Central Coast Edition - June 25,2008

8/14/2019 Central Coast Edition - June 25,2008

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CENTRAL COAST:S E R V I N G S A N L U I S O B I S

& S A N T A B A R B A R A C O U N T I

E ASY-TO -FO LL OW W IN ERY M AP S J UN E 2 6, 2

KENNETH VOLKVINEYARDS

PAGE 10

PREFERRED TASTING ROOM

SILVER HORSE WINERY

PAGE 12

CENTRAL COASTWINE CLASSIC

PAGE 13

BASILFESTIVAL

PAGE 28

SANTA BARBARWINE FESTIVA

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winecountrythisweek.com

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST WINE, GETAWAYS, THINGS TO DO & EVEN


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San LuisObispo

&SantaBarbaraCounties


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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK ATTRACTIO

www.winecountrythisweek.com


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TABLE OF CONTENTS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

WINE COUNTRY NEWS

Wine Country Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-

ON THE COVER

Baileyana Winery, tangent Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

WINE TASTING IN DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

PASO ROBLES WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SAN LUIS OBISPO WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

SANTA MARIA VALLEY WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

SOLVANG, LOS OLIVOS, SANTA YNEZ WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . 3

SANTA BARBARA WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

LISTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36-3

PUBL ISH ING EVERY OTHER WEEK!

JUNE 26 , 2008 ISSUE 9 VOLUME 2

CE NT RAL COAST:

ADVERSTISING/MARKETING Sarah FlickingerDIRECTOR San Luis Obispo, CA

Phone 805-252-5440

[email protected]

PUBLISHER Dan Zimmerman

Direct 707-938-3734

[email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR Chandra Grant

P.O. Box 92, El Verano, CA 95433

Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax 707-938-3674

[email protected]

CALENDAR EDITOR Maria Olascoaga

Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax707-938-3674

[email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER Cathy GorePhone 707-938-3494 / Fax 707-938-3674

Email [email protected]

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Michael Cervin, Leah Kolt, Len Napolitano,

Charles Neave, Mark Storer, Janis Switzer

S E R V I N G S A N L U I S O B I S P

& S A N T A B A R B A R A C O U N T I E

4

Going to Northern California Wine Country?Look forWINE COUNTRYTHISWEEK at wineries, hotels, conciergedesks, car rentals, restaurants, high-end grocery stores and more!


FEATU

RE

ST

ORY

10

PREFERRED

RESTAURANTS

17

ON

THE

COVER

18

Silver Horse WinerySilver Horse Winery

Kenneth Volk VineyardsKenneth Volk Vineyards

Baileyana & tangentBaileyana & tangent

PREF

ERRED

TASTING

ROOM

12

BACK

ROADS

W

INERIES

31

Novo RestaurantNovo Restaurant


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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK ATTRACTIO



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CALENDAR OF EVENTS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

www.winecountrythisweek.com6

PASO ROBLES

ONGOING

Estrella Warbird Museum

Fascinating collection of military aircrafts10am-4pm, 805-227-0440, Paso Robleswww.ewarbirds.org

## ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

Wine Tasting at Vinoteca Wine Bar

Local winemaker featured each week.5:30-8pm, 805-227-7154, Paso Robles

www.vinotecawinebar.com. July 2: TBA July 9: Domaine Alfred

July 16: Niner Winer Estates July 23: Sextant Winery July 30: Derby Winery Estates

ONGOING FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Gourmet Pairings at Meridian Vineyards

Try gourmet food paired with fine wine12-5pm, $5, 805-226-7133, Paso Robleswww.meridianvineyards.com

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Templeton Farmers Market

Fresh fruit, flowers & vegetables9am-12:30pm, 805-239-6535, Templeton

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Paso Robles Farmers MarketCountry farm arts and crafts market8am-12:30pm, 805-237-9254, Paso Robles

ONGOING

Painting Exhibits at Villicana Winery

Enjoy fine art work along with fine wines.11am-5pm, 805-239-9456, Paso Robles

## ONGOING IN JUNE

Art Exhibits at Castoro Cellars

Featuring the Paso Robles Art Association10am-5pm, 888-DAM-FINE, Templetonwww.castorocellars.com

## ONGOING IN JUNE

Vina Robles Ballroom Dance Classes:

Swing & Fox Trot

Learn to dance & show what you have learned

during the social dance hour! 805-369-01406pm, $10 wine club members/$12 non-membersWinery Hours: 10am-5pm, www.vinarobles.comPaso Robles, Vina Robles Hospitality Center

## JUNE 27

Vina Robles Winery Summer

Concert Series 2008

Featuring the Usonia Jazz Band805-369-0140, www.vinarobles.com, Paso Robles

## JUNE 27

Sunset Wine Down at Robert Hall Winery

Unwind out on the Garden Terrace as RobertHall continues their Friday night music series.The evening includes music, a glass of wineand a light dinner. 6-9pm, $25 pp/$20 Club805-239-1616 x24, Paso Robleswww.roberthallwinery.com

## JUNE 27

Friday Fun Night at Rio Seco

Featuring music by ZZAH6-9pm, Pre-sale tickets $8, $12 at the door

www.riosecowine.com, Paso Robles

JUNE 28

Downtown Trading Day

Antiques & garage sale bargains9am-3pm, 805-238-4103, Paso Robleswww.pasoroblesdowntown.com

JUNE 28

Kids Flea Market

Great big flea market!9am-3pm, 805-238-4103, Paso Robleswww.pasoroblesdowntown.com

## JUNE 28

Texas Holdem at Rio Seco

6-9pm, RSVP, 805-237-8884, Paso Robles

www.riosecowine.com, Paso Robles

## JUNE 29

Summer Library & Reserve Wine Tasting

Series at Adelaida Cellars

HMR Estate Pinot Noirs. 11am, Limited to 18

guests RSVP, 805-239-8980 x14

$25, Free to wine club members, Paso Robles

[email protected], www.adelaida.com

## ONGOING IN JULY


Featuring Jack Johnson

10am-5pm, 888-DAM-FINE, Templeton

www.castorocellars.com

## ONGOING IN JULY


Rumba & Waltz


during the social dance hour! 805-369-0140

6pm, $10 wine club members/$12 non-members

Winery Hours: 10am-5pm, www.vinarobles.com

Vina Robles Hospitality Center, Paso Robles

## JULY 4

Friday Fun Night at Rio SecoFeaturing music by Sideroads

6-9pm, Pre-sale tickets $8, $12 at the door

805-237-8884, Paso Robles,

www.riosecowine.com

## JULY 4

Independence Day BBQ at Robert Hall

Great family fun for all ages. Paso Robles

6-10pm, $30/$25 Cavern Club, $15 Children

RSVP, www.roberthallwinery.com

JULY 4

Fourth of July Celebration

at Firestone Vineyard

Enjoy delicious BBQ from JD Boones Smoke-

house while listening to live music & sipping fine

wines. Bring blankets/chairs for the fireworks!

6-10pm, $45, 805-591-8050, Paso Robles

www.firestonewine.com

## JULY 5

Summer Birthday Bash Sunset Cruise of

Morro Bay with Midlife Crisis

Enjoy the sunset on the Papagallo II while

sipping Midlife Crisis wines paired with five

inspired recipes. 805-237-8730, RSVP

[email protected]

## JULY 7

Bottling Party at Rio Seco

All help appreciated! Call winery for details.

805-237-8884, Paso Robles

www.riosecowine.com

JULY 11-12, AUGUST 15-16, SEPTEMBER 19-20

Chumeia Vineyards Ice Cream Social

Complimentary wine ice cream sample will beoffered with award winning wines.

11am-5pm, 888-343-3445, Chumeia

www.chumeiavineyards.com

JULY 11, 18, 25

Twilight Concerts in the Park

Refreshments & hors doeuvres

5:30-7:30pm, 805-238-4103

City Park Bandstand, Paso Robles

## JULY 11

Friday Fun Night #4 at Rio Seco

Featuring music by Impromptu



www.riosecowine.com

## JULY 11

46 West Wineries Friday Night

Wine & Cheese at Doce Robles

A fine wine & delicious cheese event

6-8pm, $15, 805-227-4766, Paso Robles

www.paso46westwineries.com

## JULY 11

Eberle Hosts Tre Wilcox of

Americas Top Chefs

Enjoy a delicious menu from renowned chef

6:30pm, 805-238-9607, Paso Robles

www.eberlewinery.com

## JULY 12

Pappagallo Cruise with Robert Hall Winery

Enjoy a 3 hour cruise on Mooro Bay on board

the 72ft. luxury yacht while experiencing

superb cuisine specially paired with Robert

Hall wines. 1-4pm, $100 pp / $90 Cavern Club

805-239-1616 x24, Paso Robles

[email protected]

www.roberthallwinery.com

## JULY 12

Festival Mosaics Fringe Series

at Castoro Cellars

Classically trained musicians become unhinged

playing alternative music featuring the music

of Montana Skies. 7:30pm, Paso Robles877-881-8889, 805-781-3008

www.mozartfestival.com

## JULY 13

Lazy Local Concert at Castoro Cellars

Featuring-Up music by In The Air

1-4pm, Free, 888-DAM-FINE, Paso Robles


## JULY 13

Summer Library & Reserve Wine Tasting


HMR Estate Pinot Noirs. 11am, RSVP, 805-239-8980

$25, Free to wine club members, Paso Robles


## JULY 18


Featuring music by Mo Diggs



www.riosecowine.com

## JULY 19

EOS 11th Annual Blending Seminar

Featuring delicious luncheon & seminar

11:30am-2:30pm, $50, 805-239-2562

www.eosvintage.com

## JULY 19

Lakeside Summer Concert at Bianchi

Featuring classic rock by Rail

6-9pm, 805-226-9922, Paso Robles

www.bianchiwine.com

## JULY 19

Bordeaux Blending Party at OpoloBecome a winemaker for a day!

