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Paso Robles Harvest Wine Tour:
October 19-21
Paso Robles is the perfect place to visit any time of year, but harvest is particularly fun and colorful. Warm days and cool nights are a boon to both grape growing and tourism, while the vineyard hues change to red and gold. Scents of ripened fruit permeate the air, while the sounds of celebration from a year’s worth of hard work echo throughout the valley. What better time to celebrate harvest than with the annual Paso Robles Wine Harvest Wine Tour in October.
The three-day celebration of the beginning of the 2007 vintage is a combination of individual events held at more than 100 wineries throughout Paso Robles Wine Country. Consumers are invited to attend winemaker dinners, barrel tastings, harvest demonstrations, special tours, cooking classes, grape stompings, and much more.
Why Paso? Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles is California’s fastest-growing wine region. Acclaimed both nationally and internationally for its superb wines, Paso Robles encompasses more than 26,000 vineyard acres and over 170 wineries.
The Paso Robles Vintners Association website has a complete list of participating wineries and events, as well as local lodging and dining options. For more information, visit pasowine.com
Temecula Valley Harvest Wine Celebration:
November 3 & 4
In celebration of a year’s culmination of hard work with the vines, Temecula Valley wineries invite the public to join them for a fun-filled weekend. Over this two-day span, a ticket price of $83 allows wine aficionados access to all 21 participating wineries of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association.
In addition to their usual selections, wineries will offer specially selected new and unreleased wines as well as barrel and tank samples.
Also, the ticket price includes cuisine created especially to complement the wines at each location. Enjoy food catered by local Temecula restaurants, in-house winery restaurants, and good old homestyle cooking by the vintners themselves.
For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association at temeculawines.org.
San Luis Obispo Vintners Annual Harvest Celebration:
November 2-4
San Luis Obispo is not always on the tip of the tongue when it comes to discussing wine regions, but it should be: SLO vintners make some terrific wines that receive growing attention.
See for yourself during the annual Harvest Celebration in November.
On the first day, SLO wineries and restaurants partner to create unique and festive wine & food experiences.
Also, join winemakers and winery owners at the Avila Beach Golf Resort Nov. 3 as more than 30 San Luis Obispo wineries and restaurants celebrate the harvest with a tasting and auction, featuring wineries and restaurants from the San Luis Obispo region. The live auction features a wide range of wine formats and experiences, while the spectacular flavors of local chefs and winemakers will be accompanied by the smooth sounds of jazz. Complimentary admission to Sunday Open Houses at participating wineries is included in the $75 admission fee.
The Harvest Celebration concludes Nov. 4 with SLO Winery Open House Celebrations. Discover the rationale that shaped the SLO wine region as vintners open their doors for tours, tasting, and more.
For more information and tickets, visit slowine.com, or call 805.541.5858 or 805.269.TASTE.
Santa Barbara Vintners’ Association Celebration of Harvest:
October 13
Downtown Santa Barbara may be known for the great restaurants, bars, and shops on State Street as well as the beautiful beaches lining the coast, but travel another 30 minutes north on Highway 101 and discover the beauty of Santa Barbara County’s luscious wine regions in the thick of harvest.
To celebrate the excitement surrounding the picking of the grapes, the Santa Barbara Vintner’s Association holds its annual Celebration of Harvest Oct. 13 at Rancho Sisquoc in Santa Maria Valley.
Enjoy great food samples from local restaurants, caterers and food suppliers, live music, a Silent Wine Auction, and, most importantly, an outstanding showcase of new-release wines from many of the local wineries.
Santa Barbara County is known for everything from the outstanding Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays emanating from Santa Rita Hills to the powerful Syrahs and Sauvignon Blancs in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Consider extending your stay to take advantage of the Vintners’ Visa, a four-day pass (Oct. 12-15) that includes admission to special tours and winemakers dinners at participating wineries – events offered only to Vintners’ Visa holders.
For more information, visit the Santa Barbara Vintners’ Association website at sbcountywines.com.
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