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By Nancy Hoover
 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.
Even the hoteliers in Paso Robles will offer special discounts during the month of September! La Bellasera Hotel and Suites, Best Western Black Oak Motor Lodge and the Paso Robles Inn are a few to name. Check it out!
September is a beautiful time to visit 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
By the Travel Paso Robles Alliance
 The Paso Glow Ticket Contest ended on Wednesday afternoon with over 45 essay entries and 237 official votes! The Travel Paso Robles Alliance was thrilled to announce Leslie Taylor as the winner of two tickets to Paso Glow and two tickets to SAVOR the Central Coast's main event held on October 2nd and October 3rd, respectively. At the city's first-ever Paso Glow, Leslie and a guest will enjoy a six course meal prepared by Paso Robles' top chefs and one cheese proprietor (see August 17 post below), paired with local wines from over 25 wineries! Leslie is sure to enjoy the evening while in the company of Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence and Sunset Magazine's Wine Editor, Sara Schneider. As part of Leslie's prize, she and a guest will also enjoy SAVOR the Central Coast's main event held at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch. A full day pass to the main event entitles Leslie to enjoy the Central Coast's fresh produce, meats, cheeses and wines prepared by over 30 chefs and 200 wineries during the three-day food and wine celebration!
 The Travel Paso Robles Alliance would like to thank all those who participated in the Paso Glow Ticket Contest! We had a long list of fantastic entries that all spoke to the incredible beauty of Paso Robles and its people. Congratulations to the winner, Leslie Taylor and her very lucky guest! We hope you have an incredible weekend at the inagural Paso Glow and SAVOR the Central Coast!
You can view Leslie's winning essay entry (and other participating essays) by clicking here or go to Travel Paso's Facebook page.
Tickets to attend the main event or other special events at SAVOR the Central Coast, including seminars, vineyard tours and winemaker dinners, can be purchased at savorcentralcoast.com.
Pictured right: Leslie Taylor, winner of the Paso Glow Ticket Contest
By Tina Swithin
Fondue was a huge hit for dinner parties in the 60’s and 70’s. I still have old recipe books listing a variety of ways to create this amazing party in a bowl. The dinner theme eventually faded and, until the past few years, I was sure we would never have a use for a fondue pot again. Don't look now, but Artisan, one of Paso Robles’ top restaurants, has made fondue trendy again, but with a contemporary flair.
“Fondre” is a French verb which means, “to melt”. This is precisely what I did upon tasting the Artisan Smoked Gouda and Porter Fondue recipe that I am about to share with you. Dust off your fondue pot and invite your friends to share in this gourmet experience that will make you the envy of those around you.
Artisan Restaurant’s Executive Chef Chris Kobayashi serves this amazing dish with crusty garlic toast, andouille sausage and broccolini--all prepared to perfection. The dipping possibilities are endless, but Chef Kobayashi starts his with these three favorites. Let your creativity soar along with your taste buds as you embark on a journey of culinary delight. The consistency of this fondue is creamy and soft, and the taste is out of this world.
I recommend pairing the Artisan Smoked Gouda and Porter Fondue with the Adelaida Cellars Estate Chardonnay. This Paso Robles Chardonnay is approachable, and conjures up vanilla bean aromatics. It delivers a rich mouth feel and finishes with a complex mix of lime zest and crisp apple fruit, leaving this wine crisp, yet bold enough to stand up to this rich, flavorful fondue. Enjoy!!
Artisan Restaurant's Famous Fondue Plate
Artisan Smoked Gouda and Porter Fondue
4 ounces butter
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons A/P flour
Melt butter and whisk flour in, cook for five minutes to make roux
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
2 cups porter beer (we use Anchor Steam)
3 cups heavy cream
12 ounces white cheddar cheese
12 ounces smoked gouda cheese
Tabasco to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste
1. Make the roux as stated above and then add the dijon mustard, worcestershire sauce, porter and cream. Take care to stir and not boil the sauce.
2. After all the liquid ingredients have been incorporated, add the cheeses in small chunks, whisking continually as to keep the sauce from boiling or breaking.
