Pack your bags and head to wine country because it's California Wine Month in Paso Robles! Every year, the Wine Institute celebrates the California wine community - its vintners, growers and consumers, in what is deemed California Wine Month. During the month long celebration, many wineries offer special promotions to visitors in the form of bottle, tour and tasting discounts, as well as a gamut of special events held at each winery. If you enjoy Paso Robles wine, or if you have never visited, there is no better time to experience Paso Robles wine country!
I took a peek at all the special promotions listed on the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance website, and boy, was I delightfully surprised! Many wineries, including Ancient Peaks and Derby Wine Estates offer complimentary wine tastings throughout the entire month! Nearly all the wineries listed (upwards of 50) offer visitors bottle purchase discounts in the range of 5-20% off the regular price. In addition, many tour operators also offer discounts, including First Crush Winemaking, where visitors can "Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off" of their all-day hands-on harvest winemaking course at Silver Horse Winery. Real aficionados shouldn't miss the opportunity to taste reserve and small lot production wines - a handful of wineries offer this special promotion, including Vina Robles Winery.
September is a beautiful time tovisit Paso Robles. With its scattered oak rolling hills, gorgeous sunsets and special wine country promotions, there is no reason not to take advantage of the relaxing retreat that awaits you in Paso Robles!
To view the full list of wineries that offer special discounts and promotions click here or visit the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance website at pasowine.com.
Photo courtesy of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
It's that time of year again - when all of Paso Robles comes out to celebrate and pay homage to the varietal that helped put this region on the map as one of the hottest winemaking destinations in California: Zinfandel!
The annual Zinfandel Festival, happening all this weekend, March 19 - 21, kicks off the spring season with an array of events you don't want to miss. Wineries throughout Paso Robles are hosting barbecues, winemaker dinners, special food and wine pairings, free tastings, and more! It's a wine-lover's dream come true!
All of these wonderful wine events bookend the ultimate event of the weekend, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance's Zinfandel Grand Tasting and Wine Country auction, happening Saturday, March 20 from 5:30 to 9:30 PM at the Paso Robles Event Center.
Over sixty (yes, sixty) different wineries will be putting their best Zin forward at this landmark annual event. In addition to all of these wonderful wines and wineries, over twenty of Paso Robles's phenomenal restaurants will be serving up their finest samplings of their wine country cuisine. While you stroll from booth to booth, sipping and nibbling to your heart's content, you can also peruse the number of incredible lifestyle-packages the PRWCA assembled for the Wine Country Auction.
This silent-style auction features packages including all the best that Paso Robles has to offer, from exciting weekend winemaking experiences, to luxurious spa get-aways. As if this weren't enough already, the PRWCA has introduced a number of enhancements to this year's Grand Tasting that have never been done before.
This year, you can cozy up in the Chocolate and Port Palor and sample chocolates from a number of local artisan chocolatiers, while enjoying Zinfandel dessert-style wines from twelve different Paso Robles wineries. And for all you Food-Network addicts (believe me, I can empathize), Chef Kelly Wangard of the Paso Robles Inn Steakhouse, and Tom Fundaro of Villa Creek will be performing live cooking demonstrations.
Also, if you haven't already, make your hotel reservations ASAP. People come in droves to enjoy our thrilling winemaking events, and hotels do have a tendency to fill up quickly. Fortunately, Paso Robles offers a number of beautiful lodging choices, conveniently located in the heart of our Downtown area, or right off of Hwy. 101 and 46.
I've only been lucky enough to attend the grand tasting once before, and I'm super excited to see all of the changes and enhancements the PRWCA added to the event this year. Be sure to check back here regularly, as I'll be running around all over town gathering all of the need-to-know information you'll need before you travel to our beloved city to get your Zin on.
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 hills throughout Paso Robles Wine Country, and thousands of beautiful wildflowers that burst open all throughout the northern region of San Luis Obispo County.
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!
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!
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!"
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!
I opened my presents, ate more than my fair share of delicious homemade cookies and candy, and spent many hours with my closest family and friends - all in all, my holiday season in Paso Robles was everything I hoped it would be.
In addition to the good food and the good company, all of the wonderful Paso Robles events over this past month helped make my holiday celebrations truly special. I donned my holiday best for the Elegant Evening Downtown, enjoyed the beautiful lights and music of the Vine Street Victorian Showcase, and at the Victorian Teddy Bear Tea, I gave my pinky a workout as I sipped tea in the company of Mr. and Mrs. Clause and their many enthusiastic helpers.
I will always cherish the lasting memories I created sharing these wonderful holiday events with visiting members of my family and friends. I can't wait for next Christmas to roll around so they'll be back with me here on the Central Coast, and we can do it all again!
Now that the December holidays are over, everyone is abuzz with talk of the New Year. As you may have guessed, there's no shortage of fun and exciting ways to celebrate the beginning of 2010 here in Paso Robles. Many of our 180 wineries are hosting New Year's Eve events that will feature the very bet that Paso Robles has to offer: delicious food prepared by our many first-class chefs and catering companies, live music, and of course, the fine wines that have put Paso Robles on the map as one of the premiere California winemaking regions.
Also, many of our beautiful Paso Robles hotels (in addition to providing their usual upscale accommodations) are throwing New Year's Eve parties, and many of our fine restaurants are preparing special menus for the evening. Unfortunately, I am merely one humble blogger, and cannot personally attend all of these events; but that's where you come in! Send me your colorful anecdotes, photos, videos - anything showing me how you rang in the New Year here in Paso, and I'll repost them here on our blog.
Have a happy celebration, and I'll talk to you again in 2010!
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