December 2011 by Carol Malin


9


Bel Vino Marks New Beginning for Stuart Cellars Wines


The family operation of Stuart Cellars Vineyard & Winery has been purchased


by a Salt Lake City investor, Mike Janko, who renamed the winery Bel Vino. Janko discovered Temecula Wine Country on a leisure trip two years ago. As a successful investment fund manager, he had recently begun looking into real estate and other businesses for diversification.


“Because of my interest in the wine industry,” said Janko, “Stuart Cellars was a natural fit for the diversification of the investment portfolio.”


Janko plans to enhance the hilltop winery with Tuscan flair. Mediterranean de-


sign elements will be incorporated throughout the property. Expansion plans for the next 18 months include an exterior makeover for the winery building, interior ex- pansion of the tasting room, a retail gift store, outdoor covered patio seating, indoor event space, and an outdoor venue for weddings and special events.


Marshall Stuart is continuing his role as Artisan Winemaker, handcrafting fine


wine under the Stuart Cellars label, while developing a line for the new Bel Vino label. Susan Stuart has been named Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Under her direction, all staff members will continue employment at Bel Vino, as retaining trained employees was a major appeal to Janko in purchase of the winery.


Bel Vino Wine Tasting Room, 33515 Rancho California Road, Temecula. Open daily from 10am to 5pm. For more information call 951.676.6414 or visit: www.BelVi- noWinery.com


Temecula Wine an International


Flavor By Carol Malin


Keyways Winery has sold to Silverton Partners, Inc., a real estate investment


trust based out of Los Angeles. Keyways new owners plan to expand the business, quadruple the wine output, and export the wine overseas. Other area wineries, such as South Coast and Wilson Creek already export their wines.


Family-owned wineries such as Filsinger, Stuart Cellars, and now Keyways, have


sold within the past year. Valley wineries are changing hands, as businesses often will do. Here’s the good news. We’ve got something good going on here in our Valley… something that people want to invest in…and that’s good for our local economy.


Special Events


Dec. 1 – 15: Toys For Tots drop-off location at Vail Ranch Self Storage at 43980 Mahlon Vail Road, Temecula. For info call 951.302.0204.


Dec. 3: Holiday Magic Push Cart Parade 10am-6pm, Historic Down- town Murrieta. FREE


Dec. 11: 11th Annual Angel Tree Christmas Party 1:30pm – 4pm. Elks Lodge in Wildomar. Sponsors needed. Contact Outreach Ministry at 951.698.7650 or go to: info@communityoutreachmisistry.org.


Dec. 11: Temecula Valley Master Chorale presents ‘Tis the Season, Murrieta Mesa High School Choir, 4pm, MMHS, Gershwin Performing Arts Center, Murrieta. Call 951.704.5612. $10 each or $25 family.


Dec. 14: Grandparents Without Partners, 60-years and up, 6pm – 9pm at Anthony’s Restaurant in Murrieta. Call Genie for information 951.461.9560.


Dec. 14: 4th Annual Home for the Holidays Tree Extravaganza oppor- tunity drawing at Promenade Mall, Temecula, to support Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. Call 951.296.3362 for information.


Dec. 15: Temecula Women’s Connection Luncheon and Christmas Bazaar, 11:30am, Wilson Creek ballroom, $20.


Check stories in this issue for other entertainment and Holiday events. www.ChronicleMediaGroup.com The Chronicle


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24