My email is being flooded with wine events of interest
here on the Central Coast. So, time to make a list and check it twice. The
details and ticketing information are varied and often have a complex set of
offerings. Rather than try to present that much information, I'll provide the
links to the source of the ones you may find of interest.
The next two events on the
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) list are Blend Fest, February 19-21 and the March 18-20 Vintage Paso Zinfandel Weekend. The first is held on the coast in
the lovely area around Cambria and was a
recent addition to the Alliance line up that proved popular when begun last
year. It can also be tied to travel plans including the Hearst Castle and San
Simeon. Zin Weekend also offers a travel double header as the San Luis Obispo
International Film Festival is held in the same time frame and is offering
(link via the event details) a special screening of the sequel to the SOMM
movie on opening day after a seminar led by Master Somm Fred Dame. A fellow
Central Coaster and former wine director of Monterey's famous Sardine Factory
restaurant, he is in part to blame for my entry in SOMM-ism. The weekend has
some structured aspects but is free form in terms of planning visits to
wineries rather than a large tasting format. Get all the facts and figures at
www.pasowine.com and check out the site for suggested itineraries, lodging and
dining options and a wealth of useful information on the area.
The Garagistes take their show back to Solvang for the annual Southern Exposure tasting of small lot wines that are
rarely available for tasting or purchase. Held February 13-14, ducats and info
are found at their site, www.garagistefestival.com.
In Paso, at Broken Earth
winery, on February 14, our local Rhone
Rangers will hold a morning seminar followed by lunch (limited seats). Then
a grand tasting of the wide variety of wines made from Rhone based grapes.
Their site is at www.RhoneRangers.org where details and tickets are available.
Santa Barbara is the venue
for a Winter Wine Classic on
February 20th (www.californiawinefestival.com) and a Spring Weekend of April 21-24,
provided by the area vintners (www.sbvintnersweekend.com). More about wine
events in the county can also be found at www.sbcountywines.com. Another major
area tasting is the World of Pinot Noir,
March 4-5, at the Bacara Resort. This is an international event with Pinots
from Burgundy, NZ and all U.S growing areas. A great look at the varietal,
combined with educational sessions and some very nice dining events. Full WOPN details
can be found, as well as tickets, at
www.worldofpinotnoir.com.
Growing annually as an
industry must-do, WiVi Central Coast
Conference & Trade Show, will be
held at the Paso Robles Events Center, March 15-16.Though the event is geared
to wineries and growers, it has also provided tastings and seminars of interest
to people who are oenophiles and might be something you'd enjoy. Check out the
program at www.wivicentralcoast.com.
The Paso Robles Cab
Collective will bring the SOMMs back to Paso for this year's edition of Cabs of Distinction, April 12-14. This
is limited to trade and media but a public tasting is slated for later this
year. Their site is www.pasoroblescab.com.
Check my prior post re: Hospice du Rhone and Food & Wine's Pebble
Beach event. There are many marketing sub-set groups that post smaller, winery
oriented events. You might want to look at: www.montereywines.org,
www.slowine.com and www.santamariawines.com.
