It may be difficult for many of us to imagine right now, but spring IS just around the corner! And with the coming of spring comes green rolling hillsides throughout Paso Robles Wine Country, and thousands of beautiful wildflowers that burst open all throughout the North County region of San Luis Obispo.
If you're traveling to Paso Robles, especially if you're on a budget (and who isn't right now, right?), admiring mother nature in all of her glory is a wonderful and inexpensive way to enjoy the beautiful Central Coast. With all of the rain that we've received this year, the vineyards and hillsides are shamrock green and the wildflowers are starting to bloom in abundance - their patches of brilliant orange, yellow and blue punctuating the newly green, rolling Paso Robles hillsides.
Cyclists abound here in Paso Robles, and there are many bike trails that wind their way along the roads of Paso Robles and throughout neighboring cities in San Luis Obispo County that provide a fantastic tour of some of the best areas to see these indigenous California flowers. There are also hundreds of hiking trails for you to explore on your own two feet, or with the aid of a four-legged companion. As I mentioned before, Paso Robles is a horse-crazy town, and there are plenty of ranches that offer horse-back riding adventures.
If you prefer to have someone else map the route for you, Silverado Tours, based out of San Luis Obispo, features a North County Wildflower Tour. The tour takes you through both San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties, and even journeys across the San Andreas fault line. The next tour takes place on April 8, call 805-545-8400 for reservations.
No matter how you choose to enjoy these gorgeous wildflowers of the Central Coast, I'd highly recommend taking advantage of the Wildflower Report. Provided by the Theodore Payne Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to the preservation of California wildflowers, the Wildflower Report describes the best places to find the specific wildflower species throughout the state. The foundation posts a new report every weekend beginning in March, and continues through May. OR you can simply call their Wildflower Hotline, (818) 768-3533.
If you're like me, and enjoy cooking with flowers as much as you enjoy looking at them, you'll be pleased to know that Paso Robles and its surrounding areas are quickly becoming hotspots for lavender farmers. You can purchase their lavender products (lip-balms, cookies, and everything in between) at one of the many Farmers' Markets that take place in Paso Robles and Templeton throughout the week. And just so you know, there's an entire festival dedicated to this lovely purple stuff that happens each summer, The Central Coast Lavender Festival.
As always, Paso Robles features many beautiful hotels and accommodations to suit any lodging preference, and any budget. If you're really looking to maximize the value of your Paso Robles experience, I'd suggest taking advantage of the great lodging specials our Paso Robles hotels and bed and breakfasts are currently offering. Relax after your long wildflower hike or bikeride with a soak in one of the famous Paso Robles hotsprings baths offered at the Paso Robles Inn, or wash away the cares of the day in the luxurious indoor jacuzzi at the beautiful Paso Robles Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
So get out from behind that computer (yeah, I know, I'm one to talk), and come experience the natural beauty of the Central Coast, and make the most of your California adventure!
Last Sunday kicked off the annual Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association's (PCCHA) annual Derby Classic-Challenge at the Paso Robles Event Center. This event has returned to Paso Robles for the fourth year in a row, bringing with it hundreds of finely trained cutting horses; their owners, trainers, and riders; as well as over $400,000 in prize money.
Like many people in this town, I am absolutely horse-crazy, so I was delighted when I found out that Paso Robles plays host to this fantastic event, and that it's entirely FREE and open to the public. In spite of my horse-craziness, I've never actually attended a cutting horse event before, so I had to undergo a little bit of training myself. Fortunately, there were plenty of friendly people around to explain to me the way this 30-year-old sport works (including Phil Benadum, Executive Director of the PCCHA -- check out my interview with him above!).
The object is fairly simple - a horse and rider team attempt to isolate a single cow from the herd clustered near the back of the arena, and then prevent it from returning. What's impressive about this sport is that once the single cow has been herded out to the center of the ring, the responsibility of not letting that cow return to its comrades falls almost entirely on the horse, and its instinctive ability to anticipate where the cow is going to run. The rider sits atop their horse, hands gripping the saddle horn (they're not allowed to guide the horse with the reins at this point), while the horse jumps, dives, and pivots on the spot, mirroring the actions of the cow; blocking its attempts to escape.
To witness animals face each other down in this manner, not to mention the immense level of trust these riders put into their horses, is truly thrilling. This is a judged event, and each horse and rider team receives a score from a panel of five impartial judges that determines whether or not they will continue through the competition and participate in the finals held on Saturday, March 13.