3pm, Paso Robles

RSVP, 805-238-9593, www.opolo.com

## JULY 19

Outdoor Concert at Castoro Cellars

Featuring the music of Baka Beyond

An eclectic band with a world fusion sound.

7pm, $22, 888-DAM-FINE, Paso Robles


## JULY 25

Vina Robles Winery Summer

Concert Series 2008

Featuring the D. Voss Jazz Trio

805-369-0140, www.vinarobles.com, Paso Robles

JULY 26

Joe Craven at Stacked Stone Cellars

$15, 8pm, 805-238-7872, Paso Robles

www.stackedstone.com

## JULY 26

Al Fresco Winemaker Dinner

at Castoro Cellars

A spectacular evening of fine wines, food & m

6:30pm, $85, $75 wine club members

888-DAM-FINE, www.castorocellars.com

## JULY 27

Summer Library & Reserve Wine Tastin


Viking Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

11am, Limited to 18 guests RSVP, 805-239-

$25, Free to wine club members, Paso Rob


## ONGOING IN AUGUST


Featuring Diana Mendoza

10am-5pm, 888-DAM-FINE, Templeton


## ONGOING IN AUGUST


Cha-Cha & Tango


during the social dance hour! 805-369-0140

6pm, $10 wine club members/$12 non-membe

Winery Hours: 10am-5pm, www.vinarobles.com

Vina Robles Hospitality Center, Paso Robles

## AUGUST 2

Eberle Winemaker Dinner in the Caves

Featuring Berns Steak House of Tampa, F

6:30pm, 805-238-9607, Paso Robles

www.eberlewinery.com

## AUGUST 2

Outdoor Concert at Castoro Cellars

Featuring the music of Blue Latitude, Nata

Lola, Martin Paris & Leigh Wyckoff

7pm, $22, 888-DAM-FINE, Paso Robles


## AUGUST 8


Featuring music by Dac and Friends

6-9pm, Pre-sale tickets $8, $12 at the doo


www.riosecowine.com

AUGUST 9

Rotary Winemakers Invitational Cooko

Taste the tempting fare grilled for your di

pleasure and enjoy the wines the chefs ha

selected to pair with their culinary creatio

6-9pm, $75, 805-226-5674, Paso Robles

[email protected]

River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa

## AUGUST 10

Lazy Local Concert at Castoro Cellars

Old time music featuring New 5 Cent

1-4pm, Free, 888-DAM-FINE, Paso Robleswww.castorocellars.com

## AUGUST 10

Summer Library & Reserve Wine Tastin


Viking Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

11am, Limited to 18 guests RSVP, 805-239-

$25, Free to wine club members, Paso Rob


## AUGUST 15


Featuring music by Funk 30

6-9pm, Pre-sale tickets $8, $12 at the doo


www.riosecowine.com


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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK CALENDAR OF EVEN


## AUGUST 16

Lakeside Summer Concert at Bianchi

Featuring the music of ZZAH6-9pm, 805-226-9922, Paso Robles$5, Free to Lakeside members & one guest

CAYUCOS AND MORRO BAY

ONGOING FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Art in the Park at Dinosaur Caves

Art, crafts, childrens activities, music & more10am-4pm, 805-704-8128, Pismo Beachwww.pismochamber.com

ONGOING

Central Coast Outdoor Day Hikes

Sat/Sun, 888-873-5610, Morro Baywww.centralcoastoutdoors.com

ONGOING

Art Demonstrations by Fine Artists

Non-profit art gallery exhibit of local artists7pm, 805-772-2504, Morro Baywww.morrobayartassociation.org

ONGOING

Adventures with Nature

Docent guided walksMorro Bay State Park Museum of NaturalHistory, 805-772-2694, www.ccnha.orgVarious hikes at various times including; Fast

Hike to Coon Creek, Whites Point Vistas, BlackHill Trail, Sand Spit Walk and Ocean Lagoon.

ONGOING SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Morro Bay Embarcadero Art Walk

Art galleries open house receptions5-8pm, 805-772-1068, Morro Bay

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Fishermen & Farmers Market in Morro Bay

Fresh seasonal fruit, crafts & musicians3-6pm, 800-231-0592, Morro Bay

JULY 4

Independence Day Celebration

Featuring sand sculpture contest, parade,BBQ, fireworks & more! 805-995-1200Downtown Cayucos near the Pier.For details visit www.cayucoschamber.com

JULY 4Fourth of July Celebration

Family fun & spectacular fireworks display.11am-dusk, Tidelands Park, Morro Bay805-772-4467, www.morrobay.org

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ONGOING

Christopher Cohan Center

Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo805-756-2787, www.pacslo.org July 5: Wanda Sykes July 11-13: The Wizard of Oz July 18-20: The Wizard of Oz July 19: Festival Mosaic Orchestra:

Scandal to Success July 24-26: Deyo Dances July 27: Festival Mosaic Orchestra:

Grand Finale July 27: Dance is Art

ONGOING

The San Luis Obispo Art Center

Permanent collection and constantly rotatingexhibits of works by local artists in all media paintings, sculpture, photography and more.11am-5pm, 805-543-8562, San Luis Obispowww.sloartcenter.org

ONGOING WEEKENDS

Live Music at Mothers Tavern

Beautiful upscale tavern with big band musicmost Sundays too! Call for schedules.805-541-8733, San Luis Obispowww.motherstavern.com

ONGOING SECOND SUNDAY

Dallidet Adobe & Gardens

Oldest house in the city of San Luis Obispo

Site of first commercial winery in the area.

10am-1pm, 805-543-0638, San Luis Obispo

www.slochs.org/dallidet

ONGOING

Automobilia Museum

Specialty cars, toy cars & airplanes along with

many other antiques relating to transportation

10am-5pm, 805-544-1900, San Luis Opispo

ONGOING

Hearst Castle Tours

Experience grand reflections from the 1930s

$30, 800-444-4445, San Luis Obispo

www.hearstcastle.com


Art Gallery Events Art After Dark

Various art galleries stay open late & host

artist receptions with wine & cheese.

5-9pm, 805-544-9251, San Luis Obispo

www.sloartcouncil.org

ONGOING TUESDAYS

2-oz. Tuesdays at Taste

Weekly drink specials

10am-9pm, 805-269-TASTE

San Luis Obispo, www.taste-slo.com

ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

Wine Down Wednesdays at Taste

Tastings with the winemaker

10am-9pm, 805-269-TASTE

San Luis Obispo, www.taste-slo.com

ONGOING FRIDAYS

Wine Tasting at The Loading Dock

Live music, wine and food

7-10pm, $5, 805-934-3471, San Luis Obispo

ONGOING

A Murder Mystery Dinner

Enjoy a parody of The Pirates of the Caribbean

with a delicious dinner, wine and laughter.

5pm, 805-489-3875, Spyglass Restaurant

Shell Beach, www.murderinmind.com## ONGOING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27

Wine and Cheese Pairings at Tolosa Winery

11am-3pm, $20/$15 Heritage Club

805-782-0500, www.tolosawinery.com

## JUNE 29

25th Anniversary Open House

at Claiborne & Churchill

Fine wine & delicious food and more!

This is a club member event, San Luis Obispo

www.claibornechurchill.com

JULY 11 JULY 27

Festival Mozaic - Mozart Festival

World class musicians perform classical &

fringe classical music in missions, wineries &

performance halls around SLO County. Check

website for details. www.mozartfestival.comJULY 12-13

Lavendar Festival at

Green Acres Lavender Farm

Celebrate everything Lavender

10am-6pm, 805-466-0837, Atascadero

www.greeenacreslavendarfarm.com

JULY 19-20

San Luis Obispo Renaissance Festival

Be transported back over 400 years! Over

1000 craftsmen, actors, musicians, jugglers,

lords and ladies, 3 stages of entertainment,

games for all ages & more! San Luis Obispo

Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 10am-5pm, El Chorro Park

$12, 800-688-1477, www.hisrev.org/slo-faire

## AUGUST 2

Summer Sunset Wine Club Barbecue

at Claiborne & Churchill

A gourmet lawn party for wine club members

805-544-4066, San Luis Obispo

For more info visit www.claibornechurchill.com

AVILA BEACH

ONGOING SUNDAYS

Art on the Beach at Avila Beach

Artists paint & present their work10am, 805-238-4103, Avila Beach Pier

ONGOING THROUGH JULY 31

Artwork by Herbert Evans Macdonald at

Morovino Winery

The work of this nationally acclaimed & award

winning artist is on display at the winery.

12-5pm, 805-627-1443, Avila Beach

## JUNE 29

Schoolhouse Rock Concert Series

at Salisbury Vineyards

Shake this schoolhouse with live, original

music while enjoying the perfect Avila climate

1-4pm, 805-595-WINE, Avila Beach

www.salisburyvineyards.com

## JULY 3

Girls Night Out at Salisbury VineyardsStroll through the Schoolhouse & patio with hors

d'oeuvres and wine in hand. Enjoy handmade

gifts and clothing from local artists and

designers. The evening will have an exciting

theme with guest vendors, chefs, & live music.

