By Teresa Burke, Ortman Family Wines

Wine and art are a natural pairing. Both elevate the senses, and both reflect the guiding hand of an artist, be it a painter or a winemaker. Works of art are commonly seen at wineries across the world, and many wine labels are works of art unto themselves.

So it’s no surprise that the growth of the Paso Robles wine industry has been matched by a corresponding emergence of local art galleries—and that wineries and artists are joining together to offer collaborative experiences.

One such experience is “First Saturdays: Wine & The Arts” on the first Saturday of every month in downtown Paso Robles. On these evenings, numerous downtown wine tasting rooms open their doors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to share their wines, showcase individual artists and offer other special treats, such as live music or appetizers.

The origins of “First Saturdays: Wine & The Arts” date back to August of 2008, when the Paso Robles Main Street Association staged a Saturday series of “Art, Wine & Song” open houses across downtown. Ortman Family Wines and our peers in the Paso Robles Downtown Wineries organization enjoyed it so much that we decided to launch our own ongoing monthly series.

The atmosphere of these evenings is casual and festive. There is no formal route or itinerary. You can simply start at the City Park and go where your feet and your taste buds take you!

At Ortman Family Wines, we open up our back patio, which we call the “O”asis. We typically feature live music, and we offer our wines by the glass, as well as in the regular tasting format. We also unveil a month-long showcase for a local artist in our tasting room. Recent featured artists have included Lynn Duron, who paints on silk canvasses, and Etty Klinger, who specializes in watercolors. We feature numerous works for viewing and purchase, and the artists join us to discuss their craft.

Of course, you don’t have to visit on the first Saturday of the month to enjoy wine and art in downtown Paso Robles. More than a dozen tasting rooms are located within a few blocks of the park, as are several galleries, including the popular Studios on the Park featuring nine studios and 40 working artists.

I hope that you will join us in downtown Paso Robles soon to partake in this classic pairing!

Best Wishes,

Teresa Burke of Ortman Family Wines
We are located at 1317 Park Street in Downtown Paso Robles
(805) 237-9009
Website: www.ortmanwines.com

by Marcy Eberle

Growing up as a 5th generation Central Coast native, I’ve “been there and done that” for Halloween.  There are so many events to look forward to during this spooky-fun season. I've been to events at school gymnasiums, private parties, haunted houses and of course, trick-or-treating in our local neighborhoods. It really wasn’t until the mid-1990’s that I discovered the true ghostly pleasure of Halloween: the Haunted Caves at Eberle Winery.

Each year we go to work to transform our 17,000 square feet of caves below the winery for unforgettable Halloween event.  The caves are decorated and lit by a team of professionals, Doug and Cindy Fleenor of Doug Fleenor Design.  Doug and Cindy work their magic on our underground caves to create one of the spookiest tickets in town.  In the spirit of true team effort, Cal Poly viticulture students donate their time to serve as a variety of ghoulish creatures, goblins and ghosts with the goal of making your screams echo through the cave walls.  While this is a family event, it's probably best for children 10 and over (unless you’ve got one that’s ready for a great spooky treat).  

I have always admired the fact that my husband, Gary Eberle, donates all of the money from this event to local children's charities in the area.  Each year, we choose a new charity.  Last year, we were able to donate $3,000 to the Kinship Center in Templeton and this year, all money will be donated to Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria which provides camps for children with HIV/AIDS and for local foster children as well.  Your donation of $5 goes right back into our local community to support some pretty wonderful causes.

While we can't protect you from the ghosts and goblins that are waiting to "welcome" you to the caves, we CAN promise you a fun, safe place to bring your family for some eerie Halloween fun. 

P.S.—Parents, the Tasting Room will be open for complimentary wine tasting too.  Just ask for the Ca-BOO-NAY!

The Haunted Caves are set for Friday and Saturday nights, October 28-29th from 5:00-9:00pm. 

