Wine

Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival
March 14–16
Fans of that jammy, spicy red-wine grape known as Zinfandel are passionate about their particular vino of choice, and they’ll go anywhere to indulge in a glass of sinfully good Zin.

Zinfandel lovers will converge on California’s central coast March 14–16 for the 16th annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, when nearly 100 wineries throughout the greater Paso area will showcase their distinctive blends of Zin. 

Zin fans can tour Paso and sample wines all weekend, but the main Zin Fest event is slated for the evening of Saturday, March 15, at the Paso Robles Event Center, and includes live and silent auctions, cuisine from local restaurants and a grand tasting of
Zinfandel wines from more than 40 wineries in the Paso Robles appellation. Tickets are $60 to $85.

“This is one of the largest Zinfandel tastings in the country,” says Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Executive Director Stacie Jacob. “As this region’s heritage variety, it’s no wonder so many wine enthusiasts look forward to it each year. It’s an exciting event.”

“Zinfandel is more popular than ever,” notes Lance Silver, co-owner of Tobin James Cellars, which produces 11 different Zinfandels. “Zinfandel is only grown in California, but it appeals to the American palate. It’s big and bold and makes no excuses. It is what it is, and that’s why people love it.”

Tobin James holds its own Zinfandel party for wine club members that same weekend, featuring food from 2 dozen restaurants, 4 live bands and lots of wine on both Friday and Saturday night. “And like most wineries in Paso, we’ll have a party atmosphere all weekend for any guests who come to our tasting room,” says Silver.

Events like Zin Fest cause local hotels to fill up fast, but rooms are generally available in the nearby towns of San Luis Obispo and Cambria.  

For more information about the Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, visit pasowine.com or contact the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance at 800.549.WINE.

Santa Barbara County Vinter’s Festival
April 18-21
The movie “Sideways” – about 2 guys on a road trip through Santa Barbara wine country – propelled Pinot Noir to the forefront of America’s palate, and it helped cement Santa Barbara’s fame as a renowned wine-growing region.

Discover for yourself just how good these wines are during the Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Festival, a 4-day celebration of food and wine held March 18-21 at wineries throughout the greater Santa Barbara region, including Santa Ynez, Solvang and Los Olivos.

The main event is held on Saturday, March 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at River Park in Lompoc, and features wine from 100 local wineries, creative cuisine from the area’s renowned chefs, live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 per person.
Make a weekend of wine tasting by buying a Vintners Visa for $35. This 4-day pass is good for admission to 12 tasting rooms. Or buy a combo Vintner’s Fest and Visa ticket for $100.

Many local wineries host special events such as winemaker dinners that weekend, so visit SBCountyWines.com for more information and to buy Vintners Festival tickets.

San Luis Obispo: Roll Out the Barrel Passport Weekend
May 1–4
Located between Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo is an often-overlooked wine region that deserves attention. SLO will get plenty of attention, and plenty of visitors, at the annual Roll Out the Barrels Weekend, May 1–4.

The kickoff event, Barrels in the Plaza, is held Thursday evening in downtown SLO’s mission plaza from 5:30–7:30 p.m. and focuses on the theme “Grown Here, Made Here.” SLO vintners partner with local food producers and vendors to celebrate a complete culinary experience that comes from the SLO area.

On Friday, March 2, various wineries host special winemakers dinners. The rest of the weekend is a Passport to Wine Country event, which allows visitors entry to 16 wineries offering wine-and-food pairings, reserve-barrel tastings, entertainment and special discounts.

“Last year the events sold out because we limit the number of tickets so that we can offer a small- town, personal feel to this weekend,” says Becky Gray, San Luis Obispo Vintners executive director. “We celebrate not only the wine but an entire culinary experience and personalities behind the scenes of SLO.”

For more information, visit slowine.com.