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 By Coy Barnes, The Wine Wrangler
Want to get away? I recommend taking an extended Valentine’s Tour in Paso Robles.
Due to the new incarnation of Paso Robles’ Hotel Month (book a two nights stay and get the third night free PLUS a bottle of Paso Robles wine), exploring our wine region just got easier. In additon to wine, there are lots of things to do in the area to fill your days and evenings… here is a sample itinerary for you:
Day 1 (Saturday February 11)
There are many leisurely events that you can take part in during the day starting on Saturday.
 For those romantics at heart, Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines has a special music event “Sax in the Vineyard”. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Le Vigne Winery, and Twilight Cellars are offering chocolate and wine pairings to please your palate. Or, Sextant Wines is offering a Harbor Cruise with wine and food pairing from 1-4pm in Morro Bay.
On into the evening there are many wineries offering Valentine dinners such as: Croad Vineyards, Calcareous, Mitchella, Graveyard, Christian Lazo, and Eberle who is currently planning their annual Black Tie Valentine Dinner in the Caves.
If a Valentines Dinner is not what you are looking for, Saturday evening, D’Anbino Vinyards and Winery has a jazz band playing from 8-10pm.
Day 2 (Sunday, February 12)
Make reservations in advance for a Brunch at the Grill at Hunter Ranch – brunch is served from 9 to 2pm. Kelly, the restaurants’ chef, serves up her special bacon, sausage, prime rib, cheese blintzes, cheesecakes and more. There is something for everyone in the family. Don’t forget the bottomless Mimosas! Unbelievable!
After that, continue to Twilight Cellars where they are still offering chocolate infused appetizers and wine or any other winery you didn’t get to the day before.
To top off the day – return to downtown Paso Robles for Movie Night at the Theatre where they will show a 1938 movie “Bringing up Baby” starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.
Day 3 (Monday, February 13)
Take a break from the wine and visit the coast or Hearst Castle. We're only 30 minutes away form Morro Bay and Cambria, and 40 minutes from the Hearst Castle Visitor Center.
Day 4 (Tuesday – Valentine’s Day)
If you decide to extend your stay, celebrate Valentine's Day at Robert Hall Winery or Pear Valley Vineyards for their special dinners.
Anytime during your stay from February 11-14th, complete your oenophilic journey with a special chocolate and port tasting at the Paso Robles Wine Club featuring a variety of wineries ports or make reservations for the Wine Wrangler’s Valentine Tour that visits between 4-6 wineries.
Isn't it lucky that Valentine's Day falls during Paso Robles Hotel Month? See you next month!
For more information on Paso robles lodging, dining, wineries and attractions, go to www.TravelPaso.com
Coy Barnes is the owner of the Paso Robles Wine Club, a wine club that sends an assortment of Paso Robles wines; and The Wine Wrangler, Paso Robles’ longest running wine tour service. Both businesses are located at the Paso Robles Train Station.
by Tina Swithin
 If you anything like me, you either have New Year's Eve planned months in advance or you are trying to invite yourself to a party at the very last minute. In this case, you would be known as a "New Year's Eve Crasher". This year is a great example-- I herby admit to being a New Year's Eve Crasher. I had the very best intentions for advanced planning but once again I find myself sitting here pondering...what to do? What to do?
Luckily for me (and for you), I have an inside connection which is known as the "Paso Robles Insider". I made some phone calls and discovered a few places to ring in the New Year- Paso Robles style! If you are staring at an empty calendar entry for December 31, 2011, please don't fret. Grab your phone, pen and calendar and let's start planning!
One event that I discovered was the Twilight Masquerade at Robert Hall Winery. Attendees are asked  to arrive in formal attire and you will be given a mask at the door. If you really want to get into the festivities, grab your favorite masquerade costume and plan to have a New Year's Eve for the memory books.
This event takes place in the cavern at Robert Hall Winery and there are actually two options for the evening. You can enjoy dinner, music and dancing or if you choose to forgoe the dinner and just hit the dance floor while partaking in appetizers, wine and good music. Click here for additional information on the Twighlight Mascarade at Robert Hall Winery.
