Central Coast - March 4, 2010

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SERVINGSAN LUISOBISPO, SANTABARBARA& VENTURA

EASY-TO-FOLLOW WINERY MAPS MAwinecountrythismonth.com

OUR GU I D E TO CA LI F OR N I A CE N T RA L COA ST W I N E , GETAWAYS, THI NGS TO DO & EVE

A WEEKEND OF ZINAT

SYLVESTERWINERYMARCH 19-21

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EBERLEWINERYPAGE6

HUNT CELLARSPAGE12

HEARTHSTONEWINERYPAGE16

PIANETTAWINERY

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PERBACCOCELLARSPAGE22

LAETITIA WINERYPAGE28

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Paso Robles

Cambria

Pismo Beach

Avila Beach

Santa Maria

Orcutt

Lompoc Solvang

LosOlivos

Santa Ynez

Santa Barbara

San Miguel

Templeton

Morro Bay

CHUMASHCASINO

RSTTLE

San Simeon

Cayucos

San Luis Obispo

Ventura

Oxnard

Atascadero

Ojai

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Buellton

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Camarillo

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ARROYO G RANDEVALLEY

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SANTA M ARIAVALLEY

SANTA M ARIAVALLEY

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SANTAYNEZ

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San Luis ObSanta BarbaVentura Cou

Getting to Paso RoblesTRAVEL

FROM MILES ASan Francisco 204 3hrsSacramento 266 4hrs 1San Jose 158 2hrs 3Monterey 116 2

Getting to Santa BarbaraSan Francisco 326 5hrsSacramento 388 6hrs 1San Jose 280 4hrs 4Monterey 238 4Paso Robles 123 2hrs 1

Getting to VenturaSan Francisco 353 5hrsSacramento 393 6San Jose 307 5Monterey 265 4hrs 3Paso Robles 149 2hrs 3Santa Barbara 27 30


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MARCH 20 10 I SSUE 27 VOLUME 3

P R E F E R R E D

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ONTHECOVERSylvester Vineyards &Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

WINECOUNTRY NEWSWine Coun try Ca lendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-10Win e Coun try Sp ot ligh t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7

PASO ROBLESWINERIESMAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4AVILA BEACH WINERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 - 2 7

SAN LUIS OBISPO/PISMO BEACH WINERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9

SANTA MARIAVALLEYWINERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 - 3 1

SOLVANG, LOSOLIVOS, SANTAYNEZ WINERIESMAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3

SANTABARBARAWINERIESMAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4

VENTURA COUNTYWINERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5

WINERY LISTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36-39

ADVERSTISING/MARKETING Whitney BremDIRECTOR San Luis Obispo, CA

Phone 805-252-5440centralcoast@winecount rythisweek.com

PUBLISHER Mike Giang recoDirect 707-938-3734mike@winecountryth isweek.com

MANAGING EDITOR Chand ra GrantP.O. Box 92, El Verano, CA95433Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax 707-938-3674chand ra@winecountr ythisweek.com

CALENDAR EDITOR Laurie Flipp enPhone 707-938-1783 / Fax 707-938-3674laurie@winecount ryth isweek.com

OFFICEMANAGER Cathy GorePhone 707-938-3494 / Fax 707-938-3674Email cathy@winecount rythisweek.com

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Michael Cervin, Len Napo litano,Mark Storer, Dave Wilcox

Going to Northern California Wine Country?Look for WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK at wineries, hotels, concierge desks,

car rentals, restaurants, high-end grocery storesand more!www.winecountrythisweek.com

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Pianetta WineryPianetta Winery

Craig Shannon,Per Bacco Cellars

Craig Shannon,Per Bacco Cellars

HearthstoneWineryHearthstoneWinery

Hunt CellarsHunt Cellars

Eberle WineryEberle Winery

SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA C

A Publication of Wine Country This Week


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WINERY FEATURE | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH


byMichael Cervin

Gary Eberle has been called the Father ofPaso Robleswineand, though it soundslike adubioustitle, heis oneof thereasonsthewine

industry in Paso is doing so well. In fact,Eberle is oneof themost awarded wineries inthe nation with literally thousands of awardsand accolades.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Gary foundwine at an early age. I suddenly discoveredwhat JamesBond wastalking about, hesays.I was young and stupid and went fromdrinking Boones Farm to Chateau Latour.Fresh out of U.C. Davis, he sided up with afew investors and bought 160 acres in Pasoback in 1973. He started by heading hisfamilys Estrella River Winery, which iscurrently Meridian Vineyards, not too fardown the road, and produced half a millioncases a year at that facility. Not one to rest, in1980, he co-founded the Paso Robles Appel-lation and in 1983, Gary opened the doors tohis own Eberle Winery with the premiere ofhis 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon. Added to that,he was the first one to commercially plantSyrah more than two decades ago. From that

day to this, he has seen incredible changes asPaso Robles asserts itself as a dominant wineregion. Were getting so much publicity, hesays. But unless we can produce good wineyear after year, its not going to meananything. We have the potential to have thesame reputation as Sonoma or even better.And thosedaysare coming.

A visit to the Eberle tasting room just offHighway 46 East begins with the bronzestatue of a boar sitting out front of the maindoors, a replicaof an original from 1620 thatsits in Italy. After all, Eberle in German meanslittle boar. It is considered good luck to rubtheboarsnoseand tossacoin in thewater. Allmoney collected at theEberleboar fountain isthen donated to local childrens charities.

The tasting room has expansive views ofthesurroundingvineyardsand thelongwoodbar can accommodate a number of people.Once inside the tasting room, youll noticetwo large black poodles named Cabernet andRoussanne. Even if youre not a dog person,these guys are friendly and well mannered.Theyll saddle up next to you at the bar,waiting for a little attention.

Eberle Winery offers afree30-minutetourof their facility, discussing the entire winemaking process and if youve never taken atour, this is a great crash course on wineeducation. They will also take you down intotheextensive cavesbelow theproperty aspartof the tour. No, these are not real caves duginto theearth, thechiseled remnantsand pickaxe strokes clearly visible as an homage tohistory, rather they were constructed withshotcrete, but theyre fun nevertheless. Andfun is what Eberle strives for. Thedifferencebetween wineand children is that you can sitdown and reason with a bottle of Cabernet,Gary jokes. The winery also has a beautifulpicnic areaoverlooking thevines and abocceball court.

And Eberle is heavily involved in tcommunity, most notably being the founderof the long-running Winemakers Cook-ofheld each August, which raises money forcollege scholarships for students at PasoRobles High School. The 12-year-old event,open to the public, pulls in 30 winemakers,all of whom personally grill up their bedishes to match their wines. Its a feast for the

EBERLEWINERYOne of the Most Awarded Wineries


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senses and the live band adds tothe festive environment as thepublic chooses their favoritewineand food pairing. Theeventhas raised more than aquarter ofamillion dollars and hasbecomeone of the must attend events in

the region.Unlike many wineries, Eberlehas always offered complimen-tary tastings which includes fivetastes of anything on their list,which usually encompasses adozen wines. If youre with afriend and you each try some-thing different, you can samplemost of the list. Additionally,Gary offers his high-end reserveCabernet for tasting as well andyou dont need to do anythingspecial to try i t.

One of his successes hasalways been his Chardonnay, avibrant, crisp citrus orientedwine that is smooth and satis-fying. Eberle Reserve Cabernetsare also top notch. Other winesin the portfolio includeViognier,Sangiovese, Barbera, Zinfandeland many others. Themajority of

Eberle wines are priced under$25. They produce, on average,nearly 30,000 cases of wineannually, a lot of work for wine-maker Ben Mayo. I enjoy thestate of controlled chaosof wine-making, he laughs. In reality itsnot chaos, the Eberle team isthere to ensure you have awonderful time. Occasionally,Gary himself will be there,

grilling up tri-tip, duck sausagesand ribsto passout to passers-by.Any visit to Paso Robles

should include a visit to EberleWinery. They are located at 3810Highway 46 East. They are openeveryday in winter from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m and until 6 p.m. in thesummer. Phone (805) 238-9607or visit www.eberlewinery.comfor more information.


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ONGOINGNorth CountyFarmersMarketFresh fruit, flowers&vegetables,805-748-1109 Atascadero:Wed,3-6pm PasoRobles:Tue,3-6pm Baywood/LosOsos:Mon,2-4:30pm Templeton:Sat,9am-12:30pm

APRIL 10-112nd Annu a l Wine 4 PAWS

To Ben ef i t Wo o ds Hum ane So c ie t yHelp four-legged friends by visiting 35 participating wineries throughout SLOCounty. A portion of the weekend's proceeds will be donated to WoodsHumane Society.Visit 6 wineries throughout the weekend and be entered inthe Raffle! Print out or pick up a free Passport, www.wine4paws.com

ARROYO GRANDE

ONGOING FIRST FRIDAYSWinem ak e r s Cho i c e a t Ph an t o m R ive r sTaste limited release wines and wines that are not normally on their tastinglist. 805-481-WINE (9463), www.phantomrivers.com

ONGOINGHopping Good Time at the SLO DownPubOpen mic Mondays and everything else from blues to bluegrass. See the wholecalendar of events at www.slodownpub.com/event_calendar.shtml

ONGOING SATURDAYS& SUNDAYS

Visit Historic Buildings in Arroyo GrandeSat 12-3pm, Sun 1-4pm, 805-473-5077, www.arroyograndevillage.org

ONGOING SATURDAYSArroyo GrandeFarmers MarketFarm fresh produce & flowers, art show and live entertainment in the ArroyoGrande City Hall Parking Lot at 215 East Branch Street. 12-2:30pm805-473-2250, www.arroyograndevillage.org

ONGOING WEDNESDAYSIce CreamCreating ~ A FamilyAffair!The Doc Burnsteins Ice Cream Lab Show is a live performance that involves thewhole audience! Live performances everyWednesday. 7pm, Invent a brandnew flavor and watch it being made! 805-474-4068, www.docburnsteins.com

MARCH 5An Even ing w i t h Gary & Dianafo r Cust o me rs Cho icea t P han t o m R ive r s Wine ry

That's right, they will stray off their regular tast ing menu, and you can pick thewine to taste. Join them for your choice. Five tastes/$5, free for club members!And wine by the glass now! 5-7pm, 805-481-9463 , www.phantomrivers.com

