation, while union workers pushed the project as a job creator. The political twists are intensifying as the five-year-long controversy over the Liberty Quarry barrels toward a vote before the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, which on Monday held the first of two days of public hearings in a packed convention center ballroom.

REI's Temecula Wine Country Bicycle Tour on Saturday will lead riders through the back roads by mountain bike to experience vineyards up close. For details, click here  . . . . Enthusiasts can taste wines from more than 300 wineries at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting on Feb. 18. For ticket info, click here . . . . The second annual Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Week  is set for Jan. 22-28. Restaurants are offering special three-course tasting menus for the price of $20.12 , excluding tax, tip and beverages)

Picture yourself  sampling wine or just unwinding at the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa -- for about $200 a night. Travelzoo has pieced together a Southern California getaway that includes staying in one of the 76 villas at the resort and more activities than you can do in a day.  The deal: This offer from Travelzoo comes with some sweet extras: overnight in a private villa with fireplace and jet-water tub, upgrade to a view room, mimosa...

Dan Henderson's distinguished career as a mixed martial arts fighter should be setting like the sun at age 41. Instead, the Temecula fighter has put together perhaps his most impressive year yet, winning the Strikeforce light-heavyweight championship, scoring a technical knockout against Fedor Emelianenko in July and earning a return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Saturday night, Henderson (28-8) will try to improve to 4-0 in the last 12 months when he takes on former UFC light-heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (20-5)

One of the rarest but greatest pleasures of farmers markets is encountering passionate collectors who sell a wide range of rare fruit varieties normally grown only at specialty sites such as germplasm repositories and agricultural experiment stations. There's no better example than Patrice Dreckmann of Rainbow Heights Farm & Nursery, who grows 50 varieties of muscat grapes and 43 varieties of figs just south of Temecula. Unlike most modern varieties of grapes, which are generally sweet and crunchy but have a mild, "neutral" flavor, muscat varieties have a distinctive floral aroma, much beloved by aficionados.

Trans-Atlantic air traffic continued to grow through August. Leading carriers reported a 2.9% increase for the month compared to a 3.9 rise in July (over the same months of last year) . . . . The dollar surged to a six-month high versus the euro last week . . . . Longshadow Ranch Winery in Temecula is holding “bonfire Saturday nights” from 6-10 p.m., with carriage rides and face-painting for the kids (877) 807-2624 . . . . Also in Temecula, Stuart Cellars Winery is hosting an Oct. 22 clambake . Tickets $70. Reservations required, (951)

The Riverside County Planning Commission on Wednesday rejected an application for a massive rock quarry proposed near Temecula that was strongly opposed by the city and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. Granite Construction of Watsonville wants to develop a 414-acre rock quarry operation on a mountain that looms over Interstate 15, a peak the Pechanga say is within one of the most sacred sites for all Luiseno people. The commission voted 4 to 1 against the proposal, citing concerns about the effect on the environment and health of residents in the Temecula area and because of the tribal leadership's objections.

The most popular beverage in the Temecula Valley, the picturesque wine region not far from the urban sprawl of Orange and San Diego counties, is something called "almond champagne. " It is a more or less naturally sparkling wine (the bubbles induced in pressurized tanks) with almond flavoring added. Smelling sweetly of cream soda and marzipan, the wine's thick, cloying flavor wouldn't seem out of place in an ice cream parlor if not for a modest alcohol kick and its bitter finish.

With abundant sunshine, shimmering heat and a diurnal shift in line with many coastal viticultural areas , there is no denying that the Temecula Valley is an authentic California winegrowing region. However, setting aside Pierce's disease and the prevailing party atmosphere, challenges remain. Problems with hygiene, brettanomyces and volatile acidity in particular still taint bottlings from less diligent producers. Farming practices too can be relatively lax, compared with the meticulous care taken by Napa and Sonoma growers.