With over 200 wineries in the Paso Robles region, it's hard to believe I still have to explain to people where Paso Robles is. I’ve been drinking Paso wines for over a decade and know first hand that they are only getting better. Perhaps it’s the lack of focus that makes it hard for people to easily understand the region. No one grape to help pin it down. For me, it’s the plethora of options that keeps me coming back for more.
Zinfandel may have been king of the region in Paso’s early wine days, but with no governmental rules or varietal and climate restrictions, like in some Old World and other CA AVAs, active experimentation to see what grapes truly thrive here has literally changed the varietal landscape. It’s the Rhone grape clippings, brought over by Tablas Creek almost 30 years ago, that kick-started the expansion of Syrah, Grenache and Viognier into the region and that has, over the past decade, helped Paso gain national attention.
While many of our garagistes love their Rhones - that doesn’t mean they are always content to just make a GSM. Or a traditional Bordeaux blend, if that’s the way their passions flow. Mother nature provides more options in Paso than any other winemaking region. With virtually every varietal from around the world growing at their fingertips, Paso winemakers are free like nowhere else to experiment and create blends that pay off on the palate. Rather than simply combining the grapes that happen to grow there, or being hemmed in by tight winemaking rules, they make the best wine they can, that vintage, from their plot of land. Who cares if you put some Syrah or Grenache in your Cabernet? Or a touch of Zinfandel in your GSM? Certainly no one making wine in Paso does. It’s about the passion they bring to the bottle, regardless of what grapes are in it. Old school notions be damned.
Festival attendees will be able to taste that spirit firsthand, with over 20 unique wines that could only be made in this region. To delve deeper into the topic, VIP guests will get the opportunity to taste and understand the whys behind blending off-book in our Saturday Seminar “Breaking the Old World Blending Rules” with panelists Christian Tietje from Cypher Winery and Jeff Strekas from ONX Wines. Both of these wineries are pushing the envelope when it comes to mixing grapes varieties. Whatever works to make the wine shine. Having had the pleasure of tasting their efforts, their imaginations are clearly unimpeded, much to the wine world’s benefit.
Being part of the Festival team allows me to explore the world of wine through the talents of a diverse group of devoted winemakers. I learn something new every year from every winemaker and have gained a deeper respect for all the hard work the wine “lifestyle” really is. There’s an experience at the Festival for every level of wine lover, from those who just want to taste and explore, to those who want to make the leap to the winemaking side. I hope to see you there.
2013 Schedule of Events
Thursday, November 7th: “Undiscovered Treasures” Winemaker Dinner – 7pm
Friday, November 8th: Happy Hour at “The Opening Round” – 4-7pm, followed by our Winemaker Mixer from 7:30-9:30pm.
Saturday, November 9th: The Main Festival day includes (2) educational seminars - “What’s Wrong With This Picture? Educate Your Palate About the Most Common Wine Flaws” and “Garagiste Outlaws: Breaking the Old World Blending Rules” followed by the Grand Tasting and After Party - 11am-9pm.
Sunday, November 10th: “Nothing’s Perfect: How to Manage and Influence Your Wines to Greatness” Winemaking Symposium – 11am-1pm
To purchase tickets or get more information about the 3rd Annual Garagiste Festival, please visit their website at: http://garagistefestival.com/2013-paso-festival/
Lisa Dinsmore is the Event Director for the Garagiste Festival and has been a passionate Paso Robles wine lover for over a decade. She also has her own wine blog called Daily Wine Dispatch and has earned the Advanced Degree from the international WSET program.
Great blog, Lisa!
Posted by: Theresa Nozick | October 14, 2013 at 12:10 PM