MARCH 12A Verical Tast ing o f Cabe rne t Sauvigno na t P han t o m R ive r s Wine ryFun evening with food and award winning wines in theTasting Room.Theirwinemaker, JohnThunen, will be leading this event. 6-8pm, $15, $12/wineclub members, RSVP, 805- 481-9463, www.phantomrivers.com

MARCH 26Efferve sce nt Even ing a t Lae t i t iaEnjoy the wonderful views while sipping exquisite sparkling wines paired withan incredible five course meal.This exclusive Wine Club dinner is hosted atLaetitia Estate House located east of the Tasting Room. 6-9 pm, $100805-474-7641, www.laetitiawine.com

ATAS CADERO

MARCH 19NormansZinfandel Festival Winemaker'sDinnerJoin chef/ownerTony Farao at Village Caff in Atascadero for an elegant Cal-Italcuisine including our Zinfandels. 7pm, $65 for five courses,RSVP, 805-237-0138

AVILA B EACH

ONGOING SUNDAYSArt on the Beach at Avila BeachAvila Beach Pier, Artists paint & present their work, 10am, 805-238-4103

MARCH 5First FridayFood & Wine PairingVeryVegetarian!at MorovinoAwesome vegetarian appetizers featuring produce from the Cal Poly OrganicFarm. $12, free to Club 550 Members, www.morovino.com

MARCH20Winemak e r D inne r i n t h e A lapay Ce l la r sWiner y/Barre l Ro o mJoin Scott and Rebecca for an intimate gathering in the barrel room whereAlapay wine is made. Appetizers/wine social time followed by a 4 course mealwith wine pairings. Live entertainment with Steve Myers on guitar. 6-9pm$85, RSVP, 805-595-2632, www.alapaycellars.com

CAYUCOS & MORRO BAY

ONGOING SECOND FRIDAY OFTHE MONTHMorroBay EmbarcaderoArt WalkSpend an enjoyable evening touring the many art galleries along the water-front on the Embarcadero in beautiful Morro Bay. Sample great food and wineand converse with the artist s. Open late till 8pm, 805-772-9955, morrobay.org

ONGOING SATURDAYSFishermen & Farmers Market in MorroBayFresh seasonal produce, crafts & musicians, 3-6pm, 800-231-0592

ONGOINGWinemak e r D inne r s a t H o ppe sJoin Chef Bill Hoppe as he celebrates his passion for food and wine withWine-maker Dinners featuring California's best wine producers and Chef Hoppe'spersonalized cooking classes featuring beautiful combinations of local andexotic foods. 805-995-1006, www.hoppesbistro.com

PASO ROBLES

ONGOINGMaking Sense o f Scen t sa t Wild Ho rse WineryLearn how to properly taste & smell some of your favoriteWild Horse wines &find naturally occurring aromas. $20 per person, Saturdays by appointment at12, 2 & 3:30pm. Limit 8 people. Call for reservations or for groups more than 8.Templeton, 805-434-2541 ext. 15, email [email protected]

ONGOINGPino t N o i r Ble nding Semina rSample Pinot Noirs from the Central Coast AVA and learn what terroir trulymeans. Each participant creates their own blend to take home. $50, $35/wineclub. Saturday or Sunday by appointment, 11am or 2pm, Limit 10, TempletonRSVP 805-434-2541 ext. 15, email [email protected]

ONGOING EVERY FRIDAYNIGHTOpenMicSongwriters& Comedian NightBBQ, beer, wine & soda available for purchase. Bring your own chair, all ageswelcome. 6-9pm, free, Stacked Stone Cellars, Paso Robles, 805-238-7872

ONGOINGWEDNESDAYSWine Tasting at Vinoteca Wine BarLocal winemaker featured each week, 5:30-8pm, 805-227-7154

ONGOING FIRST FRIDAYOF THEMONTHGourmet Pairingsat Meridian VineyardsTry gourmet food paired with fine wine, 12-5pm, $5, 805-226-7133

ONGOINGTHIRD WEDNESDAYSFree CookingShowat IdlersHospitality CateringFood samples, wine & entertainment featuring wineries and special guests5:30pm, 805-238-7979, www.hospitalitycatering.net

ONGOINGEstrella Warbird MuseumCollection of military aircrafts, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm805-238-9317, www.ewarbirds.org

ONGOINGTastingsat Meridian Winery805-226-7133, www.meridianvineyards.com, open daily 10am-5pm Limited ReleaseTasting-$5: A selection of five tasting room exclusive wines.

Tasting fee refunded with wine purchase. Cheese &Wine Pairing-$10: A selection of five tasting room exclusive wines

paired with five gourmet cheeses from Vivant Fine Cheese of Paso Robles.Includes logo cheese board.

Chocolate &Wine Pairing-$10: A selection of four tasting room exclusive redspaired with four artisan dark chocolates by Schar ffen Berger of Berkeley.Includes logo cheese board.

ONGOING2n d Sunday Wine Dow n a t Hea r t h s t o neEnjoy music and delicious food with their fine wine.www.hearthstonevineyard.com, 805-238-2544

ONGOING FIRST SATURDAY OFTHEMONTHWine & t he Ar t sJoin the DowntownWineries the first Saturday of every montlocal artists, musicians & wine. Check out their website for inartists being featured! 4-7pm, 805-227-6813, www.anglimw

ONGOING FRIDAYSTHROUGH MARCH 19FridayNight 'Wine' Down at ClayhouseTheirtasting room isa cozy placeto bethis winter...relaxandenWinesand small biteswithTomRigbyon hisacousticguitar.5:3(refundwith purchase); free/wineclub, 805-238-7055,www.cl

ONGOINGTHROUGHMARCH 26Breaking Away at the Loft GalleryFeaturingMarciaHarvey,A groupexhibitionof contemporary aMon-Fri10am-6pm,Sat-Sun 11am-4pm, theloftgallery.blogspo

ONGOINGTHROUGHAPRILMaeve Crogham a t C a s t o r o Ce l la r s Wine ryEach month, the art gallery at Castoro Cellars Winery TastinTempleton exhibits artwork from local artists. Free,10am-5:www.castorocellars.com, 888-DAM-FINE

MARCH 3Reve r se Wine D inne r w i t h Edward Se l le r sIlCortile Restaurante, PasoRobles,Youpickthe winesand Chefsurpriseyouwith a beautifulthree coursepairingdesigned specienjoyaseasonalmenu.EdandAmywillbeonhandtotakeyoutfantasticline up theirexceptionalRhone wines. Costof winebasnot includedin $35three-coursedinnercost,805-226-0300

MARCH 5Friday Afternoon w/ Fusano California Olivesat Meridian VineyardsHot Stuff for Cool Folks!Dont miss a sampling ofBlackand addicting varieties of sweet & spicy jellies. And dont lezestyFrog Balls.Free, 1-4pm, 805-226-7133, www.meridi

MARCH 6Help fo r Hai t i ! a t Cast o ro Cel larsA delicious meal (available for purchase) from Bon Temps Cportion of the proceeds donated to the cause. Jody Mulgrew (Johnny Starlings) will open the show.Then, the Guy Budd Bstage for with their mixture of existential rockin' blues. Finishwith be the Louie Ortega Band. Suggested donation of $15. Pto Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) and tHaiti. MSF has recently opened three emergency hospitals th6:30 pm, 7:30pm, www.castorocellars.com, 888-DAM-FINE

MARCH 13Gil le t t e , Mangse n, Jo hnso n & GrahamIndo o r Co nce r t a t Cast o ro Cel larsSteve and Cindy have been performing together for 19 yearstional music and their wealth of original songs.With guitar, banjo, their live performances are known for rich harmony, cand a good dose of humor. Joined by Kings of Mongrel FolkDoors open at 6:45pm, RSVP, www.castorocellars.com, 888

MARCH 192118 t h A nnua l Z in f and e l F e s t i va lAlways held the third weekend in March, producers and enthtogether in celebration of everything that Zinfandel adds to your experience. Enjoy a Zin-filled weekend with activities maker dinners, exclusive Zinfandel tastings, winery and vinmuch more! Attend the ZinTasting and experience Zinfandeblends from over 50 wineries paired with Zin-friendly foodsopportunity to bid on truly unique items through the Wine C805-239-8463, www.pasowine.comMarch 20 Auction: Zinfully Important Person (ZIP) Entrance: $85, 5:30 - 9:3

the Zin Tasting and taste the 2010 Zinfandel Collaborativeauction items and experience other special surprises.

Zin Fan Del Entrance: $60, 7-9:30pm. Enjoy a vast selectiZinfandel blends and take home a piece of Paso at theWin

March 20-21: Select library, barrel and special release wincooking demonstrations and lots of local vendors will be o

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

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WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH 19-21Zin Fest At Wild Ho rseA full weekend of wine specials and barrel samples, www.wildhorsewinery.com Mar 19: Wood fired oven pizza, exceptional Zinfandel and great Pinot Noir (it

can't all be Zinfandel)! 11am-5pm, $10 ; free/wine club Mar 20: Chicken & Portabella Lasagna, Italian Dessert, Live Music, OldVine

Zin and great Pinot Noir. $10; free/wine club. 11am-5pm Mar 21: Enjoy your Sunday morning with homemade Quiche, Fresh Fruit and

Live Music. Not only do they have great Zinfandel but they have 5 differentPinot Noirs to choose from! 10am-5pm. $5, free/wine club.

