Inside Paso Robles

Hey, You Got Your Art in My Wine!

With the newly-branded Art After Dark Paso event that happens the first Saturday of every month, downtown art galleries and an art-loving wine tasting room are giving you some great reasons to come out and stroll through downtown Paso Robles on your way to dinner or a nightcap.

The three art galleries who will be open late this Saturday to entertain you during Art After Dark Paso are Dale Evers Gallery, Heritage Gallery West and Studios on the Park. Here is a map to get you around.

One downtown tasting room, LXV Wine Lounge, is offering a wine experience to delight all the senses, read on:  

LXV Wine Lounge

LXV Wine Lounge’s expansion into the art world continues! The boutique wine label, already seeped in the artistic traditions of the Kama Sutra, is hosting artists from its very own wine club for Art After Dark Paso.

No other wine label antes up the passion for art as LXV does: from their Amy Butler-made wines, to the artists behind each vintage’s story; from the Lounge tasting room itself, to the unparalleled spice pairings…LXV creates a culture of ever-evolving conversations around what art is.  

For their first official artist showing this coming Art After Dark, Neeta & Kunal present the stunning photography of Dr. Bill Sima. Not only is Bill the very first wine club member of LXV, and an orthopedic surgeon with a thriving local practice, but his photography stands alone as award-winning.

Bill Sima's photography evokes a sense of magic

Photographs will be on display from 6pm-9pm at LXV’s Wine Lounge experience for Art After Dark Paso on Saturday, February 1^st. A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the artist’s charity of choice: “His Healing Hands”, a Christian non-profit that provides medical mission trips to countries of great economic and health care need. Bill takes no monetary profit for himself, nor does LXV. 

 

About Art After Dark Paso:

Art After Dark Paso is held the first Saturday of every month, 6-9pm in the City of Paso Robles, California. This free, self-guided art walk promotes artists, galleries, wine tasting rooms, and other venues that showcase the arts.

Dates for 2014:

January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1 & December 6

For more information about the arts in San Luis Obispo County, go to www.artsobispo.org 

An explanation for the local cheese shortage

by Danika Reed 

All year long we have people coming into Vivant asking for local cheese.  Most are visitors to our beautiful area, and still some are locals.  Many are perplexed at the shortage of local cheeses this time of the year.  My standard answer when asked to explain the shortage is “the goats are pregnant”.  Not many ask further questions, seemingly uncomfortable with discussing such topics, so I thought this might be the best place to explain in further detail. 

In the cheese world we talk about terms like “farmstead” cheese, “artisan” cheese, and “commodity” cheese among others.  To understand these terms, we must first understand the animals that are producing the milk to make our glorious cheeses.

Local Farmstead Operations

In our region of the Central Coast of California, there are a select few “farmstead” cheese operations.  This is defined by the animals being raised on the same property (or farm) that the cheese is being produced.  Using this method, the animals, mostly sheep and goats here on the Central Coast, are grazing as much as possible, and fed other supplemental grains and forages when the natural grass doesn’t grow due to lack of rain.  

To produce milk, the female goats and sheep (and cows, and yaks, and buffalo, ok you get the idea) must be impregnated once per year and give birth.  After they give birth and the babies are allowed to feed from their mothers for a short time, they are weaned and their mothers begin milking.  Farmstead cheese makers will then begin a season of cheese making, which starts with what they call the “Spring Flush”.  Hence the name, in most farmstead cheese making operations, they begin milking in spring after the babies are weaned and continue until the moms need to be impregnated again in the fall. 

With all of that said, the question still remains, why don’t we have local cheeses this time of the year? While most of our milking stock dried up (stopped producing milk) in the fall, they are now pregnant and getting ready to give birth in the spring.  Most local farmstead cheese production was over in October.  That means most fresh cheeses were unavailable by mid-October, and any hard cheeses the cheese makers made early in the year are sold out by this time of the year. 

Year Round Cheese Producers

We do still have local cheeses that are being made year-round.  This is accomplished by buying milk from farms that are staggering “strings” of animals.  This means that farmers group the animals within their herd into strings of animals that will get pregnant at different times of the year.  This will allow them to milk a portion of their heard year round.  

