View As PDF - Wine Country This Week

WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | CALENDAR OF EVENTSAPRIL 16A Toast to PaderewskiPear Valley Winery – Join the Rhone Ranger wineries as they celebrate at thistasting and concert benefiting the Paderewski Festival. 6-7:30pmFor tickets & information, www.paderewskifest.comAPRIL 16Earth Day Food & Wine FestivalPomar Junction Winery, Templeton– Indulge in unlimited samples of seasonallybased dishes, taste from over 150 Central Coast wines, kick up your heels tolive music and visit with farmers who nurture a healthy environment.$40-$600, www.earthdayfoodandwine.com, 805-369-2288• Premier–Gates Open, 1pm, reserved seating at a table, unlimited samples offood and wine, a commemorative wine glass and a tote filled with gifts.• General–Gates Open at 2pm, includes a commemorative wine glass.APRIL 16The Pleasant Valley Wine TrailBourdeaux BlitzRiverStar Vineyards will host all of its' fellow Pleasant Valley Wine Trailmembers for a fun day of live music and delicious appetizers paired with all ofthe participating wineries' great wines. Last year's Blitz was a great success, sodon't miss out! Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Foundation.$25/Advance,$35/at-the door, www.pleasantvalleywinetrail.comAPRIL 16Misty River at Castoro CellarsIndoor concert–A four woman folk/Americana band. One of the finest, most entertainingbands in the Pacific Northwest. Doors open at 6:30 pm, 7:30pm Concert$20, www.castorocellars.com, wine available for purchase,1-888-DAM-FINEAPRIL 16Fun in the Park and Easter Egg HuntDowntown Paso Robles Main Street – The Easter Bunny is coming! Children ages 4 to9 will bring their baskets and search the downtown City Park for their share of thousandsof eggs stuffed with prizes and candy. The egg hunts begin at 11am SHARPand will be conducted by age groups. Children age 3 and under will be given theireggs by the Easter Bunny at the City Park Holiday House. Hot Dogs (by the El Paso deRobles Area Historical Society), face painting and balloon animals by Freckles theClown and more. 10am-2pm, 805-238-4103, www.pasoroblesdowntown.orgAPRIL 17Farming with the Wild Vineyard Tourat Halter RanchMeet at Halter Ranch Tasting Room – As farmers, they strive to co-exist withtheir "neighbors" through sustainable farming. In this vineyard tour, you'llspend the morning with winegrower and avid birdwatcher/naturalist MitchWyss in the back country of 960 acre Halter Ranch. Mitch will answer questionsabout the vineyard and their sustainability program as you climb up to the topof the ridge for the big view. Spring wildflowers abound and you may even getto see the prized chocolate lilly! They'll end up at the pond for a picnic lunchand wine tasting. 10am-1pm, $45, Club discounts apply – lunch included888-367-9977, info@halterranch.com, www.halterranch.comAPRIL 17Biodynamic and Organic GardenWorkshop & LunchKenneth Volk Tasting Room – Join them with Lone Madrone and Fat Cat Farmsas they celebrate the Earth Day Food & Wine Festival. International Biodynamicexpert Philippe Coderey will lead an introduction to Biodynamics through interactivedemonstrations. Rhoda Chute, of their fabulous onsite organic herbnursery, Fat Cat Farms, will be putting on a "plant your own organic herbgarden" workshop that will be followed by a delicious lunch paired with KVVand Lone Madrone wines. For information call 805-238-0845.APRIL 182011 Wine Education Series: FranceRhone Valley/Southern FranceNiner Wine Estates Hospitality Center – Wine writer and critic Robert Parkeronce wrote that the Rhone Valley produces some of the best wines that can befound in France, in both quality and affordability. Unfortunately, with hispronouncement, affordable Rhone wines have become more difficult to comeby. Learn how Popes and peasants alike have influenced the wines of theRhone. 6-8:30pm $75/Single Class; $337.30/Five Class Program; $1,275/FullCourse Program, CLUB 9 discounts do apply.805-239-2233, info@ninerwine.comAPRIL 20Easter Themed Cooking Classat Meridian VineyardsLearn the art of pairing food and wine. Enjoy an evening of food, flights andfusion while expert chefs from Trumpet Vine Catering prepare menus sure todelight your senses. 