Fabulous Summer Specials in Paso Robles

by Tina Swithin

Summertime is upon us and there is no place that I'd rather be than Paso Robles! Paso Robles is an idyllic retreat with countless activities for families, couples or good friends. Sip on Rhône varietals, amazing Cabernets and spicy Zinfandels in California's fastest growing wine region, tee off at one of the state's finest golf courses, dine on farm fresh cuisine and learn a bit of old Hollywood history at the world renowned Hearst Castle.

Are you sold yet? What if I told you that many hotels, motels and inns, ranging from boutique-luxury to family-friendly, are offering exclusive lodging deals and fun packages? Below is a description of Paso Robles' summer lodging specials.  For more information on attractions, dining and lodging in Paso Robles, visit http://www.travelpaso.com.

* Please remember: All specials are based upon availability. Certain blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

BEST WESTERN PLUS Black Oak Lodge
1135 24th Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 238-4740
http://www.bestwesternblackoak.com

With 110 nicely appointed rooms, an outdoor heated pool, hot tub and dry sauna, guests will be treated to a relaxing getaway. The convenient location provides easy access to local wineries, lakes and renowned dining. Guests can now enjoy a completely remodeled spa suite with a king bed and a full-size Jacuzzi tub - the perfect way to end the evening after a day of wine tasting or celebrating a special occasion in Paso Robles.

• “Vino Therapy” Package: The BEST WESTERN PLUS Black Oak has partnered with spa and wine experts Vino+Therapy to provide several exceptionally unique experiences for bridal parties, mother-daughter getaways or for anyone in need of pampering … men will love it too! This package includes an overnight stay and a day of pampering. Vino+Therapy staff will transport guests to their studio for a glass of wine, wine foot soak and champagne sugar scrub foot treatment, Port-infused truffles and a 30-minute Vino Massage or Coco-Cab facial. Guests can continue the fun with some educational wine tasting at the Barrel Room featuring seven different boutique wineries. Packages can be custom designed to suit the individual needs of guests. Packages start at $154.24 and are available on Thursdays and Fridays only; valid through December 31, 2013. For reservations, call (805) 238-4740. Package is based on availability and must be scheduled at least 48-hours in advance. A 24-hour cancellation is required.

Hampton Inn and Suites
212 Alexa Court
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 226-9988
http://www.hamptoninnpasorobles.com

This Mediterranean-style Hampton Inn features 81 recently renovated rooms and studio suites, a heated pool and spa, a fitness center, complimentary daily breakfast and an evening wine and cheese reception (held Monday through Thursday). This summer, guests can enjoy a new package that incorporates a few of Paso Robles' favorites: Arts, wine and olives.

• “Arts, Wine and Olives” Package: Along with accommodations and breakfast, guests will receive two tickets to Hearst Castle, a bottle of local Zinfandel, and a $25 gift card to "We Olive" stores for unique olive oil products. Offer is valid June 1 through August 31 and rates start at $214.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
2455 Riverside Avenue
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 238-6500
http://www.hixpaso.com

Surrounded by the mesmerizing beauty of Paso Robles Wine Country, this newly- remodeled hotel offers 91 fully appointed guestrooms, Jacuzzi suites, full suites, and studio suites. Guests will enjoy complimentary full hot breakfast each morning, complimentary Hospitality Reception (Monday - Thursday), a saltwater heated pool and spa, complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour fitness center and a 24-hour business center. Relax in the spacious accommodations that feature the Simply Smart Bedding Collection with plush duvets, soft pillows, and high-thread count sheets along with refrigerator, microwave, dual-line phones with voicemail, 37" HDTV with DIRECTV, coffee/tea maker, and a work desk. Guests can take advantage of these three great summer deals. Offers are valid through December 31, 2013; cannot be combined with other offers.

• "3...2...1...Getaway!" - Countdown to a Paso Robles Weekend Getaway with this amazing summer special! Book now and receive three complimentary "pick your winery” tasting coupons to be used at participating wineries (see http://www.hixpaso.com website for participating wineries), two-night accommodations with 15% off the Best Flex Rate each night, a bottle of wine upon arrival and *1-1000 points Priority Club Rewards voucher. Offer good Thursday - Sunday only.