When a cheese maker buys milk from another farm, not on the same site as his cheese making operation, he can no longer call it farmstead.  Depending on how much volume the cheese maker is producing and his production methods, he can still call his (or her) cheese “Artisan”.  So, during our harsh cold winters here on the Central Coast (ok I think it has actually been 75 degrees since October but we still wear jackets!!) we might not have a huge selection of local cheeses, but with spring just around the corner, we can look forward to an abundance of fresh cheese in just a few short months. Hang in there people: more local fresh cheese is just around the corner!!  In the mean time, we have hundreds of other cheeses in stock to meet your every cheese desire!  

Vivant is Moving!

Stay tuned as Vivant is moving in the next couple of months.  If you want to stay up to date with our new adventures, send your email address to [email protected] and I will add you to our newsletter list.             

 

Danika is a local girl who, armed with a degree in Dairy Science and Ag Business from Cal Poly, went out to conquer the cheese world.  Now, with nearly 20 years of experience in buying and selling cheese she shares her knowledge and passion for the fromage with us through her store and website in Paso Robles, CA at Vivant Fine Cheese.

First 2014 Paso Robles Rhone Rangers Varietal Series - Petite Sirah

Photo courtesy of Rhone Rangers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Experience a fun and educational varietal tasting that includes amazing Petite Sirah wines from 17 Paso Robles wineries. This is the first of a series of "Hot Tuesday Varietal Nights" put on by the Rhone Rangers that also inculdes live music, incredible cheese pairings, small bites and an educational area where you can extend your knowledge about this great Rhone varietal.

The host for the January Varietal Night is Niner Wine Estates located at 2400 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased here: http://petitesirahnight.bpt.me.

Don't miss this fabulous event!

 

About Rhone Rangers
The Paso Robles Chapter of the Rhone Rangers is dedicated to the education and promotion of Rhone varietals and Rhone blends to local trade, media, and consumers, and of Paso Robles as a top California region in the production of outstanding Rhone varietal grapes and wines.

 

 

 

How Paso Robles is Celebrating Its 125th Anniversary in 2014

If you were fortunate enough to be in the downtown City Park in Paso Robles on New Year's Eve, then you know that this special community rang in 2014 with an enormous bang. The fireworks show and Glow in the Park event were top-notch and a fantastic ways to kick off a full year's worth of activities celebrating our 125th Anniversary. We have so much more in store to celebrate this milestone, including daily self-guided tours, events, a monthly newsletter, recipes and more!

Here are some of the ways you can enjoy Paso Robles and its rich history in 2014:

Upcoming Events - If you're even remotely familiar with Paso, you know that we love to throw a good party. Turning 125 has given us TONS of great reasons to celebrate, including Happy Birthday Paso Robles (March 11, 2014), a 125th anniversary-inspired Independence Day celebration (think watermelon eating contest and horse parade plus fireworks), an Old Fashioned Family Fun Day in the Park during Pioneer Day and much, much more. For a full list, go to the events page at   www.paso125.com

Historic Tours, Trails and Kids Scavenger Hunt - Any day of the week you can take one of these self-guided tours of the Paso Robles area to get a feel for the natural veauty and rich history of the area. We will also be launching an Historic Winery Trail, a Kids Scavenger Hunt (with prizes!) and even a Geocaching Tour of Paso Robles in the new year. The Historical Society has plans for a tour, there is a 12.5-mile Fun Run in the works and more. Stay tuned for details. 

 

Merchandise -You can find commemorative items, including the 125th Anniversary cookbook, hats, shirts, pins and coins at the following locations: PAso Robles Historical Society/Carnegie Library, Pioneer Museum, Friends of the Library Gift Shop, Chamber of Commerce and Pithy Little Wine Company (who will ship cookbooks nationwide).

 

If you couldn't be in the park on New Year's Eve, here is what you missed, courtesy of KateofAvila on youtube: 

Happy New Year from Paso Robles, California! Come join us in 2014 to help us celebrate our 125th Anniversary. For more information on the history of Paso Robles and all of the events planned to celebrate this milestone, go to www.paso125.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paso125. 