3. Once the cheeses have been incorporated, taste and season with tabasco, salt and pepper. Strain sauce and hold in double boiler. Recipe yields a little more than 2 quarts.
I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as I did- cheers!
by Nancy Hoover
I love when my friends and family visit me on the Central Coast. Not only because I love their company, but also because I love to plan fun culinary and wine tasting adventures for them. Lucky me, new adventures are not hard to find in Paso Robles.
I have listed below just a sampling of some of my favorite spots, and, mind you, there are plenty to choose from, so I’ve just chosen four for now. Tune in each month for more Four Favorites in Paso Robles!!
 Favorite #1: Farmstand 46 is a great spot for lunch when wine tasting along the Westside Winery trail and it has a fresh vegetable kitchen garden to die for! Farmstand 46 is an upscale deli with outdoor seating that offers incredible paninis (try the Cruiser!). It also has an outdoor brick oven that produces delectable pizzas: YUMMY!
Favorite #2: Antiques are for old folks? Heck no!! I’m not old, but I do enjoy a good antique store. Thank goodness for that because Paso Robles is full of them! Located right off of Highway 101 south of Paso Robles, Vineyard Antique Mall is my favorite and stocked full of hidden gems. And if you are really into antiques, the small town of Santa Margarita holds a monthly antique auction where you can find truly unique Mission style furniture, custom to the area.
Favorite #3: The newest gig in town, Il Cortile Ristorante is a hit with locals and visitors. Chef Santos MacDonal of Honduran decent is firing up amazing dishes in the kitchen at Il Cortile. Specializing in rustic Italian cuisine, Il Cortile has an incredible burrata and mozzarella antipasti menu as well as a long list of homemade pasta dishes for your entrée selection. Attention pasta lovers: the spaghetti al ragu is to die for!
 Favorite #4: A pioneer in Paso Robles wine country has returned to his roots, and we locals couldn’t be happier! After selling his award winning Wild Horse Winery in 2005 to Constellation Wines, Ken Volk ventured down into Santa Barbara County to produce wines at the old Byron Winery facility. Well, he’s back! Ken Volk is a Paso Robles icon and anyone that know him, loves him – and his wine! Stop in for a taste at his new tasting room located off of Highway 46 West – Ken shares a space with Lone Madrone and Fat Cat Farms, an herb and flower garden nursery with outdoor picnic areas.
What are some of your favorites? Post them in the comments section below and I’ll be sure to try them out!!!! Come visit Paso Robles – there is a favorite adventure waiting for you!
Photos courtesy of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and Farmstand 46
By Nancy Hoover
 Looking for an interesting and fun-filled wine country event? Sharpen your palate and plan to attend this weekend’s 12th Annual Winemaker’s Cook-off at River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles. This is truly an interactive wine and food experience! This event showcases the culinary and viticulture skills of some of Paso Robles’ finest winemakers. Watch them work, taste their cuisine and savor their wine all while they battle each other to see who wins the “People's Choice” and “Judge's Choice” Awards. That’s right, you get to vote on the best from the best!
Visitors will revel in the musical talents of Julie Beaver & the Bad Dogs as they enjoy culinary delights and perfectly paired wine from each participating winery’s winemaker. All proceeds from the event will benefit local high school seniors as part of the Rotary Club’s annual senior scholarship program. The Winemaker Cook-off is set on a grassy hillside, next to a beautiful lake with views of Paso Robles’ famous rolling hills. What more can we say????
Join us in Paso Robles for the 12th Annual Paso Robles Winemaker’s Cook-off and witness Paso Robles winemakers venerate the meaning of “wine country cuisine”. The event starts at 6 pm on Saturday, August 7, 2010. Tickets are $75 per person.
Photos courtesy of winemakerscookoff.com.
by Tina Swithin Summer is upon us and I am always looking for an excuse to get out of the kitchen and onto the patio for a BBQ with friends and family. It’s true that summer recipes are plentiful but you will be hard pressed to find one that compares to the delicious recipes I uncovered at Still Waters Vineyards. In fact, I am prepared to share two recipes instead of one because they accompany each other nicely and I would feel a twinge of guilt if I kept one a secret. If you are seeking a true California wine experience, Still Waters Vineyards is located just 5 miles East of Paso Robles in the El Pomar area. Still Waters Vineyard is an estate winery and vineyard proudly operated by the Hoover family. Paul and Patty Hoover take great pride in producing premium grapes and I really love their business philosophy; “Be small, have fun and focus on quality!” Those characteristics are apparent in their wines and recipes.