"Hunter Ranch Golf Getaway" – Calling all golf lovers! Tee up for this package and receive overnight accommodations in a luxury guestroom, one round of golf (18 holes) at 4.5 star Hunter Ranch Golf Course and a shared cart. Rates start at $200, excluding tax; based upon availability. "Wine Tour Experience" – Explore Paso Robles wine country on the Grapeline Wine Shuttle. Guests receive overnight accommodations in a luxury guestroom and two spots on the fantastic Grapeline wine tour, which includes hosted transportation, a gourmet picnic lunch overlooking scenic vineyards along with wine tasting tickets and a Value Passport, good for discounts on merchandise and wine purchases. Rates start at $300, excluding tax; based on availability.

La Bellasera
206 Alexa Court
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 238-2834
http://www.labellasera.com

Enjoy a refreshing escape at La Bellasera, where luxury accommodations are combined with exceptional service. Guests will feel right at home in one of the 60 oversized rooms and suites, with deluxe amenities including signature bedding and in-room spa therapy treatments. With a perfect blend of warm accommodations, chic design, and plentiful amenities, La Bellasera embodies the grace and elegance of Paso Robles Wine County and the heart of California. To make reservations, call La Bellasera at (866) STAY-NOW.

• “Enoteca Dining” Package: Throughout the summer months, guests will enjoy a $20 gift certificate to Enoteca Restaurant, located in the La Bellasera Hotel & Suites when they book a stay of one night or more. Experience Paso Robles dining with an Italian-inspired menu focused on fresh seafood with a contemporary twist. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, Enoteca is perfect for every palate. This package cannot be combined with any other offers.

La Quinta Inn & Suites
2615 Buena Vista Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 239-3004
http://www.lq.com

Spacious rooms are filled with modern amenities including luxurious beds, microwaves, refrigerators and 32-inch LCD TVs with cable. Two-room suites feature spacious bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs, a living room and large bedroom for maximum comfort. Guests are also able to enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet and evening wine and gourmet cheese receptions, as well as a heated outdoor pool and spa and fitness center. All specials are based upon availability. Certain blackout dates and restrictions may apply. Packages cannot be combined with any other offers.

• “Suite Summer Deal” Package: During the summer months, guests will enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a luxurious one-room, King Suite Guestroom and a complimentary bottle of wine or a $25 credit to the lobby Wine & Gift Shop. Rates start at $139; offer valid June 1 - August 31, 2013.

“Guest Appreciation Month”: Stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites while they celebrate their guests. During the month of June, La Quinta will feature their signature evening wine & gourmet cheese receptions every night of the week. A local guest winery will be onsite every evening from 5:30pm – 7pm to pour their wine, complemented by local artisan breads, crackers, gourmet cheeses and meats. Guests can enter to win special prizes and giveaways each day of the week and enjoy special deals in the lobby Wine & Gift Shop. Offer valid from June 1 -30, 2013.

Paso Robles Inn
1103 Spring Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 676-1713
http://www.pasoroblesinn.com

Renowned for their therapeutic mineral spa tubs, this newly renovated 98-room historic inn has been welcoming guests for more than a century. Gardens, streams, koi ponds and majestic oak trees surrounding the inn make for a serene getaway. Hotel amenities include an outdoor heated pool and spa and the Paso Robles Steakhouse. Many rooms have fireplaces and some come with private hot springs mineral spa tubs located either on the balcony or in the bath.

• “A Walk to Remember” Package: Discover the culture, cuisine and wines that are authentic to Paso Robles! Surrounded by vineyards, olive orchards, family farms and ranches, the historic downtown square of Paso Robles is a magnet for creative chefs. Enjoy a 3.5-hour walking tour with five specially arranged food and beverage tastings with Central Coast Food Tours. Experience local, fresh, and often handcrafted, artisanal foods that are the inspiration behind the local chefs' creative dishes. Guests will receive a souvenir copy of the Paso Robles Inn history book, “The History of The Paso Robles Inn, More Than a Century of Pride” plus two complimentary drinks in the Cattleman's Lounge. Rates start at $401.63; valid until December 31, 2013.