New Years Eve Celebration

By Sarah Leslie

Turning 125 is not being taken lightly here in Paso Robles and this community is ready to celebrate in a big way.  

On December 31^st, a Gala Fundraising Dinner will set the festivities in motion.  Held in the historic Paso Robles Inn Grand Ballroom, this 4–course dinner is complete with ‘step-back-in-time’ décor and entertainment.  Those attending will experience a big band and historic dance performances along with a live auction and other surprises.  

Just across the street, the New Year’s Eve celebration continues in full force in Downtown City Park where Glow in the Park starts glimmering at 8pm.  This free family-fun event will take glow-in-the-dark to a whole new level.  We’re talking croquet, bocce ball, hula hoop, horseshoes, 4-square dancing and even bubble blowing – all throughout the park, all aglow in the dark.  Admission is free.  Parking is free.  There will even be a warming zone and therefore no reason to not be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Enjoy the music, food and…wait for it… fireworks at midnight. That’News right!  Fireworks at midnight.  for the first time ever  over Downtown Paso.

The community has big plans for this big year.  New Year’s Eve is just the kickoff for a year’s worth of 125th Anniversary fun.  Look for more fun Anniversary- themed activities throughout 2014, including a Historic Winery Tour, Westside Historic Homes Tour, 12.5-Mile Fun Run, Historic Women’s Day, a Scavenger Hunt for Kids, a Historical Geocaching Tour and so much more. More details are available at www.paso125.com.  

Photos courtesy of Paso Robles Historical Society

 

Sarah Leslie is a marketing guru for Mental Marketing and is also looking forward to her 125^th birthday. Everyone knows that drinking Paso Robles wine is an age preservative, right??? Sarah also has been seen behind the bar in Paso Robles tasting rooms such as Clayhouse and Pear Valley. Yup, she will live a long time. 

Vine Street Victorian Showcase

by Melani Meister

Paso Robles offers a plethora of unique activities throughout the holidays! Discover the Teddy Bear Tea, view the beautiful lights that adorn the trees throughout the downtown City Park, visit Santa’s House and of course, enjoy the awe-inspiring Vine Street Victorian Showcase.  

 

One night every year, the city of Paso Robles closes down thirteen blocks on Vine Street to car traffic, while 10,000+ people roam up and down the street gazing at beautifully decorated Victorian houses. These festooned holiday-inspired homes are all part of the Vine Street Victorian Showcase that delights children, adults and families of all ages.

 

Join the party on December 14 at 6:00 p.m. for a multi-block holiday celebration on Vine Street in Paso Robles that includes a night of live holiday music, caroling, cookies and hot chocolate, and endless holiday festivities.

 

Along with the pretty lights and activities on the street, one of the main attractions is Ebenezer Scrooge who lives at the corner of 14th and Vine Streets. He is known to come out of his house yelling at attendees to stop all holiday cheer and leave him alone. His grouchy routine is a highlight of the night, leaving the crowd, especially the children, filled with laughter as they shout "Happy Holidays!" and "We love you!" to the confirmed humbug.

Come experience one of the longest-running holiday traditions in Paso Robles, the unforgettable Vine Street Victorian Showcase.

 For more information on this and other holiday events go to www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.

Photos courtesy of TravelPaso.com

Melani Meister is a marketing coordinator at Mental Marketing, and loves everything about the holidays - even Scrooge! Happy Holidays from Mental Marketing!

 

Adelaida's 2nd Annual Walnut and Wine Festival

by Melani Meister

During the 1940's, Paso Robles was one of the largest nut producing regions in the nation and this Saturday, December 7, Adelaida Cellars pays homage to this historic period at their 2^nd Annual Walnut and Wine Festival.

The festival will highlight Adelaida Cellars' 85-year-old estate grown, dry-farmed walnuts with delicious walnut-inspired bites paired with Adelaida wines, holiday music, olive oil tastings and more.

Discover these amazing local walnuts, just in time for holiday baking, from 10:00 to 5:00 pm on December 7th in the Barrel Room at Adelaida Cellars. Tickets are $10 and include small bites, eight wines, and the festivities. 

Hope to see you there! 