5:30-8:30pm, $25, $20/Club, 805-595-WINE

Avila Beach, www.salisburyvineyards.com

## JULY 10-13

Salisbury Vineyard's Central Coast

Wine Classic Winemaker Dinner

Enjoy a delicious dinner at the Schoolhouse

with Chef Ralph Fabula. Trolley from Dolphin

Bay Hotel & Residences to the Schoolhouse in

Avila Valley. 805-544-1285, [email protected]

www.centralcoastwineclassic.org

##JULY 10-13Central Coast Wine Country Classic

Experience the beauty & diversity of the Central

Coast with winemaker dinners, auctions, wine

tastings, delicious pairings & more! 805-544-1285

www.centralcoastwineclassic.org, Various

locations in Avila & the San Luis Obipso Area

## JULY 13

Schoolhouse Rock Concert Series

at Salisbury Vineyards

Shake this schoolhouse with live, original

music while enjoying the perfect Avila climate

1-4pm, 805-595-WINE, Avila Beach

www.salisburyvineyards.com

JULY 19

Central Coast Century Ride &

Festival Fundraiser

Experience magnificent vistas of the Central

Coast Wine Country while participating in this

fundraiser to defeat ALS. Individual riders $85

100k, 25k fun ride & Wine Country tour ride.

Afterward enjoy music, BBQ & fine wine too.

707-294-9822, Avila Beach, www.awebba.alsa.org

## AUGUST 7

Girls Night Out at Salisbury Vineyards

Stroll through the Schoolhouse & patio with hors

d'oeuvres and wine in hand. Enjoy handmade

gifts and clothing from local artists and

designers. The evening will have an exciting

theme with guest vendors, chefs, & live music.

5:30-8:30pm

$20 Club Avila/ $25, 805-595-WINE

ARROYO GRANDE

ONGOING

Visit Historic Buildings in Arroyo Grand

Sat 12-3pm, Sun 1-4pm, 805-473-5077Arroyo Grande

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Arroyo Grande Farmers Market

Farm fresh produce, music, arts & crafts

12-2:30pm, 805-473-2250, Arroyo Grandewww.arroyograndevillage.org

ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

Learn How to Make Ice Cream

Enjoy a 30 minute skit about ice creamwhere you help create new flavors.

7pm, Arroyo Grande, 805-474-4068www.docburnsteins.com

ONGOING

Clark Center for Performing Arts

805-489-9444, Arroyo Grandewww.clarkcenter.org

August 15: Whatd I SayThe Ray Charles Story

ONGOING

Village Summer Concert

Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs &

blankets and enjoy a variety of music.

1-3pm, 805-473-2250, Arroyo GrandeBandstand on the Village Green

July 4th (Friday): The Village Band July 13: Still Evolving & The House Red B July 27: Boomerang and the Mudskipper

JULY 26

Arroyo Grande Valley Car Sho

More than 300 classic & custom cars

10am-5pm, 805-489-2636, Arroyo Grandewww.arroyograndevillage.org

## JULY 26

Mano Tinta Release Party at Talley Viney

Enjoy wine tasting, music, Mexican-stylesnacks, and take home a commemorative

Tinta wine glass. Proceeds from the eventsale of the 2006 Mano Tinta red wine blen

will benefit The Fund for Vineyard and Far12-3pm, $15, 805-489-0446, Arroyo Grandwww.talleyvineyards.com

OCEANO

ONGOING

The Great American Melodrama

805-489-2499, Oceanowww.americanmelodrama.com Ongoing through September 20:

Showdown at Slick Rock Ranch

SANTA MARIA/FOXEN CANYON

ONGOING

Santa Maria Valley Railroad

805-922-7941, Santa Maria, www.smvrr.coElegant excursions with five star gourmet m

ONGOING MONDAYS

Wine Tasting at Wine Cottage BistroFeaturing regional & varietal tastings

5-6pm, $20, 805-934-4546, Santa Maria

ONGOING SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

Santa Maria Valley Railway

Historical Museum

Lots of fun including a train simulator exh1-4:30pm, 805-714-4927, Santa Maria

www.smvrhm.org/museum

ONGOING THROUGH JULY 31

Layers: Photographs by Kam Jacoby

Wonderful photographs of the past & thepresent artistically combined.

11am-5pm, 805-688-2459, Carina CellarsLos Olivos, www.carinacellars.com


8/40

ONGOING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1

Photo Contest at Riverbench Winery

Submit your photos of the Riverbench Winery

Win a gourmet wine and food tasting for 10!805-937-8340, www.riverbench.com

ONGOING THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Friday Nite Wine Downs at

Cottonwood Canyon.

Come out the 3rd Friday of every month thru

September and the 2nd Friday in October to WineDown your work week to the sounds of live music &enjoy a glass of your favorite Cottonwood wine.For band listings visit www.cottonwoodcanyon.comSanta Maria, 5:30-8:30pm, 805-937-VINE

JULY 5

Rancho Olivos Oil Tasting at Riverbench

Sample delicious olive oils & fine wines12-4pm, 805-937-8340, Santa Mariawww.riverbench.com

JULY 6

Olive Revolution Party

Enjoy recicipes paired with wine from Au BonClimat/Qupe in the midst of olive groves.1-4pm, 800-307-0447, Los Olivoswww.globalgardensgifts.com

AUGUST 16

2008 Harvest Seminar & Adopt-A-Vine Clubat Riverbench Winery

Walk the vineyards, analyze the grapes, and playa part in the 2008 harvest! Lunch and wine

tasting is included. 10am-1pm$50, $40 wine club, 805-937-8340, Santa Maria

SANTA MARGARITA

ONGOING

Spring Flowers Nature Hike

Guided hike with trained horticuluralist

$15, 805-238-7324, Reservation requiredLazy Arrow Ranch, Santa Margarita

LOS OLIVOS


Wildling Art Museum - Free Friday Flicks

Free movie & snacks with discussion

7pm, 805-688-1082, Los Olivoswww.wildlingmuseum.org

ONGOING THROUGH JUNE

Abbrescias Passion: Plein-Air Paintings

of Glacier National Park

The Wilding Art Museum, 11am-5pm, Los Olivos

805-688-1082, www.wildlingmuseum.org

ONGOING FIRST TUESDAY

Wine and Art at Los Olivos Caf

5-7pm, 805-688-7265, Los Olivoswww.losolivoscafe.com

ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

Understanding Your Palate at Los Olivos Caf

Wine tasting & hors doeuvres5pm, $15, 805-688-7265, Los Olivoswww.losolivoscafe.com

July 24: Chilean Tasting Journey August 21: South African Tasting Journey

ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

An Evening with the Winemaker at Los Olivos Caf

Wine tasting & hors doeuvres. 5pm, $15805-688-7265, www.losolivoscafe.com

July 9 : David Hardee, Carina Cellars

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Global Gardens Organic Food Tasting

Enjoy delicious organic tastings10am-2pm, $3, Los Olivos, 805-693-1600www.globalgardensgifts.com

ONGOING THURSDAYS

Fess Parkers Wine Country Sing Along

Sing along with Fess & Marcy, 8:30-10:30pm805-688-7788, Los Olivos, www.syvva.com

SANTA YNEZ

ONGOING MONDAYS

Maverick Saloon Blind Draw Darts

Santa Barbara Darts Association

Enjoy BBQ and Darts, 7pm, 805-686-4785

Santa Ynez, www.mavericksaloon.org

ONGOING

Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum

and Parks - Janeway Carriage House

Exhibits from Chumash period through early20th century ranch days

12-4pm, 805-688-7889, Santa Ynez

www.santaynezvalleymuseum.org

SECOND THURSDAY

Wine Impressions at Artiste

Join fellow wine lovers for a blind tasting,

sensory evaluation & discussion by region.

7-9pm, 805-686-2626, Santa Ynez

www.artiste.com

ONGOING

Chumash Casino Concerts

800-585-3737, Santa Ynez

www.chumashcasino.com

July 4: Reba

July 10: Kenny Loggins

July 17: Lynyrd Skynyrd July 24: Frankie Vallie

ONGOING

Cachuma Lake Nature Walk

Naturalists lead walk on the Oak Canyon Trail

10-11:30am, $6, 805-688-4515, Santa Ynez Park

www.cachuma.com

ONGOING WEDNESDAYS

Jazz on the Deck at Vineyard House

Live music and fine food

6:30pm, $2, 805-688-2886, Santa Ynez

www.thevineyardhouse.com

ONGOING

Art Exhibit at Artiste Winery

11am-5pm, 805-686-2626, www.artiste.com

Santa Ynez

JULY 11

Cinema E Vino Paradiso at Gainey Vineyard

Barrel tasting, dinner & a movie under the stars.

7:30pm, $75, $65 club members, 805-238-0095

www.cinemaevino.com

LOMPOC

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Olde Towne Market in Lompoc

Great food, wine & music, Lompoc

805-736-4567, www.lompocrecord.com

ONGOING THROUGH JUNE 29

56th Annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival

Enjoy a top ranked parade, a carnival, great

rides, arts, crafts, flower show and more!