• “California Royalty – Hearst Castle Tour” Package: Visit one of California's most treasured historic landmarks with an adventure package that explores the wonders of Hearst Castle, sightseeing and exploring along beautiful Highway 1 and the quaint town of Cambria. The package includes a guided “Grand Rooms Museum Tour” at Hearst Castle, followed by a gourmet deli lunch in scenic San Simeon, located along Highway 1. Afterwards, guests will enjoy some time sightseeing along the North Coast. Pick up time is 7:45 a.m. from the hotel (on the day of check-out). The tour will last approximately 6.5 to 9 hours, please plan accordingly. Package is based on two adults. Each additional adult is $109 per person. Rates start at $343.84; valid until December 31, 2013.

Go ahead, start packing your bags because Paso Robles is waiting with open arms! 

Tina Swithin is the Marketing Coordinator and Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Tina is also a Huffington Post contributor where she covers family travel and "hidden gems" in California. Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.

 

BarrelHouse Brewing in Paso Robles

by Matt Browne

There’s a new brewery in Paso Robles and it’s called BarrelHouse Brewing. I must be honest and let you know that I’ve been there numerous times since they opened in mid to late February of this year … and you will continue to find me there on occasion.

Let’s cover the basics of this new spot:

• The beer: Personally, I think the beer is quite good. They change up their menu here and there but you might find things like their Templeton Ale (a Kolsch-style blonde ale), the Belgian Wit (Belgian-style wheat ale), Pale Ale, IPA and different types of stouts. Again, the beer is good … so go check it out!

• The people: All the people that we’ve interacted with there are fantastic. It’s like hanging out at a friend’s house and once you go enough it might become that place where “everyone knows your name.” The customer service has been great each time we’ve been and that’s a big reason why you’ll continue to see us there.

• The facility: On the inside there’s a nice big bar along with many tables sprinkled throughout. The really cool thing is that that the beer making happens right there in front of you. All the stainless tanks are in the middle of the joint and you’ll often see the guys working on something while you sip on some beer. Much of the stuff on the inside has been recycled or repurposed which is pretty neat as well. When you sit at the bar you look through these two roll up window-style doors out onto this amazingly lush beer garden area.

• The music: They have a flatbed truck that they use as a stage for their live music, and there is outdoor seating and tons of grassy area so you can take a blanket or your own chairs. The manmade rock feature outside boasts a pond and waterfall which adds to the ambiance. Again, it really feels like you’re hanging out with friends in a really great backyard.

They only serve their beer, no wine or anything else, and they also do not have food; however, they have no problem with you bringing food in and they do actually have a food truck show up from time to time.

I’m a huge fan of what they’re doing and I’m happy to see Paso Robles becoming a place that more craft beer folks want to do business in. You have to check this place out and let me know what you think, in fact, when you go check it out I may be sitting on the bar stool right next to you! Cheers!!

Matt is a 10-year Paso Robles area resident. He and his wife, Annie, love exploring the Central Coast looking for food, drinks and adventure. You can follow their adventures on their blog at HootnAnnie.

The Perfect Blend: Art & Wine on Wine Fest Weekend!

by Sasha Irving

Paso’s most anticipated wine event of the year, the 31st Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival, is quickly approaching and ten participating wineries are celebrating the weekend by pairing art and wine in their tasting rooms. 

Even the casual wine country visitor can appreciate the undeniable correlation between art and wine for both are expressions of creativity and both bring joy to our lives.

Here's a rundown on how and where you can have a little art with your wine:

First Crush Cellars
2975 Limestone Way, Paso Robles
Friday – Sunday: The party starts at First Crush! Celebrate the Grand Opening of their Wine Tasting Cave with complimentary wine and cheese pairings, wine specials, olive oil samples and art gallery. Bring a picnic and enjoy their new garden and grotto, then see their plein air paintings from local artists and handcrafted jewelry and furniture while you sample Barrel House micro-brews next door.