 

 

Fall and Winter Events in Paso Robles, Ca

THE FIRST CRUSH, SUNSET SAVOR THE CENTRAL COAST,  VICTORIAN TEDDY BEAR TEA & MUCH MORE! SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2013

The fall and winter seasons are special in Paso Robles, the stunning hideaway on California’s Central Coast. Highlights during this time of the year include the SAVOR, the Central Coast Food and Wine Festival where visitors can relish in Paso Robles’ natural treasures. That’s just one example of the plethora of events make Paso Robles a dream for lovers of food, wine, outdoor adventures and good old fashioned fun. 

 
Below is a roundup of exciting activities and treasures for travelers to enjoy in Paso Robles this fall and winter. For more information on attractions, dining and lodging in Paso Robles, visit www.travelpaso.com. For the latest news, visit http://blog.travelpaso.com.

 

– SEPTEMBER –

9/1 - 9/30: California Wine Month
Various Locations
Ideal winegrowing conditions and proximity to the Pacific Ocean make Paso Robles a perfect place for the production of top quality wines. Currently with 200+ vintners, Paso Robles is one of the nation’s fastest growing wine regions. Throughout the entire month of September, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy educational winery tours and tastings, release parties, food pairing seminars and much more. For more information, visit www.pasowine.com.

9/6 - 9/7: Crush and Roll West
Paso Robles Event Center
Cigar enthusiasts and wine lovers will gather at Crush & Roll West to enjoy a variety of events, tastings, live music and educational seminars. Day passes are $60 if purchased before July 15 and  $75 afterwards. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (805) 474-1133 or visit www.crushandrollwest.com.

9/8: Pajama Party Movie
Park Cinemas, 7 p.m.
Get cozy in your PJs and enjoy a fun  night watching Ocean's Eleven (1960) with friends or family. Prizes will be awarded for the best pajamas so be sure to wear your finest! Tickets are $10 and include popcorn and soda. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.

9/14 Mud Run and Music Fest
The Ravine Waterpark
The Inaugural Ravine 5k Mud Run is a competitor and family friendly mud/ challenge course that will traverse over natural and man-made obstacles throughout the property of The Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles, followed by 6 bands, food, wine, beer and fun. See more at: www.theravine.com.

9/20: Outdoor Theater (free!)
Centennial Park Amphitheater, 6:30 p.m.
Local thespians will entertain you with their creative work as they present a musical production in the beautiful setting of the Centennial Park Amphitheater. Wine and beverages will be for sale, benefitting the REC Foundation. Pack a picnic dinner, a cozy sweater, and a blanket for this end of summer treat.

9/21: Taste of Downtown/Arte de Tiza
Downtown City Park, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Enjoy live music, art and the tastes of local cuisine and wine from more than 29 restaurants and 14 wineries. Arrive early to check out the creative artistry at the Arte de Tiza Chalk Art (8 a.m. - 10 a.m.). Tickets are $25. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.

9/26 - 9/29: Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast
Santa Margarita Ranch
This four-day food and wine extravaganza showcases the rich agricultural and aqua-cultural bounty located throughout the California Central Coast with classes, seminars, dinners, celebrity chef book signings and demonstration, a culinary garden and a two-day marketplace filled with tastings from local restaurants, chefs and culinary artisans. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.savorcentralcoast.com.

 

– OCTOBER –

10/2 - 10/4: 2013 Miss Rodeo CA Pageant
Various Locations
Experience the passion and drive it will take for Miss Rodeo California 2013 to promote the sport of professional rodeo and the western way of life as contestants compete in the areas of  horsemanship, speech, modeling and personal and horsemanship interviews. For more information and to purchase tickets call (805) 467-3032 or visit www.missrodeocalifornia.com.

10/12: Pioneer Day (free!)
Downtown City Park, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Visitors and locals alike with get a taste of what like was like back in the days of the early pioneers as they enjoy live music, a bean cook off, a pet show, a little cowgirl/cowboy contest, a car show and an exciting old fashioned parade through downtown. For more information, visit www.pasoroblespioneerday.org.