Eberle Winery is located at 3810 Highway 46 East in Paso Robles, CA, just 3.5 miles east of Highway 101. ww.eberlewinery.com  805-238-9607

by Tina Swithin

It’s the great pumpkin, Paso Robles! 

You can choose to sit and wait patiently for the Great Pumpkin as Linus did in the classic 1966 television special or you can head out to Jack Creek Farms and enjoy the festivities, fresh fudge and pumpkins.  Jack Creek Farms also offers cider tasting, honey tasting and if you’re really, really nice then they may even let you sample the fresh pumpkin fudge.  I must admit that I am a fudge connoisseur and Joy  Barlogio makes the best fudge this side of the Mississippi.     

If you’ve been procrastinating on getting that perfect pumpkin- there is still time and plenty of pumpkins awaiting you!  Adopting a pumpkin is much less work than a new puppy- trust me!  While you’re out there be sure to take a stroll through the hay bale maze or hop on the wooden train.  There are photo ops galore and you will be able to check “family photo” off your annual to-do list.  What are you waiting for?  Grab the children and the camera and head to Jack Creek Farms to get in on the holiday spirit.  If you want to become a pumpkin expert (as I am now), take a peek at the Jack Creek Farms "All About Pumpkins"  for facts, history and fab recipes which I will be trying this week.

If you are looking for something to do before heading out for trick-or-treating than I have another Paso Robles Insider tip.  Stop by Jack Creek Farms on Halloween Day from 10am to 5pm for “Halloween on the Farm”.  Everyone in costume who poses for a photo will receive a FREE Jack-o-lantern!!!  Please note that quantities are limited and the offer is valid while supplies last.  What a great way to kick off Halloween!  You can bet that I’ll be there with my little ones in tow. 
 

Here is a sneak peek at another event just around the corner: 

Looking for tips on how to prepare that special Thanksgiving dish?  Come on out for the Heirloom Winter Squash Tasting event on November 5th from 1-3pm.  Discover how to transform your winter squash into fabulous fall dishes sure to delight family and friends.  

You will have the chance to sample at least six different varieties of winter squash and walk away with an assortment of festive recipes to add to your collection.  I think I forgot to mention the best part- it’s free!  Impress your friends with your new cooking talents, sample delicious food and meet the fabulous people who make Jack Creek Farms such a special place.

Jack Creek Farms
5000 Highway 46 West
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 239-1915

Farm Hours:
Open Daily 10am - 6pm (Closed Wednesdays and rainy days- check website for Nov. hours)

Tina Swithin is the Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes Pairings in Paso and other blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.        

 

 

Want to hear winemaking wisdom from the best in the industry while also tasting the wines of the future rock stars of the wine world?

Then you definitely want to check out the Paso Garagiste Festival: Celebrating the Artisan Winemaker, held November 12th at Windfall Farms in Paso Robles!

We’ve just announced that our seminar line-up will be headlined by four of Paso’s (and the world’s) top winemakers: Justin Smith of Saxum, whose’07 James Berry GSM was named the #1 wine in the world for 2010 by Wine Spectator; Terry Culton of the acclaimed Adelaida Cellars; Neil Collins of famed Tablas Creek Vineyards and Lone Madrone; and Christian Tietje, former partner and winemaker of the highly successful Four Vines Winery and currently, winemaker and co-owner at Cypher Winery.

The garagiste movement is thriving in Paso in part because of the camaraderie and friendly sharing of knowledge among its winemakers.  The participation of Justin, Terry, Neil and Christian in our seminars is testament to that spirit. Their wines are an inspiration to garagistes and winemakers everywhere, and their generosity and willingness to pay it forward for future winemakers truly distinguishes them in the industry.  To keep paying it forward, a portion of the festival proceeds will go to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program and the front row of these seminars will be reserved for program students.

 

 

 

The seminars will be held between 10 am and noon on November 12th. 

• Seminar I, Paso Rocks the World, features Justin, Terry and Neil sharing wine stories and artisan wisdom in a panel discussion that focuses on their winemaking philosophy and uniquely ‘Paso’ wine perspective.