MARCH 19-21Zinfand el Fes t ival a t Cast o ro Cel larsJoin them for a weekend of festivities: Zinfandel, in all its glory.RSVP, www.castorocellars.com, 888-DAM-FINE Mar 19:The Zin Shuffle & Roll Winemaker Dinner is back! Roll the dice and

hold your cards at Casino night, with Zinful prizes! Fine food, great music,and of course, DAM FINE Zinfandel! $75, $60/Wine Club Members

Mar 20-21: Select library, barrel and special release wine, live music,cooking demonstrations and lots of local vendors will be on hand

MARCH 19-21Zin fande l Fe s t i va l a t Ar royo Ro b l e sJoin them for a weekend of festivities. RSVP, 877-759-WINE Mar 19: Hosting a Casino Night for Woods Humane Society. Mar 20: Enjoy seven different types of pancakes as well as all the trimmings

9:30-11am, $10, $5/Club members Mar 21: Make your own Zinfandel Blend while enjoying lunch. Class includes

bottle of wine to take home. 11am-3pm, $75, $60/Club members

MARCH 19Winemake r D inne r a t Ca r ina Ce l l a r sRancho del Cielo, Join them in David Hardees home above the estate winery andvineyards. Member $90, 7pm, RSVP, 805-688-2459, www.carinacellars.com

MARCH 19Zin fande l Fe s t i va l Winemake r D inne ri n t h e Caves a t Ebe r l e Wine ryLa Casa Sena has been voted one of Santa Fe's best restaurants since it firstopened in 1984 and Executive Chef Patrick Gharrity has been the visionarybehind the cuisine since 2005. Featuring Contemporary American Southwesterncuisine, La Casa Sena is one of Santa Fes most popular restaurants. Please jointhem as they welcome Chef Gharrity in the caves at EberleWinery. 6:30-10pm$150/person, $120/Cellar Club Members, www.eberlewinery.com

MARCH 19Zin fande l Fe s t iva l Winem a ke r ' s D inne rat Opo lo VineyardsJoin winemakers Rick Quinn and David Nichols and Opolo staff for an intimateevening in the cellar at their 9th annual Winemaker's Dinner. Favorite varietalspaired with a tantalizing selection of food. Make reservations now - sells outevery year! $90/Wine Club Members, $110, 805-238-9593, www.opolo.com

MARCH 19Zin Fes t : Co me dy N ighta t Ro be r t H a l l Wine ryA night of comic relief and delectable wines. Emmy nominated Mike Pace willprovide an adult comedy performance that is sure to keep you laughing . Doorsopen at 7pm, comedy at 7:30pm, 805-239-1616 ext. 24www.roberthallwinery.com, [email protected]

MARCH 19Zin Fes t a t S y lve s t e rJoin SylvesterVineyards &Winery and the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills for theirannual Zinfest featuring Kiara Reserve Wines. Indulge in Gourmet Cheeses andEuropean inspired fare prepared by Master Italian Chef Walter Filippini

6:30-9:30pm, $50; $45/FLOCK. RSVP, 800-891-6055, www.sylvesterwinery.comMARCH 19

Wo o d-Fired Pizz a Par t yw it h Caho o t s Cat ering! at J. Lo hrPaso Robles, Experience Cahootsnew wood-fired oven as owner Jim Subjectfires up tasty pizzas like his French Onion Pizza, Steak Sandwich Pizza andBuffalo Chicken Pizza. Dinner includes Cahoots' famous salads and dessert s.6-8pm, $45, 35/members, RSVP, 805-239-8900, [email protected]

MARCH 19-21Zinfandel FestivalWeekend at CassRSVP, 805-239-1730, www.casswines.com Mar 19: Kitchen open until 9:00 p.m. and a big BBQ pit to warm your spirits. Mar 20: Lively jazz and open for lunch, pouring a very limited release of a

Paderewski Zinfandel at the Grand Tasting. Mar 21: A mimosa brunch and backrubs with their licensed masseuse

MARCH 19-21Zin Fes t a t Hea r t h s t o n eEnjoy Zinfandel, Rhne style blends and March wine specials. Complimentarytasting and a 20% discount to all ZIP and Zin Fan Del ticket holders. $7 withoutevent ticket, 805-238-2544, www.hearthstonevineyard.com

MARCH 20A Walkab o ut Zin Tast ing in t he Cavesat Jus t in WineryJoin the 17 Far OutWineries on a unique "Walkabout Zin Tasting" in the caves.You'll meet the "Makers," attend breakout seminars while enjoying appet izersand more! 10am-1pm, $55, RSVP Judy, 805-237-0138

MARCH 2021Opolo Zinfandel Festival Patio BBQIn the tasting room, enjoy a barbecued meal cooked in traditional Opolo style.Whole roasted lamb, carne asada and carnitas tacos with all the fixings.Lunch $12, wine tasting $5, Wine club/free. 805-238-9593, www.opolo.com

MARCH 2021Celeb rat e Zin Fest w i t h Sylves t erFree BarrelTasting, BBQ tidbits and Saganaki Fondue (while supplies last). PlusGourmet Wine & Cheese Pairings with their Limited ProductionWines.11am-5pm, $5, free/FLOCK. 805-227-4000, www.sylvesterwinery.com

MARCH 21Mo re Zin Fest a t Hea r t hs t o neJoin them and Fig restaurant for freshly prepared tapas and live music by locallyknown Mike Maguire. $10, Complimentary/ZIP and Zin Fan Del ticket holderswith two bottle purchase, 805-238-2544, www.hearthstonevineyard.com

MARCH 21Des cr ipt o r Semina r & Lunch a t J. Lo hrPaso Robles,Includes a component winetasting andexplorations of differentaromasand bouquets, followed bya taste of upto sixaward-winningJ. Lohrwines.Thisintroduction to theworldof winesensory evaluation will alsoassistyouin matchinga specificwinewithcomplementary foods!Lunchprovidedfollowing the seminar. 11am,$45, $35/members,805-239-8900,[email protected]

MARCH 21Zin fande l Wee kend Ce l eb ra t i o n a t JadaNew releases, old favorites all paired with gourmet cheeses. Forgive us for weare not Zinners but come by and taste our yummy wines youre sure tobecome Rhone and Bordeaux fans, too. www.jadavineyard.com

MARCH 21BeYour OwnWinemaker BlendingSessionRichard, owner & winemaker at ThunderboltWinery, will show you the fine artof blending wine. Includes two 750ml bottles with customized label.

11am-1:30pm, $60, RSVP, 805-226-9907 www.ThunderboltWinery.comMARCH 27

Un Jo u r en France , A Da y i n Fr ancea t Ha l t e r RanchLearn the "French Approach" and how to avoid culture clash with Wine ClubManager and Bordeaux native Solne Christophe at the Halter RanchVictorianFarmhouse!You will cover ordering at a restaurant, arranging for wine t asting,buying cheese and how to interact with the French with ease. Includes lunchand wine tasting. 10:30am-1:30pm, $30, Club discounts apply

MARCH 27Fun in the Park& Easter Egg HuntDowntown Paso Robles, Children ages 4 to 9 bring their baskets and search thedowntown City Park. Egg hunts 11am by age groups. Children age 3 and undergiven their eggs by the Easter Bunny, City Park Holiday House. Fun in the Park(10am-2pm) features hot dogs, face painting, balloon animals and more.805-238-4103, www.pasoroblesdowntown.org

APRIL 10Farm ing w it h t he Wild Vineya rd To ura t Ha l t e r RanchThe Ranch is a 960 acre wildlife haven located in the middle of the Santa LuciaCoast Range, where they strive to co-exist with their "neighbors" throughsustainable farming.You'll spend the morning with winegrower and avid bird-watcher MitchWyss on this highly unusual (locally famous) vineyard tour. Endup at the pond for a picnic lunch and wine tasting. 10am-1pm, $30, Clubdiscounts apply, lunch included, www.halterranch.com, 888-367-9977

APRIL 24 Winem ake r o f t he Yea r Blend ing Se ss io nat Cast o ro Cel larsBack by popular demand: Castoro Cellars will be offering you the opportunity tolearn the art of blending from their winemakers.Try out your winemaking skillsby creating your own perfect blend. Present your blend to the winemakers andtake a sample home. www.castorocellars.com, RSVP, 888-DAM-FINE

APRIL 24The She r ry Aus t in B an d I ndo o r Co nce r ta t Cast o ro Cel larsSLOFolks presents all-girl folk sensations. Performing their addition to well-loved Americana covers. $20, 7:30pm, Doowww.castorocellars.com,RSVP,888-DAM-FINE

APRIL 29-MAY118 t h A nnua l Ho sp i c e d u Rh nePaso Robles Event Center, an international gathering that drproducers and enthusiasts from all corners of the globe to padiversity of the distinct twenty-two Rhne varieties. RSVP, www.hospicedurhone.org or [email protected] April 29: the highly-spirited Rhonen Bowl April 30: two Rhne focused seminars, a Ros inspired lu

Rhne Rendezvous and the new Sommelier Soire. May 1: two Rhne focused seminars, the annual HdR Lun

the Grand Tasting and the Farewell BBQ. Rhne inspired clunches and evening affairs will be prepared by Chef Johnthe fig hailing from Sonoma, California.

PISMO BEACH/ S HELL BEACH

ONGOING SUNDAYSShell BeachFarmersMarketFeaturing products such as fresh produce, flowers, jams, drivinegars, grown by local farmers. A variety of other producfun. 9am-1pm, Dinosaur Caves Park, shellbeachfarmersmar

SUNDAYS2nd AnnualPismo BeachConcert SeriesPacific Breeze Concert Series at Dinosaur Caves Park. Brinseating in the Rotary Amphitheatre or blankets for use on thlawns. Local BBQ and Doc Burnsteins ice cream for sale! 1 Mar 28: Natural Incense (dance-pop-reggae), Spring Into

Celebration! www.myspace.com/naturalincense Apr 11: SeanWiggins (country, blues & rock), www.sean

Summer Camp Expo - Includes childrens activities

MARCH 5-610 t h An nua l Wo r ld o f Pino t N o i rJoin Pinot Noir producers for the Pinot Noir By the Sea GraCliffs Resort in Shell Beach California. Bringing ext raordinproducers from around the globe together with Pinot Noir enweekend celebration and education. Includes two days of inSeminars, Grand Tastings (each with a unique roster of wineTasting with a guest Burgundian producer, two Gala Pinot Nfeaturing prominent guest chefs and culminates with a SantPaule.These extraordinary food and wine extravaganzas wparticipating wineries and feature an outstanding panel of Sacross the U.S. www.worldofpinotnoir.com

APRIL 26Tast e o f PismoRestaurants of Pismo Beach and local wineries will be showOnly 500 tickets will be sold. Held under a large tent in Din$50, including a commemorative wine glass. 800-443-7778

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ONGOINGHearst Castle ToursLedby an experienceguide,tourHearstCastleand encounterfirandbeauty of thishistorical treasure.800-444-4445,www.hear

ONGOINGTHROUGHAPRIL 15Sa li sbu ry Fine Ar t Ga l l e ryFeaturing John Patrick Salisbury, johnpatricksalisbury.com,

