Rhône for the Weekend with Hospice du Rhône

By Guest Blogger, Faith Wells

A weekend of international Rhône wines and cuisine await you in Paso Robles at the 19th Annual Hospice du Rhône celebration April 28-30, 2011. Yes, an entire weekend dedicated to the diverse, yet versatile Twenty-two Rhône varieties.

The weekend of Hospice du Rhône encompasses wine tastings, wine seminars and meals. One way to take in all that this Rhône-obsessed weekend offers is to splurge for the Weekend Package. This handy pass gives the holder access to all four Rhône focused seminars, the Friday Rhône Rendezvous Tasting, the Saturday Grand Tasting, the daily lunches, live auction and the Farewell BBQ. This pass even includes a hardy Garden Breakfast from Stewart & Clark Fine Foods to start the day off right. For wine lovers, the access this Weekend Package provides at the event is like a basketball lover having floor seats during March Madness. This experience is extraordinary!

The seminars provide an in-depth look at a producer’s wines, winemaking styles, growing techniques and region. The two daily walk-around tastings – Friday Rhône Rendezvous and the Saturday Grand Tasting – allow one the opportunity to taste wines from over 130 worldly Rhône wine producers and shake hands with the winemakers in attendance.

Between the seminars and the tastings one must eat. The cuisine at Hospice du Rhône is a topic the organization takes as seriously as they take their Rhône wines and bowling shoes. Those with a Weekend Package have an extra advantage as they have access to three of the five meal opportunities.

The Food Fare kicks-off at Rhône ‘n Bowl with Chef Ryan Gromfin of Central City Market located in Santa Maria, California. Though the organization likes to keep the menus under lock-and-key the one hint they let slip was, Kobe Beef Corndogs.

Friday boasts two stunning meal opportunities and highlights two individual chefs. French inspired cuisine with Rosé wines in mind will be created by José Dahan of Et Voilà Restaurant from San Luis Obispo, California at the traditional Friday Rosé Lunch. In the evening, walk the international “streets” at Soirée where there will be an abundance of magnums, magic and music. Here, Chef Clark Staub of Full of Life Flatbread from Los Alamos, California will serve up delectable dishes all night long.

The delicious cuisine continues well into Saturday with Chef Budi Kazali of the Ballard Inn Restaurant from Santa Barbara County where his food will tantalize taste buds at the Saturday Lunch and Live Auction. As the weekend comes to a close, the Farewell BBQ will celebrate this 19th year with true California-styled BBQ prepared by the ever-popular Hitching Post from Buellton, California.

Saturday of the event also boasts a Live Wine Auction at the Saturday Lunch. One that offers one-of-a kind lots featuring wines produced by worldly Rhône winemakers and dinner offerings from acclaimed restaurants. Restaurateurs and collectors alike flock to this annual wine auction for their chance to add to their wine cellar. This year, bidders will have the opportunity to raise their paddle for 23 unique lots. Lots such as six magnums from Domaines Pierre Gaillard, a highly sought-after producer from the Northern Rhône. Or for the foodies out there, a four-course dinner for four with wines at Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco might just be the ticket.

From Rhône inspired cuisine to educational wine seminars to walk-around wine tastings this weekend has all things Rhône covered. What are you waiting for? Grab your Weekend Package today, book your hotel room and get ready to Rhône with the best of them!

Faith Wells is Hospice du Rhône's Communications Director, and a true Rhône fanatic. You can follow Hospice du Rhône on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Comments

[catering new york]

It sounds like I have a new place to hang out. This restaurant's ambiance is cozy but not too laid back. And the people look so happy and entertained.

[hospice care]

Nothing says hospice care like this post! Thanks for sharing that great weekend. Looks like everyone had an awesome time.