Competition takes place every day this week at the Paso Robles Event Center (at the Fairgrounds) from 8AM - 5PM. If the mere thrill of being around beautiful horses all day isn't enough to tempt you out to this event (did I mention it's free?), every day a different Paso Robles winery will be pouring their wines. Also, at the snack bar, Bonnie's Kitchen is providing some truly delicious grub (I recommend the sweet potato fries - for $3.00, you get a generous portion cooked right there on the spot).
As for me, I'm proud to consider myself one of the PCCHA's newest converts. I'm looking forward to attending the finals on Saturday to cheer on the horses and riders with a glass of Paso Robles wine in one hand, and an order of sweet potato fries in the other.
P.S. Check out my photo gallery from the event! I'll be adding more pictures throughout the week!
This past weekend I traveled Southward to sunny San Diego along with a menagerie of representatives from over forty different Paso Robles wineries for the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour.
This event, organized by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA), is our way of bringing the fun and the sense of community of Paso Robles wine country directly to wine lovers scattered throughout the great state of California. There are two other upcoming Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour events; one in Sacramento (April 19 - 20), and another in Palo Alto (April 21 -23).
If you have never made the journey here to Paso Robles wine country (seriously, what are you waiting for?), these Grand Tasting Tour events are a great way for you to meet the many wonderful, friendly winemakers of Paso Robles, as well as receive a crash-course in the types of wine produced here in the Paso Robles AVA.
I actually went to these events to pour on behalf of Silver Horse Winery (I am a woman who wears many hats). This was my first "out of town" tasting event, and I have to say, I loved every minute of it. The people of San Diego were friendly and enthusiastic, not to mention eager to learn about the wines we produce here in Paso Robles.
Of course, the best way to experience Paso Robles in all of its glory is to actually COME here, and right now is a perfect time to do so. In this month alone, we have several exciting events lined up: The Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Derby (March 7 - 14 at the Paso Robles Event Center), Zinfandel Festival (March 19 - 21), and many more.
Also, many of our beautiful Paso Robles hotels and bed and breakfasts have lodging discounts and specials right now - so there's no excuse not to stop by and pay us a visit!
You know you love Paso Robles: the wine, the food, the breathtaking scenery -- our little haven here on the Central Coast has it all. And I know that the Paso Robles experience is never more enjoyable than when you're able to share it with your closest family and friends, which may explain why every year hundreds of happy brides and grooms choose to come to Paso Robles to celebrate their wedding, anniversary, or other special event.
Wedding planning is certainly no easy task - the multitudes of magazines, television shows, and businesses dedicated to ensuring the process is as memorable and enjoyable as possible clearly illustrates this point. There are hundreds of decisions to be made: finding the perfect caterer, the perfect venue, and of course, finding the perfect dress (a daunting task in itself!). Fortunately, the Paso Robles Wedding and Special Event Expo (happening this Sunday, March 7 at the Paso Robles Inn) simplifies the matter considerably by bringing the best caterers, wedding planners, transportation companies, photographers, and other special event services to one location. Best of all? The event is completely free!
So... maybe you don't have a wedding coming up. Maybe you've been happily married (or don't plan to be) for many years. Maybe your ultimate idea of romance is slipping into your boots, climbing into a saddle, and reveling in the unbreakable bonds of trust forged between a cutting horse and its rider.
If the latter is the case, then you probably know Paso Robles more as a haven for roping and cutting horse events in addition to its world-class wines and wineries. This may be wine country, but Paso Robles certainly hasn't lost touch with its Western roots. This week, the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association will kick off its PCCHA Derby, held at the Paso Robles Event Center. This event will feature six full days of thrilling cutting horse competitions, vendor booths, and more!
As a lifelong horse lover, and a former Quarter Horse rider (most cutting horses tend to be Quarter Horses), I'm thrilled to live in such a horse-crazy community. The connection formed between these highly-skilled horses and their equally talented riders is something incredible to behold. That's what Paso Robles and its community is about - forging connections and making memories that will last a lifetime. Even if you aren't planning to have your wedding here, Paso Robles is filled with people living out their dreams and working hard to ensure that no matter when you decide to visit, each day you spend here will undoubtedly be a special one.
Spring is in the air! The hills of Paso are greener than ever, and I'm (enthusiastically) hauling my shorts, sandals, and other fair-weather clothes out from the hidden depths at the back of my closet. In addition to rearranging my wardrobe, I'm also gearing up for all of the exciting Paso Robles events that accompany the coming of spring.
First up on the calendar is Chocolate Fantasia, happening Friday, February 26 at the Centennial Park Ballroom. Given that I have the most insatiable sweet-tooth ever, this event is definitely one I've been looking forward to. There will be fountains of chocolate, chocolate martinis, chocolate and wine pairings and more! Admission is only $12, and all proceeds from the event will go to the Paso Robles REC Foundation, which strives to provide beautiful parks and recreational facilities throughout the Paso Robles community. So go ahead and indulge - it's for a good cause!
