Insider Tips: Sunset's Savor the Central Coast

Sunset Savor the Central Coast 
Oct. 1-2, 2011

There are still people out there who are intrigued by Sunset Savor the Central Coast however, they still aren't sure what to expect at the event.  We (Inside Paso Robles, of course!) jumped at the chance to obtain the inside scoop directly from the SLO Visitor's & Conference Bureau. 

The Details: Sunset Savor the Central Coast’s Main Event brings together the best of wine, food and travel opportunities on California’s beautiful Central Coast.

 

 

First things first: How to Get to Santa Margarita Ranch

Take a free shuttle from Pismo/Avila, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero or Paso Robles. Shuttles run approximately every half hour to an hour based on location. A full schedule is available at Savor Schedule.

Driving? Please note a new entrance to the ranch has been created just for SAVOR off of the El Camino Real just east of Santa Margarita. Parking is free. (Follow the signs).

 

  Central Coast Pavilion – Open Daily: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Interactive Tourism Displays - Central Coast destinations from Ventura to Monterey will be featured. Each booth is full of information and contests to help you plan your next vacation.
• Taste the 2011 Western Wine Award finalists and winning wines!
• Shop the General Store – Choose from a selection of cookbooks, artisan food products, SAVOR hats, water bottles and other items to take home a piece of SAVOR. Check out the book signing stage to have Cat Cora autograph your purchase.
• Take home your favorite wines in the wine shop…you can even ship them home!
• Central Coast chefs offer tasty bites to dazzle your taste buds as you explore the big tent.
• Want to get in before the crowds? Sign-up for breakfast hosted by Sunset’s Editor-in-chief Katie Tamony, which begins at 8 a.m. in the Chef and Winemaker Central - $20/day.
• Check out the Infiniti Inspiration Lounge and enter the Infiniti Road to Inspiration Sweepstakes for a chance to win a two-night getaway to a culinary city. 

Chef Central:  Enjoy Seminars ($20 to hold a seat) –

Open Daily 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Choose from a selection of food seminars on Saturday and Sunday. Sunset’s editors and celebrity chefs host a variety of topics: sustainable seafood, Battle of the Bay, natural beef, oysters and cocktails.
• Seminars are only available to Main Event ticket holders for $20. Reserve your space at www.savorcentralcoast.com.

Infiniti Ride & Drive –

Open Daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Before you hit the Marketplace featuring regional wines take time to visit the Infiniti Test Track where you can test-drive their latest models. The first 125 test drivers each day will receive a signed copy of Celebrity Chef Cat Cora’s latest cookbook.

The Marketplace –

Open Daily: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Taste more than 500 wines from across the Central Coast. New in 2011 is guest wine region, Washington State.
• Savor foods from 15 chefs cooking a variety of artisan items - abalone, lamb, micro-greens, beef, fish and pork! Also check out Great Grains and Toblerone.
• Taste olive and nut oils, cookies, chocolates and more… all from the Central Coast.
• Seminars featuring a variety of wine themes are available to Main Event ticket holders for $20. Reserve your space at www.savorcentralcoast.com. 

Sunset’s Backyard Farm –

Open Daily: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

• Did you want to be a backyard farmer? Following the emerging trend of converting residential back and front yards into vegetable plots, Sunset Savor the Central Coast 2011 will create Sunset’s Backyard Farm.
• Visit the 1600 square feet of raised beds, chickens, and guinea fowl. Sunset beekeepers will be on hand to explain how to raise bees. Visit the goat pen for milking and cheese making demonstrations.
• Explore new growing methods, such as hay-bale planters, potato towers, and upside-down gardening.

From Farmer’s Market to Meal –

Open Daily: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.   

• Visit the Farmer’s Market and learn the diversity of local foods found on the Central Coast. Learn how to grow, cook and shop your Farmer’s Market. Thanks so San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau for connecting you to a local farmer.
• Bring your questions and talk to area farmers about crop types, growing tips and techniques.
• Chef demonstrations and Sunset’s editors on the Farmer’s Market Stage.

Kitchen Garden – Open Daily: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Two acres of garden trials and exhibits. Explore and gather ideas for your own garden.
• Garden demonstrations in the garden and on the stage featuring composting, the latest on heirloom tomatoes, how to make gazpacho or bruschetta and more...
• Ornamentals, edibles, herbs and specimen olive trees on display.

  Vons Music Stage and Tasting Garden

• Kick back with a brew and some tunes! Along with great music, you’ll enjoy wood-fired pizzas and grilled Open Nature sausages from Vons and samples from the award-winning local chefs of the Boutique Hotel Collection with their delicious bites paired with local beer.
• Visit the Vons Music & Tasting Garden to sample two new craft beers from Double Take Brewery — Amber Ale and India Pale Ale.

You are now fully equipped to start planning your Sunset Savor the Central Coast experience.  Check out www.SavorCentralCoast.com for event maps and details.

Another Inside Tip: Dress comfortably; bring a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes suitable for a ranch environment.