805-735-8511, Lompoc, Check website for details.

www.springartsfestival.org

SOLVANG

ONGOING

Quicksilver Miniature Horse Farm

Visit Solvang horse farm with beautiful views

10am3pm, 805-686-4002, Solvang

ONGOING

Solvang Farmers Market

Fresh produce, flowers and foods, 3-7pm

Solvang , 805-962-5354, www.solvangca.com

ONGOING FRIDAYS

Wine Tasting on the Patio

Live guitar music along with fine wines

5:30-7pm, 800-624-5572, Solvang

www.royalscandinavianinn.com

ONGOING WEEKENDS

Cachuma Lake Wildlife Cruise

Guided 2 hour cruise with wildlife and geology

$15, 805-686-505, Cachuma Lake

www.cachuma.com

ONGOING

Elverhoj Museum of History & Art

Ongoing exhibits of art & photogaphy

805-686-1211, Solvang, www.elverhoj.org

JUNE 28

13th Annual Red, White & Blues Concert

at Buttonwood Farm

Bring a picnic & dance to the tunes from the

band Cadillac Zach. Presented by Buttonwood

Farm Winery and Longoria Wines. $40/$30

Imbibers Club & SB Blues Society members

805-688-3032, [email protected]

JULY 4

Solvang 4th of July Parade

An old-fashioned pararde in downtown Solvang

11am, 805-698-6910, Solvang

JULY 4

Valley Wind Ensemble Free Concert

30 local volunteer musicians perform concert-

band selections, 10am, Solvang Park Gazebo

Solvang, www.syvva.com

JULY 26

Old MIssion Wine Co. Summer

BBQ Winemaker Dinner

Enjoy an authentic three-course BBQ dinner

paired with wines from Skyhawk Lane Winery

6:30-9:00pm, $25, 805-686-9323, Solvang

www.houseofhoneywood.com

## AUGUST 2

3rd Annual Day at the Vineyard

The Stolpman Family invites you to the 3rd

Annual Day at the Vineyard. Enjoy fabulous

views, an informative seminar & a delicious

dinner featuring delicious Stolpman wine.

805-688-0400, Solvang

[email protected]

SANTA BARBARA

ONGOING SUNDAYS

Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show

Featuring all types of art, crafts & jewelry

10am6pm, 805-897-1982, East Beach Pier

www.sbaacs.com

ONGOING TUESDAYS

Discussions & Coffee Tastings

Get insider info on up & coming books, music and

movies with coffee tasting too, Santa Barbara

805-899-3659, 3pm, Borders, Books & Music

ONGOING FRIDAYS

Wine Tasting with the Winemakers

4-7pm, 805-691-1020, East Beach Wines

Santa Barbara, www.eastbeachwine.com

ONGOING FRIDAYS

Wine & Cheese Pairings at East Beach Wines

Enjoy delicious pairings & new selections

each week,4-7pm, $10,805-899-1535

Santa Barbara, www.eastbeachwines.com

ONGOING

Trout Fishing & Wildlife Walks

at Cachuma Lake

Enjoy fishing (with trout brought in) & excellent

wildlife viewing from bald eagles to mule deer.

805-686-5055,Santa Barbara, www.sbparks.org

ONGOING

Historic Downtown Walking Tour

Guided stroll - experience Santa Barbaras past

10am-12pm, 805-965-6307, Santa Barbara

ONGOING

Lobero Theatre

805-963-0761, www.lobero.com

July 12: Sings Like Hell-James Hunter

August 16: David Sanborn Band

ONGOING

Ty Warner Sea Center

Explore creatures of the sea

805-962-2526, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbar

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural Historywww.sbnature.org/seacenter

ONGOING

Lectures & Readings at the

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

805-962-8404, Santa Barbara, www.sbmm.o

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Cachuma Lake Nature Walk

1 mile walk for all ages on the Oak Canyon T

10-11:30am, 805-688-4515, Santa Barbara

Cachuma Lake Nature Center

www.cachuma.com

ONGOING SATURDAYS

Junior Ranger Program

Kids learn about wildlife, ecosystems &

caring for the environment

1-2pm, 805-688-4515, Santa BarbaraCachuma Lake Nature Center

www.cachuma.com

ONGOING

Art Workshops for Children at

Art from Scrap

Fun workshops where kids reuse all sorts of

materials to make works of art!

Tues-Sat, 10am-2pm, $6, 805-884-0459

www.artfromscrap.org

ONGOING FIRST THURSDAYS

First Thursday

Art, cultural events & fine wine tasting!

5-8pm, 805-962-2098, various venues in

downtown Santa Barbara

www.santabarbaradowntown.com

ONGOINGSanta Barbara Museum of Art

805-963-4364, www.sbma.net

Ongoing through August 17:

It's All About Me: California Artists Self Portra

Ongoing through November 2: African Din

- Interactive exhibit

ONGOING

Surfing Lessons

Enjoy an exciting day in the water

805-898-0671, Santa Barbara

www.sbadventureco.com

ONGOING

Planetarium Shows at

Santa Barbara Museum of

Natural History

805-682-4711, www.sbnature.com Exploring the Spring Sky

Cosmic Safari

Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket

## JUNE 28

Santa Barbara Wine Festival

Join Stolpman & other Central Coast winerie

the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

they pour their fine wines. 805-682-4711

Santa Barbara, www.sbnature.org

JULY 27

Santa Barbara Brazilian Food & Music Se

Music by Samba de Raiz & Forr with delicio

Brazilian food & drinks offered for sale.

4pm, $7, 818-508-8753, Santa Barbara

www.sbbraziliancarnaval.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

8www.winecountrythisweek.com


9/40

WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK WINE COUNTRY NEW


Wineries Sought to Compete

for Winemakers Cookoff Honors

Event host, the Paso Robles Rotary Club, kicked off its campaign to

sign up 30 Central Coast wineries to participate in its 10th annualWinemakers Cookoff. The event features winemaker-chefs grilling

their own culinary creations and pairing them with some of their finest

wines. Winemaker pairings will be served to 1,000 attendees as the

participating wineries vie for both Peoples Choice and Judges

award recognition. This year, the cookoff will be held on Saturday,

August 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at River Oaks Hot Springs Spa in Paso

Robles. All net proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships benefit the

Paso Robles Rotarys Harlow Ford Scholarship Foundation, which

awards college scholarships to area high-school seniors.

Beginning this year we will be promoting Make it a Wine-

makers Weekend; encouraging participating wineries to offer event

attendees discounts and special activities throughout the cookoff

weekend. We hope this promotion will have a win-win effect by

enhancing the attendees Wine Country experience and generating

new customers and additional revenue for participating wineries,

said Vicki Silva, the 2008 events winery chair.

Wineries interested in being part of this years Winemakers

Cookoff or wishing additional information should contact Vicki Silva

at (805) 239-5151. Tickets are $75. For tickets or more informati

call 1-877-686-8564 (toll free) or visit the Cookoff on the w

www.winemakerscookoff.com.

Winemakers Solicited for 10th Annual Fund Raise


10/40

WINE COUNTRY NEWS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK


by Leah Kolt

While the phrase innovative tradition-

alist may seem like a contradiction

in terms, it makes sense if you know

Kenneth Volk, who is something of an icon of

Central Coast winemaking.

He is perhaps best known as the founder

of Wild Horse Winery, which he grew from an

initial yield of 600 cases to some 150,000

cases, before selling it five years ago tobeverage industry giant Jim Beam.

Cashing in on his success provided the

third-generation Californian an opportunity

to reinvent himself in the wine industry with

the founding of Kenneth Volk Vineyards in

2004 located in Santa Barbara Countys

Santa Maria Valley, a region renowned for

Burgundy varieties.

While his new focus is primarily on

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, he also produces

Bordeaux-style wines from grapes grown in

the westernmost locations of the Paso Roblesregion, an area he considers among the best

in California for Cabernet Sauvignon and

Merlot.

He even grows heirloom grapes, champi-

oning such quirky varieties as Malvasia

Bianca, which he characterizes as aroma-

therapy with a libation.

Named Agriculturalist of the Year in 1999

by his alma mater Cal Poly, Ken made his first

wine on campus, where the fruit-science

major was growing berries downhill from the

campus vineyard. Intrigued more by the

grapes than his berries, he traded responsibil-

ities with the viticulture student and was

hooked.

The progressive techniques used by Ken

and his staff today are many vintages away

from that first wine, made from Gamay grapes

with a trash can and a baseball bat. Our goal

is to create multifaceted wines. So instead of

farming everything alike, we combine manyof the best practices, materials and vines

available, he explained.

From start to finish, KVV makes every

effort to support and build on the complexity

of flavors produced in the vineyard. The

different flavors that result are blended to

create multidimensional wines.

No detail of the complex winemaking

process is taken for granted. Take yeast for

example. While many French, and some Cali-

fornia winemakers, allow nature to select

which yeasts turn their grapes into alcohol,Kens innovative traditionalist character

impels him to be more selective. Theres a

huge potential to impact the wine with the

decision of which yeast to use, and theres the

potential to create complexity again, by

mixing it up, he pointed out.

So for a single lot of Chardonnay for

instance, Ken might employ six different yeast

strains, each affecting a different feature of the

wine, such as aroma or creaminess. He is such

a yeast connoisseur, in fact, that

employees jokingly advise to never ask h

about it unless youre got 30 minutes to lis

to his answer.

Such attention to detail also influences

way KVV harvests grapes, such as pick

fruit from the same vineyard on mult

dates to select grapes at different matu

levels and create diverse flavors. The

time, we might pick for low pH and hig

acidity and fresh fruit aromatics. Then wcome back a week or more later and pick

physiological ripeness and mature flavors,

explained.

Almost three decades in the wine busin

has given Ken the opportunity to see h

changes in local and industry-wide tren

When he started out, this part of the w

was not taken seriously for fine wine prod

tion. But looking at some of the wines be

produced at Chalone, Edna Valley Viney

and Estrella River Winery now Merid

Vineyards I knew that wines from Central Coast could compete with wines fr

any California region or anywhere else in

world. And now this area is the fast

growing wine region in California.