 Both of these recipes are light and easy- perfect for summer entertaining! Types of wines for pairing: Patty recommends Still Waters Vineyards clean, crisp Viognier which is fragrant with apricot, peach and floral notes. Another pairing recommendation is the Still Waters Vineyard’s lively, fragrant Sauvignon Blanc which carries the flavors of grapefruit, pear and green apple.
- BBQ Chicken Marinade and Watermelon Basil Salad- Still Waters Vineyards
BBQ Chicken Marinade
1/2 can beer 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon peanut oil 1/2 cup soy or teriyaki sauce Marinade chicken for no less than 4 hours before grilling and continue to braise the chicken with the marinade while on the grill. W atermelon Basil Salad
Chunk up a whole seedless watermelon Chop 1 cup fresh basil 2 cloves minced garlic 1 red onion sliced or chopped 1 cup feta cheese Mix together with balsamic vinaigrette and Still Waters Vineyards Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Cheers!
By Nancy Hoover
Paso Robles is making an incredible name for itself as a food and wine destination, and is earning high acclaim with recent features in luxury publications such as W Magazine and Wine Spectator. Those of us lucky enough to live here know that we are fortunate to live in a bountiful area with fertile soil to nourish the many specialty farms and wineries located here. We are so immersed in the Paso Robles food and wine culture; we can’t help but learn somewhat by osmosis about cooking, farming, winemaking and, of course, wine itself.
 It’s only natural, then, that Paso Robles’ rich agricultural history, and progressive food and wine movements are showcased, for 12 days straight, at the California Mid-State Fair’s Mission Square. This year, the Mission Square features an incredible line-up of local artisan chefs, winemakers and specialty farmers scheduled to demonstrate their vast proficiencies in food and wine production. Fair-goers can sample single varietal wine flights, purchase wine by the glass and learn the fundamentals of how to purchase, prepare and eat locally grown products from our local specialty farms and chefs.
Pictured above: Fair-goers mingle at the California's Mid-State Fair Mission Square; courtesy of the California Mid-State Fair.
 The Mission Square was built in 2009 and is the newest addition to the Paso Robles Events Center, home of the California Mid-State Fair. The Mission Square resembles the beautiful Spanish architecture of our three nearby historic missions: Mission San Antonio de Padua, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and Mission San Miguel Arcangel, all of which still stand today and are located within 30 minutes of downtown Paso Robles. In fact, Paso Robles was settled in the late 1700’s by the early California Missionaries because of its ability to sustain a large congregation using its plentiful food sources. Pictured above: Mission San Miguel Arcangel.
New this year, the Mission Square features Farm of the Day, a program designed to recognize and showcase local organic farms and ranches. Each day a specialty farmer or rancher will display produce and food products next to the Idler’s Demonstration Kitchen. The purpose of The Farm of the Day is to educate fair-goers on how farmers and ranchers grow their crops and raise their animals, how they do business and why it is important in today’s economy and eco environment to eat locally grown products.
 At Idler’s Demonstration Kitchen, watch as local chefs like Andre Averseng of Dining with Andre, and Evan Treadwell of Lido at Dolphin Bay Resort demonstrate their Executive Chef skills every evening at 6 pm. Fifteen Degrees C Wine Shop owner and certified sommelier, Ali Rush Carscaden, will conduct a wine education seminar for fair-goers at 5:30 pm the first 4 days of the fair. The seminars will focus on the history, tasting method and regional diversity of different types of wines each night– so be sure to stop in for a visit if you wish to hone in on your wine knowledge! Pictured right: Fair-goers eagerly watch a Chef demonstration at Idler's Demonstration Kitchen, courtesy of California Mid-State Fair.
On the Mission Square Stage, fair-goers will enhance their home-gardening skills through educational seminars held daily at 5:30 pm. In addition, musical talents of select jazz artists including Code Blues and Piano Madness will entertain fair-goers nightly on the Mission Square Stage.