10/19 - 10/21: Harvest Wine Weekend
Various Wineries
Harvest is a time of huge celebration in Paso Robles wine country, and over this weekend more than 130 wineries will host 150+ individual events throughout the weekend. Enjoy special barrel tastings, blending seminars, grape stomping, food and wine pairings, live music and much more! For more information, visit www.pasowine.com.

10/19: A Taste of the Backroads
Windfall Farms in Creston, CA
Back Roads Wineries of Paso Robles, a brand new collective of wineries, olive producers and B&B’s located on the East side of Paso Robles, announces their first annual “Taste of the Back Roads” wine seminar and grand tasting, along with delicious food from local artisans and vendors. For more information, visit www.backroadswineries.com

10/19: Golden Oak Festival
Downtown City Park
Come together for this grand festival full of antiques, collectibles, arts, crafts, food, and garage bands. Whether it’s eating or cooking, take part in the chili cook off while enjoying an afternoon in the park with friends and family. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.
 
10/22-11/3: PCCHA Futurity (free!)
Paso Robles Event Center, 8 a.m. daily
This October brings one of the top western equine events on the west coast to Paso Robles.Cutting horse competitors from near and far will gather for the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association’s (PCCHA) single largest annual event. The 2013 PCCHA Golden Hills Auto Center Futurity will draw over 400 horse and rider teams from nearly a dozen states and Canada, who will compete for more than $1million in cash and prizes during the show’s 11-day run at the Paso Robles Event Center. All events and parking are free to the public. For more information, visit www.pccha.com. 

10/28: Paso Robles Harvest Marathon
Start and Finish at Le Vigne Winery - 5115 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446
This event offers a full marathon, 2 person marathon relay and 5k.The courses start and finish at Le Vigne Winery and offer beautiful views of the Paso Robles countryside and grape vineyards at harvest time. Timing chips will be used for the full marathon. There is a 6 hour course limit on the full marathon. Registration from $30-$110. For more information call 877.264.6979 or visit www.pasoroblesmarathon.com.
 
10/31: Safe and Fun Halloween (free!)
Downtown City Park, 4 - 7 p.m.
Ghosts and goblins will love this spooky event that includes trick or treating, a barbecue, pumpkin carving, and even the opportunity to have a photo taken with a witch! For more information, visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.
 
–NOVEMBER –

11/8 - 11/11: Paderewski Festival
Various Venues
The 2012 Paderewski Festival celebrates the legacy of Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) – world famous pianist, composer, statesman, humanitarian, major California Central Coast land holder, vineyard owner, winemaker and almond grower – with four days of concerts and special events featuring internationally renowned performers, young pianists from Poland and the Central Coast region, wine tasting and a special lecture by preeminent Paderewski authority. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.paderewskifest.com.
 
11/8 - 11/10: Paso Garagiste Festival 
Windfall Farms, 1 - 5 p.m.
GARAGISTES - (gar-uh-zhe-stuh) n, Fr. - A term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their garage, who refused to follow the "rules." It’s now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world. The Garagiste Festival features Paso Robles winemakers who produce less than 1200 cases of wine per year. For more information, visit www.pasogaragiste.com.
 
11/9: Elegant Evening Downtown (free!)
Downtown Paso Robles, 4 - 8 p.m.
Kick-off the holiday season with an elegant evening strolling and shopping at downtown merchants while enjoying local cuisine and wines. For more information, call (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.
 
11/9-10: Free Flight Weekend
Various Locations
Throughout this special weekend, 17 of the wineries along 46 West will offer a complimentary flight of selected wines. Guests can enjoy exclusive offers such as pre-releases and special reserves. For more information and a list of the participating wineries, visit www.paso46westwineries.com.
 
11/29: Downtown Lighting Ceremony (free!)
Downtown Paso Robles, 5:30 p.m.
Mrs. Claus will officially kick off the holiday season when she lights the holiday tree in all its glory. Enjoy caroling, live music, cookies and hot chocolate. For more information, call (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.

 

–DECEMBER –

12/7: Christmas Light Parade (free!)
10th & Spring Streets, 7 p.m.
Grab some warm blankets and chairs and head downtown to enjoy the sights of twinkling lights and spectacular floats. You don’t want to miss the parade this holiday season featuring local establishments and of course, Santa Claus who is taking time off from his busy toy making schedule to visit Paso Robles. For more information, call (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.
 