Consumer tastes have changed over

years, too. The last decade has seen h

changes for Pinot Noir, according to K

who believes that the favoring of high

extracted red wines with bold fruit by so

KENNETH VOLK VINEYARDS

See Kenneth Volk Vineyards, page


11/40

Donati Family Vineyard has launched the first winery specific

social networking site to enhance communication with

their customers and wine club members concerning

upcoming events and unique wine gifts.Donati Family Vineyard is leading the way with social networking

(winespace.donatifamilyvineyard.com) in the wine industry by imple-

menting a full featured, Web 2.0, online community for their

customers and wine club members.

Donati Family Vineyard Winespace offers members the following

benefits:

Learn and enjoy wine within a

like-minded community

Interact directly with the wine-

making team through blogs and

online forums Receive insider info on special

offers, upcoming events and breaking news

Customize your personal WineSpace and socialize with your friends

Exciting online events such as video-casts and on-line wine tasting

Choose from a wide assortment of wines and gourmet food to create

wine gifts

People joining the online social networking community automati-

cally receive a customizable profile page and will be able to message

each other and participate in online discussions. Members of the viral

marketing site can invite their friends and make new friends to share

information about wine and wine gifts. Most importantly they can

write their own blogs and forum discussions and upload content suchas podcasts, photos and videos.

Web 2.0 is a technology trend for information sharing and social

networking that is an emerging innovation within the wine industry,

says Lee Stipp, General Manager at Donati Family Vineyard. Our new

web-based community permits us to reach consumers across the

globe and to communicate with them more effectively.

Proprietor Ron Donati says, WineSpace allows us to interact with

our customers in a fashion that was not possible before. Its all very

exciting, and will be fascinating to watch as it develops over time.

About Donati Family Vineyard

The Donatis came to Paicines, in Californias Central Coast, in 1998when they purchased land that would become the Donati Family

Estate Vineyard. Like much of southern Napa and Sonoma, Paicines

has long warm days followed by cool nights. The vineyard is planted

to various select clones of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,

Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Petite

Verdot. In early 2007 the Donati Family Vineyard opened its new

winery and tasting room at the former Mastantuono Winery in

Templeton, located in San Luis Obispo County. Donati Family Vine-

yard is conveniently located off picturesque Highway 46 West and is

nestled in the Templeton Gap surrounded by sweeping vineyard views

with areas for picnicking and bocce ball. The tasting room is op

daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The vineyard has just launched its so

networking site.

For additional information and a list of wines available for w

gifts, you may visit the website at www.donatifamilyvineyard.com.



WineSpace: Social Networking Meets the Vineyard


12/40



Located in San Miguels beautiful Pleasant

Valley, just minutes away from down-

town Paso Robles, the Silver Horse

Winery facility is unlike any other in the Paso

Robles area.

Situated on a hilltop overlooking

hundreds of acres of vineyards, Silver Horse

Winery is one of the most beautiful facilities

around. With elegant hacienda-style appoint-

ments such as 105-year-old clay roof tiles, a

hand-made fountain, three patios and a large

garden /lawn area, enthusiasts will experience

wine bliss while sipping on the French

Bordeaux and Spanish Rioja varietal wines.

Winemaker Stephen Kroener strives to

handcraft food-friendly, well-balanced wines

that reflect his familys love of combining

great food, great wine and great friends; it is

in this spirit that each bottle of Silver Horse

wine carries the inscription Not For Us

Alone! Just a small side note, Silver Horse

wines are only available at the tastingroom.

Up for a little competition? Silver Horse

winery also offers two regulation bocce ball

courts and two regulation horseshoe pits. If

youre lucky you may find yourself sipping on

fine wine and having a friendly match with

the winemaker/owners of Silver Horse

Winery. So come by their wonderful facility

and enjoy breathtaking views of some of the

Central Coasts most beautiful vistas. Your

dreams for the ultimate wine experience will

be found at this family owned and operated

winery! Come See for yourself!

Silver Horse Winery is located at 29

Pleasant Road in San Miguel. Hours

Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. t

p.m. For more information, call (805) 4

WINE or visit www.silverhorsewinery.com

SILVER HORSEA One of a Kind Destination

Perfect Setting for a Wine Country WeddingLooking for a wedding venue with 360 degree

views of the surrounding vineyards in the country

side? Then look no further than Silver Horse Winery.

Sitting atop a hill in the Pleasant Valley, Silver Horse

Winery provides the ideal setting for your wedding.

The Spanish Hacienda tasting room and wedding

facility with wood-burning fireplace, and elegant

hacienda-style appointments such as 105-year-old

ceramic roof tiles, make this estate winery a must see.

The Barrel Room can hold up to 150 of your guests with a dance floor, DJ/band andfood station. The new 7000-square-foot outdoor event facility provides the definitiv

winery wedding setting. A 3000-square-foot indoor/outdoor event facility with

surrounding vineyards can hold up to 400 depending on your layout. A separate caterin

area keeps all the behind the scenes activities, behind the scenes. The 4000-square-foo

Garden Area with its outdoor kitchen, tasting bar and raised seating areas will be ideal fo

your ceremony and reception as well. To keep your guest entertained Silver Horse Winer

has two bocce ball courts as well as two horseshoe pits.

Choosing Silver Horse Winery as your wedding facility will make your wedding da

truly one to remember!


13/40



14/40


14 www.winecountrythisweek.com

Tolosa has announced the resumption of Wine and Cheese Pai

as of June 7th, 2008. This will be the third year of this increasin

popular event. In 2006, Tolosa felt that although every winery had

opportunity to present their wine, few took the initiative to pair v

etals with cheese. Learning about our wines is a great start n

comes pairing them with food, so we offer the quintessential fo

pairing; great cheeses that compliment our wines, comments

Schiebelhut, principal at Tolosa. Every Saturday from June thro

September, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., guests can enjoy four Tol

estate wines paired with four artisan cheeses. The pairings

presented in Tolosas sanctuary, Heritage Room, which overlooks

surrounding vineyards. Here, apart from the hustle and bustle o

tasting room, guests can relax and enjoy what we hope will b

learning experience.

The artisan cheeses are typically purchased from San Luis Obisp

Monterey Street Wine Company, who offers a vast amount of cho

from around the globe. Prior to each menus publication, the manof Monterey Street and Tolosas Concierge, John Shakley, together t

the wines and cheeses to capture the best possible pairing. A g

wine can be great with the right cheese, but a great wine can be b

with the wrong one, quotes John Shakley. Each Saturday a differ

list of diverse wines and cheeses are offered, which encourages gu

that have a great experience to return a different week and try all n

pairings.

This year, Tolosa has also added another option in the Herit

Room, alongside the pairings. Guests can purchase a flight of rese

wine tastings, including limited-production varietals, barrel select

library wines. The reserve tasting will be $10 for the public a

complimentary to Tolosa Heritage Society Members.

Tolosas Wine and Cheese Pairings are located in the Heritage Ro

at 4910 Edna Road, San Luis Obispo. The pairings began June

and last through September 27th, 2008. Guests can arrive anyt

between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the pairing. Reservations are

required, but recommended for parties of six or more. Cost is $20

the public or $15 for Heritage Society Members. For questions

reservations, contact John Shakley at (805) 782-0500 ext. 10

[email protected].

Tolosa Dedicates a

Space For Wineand Cheese Pairings


15/40


Plan Your Next Getawayto Villa Valdemosa


Pamper yourself at VillaValdemosa, a luxurious Paso

Robles bed and breakfast inn

perfect for intimate getaways.

Nestled in the heart of the

Central Coast Wine Country,

the romantic Tuscan-styled

Paso Robles bed and break-

fast inn is situated on ten acres of seclusion. The spectacular setting

offers three private guest suites, all with stunning see forever views.

Wake up to three-course gourmet breakfasts in the intimate indoor

dining area or al fresco on the terrace during the warmer months.The Villa Valdemosa inn offers solace and amenities that make the

exclusive bed and breakfast hideaway lodging an ideal home base for

exploring Paso Robles, the Central Coast Wine Country and beyond.

GUEST SUITES

The Petite Syrah Suite totals more than 300 square feet including a

private bathroom. It has a lovely brass and pewter queen bed, and a

1800s loveseat!

The Syrah Suite includes bath and walk in closet. It has a lounge

area with love seat, coffee table, wall table and vanity mirror, and a

queen-sized, oiled bronze European-style bed.Bordeaux Suite the largest accommodation includes a soaking tub

with a picture window looking east, out over vineyards, to the

mountains on the horizon.

The Logia

The Logia overlooks the south lawn, pool area and the distant hori-

zons. These adjacent rooms, which can comfortably seat 20 guests,

are available for special functions. Just tell them what you have in

mind. Just outside the Logia and dining room is a large terrace and

more than a acre of lawn and gardens, perfect for an outdoor event.

The staff is well connected with all local catering services, and canhelp you plan your special event there.

Make your special event a memorable occasion! Whatever your

needs, the romantic indoor/al fresco dining area is available for private

functions. Assistance with planning and catering is also available to

suit your needs. Villa Valdemosa can cater to parties of up to 50.

Escape to the exclusive Paso Robles bed and breakfast inn at 2552

Old Grove Lane. Make Villa Valdemosa your favorite lodging for your

next central California experience. For more information or reserva-

tions, call (805) 237-2370, email [email protected] or visit the

website at www.valdemosa.com.