Friday & Saturday: After you’ve picked your pleasure at their first-annual Wine and Beer Block Party, meet featured artist Brian Demarest (Saturday only). Brian Demarest grew up in Avenel, New Jersey and graduated from The School Of Visual Arts in Manhattan, NY in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration. Working primarily as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer, Brian has done work for film and television companies such as Tsunami Films and Late Night with David Letterman. In 2008 Brian moved from New Jersey to Bakersfield and recently started painting on a larger scale combining elements from Pop Art, Cartooning, and Neo Expressionism to explore new aspects of picture making and self-expression.

There’ll be something great on the grill, and wine and beer for sale by the bottle and glass. 

Graveyard Vineyards
6994 Estrella Road, San Miguel
Friday – Sunday: What an exceptional experience! That's what you'll think after visiting Graveyard Vineyards. Mix a gorgeous setting with friendly people, taste Gold Medal wines and you won't want to leave. During Wine Fest, they add tasty snacks for sampling along with the offerings of local artisan vendors. Drink in Peace!

Red Soles Winery
3230 Oakdale Road, Paso Robles
Friday – Sunday: Red Soles Winery takes pride in making premium, estate grown wines. Join them and indulge in expertly crafted wine and cheese pairings in the Templeton Gap. Taste their luscious and refreshing white wines plus their award-winning reds. Enjoy tri-tip sandwiches and browse their Art Boutique.

Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden
5015 Linne Road, Paso Robles
Friday – Sunday: This Paso Robles winery offers hand crafted wines and a magnificent sculpture garden featuring old world iron work by Robert Bentley and the larger-than-life sculptures of John Jagger. Visiting local artist Terez Tyni has works on display as well as Janet Yelner (Berkley), Robert Maja (San Clemente via Dominica), Ellen Barnett (New Jersey), and ceramicist Heidi Peterson (Atascadero).

Sign up for their vineyard tour on Friday or Saturday. On Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. they will be hosting a Santa Maria style BBQ with music by Narrow Road. On Sunday join them in the garden for Steve Key presents, Songwriters at Play, 1:00 p.m.

Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards
1437 Wild Horse Winery Court, Templeton
Friday: Vineyard tours, barrel samples, wine specials and more. Tacos from 3:00-6:30 p.m. Live music 5:30-7:30 p.m.!

Saturday: Art, Music, Paella & Wine! 20 local artists art show and sell their original works in watercolor, oil, ink, metal, mixed media, etc. Live music from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. plus winery tours, barrel samples and Paella & Pinot Noir specials!

Sunday: Sample gourmet cheeses and fabulous wines! Plus, vineyard tours, wine specials and more!

Windward Vineyard
380 Live Oak Road, Paso Robles
Friday – Sunday: Local pastel artist Carol Ball’s work is featured in the tasting room. Come and meet Carol who will most likely be present one or all of the days to represent her work and possibly do some painting on site. In addition, Windward is offering a vertical tasting of four vintages of Estate Pinot Noir with artisan cheese pairings. Spend the day in their Lath House overlooking the vineyard, playing bocce ball and enjoying their Burgundian-style Pinot Noir with selections from their Cafe menu. On Saturday stop by their booth in the Park and come to the winery to visit with winemaker Marc Goldberg. Sunday Chef Brigit Binns will be signing copies of her newest book, “The New Wine Country Cookbook,” and offering samples of some of her wine-friendly recipes, assisted by husband Casey aka "The Paso Wine Man."

Sasha Irving is the Programs Director of Studios on the Park and the Coordinator of the annual  Paso Robles Festival of the Arts. Proud to be a native Paso Roblan, she is also a member of Ballet Folklorico Cachanilla and an usher at  Old Mission San Miguel Arcangel.  For more information please visit www.studiosonthepark.org or call 805.238.9800.

Giveaway! Experience World-Class Magic with LXV Wine

Enter to win a ticket to M A G I C + W I N E at LXV Wine on Memorial Day Weekend.

Simply comment on this post to be entered to win, the winner will be drawn Friday, May 17.