ONGOINGSATURDAYSWine & Chee se Pair ings a t To lo sa VineyardsIn the Heritage Room, four estate wines are paired with foufrom around the world. 11am-3pm, 805-782-0500, www.tol

ONGOING SATURDAYS& SUNDAYSRes er ve Flight Tast ings a t To lo sa Vineyard sIn the Heritage Room. Flights will vary from Pinot Noir fligwines or even a vertical tasting of library wines. $20, $15/Hmembers, 805-782-0500 x10, [email protected]

MARCH 12-2116 t h An nua l SLO Int ernat io nal Film Fest ivalScreenings, receptions and award ceremonies, Come for t hethe films! Receptions paired with local wine & food, followwww.slofilmfest.org



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MARCH 9Co o king Class Se r ies a t Edna Val leyGet Spiced w i t h Ro be r t Ro o tRobert Root, chef of the Manse on Marsh and Founder of Pallet to Palate,presents a tour of the Mediterranean with spices from San Luis based SpiceHunter. Recipes for savory appetizer. Sampling and complimentary wine tastingwill be offered. 6pm, $40, 805-544-5855 ext. 42, [email protected]

MARCH 23Co o king Class Se r ies a t Edna Val leyBrais ing w i t h Maege n Lo r ingWhat is braising? Youll learn all aspects of braising: from stovetop to oven andfrom vegetables to desserts. Maegen Loring from the Neon Carrot is ready to toput a modern twist on comfort food that will bring back family memories.Sampling and complimentary wine tasting will be offered. 6-9pm, $40805-544-5855 ext. 42, [email protected]

MARCH 30Co o king Class Se r ies a t Edna Val leyCent ra l Co as t Fresh w i t hB en R i cha rd so n & Rus s Tho mp so nSwing into spring with fresh ideas from Chef Russell and Chef Ben. Everythingfor the upcoming warm weather including Bautista Farms Baby Lettuce Salad,Pan Seared Diver Scallops, PorkTenderloin andTangerine Curd Tart. Samplingand complimentary wine tasting will be offered. 6-9pm, $40805-544-5855 ext. 42, [email protected]

APRIL 2324Lea rn By Tast ing ~ Cal Po ly Wine Fes t ival

An impressive student-run event featuring over 100 wineries and benefitingthe universitysWine and Viticulture Program & Vines toWines. Kick off onFriday, April 23rd with a barbecue and live auction for winemakers of theattending wineries and Cal Poly alumni, hosted by theVines to Wines Club.The dinner will be held at the Cal Poly Arboretum, space for 200 guests, $50TheWine Festival is on Saturday, April 24th at Santa Margarita Ranch in SantaMargarita, California. Showcasing many wineries from all over California, aswell as local restaurants and caterers. The proceeds support the Wine andViti-culture Program at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.$65/VIP, $50, $45/student, $15/sober driver, www.calpolywinefestival.com

LOMPOC/ BU ELLTON

ONGOING FRIDAYSOldeTowne Market in Lompoc

Food wine & music in the summer months805-736-4567, www.lompocrecord.com

APRIL 17Sant a Barb ara Co unt y Vint ne rs ' Fes t ivalA long weekend of celebration around the festival at River Park, Lompoc. Theannual Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival attracts wine lovers from nearand far for an opportunity to meet 130+ member vintners, taste their wines,and enjoy great food and music in a festive outdoor environment. Features asilent auction and wine country cuisine by the areas finest chefs.www.sbcountywines.com/events/festival.html

LOS OLIVOS

ONGOING FIRSTFRIDAYOFTHE MONTHWildlingArt Museum - Free Friday FlicksFree movie & snacks with discussion, 7pm805-688-1082, www.wildlingmuseum.org

ONGOING THROUGHMARCH 31D reams o f Co n sc io u s ne s s a t Ca r ina Ce l la r sAs a Santa Barbara resident, Patrick Shourds is never at a loss for inspirationfrom Californias natural beauty and dynamic landscapes. His passion for explo-ration and nature are paramount as the subjects of his photography. Daily11am-5pm, www.carinacellars.com, 805-688-2459

SANTA BARBARA

ONGOING SUNDAYSSanta Barbara Arts& CraftsShowFor 44 years featuring all types of art, crafts & jewelry with 200+ artists andcraftsman. East Beach Pier, 10amdusk, 805-897-1982, www.sbaacs.com

ONGOING SATURDAYS& SUNDAYSDowntownWalking ToursGuided stroll experience Santa Barbaras past. Saturday tour historic areasand Sunday 20th century architecture. $10, [email protected], 805-965-6307

ONGOINGPlanetarium ShowsatSanta Barbara Museumof Natural History805-682-4711, www.sbnature.orgWednesdays: 3pm,Tales of the Maya SkiesFridays: 3pm,Wonders of theWinter SkySaturdays and Sundays 11am: Twinkle,Twinkle for Little Stars Noon: Secret of the Cardboard Rocket 1pm: Wonders of the Winter Sky 2pm:Tales of the Maya Skies 3pm: Wonders of the Winter Sky (in Spanish on Sundays)

S ANTA MARGARITA

APRIL 1618The Ear t h Day Fo o d & Wine Fes t ivalA weekend celebration of award-winning food and wine grown on California'sscenic Central Coast. Join them for the feature event Saturday afternoon and forbarrel tastings, cooking demonstrations, live music and vineyard toursthroughout the weekend.The wine festival is held at the historic SantaMargarita Ranch with over 200 purveyors of award-winning, sustainablyproduced food and wine. Growers, vintners and chefs come together to servedelicious, one of a kind dishes made with loca lly sourced fruits, vegetables,meats, cheeses, olive oils and more. Live music, a silent auction, unlimitedsamples of local wine and cuisine, and meet the farmers who grow great foodand wine while nurturing a healthy environment. Tickets $15 - $500805-369-2288, www.EarthDayFoodandWine.com

SA NTA MARIA/ FOXEN CANYON

ONGOING SATURDAYS& SUNDAYSSanta MariaValley Railway Historical MuseumLots of fun including a train simulator exhibit. 1-4:30pm805-714-4927, www.smvrhm.org/museum

ONGOINGFriday N ight Wine Dow n a t Co s t a de OroGreat way to start your weekend! Enjoy live music, wine tasting and cheeseplates. 4:30-7:30pm, 805-922-1468, www.cdowinery.com

ONGOINGSunday Live a t Co s t a d e OroEnjoy a glass of wine with friends and listen to some of the best music on theCentral Coast. New cheese plates and a variety wines by the glass or bottle!2-5pm, 805-922-1468, www.cdowinery.com

MARCH 6Tast e fo r Jus t ice ~ Chef Bradley Ogde nt o Jud ge Go u rme t Gave l Awa rdOrutt, Featuring Bradley Ogdenas one of its judges; inducted into the "Who'sWho of American Cooking" by Cooks magazine, named Best Chef California bythe James Beard Foundation, one of the Great American Chefs by the Interna-tional Wine and Food Society, winner of the Golden Plate Award by the Amer-ican Academy of Achievement and Chef of theYear by the Culinary Institute of America. Bradley Ogden the restaurant in Las Vegas in Caesars Palace receivedthe James Beard Award in 2004 for Best New Restaurant and his most recentendeavor is Root 246 in Solvang. $45/advance and $50/door805-963-6754 x 109, http://www.lafsbc.org/events/t4j-sm

SANTA YNEZ

ONGOINGTHURSDAYS, FRIDAYS& SATURDAYSDancingat MaverickSaloonDance lessons, live country western or rock & roll. 6:45pm, check web forschedule of entertainers. 805-686-4785, www.mavericksaloon.org

ONGOINGSanta YnezValleyHistorical Society Museum& Parks- Janeway Carriage HouseExhibits from Chumash period through early 20th century ranch day, 12-4pm805-688-7889, www.santaynezvalleymuseum.org

ONGOINGSaturdays- CachumaLake Nature WalkNaturalists lead one mile walk for all ages, Oak Canyon Trail, 10-11:30amWeekends-Cachuma LakeWildlife CruiseGuided 2-hour cruise with wildlife & geology. $7 for 12 & under, $15 over 12Junior Ranger ProgramKids learn about wildlife, ecosystems & caring for the environment12:30-1:30pm $2 per childMany other children & adult friendly programs! Cachuma Lake Nature CenterSanta Ynez Park, 805-693-0691, www.cachuma.com

ONGOINGArt at Artiste WineryEachquarter,Artiste releasestwo newwineswith impressionifromthe brushesof their featured artist.805-686-2626, www.

S OLVAN G

ONGOINGQuicksilverMiniature Horse FarmVisit Solvang horse farm with beautiful views.They do not orides in the cart but you are able to get up close and persona

miniature horse.10am3pm, 805-686-4002, http://www.syvONGOINGWEDNESDAYS

Solvang FarmersMarketFresh produce, flowers & foods, on First Street, between MiCopenhagen, 4-7pm, 805-962-5354, www.sbfarmersmarket

ONGOINGElverhoj Museum of History& ArtShowcasesSolvangs richculturalhistory.Former residence of oneof Solvang's mostartistic families,nowa community museumdevotedto thehistory of Solvang,thecolorfulheritageand pioneerspiritof Denmarkand thearts1-4pm,Wed-Thu, 12-4pm,Fri-Sun, 805-686-1211, www.elve

ONGOINGHansChristian Andersen MuseumHonoring the multi-talented Danish father of the modern faifilled with copies of Andersens books, sketches, paper cutoand collages. 10am-5pm daily, www.solvangusa.com

MARCH 1418Restaurant WeekKick-off toTaste of Solvang Food & Wine FestivalSelect Solvang restaurants offer special 3-course tasting me$20.10 (2010 cents). 800-468-6765, www.SolvangUSA.com

MARCH 1921Tast e o f So lvan gScrumptious Dessert Reception & live music, delightful Wafree tours Mission Santa Ines & Elverhoj Museum of Historwww.SolvangUSA.com

MARCH 20Tast e o f So lvan g Wine Tast ing Ro o m WalkFabulous wines from participating wine tasting rooms. 6-9p800-468-6765, www.SolvangUSA.com

ONGOINGMuseumof Ventura CountyPhotographs, publications, documents & exhibits depictingVhistory. 10am-5pm, 805-653-0323, www.venturamuseum.o

ONGOINGVentura CountyMaritimeMuseumAn enriching museum experience based on maritime historyranging from ancient mariners to the modern marine era.Educational programs through world-class maritime art,unique ship models, dynamic exhibits, artifacts and nautical11am-5pm, 805-984-6260, Oxnard

ONGOING SATURDAYSTour OjaiOlive Oil at Asquith FarmBegins outside with the history of the grove, an explanationolive varieties, their maturing process, the harvesting & a vitree nursery. Share the adventure of producing premium-qua10am-3pm Mon-Fri by appointment. 805-701-3825, www.o

ONGOINGFillmore & Western Railway Co.Wine ExpressTrainFillmore &Western Railway and theVentura County WineTWine Express train rides traveling through the beautiful HerEvery other month will feature four wines from a different Vwinery, paired with a buffet dinner, music and dancing.$63, www.fwry.com, 805-524-2546

VENTURA COUNTY

SANTABARBARACOUNTY

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH




WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | ON THE COVER CORNER

1

by Melissa Chavez

Just five minutesfrom Highway 46 East isone of San Miguels family-owned winerieswhere handcrafted wines are born. At J& JCellars, the Judd family operation benefitsfrom over five consecutive generationssteeped in agricultural tradition. Jim and Janis

Judd own the winery and vineyards alongwith their son James Judd, his partner EricAlvarez, and daughter Juliet Judd Fiero.