16/40



Eberle Winery of Paso Robles has announced the entire line-up of

their one-of-a-kind Guest Chef Dinner Series, which takes place each

month in the Eberle wine caves and features chefs from across the

U.S.A. While this year has already included top chefs such as

Douglas Dodd of the Hotel Bel-Air and the favorite chef of Ellen

DeGeneres, Leonardo Curti of Trattoria Grappolo in Santa Ynez, the

rest of the years chefs should help create one for the record books

for Eberle Winery.

All Eberle Winemaker Dinners are held at the Eberle Wild Boar

Room in the Eberle caves and are $150 per person or $120 for Cellar

Club members. Eberle Winery is located at 3810 Highway 46 East,

3.5 miles east of Highway 101 in Paso Robles. Upcoming winemaker

dinners listed below. For reservations, complete schedule or more

information, visit www.EberleWinery.com. Or, contact Sheri Kennedy

at (805) 238-9607 or [email protected].

Friday, July 11 Eberle Hosts One of Bravos"Americas Top Chefs" Tre WilcoxAs chef de cuisine of Dallass award-winning five-star restaurant,

Abacus, Tre Wilcox began his culinary career at the age of 17.

Chef Tres latest culinary adventures landed him a spot as a

contestant on Bravos third season of Americas Top Chef. Top

Chef 3 Miami featured 15 of the countrys most impressive rising

chefs and Tre proved to be a strong contender in this competition

for up-and-coming culinary talent. Tres dedication, enthusiasm

and passion have made him such a renowned and impressive chef

hes been nominated as the James Beard Foundations Rising Star

Chef for two consecutive years. To be nominated for this award,

you must be age thirty or younger and display an impressivetalent and be likely to make a significant industry impact in years

to come. D Magazine named him one of the Top Young Guns in

Dallas. He has also appeared on a number of TV shows, including

Oprah, the Texas Cable News Network, ABCs Good Morning

Texas and Metro and FOXs Good Day Dallas.

Saturday, August 2 Friends of the Winery Dinner in the CavesFeaturing Berns Steak House, Tampa, FLOne of Americas top steak houses, boasting one of the largest

wine lists in the world, comes to Eberle Winery for a meal to

remember for our annual Friends of the Winery dinner. Since

1956, Berns Steak House has worked with a passion (or some call

it an obsession) to provide the best meat, fish and produce avail-

able to its customers. Bern would only accept the very, very best,

even if it meant more work and time for preparation, or a higher

price paid to begin with the best raw products. To that end,

Berns Steak House is now considered an iconic restaurant in the

U.S.A. and should be at the top of your must dine list.

Saturday, September 6 Eberle Winemaker Dinner in theCaves with Doug Levy, Feast, Tucson, AZThe cuisine is international, the ambience is high energy and the

name is Feast. What more do you need to have a great time, espe-

cially where your appetite is concerned? Chef/owner Doug Levy

has helped elevate the Tucson food scene to new heights. Join u

as we welcome him to Eberle Winery and experience the food an

wine pairings that are making Chef Levy a well-known favorite i

Arizona.

Friday, October 17 Harvest Festival Winemaker Dinnerwith Chef Craig von Foerster, Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, CAThe Post Ranch Inn is a stellar resort perched high above the

California coast in Big Sur. The Zagat Survey ranked its award-

winning restaurant Sierra Mar, headed by Chef Craig von Foer-

ster, as the best hotel restaurant in the state in 2006. Fusing Ea

and West style cuisine, Sierra Mar showcases everything spectac

ular about California. Chef von Foerster has recently earned

acclaim on NBCs Today Show, and in Sunset Magazine. Enjoy

world-class cuisine and world-class wine at Eberle celebrating t

harvest of 2008!

Saturday, November 1 Eberle Welcomes Acclaimed ChefMichel Richard, Citronelle, Washington D.C.It is with great honor that Eberle Winery hosts acclaimed chef an

good friend Michel Richard to a Guest Chef Dinner in the Eberle

caves. With a culinary career 40 years in the making, Chef

Richards Citrus and Citronelle restaurants in Los Angeles, Santa

Barbara, and flagship restaurant in Washington, D.C. have earned

staggering array of honors befitting such a talented chef. Author

James Beard Award Winner, and recipient of numerous awards an

honors, Chef Richard is currently celebrating the opening of a ne

restaurant in Carmel Valley. Experience a meal like no other from

a culinary talent who Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate

describes as A great chef, who is cooking at a level that far excee

any Michelin three-star chef in France." A portion of the proceed

from this dinner goes directly to the Eberle Scholarship for

students studying wine and viticulture at Cal Poly.

Saturday, December 6, 2008Black Tie Holiday Dinner with Holly Peterson, Napa ValleyHolly Petersons credentials include a degree in Enology from U.

Davis and Grand Diplome de Cuisine from the prestigious La

Varenne cooking school. She spent years cooking professionally

France, including stints at Chteau Mouton-Rothschild, Krug, an

Remy-Martin. She made news in Europe when she was chosen athe first female chef at a Michelin three-star restaurant, Tantris, i

Munich. When she returned to the United States, Holly spent

eight years at the Robert Mondavi Winery, developing food and

wine programs and events. Now, she teaches food and wine

dynamics at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. Mu

of her time outside of teaching is spent importing and marketing

Sea Star Sea Salt. Holly and her family are great friends of

Eberle Winery. She is skilled in creating dinners and events for

several hundred people at a time. To have her in our intimate

caves of Eberle Winery will be an event to remember.

Eberle Winery Announces Star-Chef Line Up for 2008


17/40

HOPPES GARDEN BISTRO & WINE SHOP

The most highly acclaimed restaurant and Wine Shop on theCentral Coast. Recognized for Chef Wilhelm Hoppes seasonally

inspired menu, hand-selected wine list with a beautiful garden

and historical setting. Offering a wide range of menu items -

from wild game to prime meats and vegetarian/vegan items.

78 N. Ocean Avenue Wednesday-Sunday 11am-10pm

www.hoppesbistro.com 805.995.1006

C A Y U C O S

MAMA'S MEATBALL

Fine Italian Restaurant and Catering

Mama's Meatball has specialized in

creating seasonal menus by using only

the finest and freshest ingredients.

570 Higuera St. Suite 130-135

www.mamasmeatball.com

805-544-0861

NOVO RESTAURANT

NOVOs international flavors are the leading ing

dients in an exotic dining experience. Brazilia

Mediterranean and Asian flavors awaken t

senses. In house roasted spices for currie

mixtures and marinades balanced with cri

seasonal vegetables and savory meats. Explore.

726 Higuera Street Open Daily from 11am

805-543-3986 www.novorestaurant.com

ROBIN'S RESTAURANT

Located in the historic east village of Cambria, in a

charming vintage home, Robins has been delighting locals

& visitors with a fresh eclectic quality menu of international

foods and gracious service for 24 years. We also have a

beautiful garden for small weddings & special events.

Open daily from 11am. Sunday Brunch specials &

monthly Prix Fixe dinners. Mothers Day Brunch.

4095 Burton Dr. www.robinsrestaurant.com (805) 927-5007

S A N L U I S O B I S P O

C A M B R I A

WI NE COUNTRY THIS WEE

PREFERRED RESTAURANT


PA S O R O B L E S

Located on Higuera

Street with its patio

sitting luxuriouslyabove San Luis Creek,

Novo restaurant is

fusion cuisine with a

local heart that has

captivated this Central

Coast town.

The menu is a stunning blend of flavors from around the world

with a focus on Asian and South American fusions. Chef Justin

Gabbert has teamed with owner Robin Covey to create a Tapas

selection along with a few large plate items that are a blend of

local ingredients with international flare. The menu at Novo does

change with the seasons, usually summer and winter anddepending on the local farmers market. Im probably the biggest

buyer at the SLO Farmers Market. We spend about $40,000 a

year there, says Covey. The local produce here is astounding.

The wine list at Novo, a Portuguese word meaning new, is

large and features a vast selection of local Central Coast wines.

Seating more than 160 people, if necessary, the large patio, the

inside dining room and the basement dining room are all simple

and stylish with inviting warm colors and intimate settings. The

building itself is one of the original San Luis Obispo turn-of-the-

century brick structures with a full-sized basement and hardwood

floors.

Novo has been in San Luis Obispo for five years, but every dish

is as fresh and new as its first serving. A knowledgeable wait staff

that pays attention to customer service, a focus on fresh local

ingredients, local wines and Central Coast hospitality, have made

Novo a true destination for dining.

Novo is open daily from 11 a.m. For more information, call

(805) 543-3986 or visit the website at www.novorestaurant.com.

NOVO RESTAURANT

Mon-Thu: 6am to 8pm Fri: 6am to 10pm

Sat: 7am to 10pm Sun: 8am to 4pm

Corner of 12th & Riverside in the Granary Building

(805) 237-2722 www.cafevio.biz

Downtown Pasos first and only internet cafe with free WiFi. We serve fine local wines, gourmet coffees,

espresso, teas, smoothies, soups, sandwiches and pastries. Enjoy our new Western & Wine Art Gallery

with a glass of wine and a small plate of delicacies, chill out in our cozy and comfortable living room

atmosphere, or relax outside in our patio under an umbrella.