6-9pm, $30/includes food, wine & take-home menus.RSVP, 805-226-7133, www.meridianvineyards.comAPRIL 24Easter Brunchat Meridian VineyardsBring the family to enjoy a fun morning including an egg hunt in the gardensfor the children & private wine tasting for the adults,10:30am. Catered by TwoCooks Catering, 11am, $25/+tax Adults; $15/+tax Children, 805-226-7133www.meridianvineyards.com, julie.domingos@am.fostersgroup.comAPRIL 252011 Wine Education Series:Italy - Northern RegionsNiner Wine Estates Hospitality Center – Italians embrace wine as not only partof a meal but a part of life itself. Italy makes wines from over 900 different varietals.Out of necessity, they will concentrate on only a handful of the majorItalian grapes. This class will concentrate on the major wine regions of NorthernItaly and the diversity of wines found in the Northern provinces.6-8:30pm, $75/Single Class; $337.30/Five Class Program; $1,275/Full CourseProgram, CLUB 9 discounts do apply. 805-239-2233, info@ninerwine.comAPRIL 28Ortman Family Wines Presents“An Evening With Lady Gouda”Enjoy a decadent taste of Holland as Jean Higgins – a.k.a. “Lady Gouda” – of DiRaimondo’s Italian Market & Cheese Shop pairs their wines with four artisancheeses from the Netherlands. www.ortmanwines.com, RSVP, 805-237-9009APRIL 28-3019th Annual Hospice du RhôneThree days in the late spring have been reserved for an exclusive weekendsurrounding all things Rhône. Hospice du Rhône is a palate provoking weekendembracing the enchantment, history and tastes of the twenty-two Rhônevarieties. Plan to tip your glass with worldly Rhône wine producers, journeythrough the largest international collection of Rhône variety wines and savorRhône inspired cuisine all while taking in the inspiring and spirited Rhônecommunity. Weekend Package - $795 per person (must be purchased inadvance online), hospicedurhone.org, 805-784-9543• Rhone 'n Bowl - $100 per person (must be purchased in advance online)• Friday Rhône Rendezvous and Saturday Grand Tasting - $100 online and$110 at the door if not sold out in advance• Friday Rosé Lunch and Saturday Auction Lunch - $100 per person (mustbe purchased in advance online)• Soirée - $125 per person (must be purchased in advance online)A limited number of Friday Rhône Rendezvous and Saturday Grand Tastingtickets may be available for purchase for $110 at the Event Check-in. Best topurchase in advance as passes are sold on a first-come, first served basis.APRIL 30Vintage Sidecar ShowRecycled Treasures & Garden ArtIndulge in the joys of recycled treasures in downtown Paso Robles and at thesame time, enjoy the vintage sidecars and bicycles of days gone by.9am-3pm, 805-238-4103, www.pasoroblesdowntown.orgMAY 22011 Wine Education Series: Italy -Central and Southern RegionsNiner Wine Estates Hospitality Center – The warmer Mediterranean climate ofTuscany and Southern Italy produces a diverse selection of red and white wines.Chianti may be the best known, but the southern regions still offer some of thebest wine deals in both affordability and quality. In addition, Sicily producesone of the forgotten fortified wines, Marsala, which is much more than just acooking wine. 6-8:30pm, $75/Single Class; $337.30/Five Class Program;$1,275/Full Course Program, CLUB 9 discounts do apply.805-239-2233, info@ninerwine.comMAY 7Run for the Rosesat Niner Wine EstatesCelebrate their spring release, Kentucky Derby Style! Live music, SauvignonBlanc-based mint juleps, Kentucky eats & of course race-viewing from the bigscreen. Complimentary/CLUB 9 members (2 people), $20 per additional guestRSVP, 805-239-2233, info@ninerwine.comMAY 8Tennessee Jimmy Harrell & theDriftwood Band at CastoroTennessee Jimmy Harrell is known as "The Country Gentleman." Influenced byearly country, bluegrass, western swing, rhythm & blues and classic rock,Jimmy's smooth country voice accompanied by his skilled guitar playing is relevantin every performance. Bring your picnic, your mom, and make it a beautifulafternoon of music, wine and fun! 1-4pm, free, www.castorocellars.comPost your events at www.WineCountryThisMonth.com11