12/8 - 12/9: Adelaida Cellar’s Walnut & Wine Festival
5805 Adelaida Road, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Grapes aren’t the only thing harvested at Adelaida Cellars. Boasting over 700 acres of walnuts, Adelaida houses one of California’s largest walnut ranches. Visitors are invited to celebrate the walnut harvest with wine and food pairings, featuring Adelaida’s own delicious walnuts. Barry Lundgren, a local woodworker, will be present to showcase his work creating stunning bowls made from walnut wood. Guests will also experience olive oil pressing with Olea Farms, live music and more. For more information, call (800) 676-1232 or visit www.adelaida.com.
 
12/14: Vine St. Victorian Showcase (free!) 

8th to 21st Streets, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Thirteen blocks of Vine Street in Paso Robles close down for a night as the crowds of 15,000 plus roam up and down this exhilarating street, featuring beautifully restored Victorian houses, bedecked with sparkling Christmas lights and decorations galore. For more information, call (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.
 
12/21: Victorian Teddy Bear Tea
Paso Robles Golf Club, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Grab those beloved teddy bears and head over to the Paso Robles Golf Club for tea and cookies. This is a great holiday treat for children and adults alike. Tickets are $7 for children and $13 for adults and will be available December 1st at the Main Street office, 835 12th St. in the Norma’s Alley. Seating is limited. For more information, call (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoroblesdowntown.org.

12/31 New Year's Eve Party (free!) 
Paso Robles Downtown City Park
Paso Robles kicks off its 125th year in style with music, food trucks and special giveaways and games, followed by fireworks at midnight to ring in 2014. All activities at City Park are free. www.paso125.com

About Paso Robles, CA
Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains of the Central California Coast midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is a welcoming retreat that offers the authentic California experience. The extensive variety of activities and experiences provide enjoyment for everyone including untouched natural beauty, more than 200 wineries, renowned cultural attractions including nearby Hearst Castle, a bounty of fresh cuisine supplied by local organic specialty farmers, ranchers and fisherman, first-class shopping, golf and entertainment, and much more. Visitors can choose from a wide selection of accommodations, from historic hotels and boutique inns to leading brand properties and affordable, family friendly motels. For information on how to make the most of your stay in Paso Robles and to order a free visitor guide, visit www.travelpaso.com, call (888) 988-PASO (7276) or email [email protected]. For the latest news on the area, visit http://blog.travelpaso.com, join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/travelpaso and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/travelpaso.. 

About the Travel Paso Robles Alliance
The Travel Paso Robles Alliance (TPRA) was founded in 2008 by a group of 19 area hoteliers with the mission to market Paso Robles as world class visitor destination. The alliance offers information on the 1,100 luxury, specialty, value, and budget room choices available to visitors, as well upcoming events, leisure and group activities and specialty promotions. For more information on Paso Robles and to order a free visitor guide, visit www.travelpaso.com, call (888) 988-PASO (7276) or email [email protected].  For the latest news on the area, visit http://blog.travelpaso.com, join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/travelpaso and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/travelpaso.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Hartzler
Mental Marketing
(818) 585-8641
[email protected]

 

The Renegades Return: 64 High-Quality, Small-Lot Winemakers to Pour at Third Annual Garagiste Festival

by Melanie Webber

Hard to believe it was just a little over two years ago that The Garagiste Festival was a mere gleam in the eyes of co-founders Stewart McLennan and Doug Minnick. Back then, few even knew what a garagiste was (a term originally used in Bordeaux to denigrate renegade small-lot winemakers, sometimes working in their “garages” - who refused to follow the “rules,” and then went on to be recognized as making some of the best wine in the world) -- let alone how to pronounce it (garag-east or gar-uh-zhē-stuh), nor that America had its own burgeoning population of stunning small lot producers also making some of the best wine in the world – nor that the heart of this renegade group was right here in Paso Robles.