18/40


Baileyana and tangent winemaker, Christian Roguenant, was born

to wine. A native of the Burgundy region of France who grew up

among the vineyards, he decided early on to become a winemaker. His

studies at the University of Dijon focused on enology and winemaking

and included graduate coursework in wine marketing. This education

served him well as he traveled the world to make wine on five conti-

nents. Included in his experience were fifteen years with Champagne

Deutz, one of the premier Champagne houses in France and service as

a consultant to wineries around the world. His travels took him to

wineries in Argentina, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Korea(where he made sparkling wine for the 1988 Olympics) and finally to

the Central Coast of California. Where better to first make

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir than Burgundy; or Sauvignon Blanc than

New Zealand, or Syrah than the North Rhne? smiles Roguenant. I

have been very fortunate, he continues, I have learned so much from

so many winemakers and experiences!

When the Niven family, owners of Baileyana and tangent,

decided to build a new winery in 1998 they gave a blank slate

to Roguenant to design the winery of his dreams. His gracious,

light-filled design is state of the art and elegantly functional.

Red wines are fermented in the classic Burgundian method in

numerous small, open-top fermen-

tors. This compact system allows

for gentle punch down of the caps

as the wine ferments and enables

Roguenant to keep each lot sepa-

rate by clone, vineyard block,

yeast trial or whatever he chooses.

Three individually climate-

controlled barrel cellars are avail-

able to Roguenant for completing

fermentation and for aging. Roguenant is also pleased with

esthetics of the winery. The windows let in a lot of natural light,

says. Although the wine never sees the light, the people do and t

makes the winery a very pleasant place to work.

Adjacent to the winery, the newly producing Firepeak Vineyard

planted with carefully chosen clones and rootstocks, and is the jew

of the Edna Valley. This vineyard allows me to achieve my goal

make the wine as true to the varietal as possible, Roguenant confirm

My philosophy of winemaking is this: give me rough but n

diamonds; my job is to polish without scratching them. He enjselecting from the hand-picked fruit for the Baileyana and tang

wines, most of it from the estate Firepeak and Paragon Vineyards.

passion and desire is to make better wine every year. A winemake

the greatest critic about his own wine always striving to get closer

perfection.

A judge for numerous wine competitions, Roguenant enj

the camaraderie of his peers. I continue to learn so mu

consulting with other winemakers here in California a

around the world. I enjoy so many wonderful friendship

He would welcome the opportunity to spend some ti

with his life-long hobby, photography. F

now, he contents himself with tak

pictures of his wife Lois and th

young son Blake.

Baileyana and tangent wines

available for tasting at the historic In

pendence Schoolhouse on Orcutt Ro

in the Edna Valley. More informat

can be found by calling the tast

room at (805) 269-8200 or

www.baileyana-tangent.com .

BAILEYANA/tangent


Winemaker

Christian

Roguenant


19/40




20/40



If the thought of being outside under the stars on a warm summernight and sharing great wine, great food and a great film with

someone you love is your idea of a romantic evening then look no

further than Cinema e Vino to be able to provide that perfect atmos-

phere for just such an evening.

Cinema e Vino partners with selected California Central Coast

wineries to create romantic evenings for people who enjoy wine

tasting, Italian cuisine and watching great movies. The company,

founded by Gina DeGirolamo and Melita Toscano, turns scenic

wineries into romantic vineyard cinemas.

Last year was such a huge success for us that there was no ques-

tion we would do a second season, says Gina. The most wonderful

thing for us was that so many people came to celebrate special occa-sions such as anniversaries, birthdays and honeymoons. We even had

one couple get engaged at our event.

The evening begins with a private wine tasting just for Cinema e

Vino guests at select vineyards such as Cass, Villicana, Meridian and

Gainey. Each event is created to accommodate a limited amount of

people, ensuring a warm and intimate environment from start to

finish. Guests are then escorted to a scenic vineyard theater, staged

with comfortable chairs and cozy blankets. Once seated, your

gourmet Tuscan dinner basket is served, freshly prepared and warm

from the oven. Under a canopy of stars and with friends, family or that

very special someone by your side, a film flickers to life on the screen.

Cinema e Vinos state-of-the-art equipment ensures a first-r

cinematic experience, while the food, wine and Mother Nat

provide the ambiance.

This year we are particularly excited to be offering very spe

weekend packages that include hotel accommodations and spa tr

ments to complement the Cinema a Vino experience, says Mel

The company is expanding to include elements that seem to go h

in hand. More than a stand alone event, Cinema e Vino becomes

centerpiece of a fun filled, romantic and memorable weekend.

Ticket price is $65 for wine club members, $75 for the gene

public (includes $10 voucher good for wine room purchase t

evening). Advance ticket purchase is required due to limited seat

per event. Cinema E Vino is also available for corporate and priv

functions, as well as fundraisers. For more information, call (8

238-0095 or visit www.Cinemaevino.com.

Wine Event Company Inspires Love & Romance with

Cinema e Vino Great Films, Great Wines, Great Foo

FRIDAY, JULY 11TH

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon,

Tony Curtis

Gainey Winery, Santa Ynez

SATURDAY, JULY 19TH

DUCK SOUP

The Marx Bros.

Cass Winery, Paso Robles

SATURDAY, JULY 26TH

GREASE the sing-a-long

Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta

Meridian Winery, Paso Robles

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH

CHICAGO

Catherine Zeta-Jones,

Renee Zellwegger, Richard Gere

Gainey Winery, Santa Ynez

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16TH

THE GRADUATE

Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft,

Katharine Ross

Cass Winery, Paso Robles

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23RD

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES

Meridian Winery, Paso Robles

Cinema e Vino Schedule


21/40




22/40



Long considered one of Paso Robles best

kept secrets among locals, Sylvester is open

daily and still offers free tasting. The tasting

room doubles as a gourmet foods shop,

housing one of the Central Coasts best selec-

tions of gourmet meats and cheeses. For the

cheese enthusiast gourmet cheese pairing isoffered daily. While Sylvester is known for its

collection of reasonably priced everyday

drinking wines, the tasting room features the

reserve labels; Kiara Reserve and Le Vigne di

San Domenico, named after Sylvesters two

grandchildren, Kiara and Domenic. They

offer a wide range of wines to suit every

possible palate. Kiara Reserve the premium

selection of wines, is best described as full of

rich fruit aromas combined with vivid color

and robust body. Le Vigne di San Domenicois the pinnacle of their production. Only

limited quantities of the most intense and

complex wines are hand selected by the wine-

makers to be bottled for this label.

The tasting room sits on a 400-acre ranch,

purchased by Sylvester Feichtinger in 1960.

The property, apart from being home to a

wide variety of animals such as Haflinger

horses and miniature donkeys, has 100 acres

of pistachio trees and 200 acres of grapes.

The winemakers emphasize the importance

of quality fruit to produce quality wines.

2008 has been a year of great changes at

Sylvester Winery. A new event center has

been put in place in front of the three vintage

Pullman train cars that have been amongst

the vineyards since before the winery was

built in 1995. These classic railcars are

back drop for Sylvesters new park and ev

center. The park is mainly used as pic

grounds for visitors. The completion of

new park has prompted the winery to sta

Summer Sunset Event Series. The series ki

off in the new wine park on June 28th wthe first annual Karaoke Night featuring

Brian. This event will be complimentary

the public and will be held from 5:30 p

until 8:30 p.m. The second event in the se

will be Reggae Night featuring a live reg

band. Cost for the show is $25 per per

and will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. T

final event is Open Mic Night open to lo

performers. This night will be compliment

to the public and will go from 5:30 to 8

p.m. as well.

Sylvester Vineyards & Winery is located

5115 Buena Vista Drive in Paso Robles, j

four miles off the hustle and bustle

Highway 46 East.

22

SYLVESTERWINERYSummer Event Series Kicks Off at New Event Center

Upcoming events at Sylvester Winery

June 28 Karaoke 5:30pm - 8:30pm

July 26 Reggae Night

August 16 Open Mic Night


23/40




24/40


DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

24

DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES

Olivas de Oro, producers of

premium olive oils and olive trees,

presents the 5th annual Paso Robles

Olive Festival, a Paso Robles MainStreet Association event, Saturday,

August 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

at the Paso Robles Downtown City

Park.

Local wineries and breweries will

be tastings as well as olive oil

tasting vendors. Olive-inspired food

will be prepared and served in Olive Festival Culinary Row.

Cooking demonstrations and a cook-off will be held in the

Outdoors Kitchen Stadium in the park. Home chefs can enter

the Olive Dish Contest. They can also submit recipes for our

future Olive Festival Cookbook. Awards by Spice Hunter. Entry

forms are available online, www.pasoolivefestival.com, or at the

Main Street office by calling (805) 238-4103.

There will be live music along with free olive oil ice cream.

Enjoy arts and crafts vendors, childrens activities and olive

product vendors.

A member of the California Ol

Oil Councils Tasting Panel will le

a seminar on olive oil sensory evaation along with formal tasting

look for positive attributes of fre

olive oils.

Lysa Dean, with the Olive

Source, says, The chance for peo

to taste some of Americas best ol

oil producers side-by-side is

excellent opportunity for consumers to learn what they l

when buying olive oil for their kitchen.

The last four years, the popularity of this event has prov

that people want to learn more about olives and olive oil, a

that a festival makes it fun for the whole family, said G

Brown, owner of We Olive and a member of the Main Str

Association Olive Festival committee.

For more information contact Paso Robles Main Street Asso

ation at (805) 238-4103 or visit www.pasoolivefestival.com.

Mark Your Calendar Paso Robles Olive Festiva


25/40

WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK DOWNTOWN PASO ROBL


Family owned and operated,it is our goal to enhance your

wine tasting experience and show youthe true beauty of Paso Robles wines.