J& JCellars harvests grapes from onevine-yard in the Ranchita Canyon area of SanMiguel and another in Shandon, roughly 30miles southeast. The soil composition of bothlocations is sandy loam. However the higher-altitude Shandon vineyard receives hottertemperatures during the day, which steeplydrops by evening. Both vineyards arecontained within thePaso RoblesAppellation.

What were once cattle grazing ranchlandsdotted with prolific apple and pear trees inSan Miguel, Jim madethe decision in 1998 totrellis Cabernet wine grapes. In 2002, hebottled his first vintageand focused on estab-lishing his winery operation. Currently, theSan Miguel vineyard produces CabernetSauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Zinfandelwine grapes for its Vintage Flight and J& JCellars labels.

What sets J& J apart from everyone else?

Wereally understand customer service, saysOperations Manager Betty Walker, whichprovides flexibility for our customers. Wineclub members may also choose their ownconfigurations and receive a surprise witheach shipment.

Oneof J& Jsmuch anticipated vintagesis a

soon-to-be-released port of 70% Tempranilloand 30% Souzo. Its going to be a killer,admits Walker. Theway itstastingright now,well probably bottle it later this year andrelease it early next year in 250 cases of 375ml. People should get their orders in now. Itwont last long.

Inside the tasting room, guests are invitedto relax on couchesand converse. Among thewines are other items to browse and choosefrom, including cheese and salami, European

tea towels, luxuriouslotionsand wine-relatedgifts. Grapejuiceand beveragesarealsoavail-able for designated drivers. Outside, a picnicarea beckons visitors, a stone fireplace forlingering by acrackling fire, and a bocce ballcourt for those who want a friendly gamewhile sipping aglass of wine.

A gathering of ninewineries and oneoliveoil producer make up the recently formedPleasant Valley Wine Trail. Loosely clusterednortheast of Highway 101 and Highway 46and just north of EstrellaRoad, itsthe newestconsortium of neighborhood farmers thathaveassembled to providetheir guestsamorecohesive wine experience. Twelve miles long,the route is conveniently marked for leisurelynavigation. It isnt merely location that bindsthem together, but athriving relationship thatmay take somevisitors by surprise.

We work together and help each other,saysWalker. If thenext-door winery wantstoborrow aforklift, well do it. Its who weare

This is not oneof thosehighbrow places,sheadds. Onedoesnt need to bepretentiousabout wine. If you enjoy something, thats allthat matters.

Stop by J& J Cellars at 2850 RanchitaCanyon Road in San Miguel, Friday thruSunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (805)467-2891. Visit www.jjcellars.com.

J imJ udd with gr anddaughter sMollieand J amie


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WINERY FEATURE | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH


by Michael Cervin

Hunt Cellars, located on Highway 46 West, prides itself onachieving cult winery status, atitlethat makesDavid Hunt very happy.When asked why he doesnt display any silver medals in the tastingroom, only the gold ones, he says wryly, Who wants to be secondplace? Hunt hasdeveloped aloyal following of wine lovers across theU.S. for his opulent, plush, velvety wines that not only score well inthe national press, but frequently exhibit the wow factor; that jawdropping experience when tasting a wine that is so good, you canthelp but express yourself out loud. And for that wow factor Huntwines are, comparably, about one-third the priceof their counterpartscoming out of Napa. I think our winesare indeed cult caliber wines,hesays. In fact peoplehordethem,saving them for special occasions.But Hunt wines need not be horded, they are to be enjoyed and

consumed. Onceyou visit thetasting room and samplethelargeHuntportfolio, youll understand why.

Thevineyards, located in Creston, just east of Paso Robles, producestellar fruit. But even thebest vineyard cannot produceeverything. Tothat end, Hunt haspurchased Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapesfromsitespecific regionsin order to achievehis ideal flavor profile. After all,Paso Robles is known for hearty red wines and Rhne whites, nottender Pinots and Chardonnays, as he puts it. It will be excitingtherefore to sample the forthcoming initial release Pinot Noir, some-thing Hunt has never produced before.

David Hunt hasasecret weapon which aids his success. Hesblind.

Diagnosed at ayoungagewith adegenerativeretinal disorder, his sighthas eroded over four decades and is now all but gone. For manypeople that may seem like a handicap, but for Hunt, it has honed his

sense of taste and smell and his wines benefit tremendously from hisacute ability. Blindness in some ways helps me in making wine, hesays. I can actually hear theweight and textureof awineby its sound,the timber changes as it pours into a glass. He is known to beobses-sive about his wine, letting selected heavily extracted wines age inbarrel up to three years, which is uncommon for the majority ofwineriesin Paso Robles, or California for that matter. I treat each wineas if Id never make another one. I work the wine and make changeseven on the bottling line. Sometimes I cant sleep at night, he admits.Its a luxury Hunt can afford, but its also a passion to make the bestwine possible.

He started out in life asamusician turned successful businessman,turned vintner and now, when many people think about retirement,Hunt enthusiastically promoteshis winesand enjoyscreatingwinenotbased on science, but based on taste. Its in the balanceand flavor ofthe wine that makes the product, he says. 90 percent of wines todayarenot very balanced. Im willing to take thenecessary timeand focuson the wines so they are perfect. The result of such intensity is notonly the massive number of accolades and high scores, but that Huntwinesareindeed exceptional. Recently morethan 15 winesrated havescored between 90and 95points in thewinepress, likeTango In Paso,a barrel accident blending of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

HUNT CELLARSAchievingCult Winery Status

David H un t


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WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | WINERY FEATURE

www.WineCountryThisMonth.com 1

and Syrah, with a whisper of Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah. Otherhighly rated wines from the Hunt portfolio include Barbera, Sauvi-gnon Blanc, Syrah, several of their Cabernets and their exceptional

Sangiovese. ItsthisSangiovesethat Hunt saysis thefirst winehegrav-itates toward to de-stress. And though all of his wines are his chil-dren his favorite varietal is Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeauxblends. Whatever favorite wine you might have, youll probably findit at Hunt Cellars.

Thetasting room also features picnic facilities on their groundsorthe 1,200-square-foot back deck, and they sell condiment items,cookbooks and clothing. Additionally, for those inclined to a finecigar, they can beenjoyed in their outdoor pavilion. Additionally theyoffer several iterations of their wine club. Where elsecan you tasteover two dozen winesthat have 90 to 95 points and enjoy very high

scoring cult wines, he asks. During winemaker dinners at thetastingroom, David will play the white piano that usually sits silently nearthe front door. A visit to the tasting room is a necessity for anyoneinterested in wine, if only to experiencewines that make you hungerfor more. You need to see it for yourself. As David Hunt constantlysays, Life is too short and you work too hard to drink bad wine.Tasting fees are $5 for 6 tastes or $10 for the reserve tasting.

Hunt Cellars is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They arelocated at 2875 Oakdale Rd. directly off Highway 46 West. Contactthem at (805) 237-1600 or www.huntcellars.com.


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ON THE COVER | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH

Sylvester Vineyards & Winery is hosting its annual winemakersdinner during the upcoming Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival on Friday,March 19th, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event will be presented bySylvester Vineyards & Winery and the Cheese Store of Beverly Hillsfeaturing KiaraReserve Wines. Indulge in gourmet cheeses and Euro-pean-inspired fare prepared by Master Italian Chef Walter Filippini.

Dinner will include: Burrata (a decadent fresh mozzerella infused withRicotta), Timballo Alla Siciliana (Traditional Sicil ian Pasta Pie), Saltim-bocca alla Romana, (Veal Cutlets topped with Prosciutto and Sage),Barramundi (Australian Fish with Roasted Polenta) and much more.PannaCottawith Raspberry Sauce, an assortment of Italian Biscotti andsweets will be featured for dessert. Music entertainment will also keepyou dancing. Theentireeveningwill only be$50 per personor $45forFLOCK members. Reservations will be required. Interested attendeesmay RSVPat 1-800-891-6055.

Featured Master Chef Walter Filippini grew up watching his grand-father, who dedicated his life working the steep sloped vineyards ofNorthern Italy by hand. While Filippini loved wine, his true passionremains in the kitchen. Working diligently in the kitchen of LordByron Restaurant, Filippini began his culinary schooling as an assis-tant chef at the world-famous Excelsior Palace Hotel on the Lido ofVenice. Later, traveling northwest, he worked at Grande Albergo VilladEste on Lake Como and then worked at the Grand Hotels in Milan.Filippini attended Istituto Alberghiero di Stato in Bergamo, graduatingin 1975, eventually specializing in gastronomia, the artful preparationand presentation of cold-food platters. In November of 1981, hedomi-nated Italys National Chefs Competition, winning first prize with anelaborate display of pheasant pat medallions. This passion for

gastronomy grew as he worked his way up through various laudedkitchens to finally achievethe coveted notoriety of Master Chef.

On another continent that sameyear, Sylvester Vineyards & Winerywas established by Filippinis now father-in-law, Sylvester Feichtinger.Filippiniswife, Sylvia, watched and learned asher father, steeped in thefamily tradition of winemaking in Austria, planted morethan 200 acres

of premium grape vines in the then new wine country of Paso Robles,California.