There are only 50 seats available to this show and if you love magic, you won't want to miss it.

by Tina Swithin

While I believe that Paso Robles is a magical place to be all year, imagine my excitement when I heard that an internationally renowned magician was coming to perform at LXV Wines! This Memorial Day Weekend, LXV Wine will be inviting back International Magic Champion, David Minkin. A little birdie recently told me that David completely sold out the last event at LXV wines in March of 2012 and they’ve spent 15-months trying to get him back to Paso Robles!

I was instantly intrigued by this news and set out to do a bit of research on magician David Minkin. According to my inside sources, David won first place from the world's largest organization of magicians with over 13,000 members in over 70 countries! I also discovered that he was a cast member on the MTV magic series, "Room 401," and a co-star on the new Travel Channel show, "Magic Outlaws."

After one performance, Johnny Depp was quoted as saying, "That's the greatest thing I've ever seen. Really... that was staggering!"

While researching David’s background, I came to learn that most people describe him as a very humble artist, who thrives in bringing magic back into people's lives. If you are seeking a fabulous evening of LXV wine, epicurean delights and M A G I C, a special pairing menu has been curated especially for this event by Chef Joanne DeGarimore. Because this is close-up magic, space is limited and this event will sell out.

M A G I C + W I N E at LXV Wine

Details: Saturday, May 25th and Sunday, May 26th from 6:30PM to 9:15PM

Address: 3680 Willow Creek Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Tickets: $85 | $77 (Groups of 4 or more) | $72 (LXV Club)

Click here for tickets or call Neeta at 530-763-3821

Tina Swithin is the Marketing Coordinator and Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Tina is also a Huffington Post contributor where she covers family travel and "hidden gems" in California. Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.

 

5 reasons to bring your bike to Paso Robles over Memorial Day weekend

Photo courtesy of www.pathlesspedaled.com

If you love to ride, then you need to spend the next available holiday weekend in Paso Robles.

Sure we're known for our wine and food, but it seems that the word is slowly getting out that this is a fantastic place to ride.

And while most weekends of the year are great for cycling and offer quiet roads and friendly faces, Memorial Day weekend is special for the following reasons:

 

 

1. The Great Western Bicycle Rally is going on at the Paso Robles Event Center. Rides range from kid-friendly to century. Registration is dirt cheap and the fun factor is way high.

2. The completely free Paso Robles Festival of the Arts is going on in the downtown city park on Saturday, May 25th and offers a free bike valet service, along with fine art, live music, beer, wine, food and fun.

Photo courtesy of Great Western Bicycle Rally

3. We have the most helpful bike shop for miles around, Steve and the gang at Best Bike Zone can fill you in on routes, bike-friendly wineries, free group rides and everything else you need to cycle happily in Paso.

4. Paso Robles was just awarded the Bicycle Friendly Community designation this week - there are new trails, upgraded roads, bike racks and more here for cyclists. Click here for a guide to cycling in Paso Robles.

5. Paso Robles is a fantastic place to visit, with or without a bike and a three-day weekend is the perfect excuse to visit. 

So if you are looking for a great Memorial Day Weekend experience, check out Paso Robles from Friday May 24 through Monday, May 27, 2013.   

About Paso Robles: 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 tourism@prcity.com. For the latest news on the area, subscribe to the blog at http://blog.travelpaso.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/travelpaso and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/travelpaso.

 

Paso Robles Festival of the Arts Announces New Features for 2013!

The Paso Robles Festival of the Arts celebrates its fifth year with fun additions to the event that promise to enhance the art-filled experience for attendees of all ages.

“We love making the Festival of the Arts more spectacular every year,” states Sasha Irving, Festival coordinator. “We are excited with the changes and additions this year and are confident that our event attendees will have an even better time than they did last year, which was hard to top.”

Each section of the event has seen an enhancement this year. The popular Plein Air Quick-Draw and Auction has been moved to the gazebo, at the center of the Outdoor Fine Art Show and Sale. A bar and lounge area has been added nearby so that art show and auction attendees can bid at the auction and browse the art offerings with a glass of wine or a beer.

In addition to 50+ nationally- and regionally-acclaimed artists who will exhibit and sell artworks ranging from painting, jewelry, drawing, ceramic, glass, textiles, wood, photography and mixed media, there is a brand new, fun “Emerging Artists Collective” area in the art show that will feature a loose-knit group of mostly self-taught artists who make art that reflects the lifestyles they lead and will showcase lowbrow art, graffiti, and neo-surrealism.