Also coming up in March is the Zinfandel Festival! This annual celebration of Paso's "heritage varietal" is a weekend filled with events you don't want to miss. Wineries throughout the Paso Robles AVA will be pulling out all the stops; offering up free-tastings, discounts, barbecues, and winemaker dinners galore!
The "main" event - the Zinfandel Grand Tasting - will be held at the Paso Robles Event Center Saturday, March 20 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Here, over 50 different wineries will be pouring their Zins for you and your palate's sipping pleasure. Tickets for the Grand Tasting can be ordered through the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance's website. You'd better hurry - pre-sale tickets for this event went on sale as early as January 31, and the Grand Tasting does tend to sell out! I'd also recommend making your hotel reservations early as well, since Zinfest brings people from far and wide to our friendly city. Fortunately, Paso Robles has plenty of beautiful, high-class hotels for you to choose from!
As for me, this week I'm heading down to sunny San Diego to pour at the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour events. If any of you out there live down South, stop by for some tasting! It's not every day Paso Robles brings its wine country directly to you. I'll be posting updates from the event here on the blog, as well as information about hotel discounts, travel promotions, and other great Paso Robles events, so check back often!
Until then, I'll be home - happily organizing my sunglasses and flip-flops.
Forget the flowers and candy for Valentine's Day this year -- grab your sweetheart and head to Paso Robles for a unique, romantic getaway, and create memories that will last much longer than those heart-shaped boxes of candy will. This year especially, Paso Robles is greener and more beautiful than ever, and Valentine's Day is the perfect time to grab a bottle of red wine and share the beauty of the Central Coast with someone special.
There are plenty of different events to suit anyone's interests. Many of our premiere Paso Robles wineries are recruiting the talents of many of Paso Robles' finest chefs to host winemaker dinners in their beautiful tasting rooms and barrel rooms: Eberle, Cass, Mitchella, and Pomar Junction, just to name a few. If you're looking for an activity to fill your afternoon hours before heading back indoors and snuggling up with your sweet heart, there are tons of special tastings and events for you to choose from.
On February 13, Eos Winery is hosting a Lover's blending seminar and luncheon where you and your partner can create the perfect blend for you to sip and share that day, or save it for your Valentine's Day dinner - many Paso Robles restaurants are serving up special "romance"-themed menus (fresh oysters and black truffles abound!). On the sweeter side, First Crush Winemaking is teaming up with Roxo Port Cellars to host a port and chocolate wine appreciation class. Guests will learn from winemaker Jeff Steele the difference between producing port wines and traditional table wines while munching on delicious artisan chocolates and cheeses at the beautiful Meritage Tasting Lounge in downtown Paso.
If wine isn't your thing, you can opt for a more traditional "date-night" activity and attend the annual Valentine's Movie Night at Park Cinema in downtown Paso Robles. This year's film selection is "Send Me No Flowers", starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. Tickets are $12 a person, and include your choice of complimentary popcorn and soda or champagne and truffles.
And if this isn't enough to send your heart a-flutter, things just get even sweeter. Some of Paso Robles' beautiful hotels are offering special lodging discounts right now, to make your lover's weekend as comfortable (and affordable!) as possible. Whatever your budget and taste, we can accommodate!
This year, forgo the typical, shrink-wrapped Valentine's Day fare, and experience something unforgettable with that equally unforgettable someone in your life. A night to remember with your sweetheart will leave you saying "we'll always have Paso!"
In honor of my co-worker's birthday, we decided to venture out onto the back roads of Paso Robles wine country (which are breath-takingly green and gorgeous at the moment), and do some wine tasting. We stuck mainly to wineries located on the East-side of Paso Robles wine country for this trip, which features many wineries located slightly off the beaten path of the 46-East that are still well-worth visiting.
After a few stops we eventually found ourselves at Cass Winery, nestled amongst the beautiful hills of Paso on Linne Road (a small road off of Geneseo -- trust me, you'll want to bring a map). After a couple of hours of wine tasting, my colleagues and I were definitely craving some sustenance, but weren't quite ready to make the long trek back into town.
Fortunately, Cass is one of few Paso Robles wineries that offers a full-service cafe. They even have an on-staff cheesemaker, Lindsay Dodson-Brown. She's the genius behind Cass Creamery's one and only cheese (although more are in the works), their decadent, fresh truffled goat cheese. Packaged in small, 6 oz. containers - although they should probably be smaller, since I could eat an entire tub of this stuff in one sitting - this cheese alone is more than enough reason to make a trip out to Cass' beautiful tasting room, but their delicious selection of wines helps, too!