Walter Filippini met Sylvia while he was working at Verdi Restau-rant in SantaMonica, California. Thetwo instantly fell in love, bondingthe culinary with the viticultural. Their passions for food and winemade them the perfect match. Shortly after their wedding, they beganmanaging the family-owned international gourmet foods importingand distributing company called Peacock Cheese. In 2004, Sylvia andFilippini took over the winery upon the retirement of her father. Thewineryscommitment to quality hasremained trueaswell asbeing reaf-firmed to this day. Recently, Walter and Sylvia Filippini have created

two new reserve labels, KiaraReserveand LeVignedi Domenico, alongwith their premier blend NIKIARA. Their investment and hard workhaspaid off having recently won several of thehighest awardsfrom theSan Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition.

TheFilippinis passion for fine food and wine can be found in thewineryskitchensand tasting room and at all of thewineryswinemakerdinners, not to bemissed.

Sylvester Vineyards& Winery is located at 5115 BuenaVistaDrive,Paso Robles. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through September, and 11a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through April. For moreinformation, call(805) 227-4000 or visit www.sylvesterwinery.com.

SYLVESTERWINERY


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WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | WINE COUNTRY NEWS


Paso Robles Wine Country announced tickets for the 18th AnnualZinfandel Festival are now on sale at www.pasowine.com. The PasoRobles Zinfandel Festival marquee event puts the fun back inZinfandel by combining a classic Zin tasting with a wine countryauction on Saturday, March 20. Theevening featurestwo ticket levels:Zinfully Important Person (ZIP) ticket level (entrance at 5:30 p.m.)and Zin Fan Del ticket level (entranceat 7 p.m.). Attendeeswill enjoyvast selectionsof Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends, aswell as the WineCountry Auction featuring unique items only offered during theZinfandel Festival.

Attracting wine tourists from across the nation, Zinfandel Festivalattendees experiencethreedaysof winetasting delight. In addition to

the Zin Tasting and Wine Country Auction, more than 140 areawineries offer a compilation of individual events such as winemakerdinners, barrel samples and musical entertainment throughout theweekend.

The ZIP ticket level is for Zinfandel enthusiasts who cannot getenough of this bold, bodaciousberry. ZIP attendees may zip in earlyto the Zin tasting and receive special benefits including an exclusivetasteof the2010 Zinfandel CollaborativeBlend. ZIPticket holderswillalso experience auction items exclusively for them and other specialsurprises throughout theevening.

Its time to dial in the fun during the 2010 Zinfandel Festival. Zinfans will find new enhancements to a traditional walk-around tastingintegrated into aspecial WineCountry Auction, said StacieJacob, exec-utivedirector of thePaso RoblesWineCountry Alliance. Weinviteyouto check out quality winesfeaturing Paso Robles heritagegrape.

Thenewly formatted Wine Country Auction features items show-cased at winery pouring booths, giving wine enthusiasts a chance tolearn about the Zinfandel producers of Paso Robles as well as takehome their favorite lifestyle packages. One-of-a-kind auction blocksfrom wineries across the Paso Robles appellation includewine tasting

retreats, dinners with Paso Robles producers, VIP tours, seminars andspecial large-format bottles signed by the winemakers themselves.More than 50 Paso Robles producers will be showcased at the ZinTasting. The areas top chefs wil l also be serving Zinfandel-friendlyculinary creations.

Tickets All Zinfandel Festival tasting tickets include unlimitedtasting and acommemorative glass made by Riedel. Zinfully Important Person (ZIP) Entrance - $85, Saturday, 5:30-

9 p.m. includes early entrance to Zin Tasting and exclusivepeakat WineCountry Auction items

Zin Fan Del Entrance $60, Saturday,7-9 p.m. includes Zin Tasting and WineCountry Auction

Tickets may bepurchased online at www.pasowine.com. A limitedamount of ZIP and Zin Fan Del tickets will be available at the door,provided they are not sold out. All tickets are limited and advancepurchase is highly recommended. Must be21 and older, photo iden-tification verifying age will berequired at time of entry.

For more information about Zinfandel Festival, local hotel accom-modations and restaurants, visit www.pasowine.com.

Zin FAN Del: Discover the Fun atthe Paso RoblesZinfandel Festival


16/40www.WineCountryThisMonth.com16

By Melissa Chavez

With a tasting room less than a year oldand afistful of winecompetition medals, HoyBuellsHearthstoneVineyard & Winery mightlook like an overnight success to some, butnot exactly.

A career horticulturist, Buell establishedthe place in 1999 when he joined his grape-growing expertise with his affection for wine.The first bottles werent released until 2003,and it wasnt until spring of 2009 that hewould finally open the tasting room doors.Buell isnt resting on his laurels. He plans tomake an already-friendly tasting room evenmore inviting.

We have a great picnic area with a verynice view so people can bring their lunchesand enjoy our winesby theglass, saysOper-ationsManager ConnieHoekje. Wealso haveSecond Sundays where all guests includingindustry people and wine club members canenjoy good food and live music. But theresalwayssomething new wewant to do aroundhere. One change weremaking is to bringinworks from local artists. Currently, photogra-

pher Josh Kimball is displaying images takenfrom nature that include wine countrysurroundsand picturesqueocean viewsof BigSur to Morro Bay.

In short order, Hearthstone is not onlyestablishing itself well in the Paso Robleswine region, but throughout the state andbeyond.

In 2008, Hearthstones 2005 Lodestoneblend (43% Syrah, 30.5% Grenache and26.5% Mourvedre) earned Silver in the SanFrancisco International Wine Competition.Their Pearl vintageis such ahit, that it wil l bereleased again this year. Upping the ante istheir 2006 Slipstone (63% Grenache, 36.5%

Syrah), which earned a Gold-Sweep win atthe San Diego International Wine Competi-tion

Several of our winesarenow being servedat local restaurants, says Hoekje. AtVinoteca, we have the 2005 Jubilee, ourSuper Tuscan blend, plus the Profundo andPearl wine, our white Rhne style blend.Theres also a Pinot Noir at Villa CreekRestaurant (in Paso Robles).

Hearthstone Winery is situated on a hill

in the Adelaida community southwest ofPaso Robles. More specifically, its set withinone of a series of passes known collectivelyas the Templeton Gap region. In thimicroclimate, mild mornings give way twarm summer days, but afternoon breezesprovide welcome respite to the harshest ofsummer heat. At its scenic Vineyard Drivelocation, Hearthstone especially enjoyscamaraderie among neighboring growerswho support one another in their wine-making endeavors.

We all recommend one another andwere real supportive, Hoekje says of theadjacent wineries. I tsneat because, without

it, wecouldnt havebeen nearly assuccessfulas weve been in the last eight months.Hearthstone Winery tastes are $7 or free

with two-bottle wine purchases. Their Fire-side Wine Club offers custom-created selec-tions, complimentary tastings for membersand three guests, free shipping on 12-bottlepurchases and 20 percent discounts. Visitthem at 5070 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles, orat www.HearthstoneVineyard.com. Call (805)238-2544.

Preferred Tasting Room:

HEARTHSTONEWINERY

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One pretty reliable way to find out just how good the food at a local restaurant is, is to ask some-body in the restaurant business. Ask a bartender, a waiter, anyone in fact, what they think of Mamas

meatballs in San Luis Obispo and their lips begin to quiver, their eyes roll towards the heavens, theysigh; that is how good Mamas Meatball is.

Set in a small courtyard off of one of the towns main streets, in a place called the Old Creamery,Mamas Meatball is actually divided in two. On the right is the take-out where people line up to gettheir orders of meatballs and more. To the left, fronted by a huge-trunked tree and a water fountain, isthe intimate restaurant with its mural of the Mediterranean across the back.

Meatballs aside, the restaurant, under owner and chef Nicola Allegretta, offers a wide range of authentic Italian dishes, many of th em now available in smaller sizes as well, a bow to theeconomy and his customers wishes. Among them are half a dozen soups, a long list of salads(including grilled salmon and a refreshing pear and gorgonzola), some wonderful antipastochoices, both hot and cold paninis (including, of course, one made with meatballs), more pastadishes than there is space here to share ( though the Ravioli di Pollo all Vodka homemade ravioli

filled with chicken and servedin a vodka sauce cannotgo unmentioned).

There is also a headyselection of meat and fishdishes as well as anynumber of traditional andspecialty pizzas (now avail-able in two sizes) and somefar too-tempting desserts.

Mamas Meatballcurrently has two loca-tions. The original is inthe Old Creamery plaza at570 Higuera Street, SanLuis Obispo, (805) 544-0861. Mamas Meatball isalso available for yourconvenience in the southcounty at 325 PierAvenue by the entrance of the Pismo Beach Dunes,(805) 473-2383.

Hours of operation areTuesday to Sunday from

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.and 4:30 to 10 p.m., closedon Mondays.

You can order online atwww.mamasmeatball.com.And, dont forgot they canalso deliver and have verypopular catering services,which work with groups(including weddings) of every type and size.

1

MAMAS MEATBALL

WI NE COUNTRY TH

WINE COUNTRY S

HOPPESGARDENBISTRO&WINESHOPThe most highly acclaimed restaurant and Wine Shop on the CentralCoast. 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 meatsand vegetarian/vegan items.

78 N. Ocean Avenue Wednesday-Sunday11am-10pmwww.hoppesbistro.com 805.995.1006

NOVORESTAURANTNOVOs international flavors are the leading inexotic dining experience. Brazilian, Mediterranflavors awaken the senses. In house roasted spimixtures andmarinadesbalanced withcrisp,seables and savory meats. Explore.

726Higuera Street OpenDailyfro805-543-3986 www.novorestaur

CAYUCOS

MAMA'SMEATBALLFine Italian Restaurant and Catering

Mama's Meatball has specialized in creatingseasonal menus by using only the finest andfreshest ingredients.

570Higuera St. Suite 130-135www.mamasmeatball.com

805-544-0861

SAN LUIS OBISPO

Hearthstone Vineyardsand Winery Accolades 2007 HEARTHSTONEVINEYARDS

AND WINERY GRENACHE(USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) $25The 2007Hearthstone Grenacheis a blendof 90%Grenacheand 10%Syrah. Possessinga semi-transparent, rubyredcolor, thisoffersfragrant,sweet aromaticsof kirschand wildstrawberries,subtlespice andpossiblya touch of graphite.Verysmoothandpolished,itsmedium bodied with perfectly ripe fruit,solidbalanceand a lengthy,moderatelytannicfinish.Maybea bit too polished,this ispuresilk to drinkwith nohard edges.I recommendconsumingthese overthenext 5 to 8 years. (95 pts.)