So, if food and wine is your thing, make sure to visit the California Mid-State Fair’s Mission Square, order a glass of wine and let the osmosis begin!!
By Nancy Hoover
 We alluded to it before in a previous post, but I have to say it again, the 2010 California Mid-State Fair is coming! In a span of 12 days, the California Mid-State Fair invites guests to be entertained by live music, public contests, yummy fair food and unique vendors selling anything from hot tubs to Justin boots. The California Mid-State Fair is the largest event held annually in Paso Robles and as a result, nearly 370,000 people travel to Paso Robles from across the state (and some even across state lines) to be a part of the Fair’s festivities. So, get your bags packed and come on down to what is known by many as “the biggest little fair anywhere!”
The California Mid-State Fair has something for all ages and interests to enjoy. For the summer fair traditionalist, enjoy the many agricultural exhibits and displays from quilting to pie baking and home landscaping. For the young and young at heart, the fair offers a fantastic carnival full of rides for people of all ages, the ususal fair games and the best cotton candy you can find! In addition, children can enter and win prizes in the public contests like sand castle building and shark roping held at Paso Pete’s Ponderosa Stage. For the foodie and wine lover, visit the Mission Square to taste daily featured Paso Robles wines and to watch our talented local Chefs conduct cooking demonstrations! And for the music and performance lover, attend one of our numerous concerts offered nightly on a number of different stages. The Headliner Stage features FREE local music and dance talent including Ashley Garland, Class Act Dance and the famed KJUG Barn Dance. Also FREE, the Fort Frontier Stage steps up the talent a bit with music from seasoned pros such as Coco Montoya, Blue Oyster Cult and Cross Canadian Ragweed. And for high profile concerts, purchase tickets to see our Main Grandstand headliners, like Justin Bieber, Aerosmith, Keith Urban, Weezer and many more!
  
The 2010 California Mid State Fair is open from July 21st thru August 1st, 2010. Fair admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children. Gates open at 12:00 noon and close at 12:00 midnight. We’ll see you there!!
All photos courtesy of the California Mid-State Fair. Clockwise from top: Justin Bieber, Weezer, Aerosmith.
By Tina Swithin
As a lifelong resident of the Central Coast, and a regular consumer of local food and wine, I was honored to be asked to blog for the Travel Paso Robles Alliance about something I do on a regular basis. I am thrilled to start working with our talented local chefs and winemakers to dig up some of the best food and wine pairings in the region. Sounds like a tough job, doesn’t it? Join me monthly as I take my love for food and wine and combine them while sharing some great secrets here on the Paso Robles Insider.
It isn’t surprising that a dish with such a rich history as Paella has become an annual tradition for a man with a rich history in Paso Robles wine country. Gary Eberle is known to many as the “Godfather” in Paso Robles, having embarked on his career in the Paso Robles wine community 37 years ago. Eberle Winery is one of the highest award-winning wineries in Paso Robles and the United States. In addition to his expertise in winemaking, Gary Eberle is a fantastic Chef. Every year Eberle Winery employees eagerly anticipate the annual holiday party where Gary Eberle dishes out his most famous Paella.
I got the secret recipe from one of Gary’s insiders and would like to invite you to enjoy this fun and festive Paella dish at home. The Paella can be served for large groups or intimate gatherings at anytime of the year. Recommended wine pairing to compliment the rich flavors in the Paella nicely: Eberle Winery 2009 Viognier or Eberle Winery 2008 Barbara. You can now find out for yourself why Gary’s secret recipe has become a family tradition at Eberle Winery! Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 lb boneless chicken
cut into bite size pieces
1 large onion
1/4 c water
2 c uncooked rice
3 garlic cloves-chopped
24 oz tomatoes, chopped plus
juice from can (if using canned)
3 tsp salt
1/2 Tbsp chicken bouillon
1 Tbsp paprika
3/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp saffron
1/2-1 tsp crushed red pepper (to taste)
1 1/2 lbs cleaned deveined shrimp
(tails are optional)
1 1/2 lbs sea scallops
1 1/2 lbs sausage—beef or pork
24 oz artichoke hearts, quartered
16 oz frozen peas
1 small jar pimientos or roasted red bell peppers
1 large can of large, pitted black olives
1 c Cabernet Sauvignon
Cooking Instructions:
Heat oil in large stock pot. Cook chicken in oil about 10 minutes and then remove from pan. Cook onion and garlic in oil until onion is transparent. Stir in water, wine, tomatoes, bouillon and all spices. Heat to boiling. Add chicken, shrimp, scallops and sausage. Simmer 15 minutes. Add more wine and water as needed. While other ingredients are cooking, cook 2 cups of rice in a separate pot. When cooked, drain and hold. Stir peas and artichoke hearts into first pot. Add about 3/4 of the rice and simmer for 5 minutes. If desired, add more rice for a drier dish. Serve in a paella dish or shallow baking dish. Garnish with pimentos or red bell peppers and black olives. Serves 10-12 people.
