Vote for the Best Temecula Valley Wine Country Video

The public voting period for Temecula Valley Wine Country's first-ever video contest has begun.

Fans may vote for their favorite of more than 25 submissions received from both professional filmmakers and amateur wine-lovers. During the summer, the public was invited to produce creative and entertaining shorts about why they love the local wine country, according to a news release.

The submission period ended Aug. 31.

Voting takes place online at TemeculaWines.org or on Facebook. The public is permitted to cast one vote per day through Oct. 15.

Winners will be announced by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association on Nov. 1.

Top honors will go to the video best representing the destination of Southern California's major wine country, according to contest officials.

Entrants are competing for a grand prize worth $2,500, plus a wine country weekend for two.

The runner-up will receive two tickets to the 2012 Harvest Celebration Weekend, plus dinner for two at Meritage Restaurant at Callaway Winery.

Three honorable mention winners will receive a pair of tickets to 2012 Harvest Celebration Weekend.

The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association is a nonprofit organization comprised regionally of 35 wineries and more than 60 wine growers.

Temecula Valley Wine Country was officially established in 1984 as the Temecula American Viticultural Area and consists of 33,000 acres, 1,300 of which are currently planted as commercial vineyards.