Tasting barfeatures gifts,

wine accessoriesand

picnic supplies.

Open Daily 11-7 | 739 12th St, Paso Robles

877-759-WINE | www.arroyorobles.com

Downtown Paso Robles

is home to more than 10

premium tasting rooms,

all within walking

distance of one another.

Each of these boutique

wineries offers a unique

experience with

individual flavor.

Together they make

for an unforgettableWine Country

destination

Arroyo RoblesFine premium

estate wines are

paired with cheeseto complement your

tasting experienceon Friday, Saturday,

Sunday and by appointment.

We also feature art work by world-renownartist Jean-Pierre de Rothschild.

1140 Pine Street, Paso Robles

805-237-7525

Daily 11:30-6 or by appointment

Orchid Hill

Pianetta Winery createslimited releases of

premium red varietalsand blends using our

own Estate Vineyards inIndian Valley. Fromgrowing to winemaking our techniques

focus on balance and intense flavor.Join us at the Historic

Grangers Union Building.

829 13th Street, Paso Robles

805-226-4005 | www.pianettawinery.com

Sunday, Monday, Thursday: 12pm-6pmFriday & Saturday: 11am-7pm

Pianetta Winery

Owned by a familyof professionalmusicians, youwill always be

entertained in ourlively tasting room.

Experience ouraward-winning

wines and musicmemorabilia.

710 Pine Street, Paso Robles805-227-6800

Thursday-Monday 11-7, Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

DAnbino

Edward Sellers isa boutique winery

specializing in small lots

of handmade AmericanRhne-style winesfrom Paso Robles.

Our awarding winning wines reveal anelegant structure and an intense

fruit concentration distinctive of theirprogressive Central Coast origins.

Come in and enjoy a taste.

1220 Park Street, Paso Roblesin the newly completed Clock Tower Building

805-239-8915 | www.edwardsellers.com

Thursday-Monday, Noon-7

Edward Sellers

Hand-craftedPaso Roblesred wines.

Come on bywhen you see

the Bear Flag fly

or give us a calland we will open.

1227 Park StreetSuite B

Paso Robles

805-238-4329

Bear Cave Cellars

Vihuela (vee-way-la)is a boutique winery

with a passion for

old-world Spanish guitarand a taste for

new world, artisan wine.

Each wine is craftedto express an elegant

balance of art and science thatwed love to share with you!

1307 Park St, Paso Robles (behind Keller William805-835-4304

Sunday & Monday 11-4Thursday through Saturday 11-8

Vihuela

TASTE WHAT DOWNTOWNHAS TO OFFER


26/40

PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK


DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES


27/40

WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK PASO ROBL



28/40



Annual Basil Festiva

Set for July 21-22An action-packed weekend is planned for the 16th annual BFestival on Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22 at Lone MadrTasting Room & Herb Farm. The farm, formerly known as Sycam

Farm, is located at 2485 Hwy. 46 West in Paso Robles. The event r

both days from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and proceeds will benefit the Ma

A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties.

Guests will discover the delights of basil beer, basil ice cream a

basil chocolates, as well as a pesto contest, wine tasting, art proj

for kids, and demonstrations by local artists. Cuisine prepared

Dining with Andre will be available for purchase.

Saturdays pesto contest is open to everyone, with three categortraditional pesto, original recipe and crowd favorite. First place

runner-up will receive prizes of $50 and $30 Lone Madrone

certificates. For entry forms, contact Maureen Herrera at (805) 2

0845 or email [email protected]. Crowd judging in

pesto contest begins at 12 p.m. Festival goers may purchase pe

sampling tickets for $3 each, which allow a vote for crowd favor

The formal judging by celebrity judges will begin at 1:15 p.m.

Julie & the Bad Dogs with Louie Ortega will entertain with

blues from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Basil Festival T-shirts will be av

able for purchase as part of the fund raiser.

Available both Saturday and Sunday will be a Wish quilt proj

with squares of fabric for people to create colorful messages. Th

squares will be assembled into quilts at a later date by the Almo

Country Quilters, and then auctioned off.

Sunday is Family Day, with lots of activities for kids.

Sundays roots rhythms music with positive lyrics comes to us fr

Ras Danny and the Reggae All-Stars.

Adults can participate in Lone Madrone wine tasting, try t

types of basil beer provided by Firestone, and taste the herbal w

at Vinfuzion.

Proceeds from the sale of T-shirts, pesto tasting tickets, and b

beer will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation. Entry donations of

per couple are suggested (children are free).The Make a Wish Foundation has as its mission to grant the wis

of children who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions.

year the foundation fulfilled more than 12,600 wishes for k

between ages 2 to 18 around the country. Yet statistics show that m

than 25,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with a

threatening medical condition and become eligible for the Mak

Wish experience. Sadly, they are reaching only about 50% of th

children.

For more event information, contact Maureen Herrera at L

Madrone, (805) 238-0845.


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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK PASO ROBL



30/40



STILL WATERSVINEYARDS

Taste handcrafted estate wines of Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot, Sarah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc andViognier. Bring a picnic and enjoy the spectacularviews from our olive grove overlooking the vineyard.

Thursday-Monday 11-5pm2750 Old Grove Lane, Paso Robles

805-237-9231 | www.stillwatersvineyards.com

Our vineyard has been in since thelate 80s. B & E Vineyard is a

small family owned winery.

We invite you come and taste ourwines in the B & E Saloon that

overlooks the vineyard.

Daily 11am-5pm10000 Creston Road, Paso Robles

805-238-4815www.bevineyard.com

B & E VINEYARDS

Fine Wine

Friendly Peo pleOpen Daily 11-54295 Union Road805-237-8884

www.riosecowine.com

FALCON NEST

VINEYARD & WINERYFamily owned and operated vineyard and wineryspecializing in handcrafted wines with intensecolors and flavors. Join us in celebrating in the trItalian tradition with food and wine pairing,salami, prosciutto, provolone, sopres-sata, pt,imported pasta, specialty items and the finest passauces. Food available daily.

Open Daily 10am-7:30pm5185 Union Road, Paso Robles

805-226-0227 | www.falconnestwine.com

Visit some of the newest and most excitingwineries on Califonias Central Coast!


31/40

by Dave Wilcox

W

hen Tom and Carol Hinkle first glimpsed the site where they

would eventually establish Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery,

they both thought the same thing: It was a mess.

They saw more than a dozen or so abandoned cars, remnants of a

charred home, and chicken and pig pens. Then there were the bullet

holes piercing the walls of an old barn where authorities had busted

one of the areas largest marijuana-growing rings.

But as a professional baseball scout with more than 25 years expe-

rience, Tom Hinkle has developed his ability to witness potential that

others might overlook.

He could look past the mess, to the site, and saw the promise and

so many possibilities, Carol Hinkle said of her husband.

That promise has been kept.

Despite a schedule that keeps him on the road much of the year,Hinkle and his wife, a retired schoolteacher, have developed Rio Seco

into a respected winery that produces about 4,000 cases annually.

Thirty of the ranchs 64 acres are planted, with a little more than half

growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc. Hinkle

said after much investigation, he also decided to plant Roussanne and

Viognier as the winerys white varietals. Rio Secos blend of Viognier

and Orange Muscat is playfully named Rio Vio.

The Hinkles, who live a few miles south of Paso Robles in Atas-

cadero, knew they wanted to stay in San Luis Obispo County even

after Tom left his job in 1980 as assistant coach for the Cal Poly base-

ball team to become a scout. Hinkle, an All-American catcher signed

in 1963 by the Detroit Tigers, is responsible for recruiting future Hallof Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith to Cal Poly.

Some sound investments enabled the couple to buy the 64-acre

spread on Paso Robles east side overlooking a dry creek (hence, Rio

Seco) in 1996. The site had been used to make a B-movie called The

Junkman, which Hinkle said is why so many beat-up cars littered the

grounds.

They were bonded in 1998 and their initial vintages were made

under the direction of a consulting winemaker. But in 2000, the

Hinkles purchased winemaking equipment from Pesenti Winery

when it was sold to Turley Cellars. The decision to buy the equip-

ment, instead of paying a consulting winemaker, was empowering,

said Carol Hinkle.

They were now in control of their wine from vineyard to bo

Along with assistant winemaker Eric Bauer (who pitched for Hink

Cal Poly during the early 1970s), Hinkle began crafting single-var

wines along with blends with baseball-themed labels Clubhouse

and the Rio Seco Vineyard Paso Robles MVP Reserve Red Table W

Hinkle scouts his grapes the same way he eyes ballplayers, look

for nuances that distinguish great fruit from good fruit. Like m

good winemakers, Hinkle believes quality wines are made in

vineyards.

Once harvest is complete and the grapes are crushed, he isnt

to tinker.

Start with good fruit (and) keep it simple is the philosophy

guides his winemaking, said Hinkle.

The hard part of this business is farming, he said while wal

through the vineyard on a recent postcard-perfect morning. We rework to get quality fruit.

Rio Secos red wines spend up to 24 months in the barrel, t

another eight months to a year in the bottle, before their release.

Road trips provide Hinkle with plenty of time to mull ideas for

winery.

Toms an idea guy, said Carol.

For the baseball scout, its all about the fundamentals: Good fo

good wine, good friends, all coming together in a beautiful spot.

Tasting room hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday thro

Monday. You can find Rio Seco Vineyards and Winery at 4295 Un

Road. Exit Highway 101 at Highway 46 East and travel about

Documents

Central Coast Edition - June 25,2008