And, while it may be an exaggeration to say that now the world knows -- Wikipedia certainly does - “Paso Robles represents the core of the garagiste movement,” - and so do thousands of passionate wine consumers from California and across the country, who trek to Paso and the Central Coast not just for its fair, its beautiful oaks or its larger wine producers, but also for its over 125 garagiste winemakers and the annual Garagiste Festival, which is on its way to becoming a Paso institution after only two years…but being garagistes, we keep it fresh, renegade and not anything like an institution – and this year during Garagiste Festival Week November 7 – 10th, there are 64 winemakers, all of whom handcraft under 1,200 cases of wine per year, set to help us stir it up and bring the ‘good stuff’ front and center!

In fact, demand has already inspired us to add a new Friday tasting event, The Opening Round, with 15 winemakers from around California. Even more intimate than our Grand Tasting, it offers attendees a more leisurely opportunity to get their wine juices going and leads right into our super-popular carry over from last year the “Shiners, Secrets and Samples” Winemaker Mixer… the world’s only public event where consumers can taste this much garagiste ‘secret stash’ all in one place! Our multi-winemaker dinner returns on Thursday night in Paso, as do our tasting seminars on Saturday at Windfall Farms, this year covering the Good, the Bad and the Ugly … well mostly the good, but they do start off with some bad and ugly with “What's Wrong With This Picture? Educate Your Palate About the Most Common Wine Flaws,” which teaches consumers how to identify (and understand the cause of) wine flaws such as TCA, Oxidization, Bret, and more. Moving on to what we consider the undisputed good is “Garagiste Outlaws: Breaking the Old World Blending Rules (in France they'll throw you in jail for these blends!)” which offers tastings from blending experts who will explain why many Old World blending rules are just made to be broken.

And, of course, there is the main event, the Grand Tasting on Saturday at Windfall Farms with 49 fabulous Central Coast garagistes, followed by our signature rock and roll after party where both winemakers and attendees drink a lot of beer while talking about making a lot of great wine -- and eating hand-tossed, grill-fired, artisan pizza from Paso locals Gypsy Flame. The festival winds down on Sunday with a symposium for serious aspiring and beginning winemakers, “The Chemistry of Wine: Practices and Pitfalls,” which we hope will encourage a whole new population of garagistes!  As the LA Times said, "this is one not to miss" and tickets sell out fast: For tickets and information go to www.garagistefestival.com.

Garagiste Festivals are produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry.  Proceeds from the festivals are donated to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program.

As part of The Garagiste Festival team, Melanie Webber spearheads Public Relations. Her public relations agency, mWEBB Communications, Inc., won a 2011 American Business Award for PR/Communications Campaign of the Year. A lover of all things Central Coast, especially the wines, she just received her WSET Level 3 certification.

Have an adventure (or not!) at Lake Nacimiento

Summer days in Paso Robles can get warm and when they do, smart people head to the water.

A favorite attraction for locals and visitors who love to take part in outdoor recreation is Lake Nacimiento, about 20 minutes west of Paso Robles.

One of the best things about the lake is that it's large enough that you can seek out and find whatever type of lake day you're looking for. You can camp, ski, tube, wakeboard, fish, cruise, sunbathe or just sit in a cove in the shade and play cards.

The fact is, most seasoned lake-goers do a combination of all of the above on any given day at Lake Nacimiento, which is why it's such a popular destination.

If you'd like to take a peek at what's going on at the lake, or to check the weather and water levels, check out the live webcams from Lake Nacimiento Live.

Two cameras cover the Oak Shores marina and main channel, and their brand new camera, set to launch any day, is perched on a hill overlooking the main marina at Lake Nacimiento Resort. (This is no amateur webcam, when the Nation Weather Service realized that Lake Nacimiento Live uses the same high quality cameras they use around the nation, the Ventura office started checking the webcams every morning before they post the latest weather report).  

Sneak peek of webcam3 view

Caution: Checking the lake webcam from your office computer may cause an instant urge to pack the ice chest and head to the lake. Use with care and at your own risk.

If a day trip to the lake doesn't sound like enough time for you to enjoy the experience to the fullest, you can always find current lodging and camping information at www.nacimientoresort.com, as well as rental information on boats, houseboats, jet skis and kayaks. 

Vacation rental information, lakefront and otherwise, can be found at www.centralcoastgetaways.com.

See you at Naci soon!