Another fabulous event that I came across is the New Year's Eve Celebration at the luxurius La Bellasera Hotel. The evening kicks off from 7-8pm with a welcome reception where you will enjoy Hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary signature cocktail. Then, enjoy their opulent five course dinner including a  premium cheese tasting, stacked caprese salad, lemon sorbet intermezzo, an entree of Filet Mignon & Prosciutto wrapped Scallops with Grilled Scallion Mashed Potatoes and Balsamic Glazed Asparagus, and finally a dessert trio including a champagne cupcake, chocolate covered strawberry and chocolate mousse! Enjoy party favors, a special midnight toast and more.
PS: A little birdie told me that there are lodging packages available so you can really ring in the New Year in style!
You can also head out for the Fabulous Forties Wine Maker Dinner at Poalillo Vineyards which starts at 8pm. Partake in a gourmet, five course winemaker's dinner while enjoying Poalillo Wines and a champagne toast at midnight. Please come dressed elegant, dressy or in your finest 40's attire. Click here to view the menu and additional details.
Happy New Year!!!
Tina Swithin is the PR Coordinator and 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.
by Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance
 Are you still seeking that special gift for the one you love? Luckily, I’ve done the work so you can rest assured that you’ll have the best gift under the tree. I happily continue on my quest to bring you the very best gift ideas in Paso Robles. The theme for this series is quite simple: Rest, Relation and Pampering in Paso Robles.
Continue reading "Give the Gift of Rest, Relaxation and Pampering in Paso Robles" »
by Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance
 If you’ve ever found yourself in the doghouse for vacationing without your best friend, I can help you to thoroughly redeem yourself. I double-dog-dare you to grab your favorite furry friend along with a leash and head straight for Paso Robles. Whether you are seeking hotels, wineries or restaurants—there are people anxiously waiting to shake Fido’s paw and welcome you both with open arms.
Continue reading "Pet Friendly Travel in Paso Robles" »
By Shonna Howenstine, City of Paso Robles Tourism Coordinator
 After hearing a visitor say last year that they planned to purchase items made in or near Paso Robles during the holiday season, we agreed that the idea was genius and set to work compiling THE LIST. That's right, we would put into one place every item we know of that is made or can only be found in Paso Robles. Our shopping adventure took us through websites that in turn inspired our imaginations AND made checking off our shopping lists remarkably easy and fun.
Continue reading "Give the Gift of Paso Robles" »
by Maryann Stansfield, Travel Paso Robles Alliance
 Because everyone needs a holiday after the holidays, “Paso Robles Hotel Month” throughout the month of February 2012 makes getting away to wine country after the holidays even more affordable. Visitors who stay two nights during the month of February will receive their third night complimentary at a range of participating resorts, flagship hotels and inns in Paso Robles wine country. In addition, guests will enjoy a complimentary bottle of Paso Robles wine donated by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, plus special amenities unique to each property. For those who are feeling more wiped out than refreshed after the holidays, Paso Robles has the answer for you. This offer begins December 1, so watch for links on how to book your February wine country getaway at travelpaso.com.
 Sweetheart Sweepstakes
As part of the Hotel Month Promotion, be sure to watch for our Sweetheart Sweepstakes Facebook giveaway also being launched Dec 1. You and your sweetheart could win a Valentine's weekend getaway to Paso Robles wine country by just liking us on facebook.com/travelpaso and entering our sweepstakes. It's that simple!
About Paso Robles
Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains of Central Coast California just 3 hours from Los Angeles and the San Francisco bay area, Paso Robles is an ideal place for a relaxing winter getaway. With current average daytime temperatures hovering around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, year-round activities include wine tasting at more than 200 Paso Robles wineries, farm fresh dining, hiking, biking, premier golfing, hot springs spas, and Hearst Castle, and nearby beaches are only 30 minutes away.
Maryann Stansfield loves wine and the holidays. She is the Marketing Manager for the Travel Paso Robles Alliance, and Marketing Director for Mental Marketing. Photo Credit TPRA.
by Joel Peterson
 In my role as President of the Paderewski Festival, I’m often asked about who Paderewski was and why we celebrate him. It’s a good question, as we don’t often get a glimpse of a person who lived 100 years ago. He’s also a bit hard to define since he did so many things over the course of his life. In a few paragraphs I’ll attempt to give you a brief glimpse into Paderewski’s life and why we celebrate him.
As strange as it may seem in a world dominated today by pop culture, Paderewski was the most popular entertainer of his time – the Elvis or John Lennon of his era. Universally acclaimed as a "Modern Immortal" by his contemporaries, Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a virtuoso pianist, composer, politician, humanitarian and orator. His charismatic personality and popular appeal made him one of the most cherished figures of the 20th century.