The Youth Art Zone, located along Spring Street, will have a new layout, enhanced staging, two public mural projects and new entertainment. There will once again be eight hands-on art stations for kids, along with a full day’s performances on the youth stage, a musical petting zoo, face painters, stilt walkers, and so much more.

The Environmental Partners Zone, located next to the fountain, will focus this year on making your home and yard more sustainable. Additions include a casual classroom for workshops, worm farming and composting demos and sustainable gardening information. The area will again feature an update on the Salinas River Corridor Project (including information on the new 40-mile walking and biking trail) and a fun and enhanced Mother Nature Photo Booth for attendees to snap their own keepsake photos.

The extremely popular Sand Guys (part of the team from the Travel Channel's Sand Masters show) will return with an expanded sand sculpting area on Pine Street that will feature demonstrations on the hour and half hour.

Also new this year is Festival-themed merchandise for sale that includes commemorative wristbands, aprons and reusable bags, among other items.

There will once again be live music throughout the day on Pine Street, two special exhibitions showing at Studios on the Park, a free Bike Valet service and the signature and ever-popular stilt walkers will return to stalk the park, to the delight of all.

There will be food and beverages for sale in the park. A large portion of the day’s proceeds, including food, beverage and art sales, goes to benefit the Festival, Studios on the Park and the Salinas River Corridor Project, all non-profit endeavors.

About the Festival of the Arts: The Paso Robles Festival of the Arts, a program of Studios on the Park, celebrates the arts every Memorial Day Weekend in the Paso Robles City Park and this year takes place Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 10am–4pm. The day starts with a Plein Air Quick-Draw and Auction, followed by a Fine Art Show, public mural projects, hands-on children’s art stations, environmental displays, live music, dance performances and other musical and visual surprises. Beneficiaries include the Salinas River Corridor Project and Studios on the Park’s community arts programming. This event is FREE to the public! For more information, go to www.pasoartfestival.com

Seared and Braised Feta-Stuffed Chicken Thighs with White Wine and Green Olives

by Brigit Binns

 

This gutsy and rustic dish features powerful acidity from the feta, wine, and olives, but the tanginess is tamed slightly by the broth and the natural richness inherent to chicken thighs—one of my favorite bits of the chicken. It’s the perfect dish to serve when meat is not on the menu but you plan to serve a good red wine with the main course.  

Serves 6

• 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, preferably from a pasture-raised chicken
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (7- to 8-ounce) block feta cheese, cut into 12 small rectangles
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large shallots, coarsely chopped
• Large sprig fresh rosemary
• Large sprig fresh thyme
• 5 garlic cloves, minced or pushed through a press
• 1 1/4 cups medium-dry white wine, such as Viognier or a Rhône blend
• 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 lemon slice
• 1½ cups mild, brine-cured green olives (about 6 ounces), pitted and halved
• 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Place half the boneless thighs on a work surface with the smaller end toward you and spread them out flat; season generously with pepper. Place a rectangle of feta in the center and roll up to the top. Tie either end with a short piece of thin kitchen twine to hold in the cheese. Repeat with the remaining thighs and feta. Season generously with salt and just a little bit of pepper.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is very hot, add six of the chicken rolls and sear until golden brown on all sides, turning with tongs. Transfer to a platter, let the pan heat up again and sear the remaining rolls in the same way; transfer to the platter. Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan and return it to medium heat. Add the shallots, rosemary and thyme. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the shallots are tender, then add the garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add the wine and bring to a brisk simmer; reduce the liquid by about half, 6 to 8 minutes, tipping the pan and skimming the fat occasionally. Return the chicken to the pan and add the broth, lemon slice, ¼ teaspoon salt, and plenty of pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly with aluminum foil and the lid, if there is one, and transfer to the oven. Cook for 20 minutes, then turn the chicken pieces over, add the olives, re-cover, and continue cooking for about 10 minutes more, or until the chicken is very tender.