So dare to take the path less traveled and discover Cass Winery along with the many other fine wineries hidden amongst the back roads of Paso Robles Eastside Wine Country.
This weekend First Crush Winemaking Experience kicked off its innovative series of educational wine workshops and classes with its Sip and Learn: Tasting 101 wine appreciation class.
"We really wanted to create a fun way for locals and visitors to Paso alike to experience and learn about winemaking and the winemaking industry here in Paso," says First Crush owner and founder, Becky Zelinski.
The Berry to Bottle Univserity is a year long program consisting of various one day classes and blending seminars; each focusing on a different aspect of wine appreciation, viticulture, or enology. These classes allow wine lovers to enjoy a taste of what it might feel like to be a winemaker or a vineyard owner here in Paso Robles' burgeoning wine industry.
The Sip and Learn Wine Appreciation class began at In Vino Veritas, the custom crush facility that houses the wines of many Paso Robles winemakers, as well as all of the vintages from the 2009 First Crush Harvest Experiences. Following the barrel sample tasting (pulled by winemaker Aaron Horn of Nacimiento Lake Cellars), guests then moved to the Kaleidoscope Lounge in downtown Paso, where they tasted wines provided by Ecluse winery, and enjoyed appetizers and cheeses expertly paired with the wines by Chef Andre Averseng of Dining with Andre.
Don't let cost keep you away from discovering your 101 wine side! Whether you are on a budget or looking for a luxury getaway, Paso Robles offers the value of quality accommodations at any price, with a wide range of amenities. Located mid way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso is an easy drive for most Californians and visitors. Enjoy!
It's a slightly cloudy mid-week afternoon in Paso Robles, as I walk into the dining room at the historic Steakhouse at the Paso Robles Inn to meet with head Chef, Kelly Wangard.
The dining room is filled with the calm, quiet conversations of the early lunchers gathered around a table situated in front of the large stone fireplace. There's a comforting, familiar elegance about the dining area, like a fond memory of a large family feast you enjoyed at a favorite relative's on a winter's evening.
Chef Wangard joins me at my table, and fills me in on the menu she created for January's Restaurant Month, and the other exciting things she has in store for the restaurant.
Growing up in Paso Robles, Chef Wangard first became interested in pursuing a career in cooking after working for Lisa and Jim Subject of the renowned Paso Robles catering company, Cahoots Catering. After working at some of the most innovative and exclusive clubs and restaurants across the country, Kelly returned home to revamp the menu at the Steakhouse. Chef Kelly has filled her menu with classic, timeless favorites, invigorated with her own creative finishing touches.
Stop in any time and find a spot by the fire while you enjoy Kelly's Paso Robles-inspired cuisine. Want to learn more about Kelly? Check out the video of my interview with her on our Youtube Channel!
January is restaurant month here in Paso Robles! All throughout January, many of Paso Robles's world-class restaurants are serving up three-course prix fixe menus for just $30 per person!
For the rest of this month, I'll be featuring all of Paso's participating restaurants right here on the travelpaso.com blog!
Kicking off our focus on Restaurant Month is Thomas Hill Organics. I stopped by their charming bistro located at 1305 Park Street on a beautiful, strikingly spring-like evening. The inside of the restaurant is small, but warm and inviting - the majority of the space is occupied by the delicious sounds and smells of head Chef Julie Simons' large kitchen.
Restaurant owner Debbie Thomas and her husband, Joe Thomas, relocated to Paso Robles from Pasadena four and a half years ago.
"The deal was, if we moved here, I had to let him farm," laughs Debbie. And farm he did. In fact, much of the produce used in the restaurant's mouth-wateringly fresh dishes goes straight from the Thomas' 10-acre farm to your plate. In fact, Thomas Hill's beautiful "Winter Salad", the first course on their Restaurant Month prix fixe menu features arugula directly from their family's farm.
For a restaurant driven by the ever-changing availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients, the Thomases needed to find an innovative and creative head chef, dedicated to showcasing all of the fresh, locally-grown produce Paso Robles has to offer. Fortunately, they found all that and more in Chef Julie Simons.
"Julie is one of the most creative chefs you will ever meet," says Thomas. "She puts together ingredients that you would never think go well together, and then you taste it, and it's incredible."
And after one bite of the second course on their prix fixe menu this month, Julie's pan-seared scallops served with roasted butternut squash, dandelions, pecans and a cranberry relish - I'm more than inclined to agree.
Hungry for more? Check back soon for our feature on Artisan!
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