• Seminar II The Ultimate Barrel Tasting – Oak Flavors Tasted and Explained is sponsored by renowned Cypher Winery and features Christian leading a barrel tasting of a single wine in French, American, and Hungarian Oak at various levels of toast. The tasting is a perfect window into the subtleties and nuances of the winemaker’s ‘spice rack’.

If you haven’t registered for the festival yet, do it fast as space is limited, and there is a lot of excitement brewing because it is the first to focus on the artisan winemaker. 

The festival features over 45 high-quality, cutting-edge, small production wineries that produce fewer than 1,200 cases a year, and they will all be pouring their hard-to-find wines in one place: at beautiful Windfall Farms’ Stallion Barn.

For more information about the festival and/or to purchase tickets or to register as trade/media go to  http://californiagaragistes.com/festival-ticket/

by Tina Swithin

Paso Robles is brimming with fabulous businesses which cater to every aspect of our fantastic wine country.  One such niche is wine country tours

which accommodate locals and visitors alike.  We are fortunate to have a tour company to fit the needs of every person from the adventure seeker to the individual searching for a fun wine tasting experience sans the responsibility of driving.  Uncorked Wine Tours is one such company who is making a name for themselves.

 

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking to Katie Hamblin, owner of Uncorked Wine Tours, affectionately known as “Captain Katie”.  She explained a little bit more about what sets her company apart from other wine tours in the area:

“We avoid being a cookie cutter tour company and pride ourselves on finding the hidden gems of the Central Coast and catering to the individual needs of our clients.  We can provide an educational experience or a fun experience with 'custom’ being the key word”.  If Syrah ranks high on your list of favorites, be sure to let Captain Katie know and she will create a unique Syrah adventure that you won’t soon forget!  Zealous about Zins?  Well, she’s up for that challenge also.  They don’t call her Captain for nothing!

Looking to sample all that Paso Robles has to offer?  “We offer a fabulous sampler tour which gives you a ‘taste’ of everything— beer, wine, cheese, olive oil and…even coffee!  We also have a few favorite lunch spots including 15c Wine Shop, Farmstand 46 or grab a bite at one of the wineries on the tour” says Captain Katie.   

Uncorked Wine Tours can provide services for groups of 6 or less—they can cater to you and your sweetie or grab a few friends and have the time of your life. 

 

The tagline of the company: “Uncorked -- Unleashed-- Uninhibited”.  THAT has my name written all over it!    

Read what Captain Katie’s customers are saying about Uncorked Wine Tours:
“Captain Katie was fantastic. She made us feel like locals when the owners of the five wineries we visited gave us the VIP treatment, simply because we arrived with our wonderful guide. Katie offered excellent insights to new wineries and restaurant recommendations in the area. I highly recommend Uncorked and Katie for a fun and relaxing trip that you and your friends will remember fondly.”  Maura-San Diego

Contact Uncorked Wine Tours
Phone: 805-459-4500
Email: katie@uncorkedwinetours.net
Website: Click Here

"All four elements were happening in equal measure - the cuisine, the wine, the service, and the overall ambience. It taught me that dining could happen at a spiritual level” - Charles Trotter. 

The 2011 Sunset Savor the Central Coast embodied all of these things- fabulous wine, cuisine, people and ambiance.  I am left reminiscing about the delicious food and phenomenal wine that I was lucky enough to partake in.  I am also left remembering the new friends that I made through this event.  One such person was Justin Kahler, Winemaker at JK Wine Company who introduced me to a fabulous Viognier which I am excited to share with you.        

 Traditionally, when “pairing”, you select a dish and then choose a wine to compliment the dish.  Sometimes, I like to do things unconventionally.  I’m going to go out on a limb and be completely honest: I don’t like to follow rules.  Wine should be fun and food & wine pairing should be a delightful experience.  It only took a few “tastes” of Justin Kahler’s 2009 Viognier for me to select it as the October Pairings in Paso.  You can imagine my delight when Justin presented me with a recipe which turned out to be a dish from one of my favorite Paso Robles restaurants: Artisan. Serendipity at its most delicious. 