Transfer the chicken to a warm, clean platter and cover loosely with foil. On the stovetop, place the skillet over high heat and reduce the sauce a little bit to concentrate the juices, stirring, for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the remains of the herb branches and the lemon slice, return the chicken to the pan for a moment to warm through, and serve, spooning plenty of the chunky sauce over the top and sprinkling with the parsley.

Recommended Pairings: Central Coast: Villa Creek “Granadina,” Paso Robles (Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre)

*Photo credit to Maria Liberati

Brigit Binns is the nationally-known author or co-author of numerous best-selling cookbooks, many of them for Williams-Sonoma. Although she has lived, cooked, and celebrated the pleasures of the table from New York to London to Southern Spain—and throughout the Mediterranean—her heart always remained true to her home state of California.  At her new cooking class venue, Refugio, class members learn to create fantastic food, savor award-winning wines, and meet local winemakers and food artisans in a warm, convivial atmosphere. All Refugio classes take place in her beautiful outdoor kitchen in Paso Robles.

Giveaway! National Train Day Family Rail Excursion

Enter to win two tickets for the Central Coast Railroad Festival's Family Rail Excursion on Saturday, May 11th! 

Simply comment on this post to be entered to win, the winner will be drawn Thursday, May 2nd.  

This scenic trip starts at Paso Robles Amtrak Station at 1:00pm and travels down the historic and scenic Cuesta Grade on the Amtrak Coast Starlight and return to Paso Robles on a private bus at 5:00 p.m.

During your trip you will visit the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum's historic Freight House to enjoy the National Train Day railroad exhibits, speeder rides, tours, running model trains and live music from the Crustacea Jazz Band.

Excursion information and online tickets: www.ccrrf.com 

Winners must contact the CCRRF representative at (805) 773-4173 by Monday (May 6th) to confirm your tickets.

Tickets courtesy of the Central Coast Railroad Festival.

Wine Fest in Paso Robles is Coming! May 17-19, 2013

by Krista Scarbrough

Here in Paso, we take winemaking pretty seriously. In fact, we hold a festival every year to honor our grapes and the wines they create. We call it simply: Wine Festival. This year will be our 31st Annual Wine Festival, May 17 - 19 — a time to unwind and enjoy the finest food and wine Paso Robles Wine Country has to offer. 

More than 40 wineries offer one wine within the categories of Reserve, Library, White/Rosé or Futures during the Friday, May 17 Reserve Event and Auction from 3:30 - 6 p.m. in the Downtown City Park. Bid on select wines at the Auction, as select wineries offer a premium taste of Paso Robles in this creative spin on a silent auction, with the top five bidders for each wine receiving a case! Auction wineries include:

• Ancient Peaks Winery
• Broken Earth Winery
• Cass Winery
• Clautiere Vineyard
• Tobin James Cellars
• Villicana Winery

Start Saturday, May 18 with the fun and educational Winemaker Seminar from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Park Ballroom.  Following the seminar, more than 40 wineries will showcase their wines alongside culinary samplings during the Grand Tasting from 12 – 4 p.m. in the Downtown City Park. New this year, wineries will be organized into five “regions” for tasting: Bordeaux, Rhône, Zinfandel, Burgundy and Other Wild Wines for your tasting pleasure.

A variety of Wine Festival ticket options are available to suit your tastes:

RESERVE Ticket - $125*

• RESERVE - Friday, May 17, 3:30 - 6 p.m.
• Premium Grand Tasting admission - Saturday, May 18, 12 - 4 p.m.

Premium Ticket - $75

• Grand Tasting Early Admission - Saturday, May 18, 12 - 4 p.m.

Locals Only Ticket - $40* (purchase by April 30th)

• Grand Tasting – Saturday, May 18, 1 - 4 p.m.

Festival Ticket - $55

• Grand Tasting – Saturday, May 18, 1 - 4 p.m.

Designated Driver/Child Ticket - $15

• Admission to the Paso Robles City Park - Saturday, May 18, 12 - 4 p.m.