2007 HEARTHSTONEVINEYARDSAND WINERY LODESTONE(USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) $30 More meatyand ruggedon the nose thantheothercuves, the 2007Hearthstone Lodestone isablendof50%Syrah,33% Grenacheand17% Mourvdre. It offersboth redand black fruits,underbrush,meat and a touch of leatheron thenose.These aromascarryoverto the palateand the wineis medium+ bodiedwith ripefruit, a polishedtextureand integrated acidity leading tomoderatelytannicfinish.Thishas a touch moretannin thanthe othercuves andshould drink wellover the next 5 to8 years. (97 pts.)

2007 HEARTHSTONEVINEYARDSAND WINERY SLIPSTONE(USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) $28 Ablendof 65%Grenache and35%Syrah, the2007Hearthstone Slipstoneoffers qualityaromaticsof kirschandsubtleearthy dark fruits,wildherbs (underbrush, thyme), spice andsubtle,driedmeaty notes. Inthe mouth, thisis mediumbodied with a polished,smooth texture, perfectlyripe fruit and finegrained, ripe tanninsthat lead

to a longfinish.Drinkoverthe next 5 to8 years.(95 pts.)

2006 HEARTHSTONEVINEYARDSAND WINERY PEARL(USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) $20The 2006Hearthstone Vineyards andWineryPearlisa blendof53%Viognierand47% Roussannethat offersbrilliantlyclean andcrisparomatics of stonefruits, honeydew,white flowers andfreshlycrushedrocks. Its fresh yet richat thesame time. Inthe mouth, thisis medium bodiedwith vibrant acidity, richfruit, a fulltexture anda persistent, focused finish. Enjoythis outstanding white over the next yearormore. (90 pts.)



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PREFERRED TASTING ROOM | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH

www.WineCountryThisMonth.com18

by Melissa Chavez

Smack dab in the historic Paso RoblesDowntown is the Pianetta Winery TastingRoom. Just one block north of the City Parkat 829 13th Street, this place is no fly-by-night operation. Rather, the pride of fourgenerations of Italian immigrant farmers anda home winemaking heritage profoundlyinfluence the crimson reds they serve in anattractively appointed storefront.

John Pianettas Estate wines includeCabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, aSyrah/Cabernetblend (Bilancio, or balance), Sangiovese,Petite Syrah, a ros (Nonnas Vino Rosato),Super Tuscan-style blend, Tuscan Nights,

and a new Zinfandel. His daughter, Caitlin,oversees the tasting room and helps visitorsfeel at home.

Pianetta purchased his vineyard in 1996. Ayear later, both he and experienced farmmanager Bob Goodwin establishedgrapevines. The majority was Cabernet withsmaller plots devoted to Syrah Noir (Frenchclone) and Shiraz (Australian clone). Most oftheir yield sourced a highly reputable winerywhile the rest supported Pianettas own wine-

making. By 2002, their releases beganmeriting such deserved recognition, that hesoon began collecting silver and gold medalsat wine competitions from California to theFinger Lakes.

The grapes are grown on a 95-acre ranchin Indian Valley in Monterey County, just acoupleof milesnorth of San Miguel. Pianettasvineyard is set within the Big Sandy Creekarea, a tributary northeast from the SalinasRiver. Unlike cooler Monterey climes,summers in the countys southern tip canswell the thermometer past 100 on infernaldays, and drop a good 50 degrees or moreduring the wee hours. Both soil content andtemperature arrays offer perfect growing

conditions for Pianettas handpicked winegrapes that are aged in French, Russian andHungarian oak barrels.

Wineclub memberscan receiveshipmentsevery two, four or six months. Twenty percentdiscounts areofferedfor additional purchases,plus 25 percent off all cases. Newslettersupdate members on discounts, newestreleases and special events.

For example, the aviation-themed TakeFlight Reserve Wine Tasting just took place

in theSan Miguel winery on February 27 andfeatured 2004 Pianetta library reserves. Its atasty opportunity to enjoy big, bold redcoupled with rustic Southern Italian treats byIl Corti le, one of Paso Robles newest restau-rants.

For March 2010, the winerys 2 BottClub shipment offers their 2007 PianettaSangiovese and 2007 Pianetta Cabernet.Perhaps the hardest to resist is their FebruaryCase Sale in which their winning 2006 Syrahis $138 per case, or just $11.50 per bottle foravintagewith plenty of timeleft to nicely age.

Whether aficionados experience Pianettaswines in the tasting room, straight from thecase shipment, or from the glass at a wineryevent, many will likely want to thank JohPianettas ancestors for initiating his wine-making legacy.

Pianetta Winery Tasting Room is openSunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdayfrom noon to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturdayfrom 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Tuesday. $5tasting feeis waived with purchase. For moreinformation, call (805) 226-4005 or visiwww.pianettawinery.com.

Preferred Tasting Room:

PIANETTAWINERY

J o h nPia ne t ta wi t hhisda ug h ter, Cai t li n


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Since the devastating earthquakesin Haiti,relief effortscontinue. Asthesituation evolves,medical care continues to be a priority forthousands of people left homeless. Doctors

Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)hasbeen working to provideservicesfor thoseinjured by the quake, aswell asbasic medicalcare for the Haitian public. Doctors WithoutBorders hasbeen working in Haiti for thepast19 years, but hasrecently opened threeemer-gency hospitals to deal with the aftermath ofthe earthquakes.

Local musicians have gotten together anddecided to put on a show to benefit DoctorsWithout Borders efforts in Haiti.

On Saturday, March 6, aBenefit for Haiti

will take place at Castoro Cellars Winery,1315 Bethel Road, in Templeton. Thesuggested donation will be $15, but patronscan giveas much as they like to thecause.

The evening will begin with a deliciousmeal (available for purchase) from Bon TempsCreole Cafe. Theyll have a variety of menuoptions available, and a portion of the

proceeds will be donated to the cause.Castoro Cellars wine will alsobeavailable forpurchase.

Jody Mulgrew (formerly of the Johnn

Starlings) will open the show with a soloacoustic set. Then, theLouieOrtegaBand willtake the stage for a rockin set. Finishing upthe evening will betheGuy Budd Band, withtheir mixture of existential blues.

Tickets are available for purchaseonline atwww.castorocellars.com, by phone at 1-800-DAM-FINE, or at the door.

WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | WINE COUNTRY NEW


The 15th Annual Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival, June 26th,will turn heads this year with a new look and recurring eveningtimeslot. The festival will again take place from 4 to 8 p.m. to takeadvantage of Atascaderos warm, summer evenings.

Theevening experiencewill encompassawineand culinary adven-ture to excite your palette. Food vendors will showcase their finestcuisine and suggest wine pairings based on the varietals available attheevent. Visitorswill enjoy an array of juried fineart created by localartists as well asthe inviting lakeside environment. Sway again to themusic of the Mighty Croon Dogs. All very exciting!

Dont miss out on your opportunity to bepart of this superb lake-

side event at the Atascadero Lake Park. A freeshuttlewill be availableto transport visitors from the Sunken Gardens in downtown Atas-cadero.

All proceeds benefit the Charles Paddock Zoo and other projectssupporting the community of Atascadero.

Unlimited tasting tickets are just $40 in advance, $45 at the door.Food sold separately. Moreinformation and ticketsareavailableonlineat www.atascaderowinefestival.com or at the Atascadero Chamber ofCommerce, (805) 466-2044.

Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival, June 26th

Join the17 Far Out Winerieson auniqueWalkabout Zin Tastingin the caves at Justin Winery on Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to1 p.m. Youll have the opportunity to meet the Makers, attendbreakout seminars while enjoying appetizers and more! Cost for theevent is $44 per person. This event will sell out. Make your reserva-tionsearly. Call Judy at (805) 237-0138

TheFar Outs...Adelaida Cellars, Calcareous Vineyard, Carmody McKnight Estate

Wines, Dunning Vineyards, Halter Ranch, Justin Vineyards & Winery,Le Cuvier, Minassian-Young, Nadeau Family Vintners, Norman Vine-yards, Opolo Vineyards, PipestoneVineyards, Poalillo Vineyards, TablasCreek Vineyard, Tolo Cellars, Thacher Winery and VillicanaWinery

For more information, visit www.faroutwineries.com.

AWalkabout Zin Tastingin the Cavesat Justin Winery

MusiciansTo Perform a Benefit for Haiti


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byMichael Cervin

Imagine James Bond created a tastingroom and you get an ideaof what theinteriorof Tolosa Winery might be like. Once youopen the massive front doors youre in for a

treat. Created by architect Brent Freeby, andopened in 2004, the tasting room and itsadjacent patio combine elements of thewinery in its design including cork floors,stainless steel ceilings, glassbar, wood panelsand back lighting. A plasma screen displayspicturesof recent events and thewinemakingprocess, while the LCD screen displaysspecials and wine club information. Thereseven ambient music playing throughout thetasting room, patio, halls and bathroom.They have received numerous design awardsfor the innovativeand trend-setting space. Itspicturesque, to say the least and their site,surrounded by vineyards with perfect oceanbreezes, sweeps across the fields and bringsall of the scents of the hills and the soildirectly to your nostrils. It is an amazingexperience. The tasting room looks out overthe fermentation tanks of polished stainlesssteel. Guests are offered a self guided tourthrough thefacility aswell. Stay and picnic at

their tranquil outdoor picnic area or play around of bocce ball as you soak in thepeaceful surroundings.

Tolosa Winery takes its name from thenearby Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa,which established the first vineyard in theEdna Valley and produced the early wines

for the area during the mission period.Today, Tolosa is a sustainably farmed estateand their vineyards are not too far from thePacific Ocean. This close proximity to thesea provides for cool morning fog, warmdays and an exceptionally long growingseason. The unique climatic conditions,terroir and focused winemaking by LarryBrooks, allowsTolosa to produce world-classChardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The winerys founders, attorney BobSchiebelhut and viticulturi st Jim Efirdunderstood the Edna Valleys potential longbefore they formed their partnership back in1998. They began planting vines in 1990 fortheir Edna Ranch Estate vineyards, whichcurrently encompass 740 acres. After sellingtheir vineyards fruit to a host of locproducers for several years, it eventuallybecame apparent to them that a label dedi-cated to the lands very best fruit was inorder thus the Tolosa brand was born.