My excitement was compounded when I was able to turn this recipe into an opportunity to “treasure hunt” at my favorite places in and around Paso Robles- Jack Creek Farms for delectable cherry tomatoes, Pier 46 Seafood Market for huge, juicy shrimp and We Olive for a truly fabulous citrus olive oil.  Good food, good wine and checking in with the friendliest people in Paso Robles: priceless!  Without further ado, let’s get cooking! 

Artisan’s Crispy Shrimp with Cherry Tomato, Purslane and Lemon
(4 servings)
8 large shrimp
1 cup homemade beer batter or tempura batter
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
2 bunches purslane (picked and cleaned)
1 cup citrus olive oil
1/3 cup sherry wine vinegar
2 tsp mustard
1 lemon (zested)
Grey sea salt, chili pepper and oil for frying

To make the vinaigrette, add sherry vinegar and mustard in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to achieve a homogenous mixture and reserve.

Peel and de-vein the prawns and reserve.

Heat oil in a large pot to 330 degrees F.

Dip the prawns into the batter and swirl lightly in the oil to achieve a lighter texture.

Fry the shrimp in two batches for about 3 minutes each and drain on a paper bag or a drain tray.

Place the cherry tomatoes, purslane, lemon zest and ¼ cup of the vinaigrette in a large bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and distribute amongst 4 plates, reserving a little bit for garnish.

Slice the prawns in ½ lengthwise and arrange 2 halves on each of the plates. Garnish with the remaining salad and serve.

JK Wine Company 2009 Viognier: This 100 % Viognier is bursting with character which is guaranteed to delight your nose and palate.  Tropical aromas and flavors of pineapple, citrus, lychee and melon mingle with coconut, vanilla and barrel spice to create an enjoyable sensory experience.  A rich mouth feel that expands on the sensorial experience, flavors of orange zest and melons are balanced by clean mineral notes that finish with a creaminess that entices your palate for more. 

JK Wine Company is located in the Meritage Wine Tasting Lounge:
810 11th Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805-226-7514
info@jkwinecompany.com
Website: Click here

In just over a month, the annual Paderewski Festival returns to Paso Robles with four days of concerts and special events. This celebration of the legacy of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, held on November 10-13, will feature internationally renowned performers, young pianists from the Central Coast region, master classes, wine tastings and a special lecture on Paderewski.

In the mid-1930s, Paderewski expressed a wish to establish free music education for talented youth in Paso Robles, a community where he owned large ranches with vineyards and almond groves. This year’s Festival will again honor Paderewski’s initiative to bring music to fellow Californians by making all concerts during the 2011 Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles free of charge. 

by Samantha Sales, Promotions Assistant for Tri California Events

Let’s face it…fall is here. You’re kids have gone back to school, the time change will bring us shorter days, our beautiful Central Coast weather will be traded for rainstorms, and, not to mention, the holidays are fast approaching. What this means for your work out regime is tragic.

By Coy Barnes

Roll up your pantlegs and experience Harvest - Paso Robles Style! 

You can expect a fun and lively atmosphere throughout our cozy countryside if you visit Paso Robles during Harvest Wine Weekend, October 21-23, 2011. This is a great time of year to get to know the people who work year round to produce the wines you serve at your own  celebrations; they are throwing open their doors and inviting one and all to celebrate another successful harvest.

 

Be a Part of the 2011 Vintage – Make Wine in Paso Robles!

We locals know how fortunate we are to live in wine country, surrounded by great wines, delicious food  and natural beauty. In Paso Robles we’ve got all kinds of fun things to feed your mind and soul including First Crush Winemaking.

First Crush is the only company in California that offers you the opportunity to spend an entire weekend making wine.