A skilled and brilliant performer and a true Romantic pianist, during a career spanning fifty years Paderewski performed all over the world, playing hundreds of concerts across the globe. His American debut in 1891 in New York City was followed by over 100 concerts on the continent. It was the first of his twenty subsequent tours of North America.
 Paderewski was equally known for the amount of hard work he put into his craft – practicing throughout his career 8 to 10 hours per day. He was among the highest paid performers of his time. Much of his fortune he gifted to organizations and helped raise millions for a war-torn Poland and its people. In 1918, he signed the Treaty of Versailles and became the first Prime Minister of Independent Poland after World War I. Although his bold political vision for a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural United States of Poland was never realized, his musical legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians all around the world.
Paderewski was introduce to Paso Robles in 1914, when severe arthritis in his hands interrupted his U.S. tour. He came to Paso Robles for its natural hot springs cures and, after falling in love with the area, purchased several tracts of land on Paso’s west side. Paderewski’s properties in Paso eventually encompassed nearly 3000 acres. After establishing almond and fruit tree orchards, he planted Zinfandel and Petite Syrah grapes and became a pioneer wine producer, whose farming methods helped transform the Central Coast wine region. Paderewski’s wines were made at the nearby York Mountain Winery and, like his music, were loved by critics, including the Los Angeles Times, who considered Paderewski’s wine one of 10 best in California.
Paderewski returned to Paso for a month-long rest in the middle of every American tour. His association with the Paso Robles—a place he called his American residence—extended for 25 years until his death in 1941.
Join us for this year's 2011 Paderewski Festival, November 10-13, three days of celebrating music, wine and the legacy of Paderewski. The festival includes concerts by internationally-acclaimed artists, young pianists from Central Coast, performances of jazz music, exhibits of Paderewski memorabilia at the Pioneer Museum and Carnegie Library, a lecture from a California historian, and tours of Paderewski’s original property.
Once again, we will honor Paderewski’s mission to bring music to Californians by making all concerts during the 2011 Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles free of charge. Visit www.paderewskifest.com for our schedule of events and more information about Paderewski and the festival.
Reserve your tickets online, e-mail tickets@paderewskifest.com or call (805)769-4622. Special thanks to Marek Zebrowski, our artistic director, for helping me put with this list together.
Joel Peterson is the Director of Communications for Hope Family Wines. Additionally he is the President of the Board of Directors for the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles and serves on the Paso Robles Planning Commission. He loves to live, work and play in Paso Robles.
by Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance
The tents are up, the stages are set and you can feel the excitement in the air. Sunset Savor the Central Coast is finally upon us! We (the Travel Paso Robles Alliance, of course!) have been anxiously awaiting this weekend all year long - we have BIG plans to make sure you have fun and get entered to win an AMAZING giveaway.
Armed with the finest wine in Paso Robles, we are ready to pour. Our booth will provide an educational experience -- swirl, sniff and sip. By popular demand, we are bringing back our "Guess the Varietal" blind tasting. Whether you are a novice or an expert, we will put your knowledge to the test and reward you with complimentary tasting tickets for area wineries.
 After you've been thoroughly educated on wine, be sure to enter to win a two-night, luxurious stay in Paso Robles at the fabulous, Hotel Cheval (recently voted one of the Top 25 Hotels in the West by Sunset Magazine). While you are here, you will experience the best that Paso Robles has to offer including:
Come see us in the Pavilion at Sunset Savor the Central Coast -- enjoy fabulous wine and enter to an amazing Paso Robles travel package!
By Nancy Hoover
 Ever wondered what it would be like to dine with the stars, under the stars? On October 1 Paso Robles' charming downtown city park will be transformed into a magical "fire and ice" extravaganza as guests gather under twinkling stars, flame-shaped towers and illuminated globes for Paso Glow: A Culinary Experience!
Continue reading "Dine with Celebrity Chefs, Sunset Magazine Executives and the Stars of Paso Robles!" »
by Tina Swithin
Extra Virgin Olive Oil has continued to receive tremendous media attention in recent years for its purity, delicious flavor variety and its health benefits. With ten stores and growing fast, Paso Robles –based We Olive has enjoyed this attention and has taken steps to become the industry leader for consumers to experience the culinary adventures of California Extra Virgin Olive Oils.
Continue reading "Win a VIP Trip to the Paso Robles Olive Festival " »
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