Winemaker Seminar Ticket - $20*  

• Winemaker Seminar - Saturday, May 18, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Admission to Grand Tasting sold separately

*Advance purchase only

Explore beyond the Park at more than 130 winery events including winemaker dinners, live music, barrel samplings and more! Wineries with Festival Fan next to their name in the online Event Brochure offer specials to Grand Tasting ticketholders. Keep your ticket in hand throughout the weekend to take advantage of these great offers.  

Visit pasowine.com for more event details and to purchase your tickets today! 

Krista Scarbrough is the Consumer Engagement Coordinator for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, a non-profit marketing association for area wineries and associated businesses. Follow @PasoRoblesWine on Facebook and Twitter for the latest Paso Robles Wine Country happenings.

Strawberries are NOW! Farmers' Market is WHERE!

by Mike Dimond, North County Farmer's Markets 

You might be interested to know that California produces 80 percent of the strawberries grown in the U. S.  And might like to know that the coast, from San Francisco to San Diego, is where those berries are grown. But what you really need to know, is that NOW is the time to enjoy local strawberries at the height of their season, and Farmers' Market is the best place to buy them directly from the farmer who's growing them.

Chat with shoppers at the Markets and you'll find that folks are passionate about their strawberries, and they come to market seeking their favorite varieties.  Two names that are mentioned repeatedly are Chandler and Albion, and they tell the story of strawberry culture in our modern food age.  Like other fruits and vegetables (think tomatoes), strawberries are fragile and highly perishable, characteristics that do not make them good candidates for mass production and long distance shipping. In order to meet the needs of commercial agriculture, strawberries have been bred for size, firmness and durability, at the expense of juiciness and flavor.

 Like so much of our fresh produce, a common reaction is that strawberries "just don't taste like they did when we were kids".  Two varieties you'll find at Farmers Market have attracted loyal fans for having the flavor and juiciness of the strawberries we remember, and they did it in different ways. 

The Chandler strawberry IS that old time strawberry.  Long favored for tender, juicy flesh and great strawberry flavor, it was largely abandoned in commercial agriculture by the late 1990s, largely due to the very characteristics that made it popular. The growth of Farmers' Markets and other direct to the public marketing have created a niche for the Chandler's revival, and it has become one of the most popular strawberries at the Markets.

The Albion is another approach to solving the blah-berry problem.  Developed at the UC Davis strawberry breeding program, the Albion resulted from an effort to breed a commercially viable berry without sacrificing the qualities most important to the consumer.  By all accounts the effort was a great success.

In a strawberry comparison at University of Nottingham, England, research showed that "Albion contains twice the amount of flavour compounds of other varieties tested", and one of the tasters found that "Albion stood head and shoulders above the others, with an even balance of sweetness and acidity, along with a well-rounded, intense strawberry flavour."  Locally, Farmers' Market shoppers concur.

Now it's your turn, taste both varieties and find your favorite.  Velasquez Farms and Bautista Farms have strawberries at North County Farmers Markets NOW!

Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy strawberries in ways you may not have thought about...

• Grilled Cheese Sandwich with strawberries and Taleggio 
• Strawberry and Poppy Seed Salad Dressing (and toss a few strawberry slices into the salad too!)
• Roasted Strawberries - amazing over ice cream  
• Spicy Strawberry Sauce for grilled meats

Here is a recipe for Strawberry Salsa - this is perfect with Baked Fish Filet with Farmers Market Veggies  

2 cups chopped strawberries

1 small avocado diced

1 carrot grated

2 TBL cilantro chopped

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1 TBL finely diced jalapeno (to taste)

2 TBL balsamic vinegar

zest 1 lime

juice of 1 lime

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine balsamic vinegar, lime juice and lime zest in a bowl, mix well. 

Fold in the other ingredients.  

Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Cover and rest for at least 20 minutes to blend the flavors.

Serve with tortilla chips, or with fish, poultry or pork.

 

Farmer's Market takes place every Tuesday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Paso Robles City Park, each Saturday from 9:00 to noon in the Templeton park, and all over the county the rest of the week.  To find a Farmers' Market and more Farm Fresh Recipes visit the Farmers Market web site.

Photo: at the Paso Robles Market, Francisco Velasquez, Velasquez Farms, Santa Maria