By Nancy Hoover
Turns out that my upbringing where I spent most weekends tending to my family’s farm, like many Paso Robles natives, and the fact that my husband and I are home winemakers, gardeners and self-proclaimed Chef de Cuisines, apparently makes me a qualified candidate to write this blog. That coupled with the fact that my father is a high school agriculture instructor and my mother is a creative homemaker whose influence on me has been boundless doesn’t hurt either. Did I mention that my background is in marketing and public relations, having worked for Constellation Wines U.S. and our very own, California Mid-State Fair in years past? You get the picture. So when the Travel Paso Robles Alliance asked me to spend some time each week blogging about my life’s passions, it was a no-brainer.
My name is Nancy Hoover. I am 27 years old, married to my fabulous husband of almost one year and have a little red puppy named Piper. My husband’s family is involved in the Paso Robles wine community and has been for nearly 10 years. Piper is an avid hunter, mainly gophers and quail; and I love all things distinct, elegant and home-made. My husband and I love the outdoors, spending most of our leisure time hiking, boating, skiing and fishing. We often find ourselves vacationing in our own backyard, crafting our own wine tasting excursions, dining at the finest restaurants and enjoying the many interesting activities that Paso Robles has to offer. Piper and I pictured left at Morro Bay State Beach - just a quick 30 minute drive from Paso Robles!
In fact, I recently had the opportunity to clerk the inaugural Paso Robles Wine Country Auction & Dinner on Saturday, May 22nd. I was generously volunteered to clerk by my husband who works the wine auction circuit as a side gig to his white-collar job for various auctioneers throughout the nation. Some of the most talented include Mr. John Glines and Mr. Todd Ventura, both long-time San Luis Obispo Country residents. My role at the Paso Robles Wine Country Auction & Dinner was to record bids as a clerk, which I zealously did.
The Paso Robles Wine Country Auction & Dinner was a huge success! There were over 250 guests present, many of them vintners or friends of vintners, and the auction raised $105,000, all of which will be donated to benefit various Paso Robles charities.
Auctioneer, Todd Ventura, taking bids from the crowd.
Top selling auction lots included Living the Hearst Ranch Dream, $13,000; The Caribbean Surf, $8,000; The Ultimate Paso Robles Getaway, $7,000; Paso Robles French Connection, $6,500 and Take a Ride on the Wild Side, $4,300. These top tier lots included everything from large format and magnum bottles, exclusive wine country getaways featuring personalized tours by road, by air and by horse, and exotic Caribbean cruises.
Winning bidder, Michael Dusi and Jill, celebrate with a smile.
The farm-to-table, family style, five-course meal was prepared by a team of five stellar Chefs. It was a wonderful evening filled with fine wine and culinary delights!
 
Chef Mark Sullivan of SPRUCE serving a chilled carrot soup. Guests enjoyed a grand line-up of Paso Robles appellated wines.
I plan to contribute fun and interesting stories weekly that reflect the essence of Paso Robles, be it culinary, wine, art, farming, events, cultural attractions or shopping inspired. As a tourist or local, my hope is that you will find all your insider news here on the Paso Robles Insider Blog! Feel free to comment or ask me questions. I’d love to hear from you about all things good, fun and tasty in Paso Robles.
Cheers!
All photos by Brittany App, courtesy of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.
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