Experience the Tolosa tasting room andtheir wines at 4910 Edna Rd. in San LuisObispo. The minimal $5 tasting is waivedshould you purchase a bottle. They are opendaily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact them at(805)782-0500 or www.tolosawinery.com

TOLOSAWINERY


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Hospice du Rhne (HdR), the worlds largest celebration ofRhne variety wines, has announced the complete 2010 SeminarSeries lineup boasting Rhne producers from France, South Africaand Washington State. Complementing the seminars at the 18thannual international Rhne extravaganza wil l be more than 130worldly Rhneproducers pouring their winesApril 29 through May1, 2010 in Paso Robles, thus creating the 2010 Rhnely HeartsClub!

We are thri lled that after 18 years the enthusiasm for domesticand international Rhnevariety winescontinues to grow amongtheworld and within the Hospice du Rhne community, notes VickiCarroll, Director of Hospice du Rhne. It is the enthusiasm fromeach attendee and our own passion that allows us to continuallydraw extraordinary Rhneproducers from throughout the world tospeak, share and engageat the annual event.

Comprised of four Rhne focused seminars, the 2010 SeminarSeries wi ll highlight winemakers from France, South Africa andWashington State. Representing France will be Vincent Maurel ofClos Saint Jean and Michel Tardieu of Maison Michel Tardieu, bothhail ing from Chteauneuf du Pape, along with esteemed consultantPhilippe Cambie. Continuing with a look at Northern Rhnewineswil l be Stphane Ogier of Domaine Michel and Stphane Ogier ofAmpuis, France. Sharing a look at Walla Walla, Washington will beCharles Smith of K Vintners and Charles Smith Wines.

Hospice du Rhnestrives to bring awareness to areas not typi-cally recognized for Rhne variety wines. This year six SouthAfrican winemakerswil l beon hand to enlighten attendees on theSouth African Rhne movement currently taking pl ace in theircountry. Joining this panel wil l be Marc Kent of Boekenhout-skloof in Franschoek, David Trafford from de Trafford and winesfrom Stellenzicht both from the Stellenbosch region, AndreaandChris Mullineux of Mullineux Family Wines and Eben Sadie ofSadie Family both from the Swartland and Chris Mullineux alsorepresenting Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards from the TulbaghValley.

Joining these renowned speakers will be more than 130 worldlyRhne wine producers sharing pours of their wines at the FridayRhne Rendezvous and the Saturday Grand Tasting. This interna-

tional journey wil l not require a passport for attendees to stroll thetasting hall sampling Rhne wines from France, South Africa,Australia, Americaand beyond.

Drawing on the Rhne-loving community that has been formedover the past 18 years, the 2010 event wil l boast the RhnelyHearts Club. The 2010 theme image, that resembles an albumcover of a well-known singing foursome, holds photographs of 22dedicated Rhne advocates and pioneers from around the world.The gathering of 22 is significant as it paystributeto theunique22Rhne wine varieties and is a snapshot of the greater Rhnecommunity that is celebrated at the annual international Rhne

event. The image is available for viewing on the HdR website,www.hospicedurhone.org.

To purchase tickets and to view the full 2010 Hospicedu RhneEvent Schedule along with participating Rhne producers, pleasevisit the HdR website www.hospicedurhone.org. Event ticket pricesrange from $100 to $795 depending on event selection. All eventsat Hospicedu Rhneare limited and are fil led on a first-come, first-served basis.

About Hospice du Rhne Hospice du Rhne (HdR) will celebrate 18 years of all things

Rhone, April 29-May 1, 2010. Noted as the worldslargest Interna-tional celebration of Rhnevariety wines, Hospicedu Rhneservesas an International Vintners Association providing promotionaland educational opportunities through an annual event. Proceedsfrom the annual event are used to carry out programs that benefitRhne producers worldwide. Operating as a non-profi t businessleague, Hospice du Rhne strives to improve the business condi-tions of grape growers and wine producers of Rhnevariety winesand grapes throughout the world. Hospice du Rhne is not affili-ated with any other charitable organization. Non-profit 501 (c) (6)Business League

TicketsOn Sale for 2010 Rhnely HeartsClu

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22/40www.WineCountryThisMonth.com22

by Michael Cervin

Winemaking isknownto beatough enter-prise. It took us 12 years to be an overnightsuccess, Per Bacco winemaker CraigShannon jokes. To be per baccoed is toexperience a wow moment, and that isexactly what happens when people samplePer Baccowines. Thetastingroom, locatedona historic ranch property, sits a stones throwoff the101 freeway near San LuisObispo andisnt your typical tasting room, but rather isfilled with barrels and fermentation equip-

ment. The focus is on a restrained style ofwinemaking, one that allows the nuances ofthe grape to shine through. With an enthu-siasm for Pinot Noir, Per Bacco has set a newbar for quality from San Luis Obispo County.

Per Bacco doesnt own any vineyards. Idid my years of purgatory with the wind andthe fog, Shannon admits to his farminghistory. They source fruit from multiple vine-yards, which allows them to, concentrate100 percent on the wine, Shannon said. Its

impossible to have the ultimate piece ofground that can produce everything youneed, and Shannon understands this. As athird generation farmer and vineyardmanager hesgrown tomatoes, garlic, almondsand walnuts and knows firsthand the unpre-dictability of weather. They may not have theideal pieceof ground, but they aremaking theideal wines. From small batchesof Pinot Noirand Chardonnay to Syrah, Petite Sirah andPinot Grigio, the wines are focused, hand-crafted and true to the varietal characteristicsof each grape. We get a lot of hang time inthese valleys and maritime influences todevelop our sugars and flavors, he says. Wedont take short cuts.

When they launched their first wines in1998, Pinot Noir was a tough sell, as thefocus was on Syrah. Everyone thought thenext big thing was going to be Syrah,Shannon remembered. Per Bacco didnt wantto belike every other winery so they decidedto go with Pinot Noir, in spite of the clear

indications that Syrah would be the newdarling of the wine industry. We werlooking at thePinotsaround usand they weredoing what California always does, these bigbarnstormer wines, he said. But we wantedthe elegance, the sensual nuances of PinotNoir which is food friendly with good acstructure. Then the Sideways phenomenonoccurred and the virtues of Pinot Noir weresuddenly extolled by everyone. SinceShannon had been making it all along,refining his touch, hewas well positioned tocapitalize on the new surge. Craig, an avidsurfer, also scored very well with the nationalpress on his very first release of Pinot, andlikens surfing to winein that, paddling intoa wave is like tasting a wine with all yousenses keyed in. Get your senses tuned byvisiting Per Bacco at 1850 Calle Joaquin inSan LuisObispo.They areopen daily from11a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone(805) 787- 0485or visitwww.perbaccocellars.com for additionalinformation.

Winemaker Profile:Per Bacco Cellars

CRAIG SHANNON

CraigS hannon withM arcoR izzo

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Avila Beach is surrounded by gen tle, sloping hills, whichdefine the harbor from th e landward side. Three p iersdefine the look from the oceanside; two are open to thepub lic. Guests enjoy leisurely strolls out over the water,and the pier-based restaurants, which always offer freshseasonal seafood. Avila is also an a ctive fishing harborwith many fresh fish markets offering live crab, and freshseafood.

Where to goWINETASTINGAT

AVILABEACH

W ine Tasting atAVILA BEACH

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Oceanfront Wine TastingUnique gifts & apparel

Wines by the glass!480 Front St. Avila Beach

805. 595. 9663www.wildwoodwine. com

Open Daily 1 0:30- 6:00

Wish You Were Here!


When Dick Kelsey moved with his family from Mojaveto Avila in1951, he had no idea that hewould spend the majority of his life onthe same twenty-six acres that his parents had bought for a mere$4000. At agesixteen hehad goneto work on asport fishingboat outof Avila Harbor. It was hard work, but Dick loved it. He also foundsomething else to like about thejob. Theboatsowner had athirteen-year-old niecenamed Delores. One day, as he passed her on the roadin his old pickup, Dick surprised himself with the decision that thiswas thegirl hewas goingto marry.

But hefelt drawn back to Mojave. Working there, hekept thinkingabout that girl , though and they started to write oneanother. A stintin the Navy produced another separation and more letters.

Finally hecamehomeand by now his girl had grown into abeau-

tiful woman of nearly twenty. They had hardly spent any timetogether, though. Their entire relationship had evolved through letterwriting, but Deloresand Dick knew they were in love. They marriedand hewent to work in her familys tugboat operation business. Afterforty-one years, hefinally retired.

Thats when the trouble started. As Dick puts it, I used to makehomemade wine. It was really bad. In fact, my friends and I dubbedit Kelseys Vino Yucky. The last thing I ever imagined was that Idown a winery.

One day, however, Dick was sipping his coffee and staring at his

old garage. The thought occurred to him that it sure would make anicewinery building. No sooner did the thought form then he got acall from an old friend. Leonard Cohen wanted to start making wine.Washegame?Yeshewas, but Deloreshad other ideas. I wasmadderthan hell. In fact, I was in a snit about this for two years. What didwe know about wine?Weare seafaring people, not farmers.

I worked for my wifes family nearly all my life and I just wanteto create something of my own. Also, my two boys, Richard andKeith, had started work in the tug boat industry. I wanted somethingmore for them. Now Richard has his own 160 acres of vineyard inCreston and Keith is helping clear new vineyards to increase thewinerys production. Wehavea real family business.

And thankfully, Delorescamearound, too. Weput a lot of money

into this venture and a lot of hard work at a time when we weresupposed to be retired, but it has become the joy of our lives. Wekeep busy, helping out in the tasting room and our customers havebecome like family. I lovemeeting people and watching them fall inlovewith our wines.

Visit them at Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards, 1947 See CanyonRoad, San Luis Obispo; open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For moreinformation, call (805) 595-9700 or visit www.kelseywine.com.

Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards A Love Affair


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SAN LUIS OBISPO | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH

www.WineCountryThisMonth.com28

by Michael CervinOrigin

Documents

Central Coast - March 4, 2010