2012 Festival Schedule
Thanks for choosing to attend the 2nd Annual Garagiste Festival where you’ll get to experience over 130 wines from 48 passionate independent winemakers from all over California in a unique and amazing setting – The Stallion Barn at Windfall Farms. Have questions? We’ll answer them. Just contact us at info@pasogaragiste.com.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, November 8th – 6:30pm
at Thomas Hill Organics
Multi-Winemaker Dinner featuring Chef Ludo Lefevbre
and the wines of Alta Colina, Bon Niche, Cloak & Dagger, Cutruzzola Vineyards, La Filice Winery and Von Holt Cellars with food provided by Ranchers Alliance, Pier46 Seafood & Dark Nectar Roasters.
Just to clarify, the Garagiste Dinner is a separate event and is NOT included in any other ticket package.
Friday, November 9th
“Samples, Shiners & Secrets” Winemaker Mixer
>> SOLD OUT <<
You must have a ticket to attend.
7:00-9:00 pm at Vines on the Marycrest Tasting Room
5076 Mustard Creek Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Start the weekend off by meeting some of the garagistes in a more casual, one-on-one setting where you’ll get the chance to try some rare and unusual wines that won’t be available at Saturday’s tasting. Forget “reserve” wines. How about some barrel samples and pre-releases? This one is all about the wine.
Saturday, November 10th
All Events at Windfall Farms
>>SOLD OUT<<
SEMINAR 1 – 11:ooam-Noon
“A Taste of Emerging Varietals“
Tired of drinking Chardonnay and Cabernet? Looking for something more unusual than Pinot?
So are our winemakers. In this seminar we’re showcasing some of the latest grapes making waves throughout California. You’ll not only be ahead of the curve, but you’ll learn from our garagistes why they chose to break away from the pack and craft wines from these currently, under-the-radar varietals. This panel of four innovative garagiste winemakers showcases some of the latest ‘breakaway’ grapes making waves throughout California.
• Albarino: Alan Kinne, winemaker for Bodegas M, whose wines reflect the spirit and tradition of the great Tempranillo and Albarino wines of Spain, will pour and share his experience with Albarino, a grape originally sourced from the Riax Biaxas region in Northwestern Spain that is rapidly growing in popularity with innovative winemakers, particularly in Paso Robles.
• Carginane: Amy Butler, winemaker and owner of Paso Robles winery Ranchero Cellars, which is committed to making small batches of wine using unique varietals and time-honored methods, will pour and discuss Carignane. Butler is one of a handful of winemakers taming (but not completely) this unusual grape, which has a reputation as a “wild and uncivilized’ variety, into the bottle.
• Grenache Blanc: William Allen, owner/winemaker of Two Shepherds Vineyards, a winery dedicated to making wines that “shepherd” grapes gently into non-manipulated and balanced old world style wines, will take on Grenache Blanc, a Rhone mostly used for blending – and a varietal that Allen is dedicated to featuring as a stand alone. Allen’s Grenache Blanc was named one of the top picks for this varietal by the San Francisco Chronicle.
• Petite Sirah: Aaron Jackson of Paso Robles’ Aaron Wines, will take attendees on an exploration of Petite Sirah, a varietal with an over 100 year history in California and which has been a staple of some of the most famous wines made in California. Petite Sirah is Jackson’s passion as reflected in his winery’s number one goal: to produce stellar Petite Sirah from superior Paso Robles vineyards.
SEMINAR 2 – 12:15pm-1:15pm
“Digging Deep Into Syrah: Microclimates, Terroir and Stylistic Decisions“
We know that Syrah still hasn’t managed to grab the public’s attention and frankly, we can’t understand why. This is the go-to grape variety for the Garagiste crew and with the help of some of the top California Rhone wine producers we will show how amazing and diverse it can be.
Andrew Murray (‘One of the most fearsome talents in food and wine’) leads a panel of Syrah specialists that also includes award-winning winemaker, Justin Kahler of JK Wine Company, who makes Syrahs from three distinct vineyards in CA and OR. Murray, whose eponymous winery, Andrew Murray Vineyards, is based in Santa Ynez, is passionate about Syrah: ‘I am proud to shout from the rooftops that I stuck with my first love, Syrah.’
Like Murray, Kahler has a special love for Syrah and has earned a reputation as one of the young winemaking stars in the Paso Robles area. Jeff Cohn of JC Cellars goes to great lengths to marry California fruit to the aspects of terroir and minerality you’d find in France’s oldest winemaking regions. Among some of Cohn’s most important discoveries include the Rockpile region in Sonoma, where nine years ago he began sourcing the Syrah grapes that are now the main component of his most elegant and complex wines.
With San Luis Obispo having the largest vineyard area planted to the grape and the Paso AVA producing the most wines using it, Syrah has become the go-to-grape variety for Central Coast garagistes. To demonstrate how astounding this grape can be, the panel will take attendees on a unique tasting exploration of the varietal, illuminating its diversity, intensity and quality.
MEDIA & TRADE TASTING
11:30am-1:30pm
GRAND TASTING
>> SOLD OUT<<
VIP TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
2:00-5:00pm
Find your favorites amongst our lineup of 48 winemakers who will be pouring over 150 different wines. Everything from Albarino to Zinfandel will be available to try. We know you’re going to discover more than a few new favorites.
WINEMAKER AFTER PARTY
6:00-9:00pm
Enjoy more wine, beer and live music while continuing to chat with the winemakers.
It takes a lot of beer to make great wine. Thanks to Firestone Walker we’ll have plenty of locally brewed 805 on hand to help keep the conversation flowing.
We’re thrilled to have the Porter’s Truck back.
A bit peckish after all that wine tasting? They’ve got you covered.
Sunday, November 11th
11:00am-1:00pm at The Vintner’s Vault 3230 Riverside Ave, Suite 140, Paso Robles, CA 93446
“Your First Vintage” Winemaker Symposium
This seminar is a “must” for those wishing to learn the literal requirements for making your first vintage or improving upon your past efforts. It will be a literal nuts and bolts, tips and techniques seminar, describing all of the elements required to make wine in small volume.
For those not wishing to make wine it can also serve as an excellent behind the scenes look into the actual art of winemaking. Starting on your first vintage can be a daunting prospect, however this seminar will outline all of the key elements required from grape to bottle. You will leave empowered and excited at the prospect of embarking upon your very first vintage.
Here in Paso we are fortunate to be blessed with all of the elements required to make great wine but perhaps the most important is gaining the “knowledge” passed on from those who have been there and done that. Look forward to a fun, friendly and educational time spent amongst fellow winemaking aficionados. We will of course also be following the first golden rule of winemaking and that is ” It takes good beer to make good wine”. Reserve your spot early as seating is limited.
>> SOLD OUT <<
The Garagiste Festival is a non-profit organization. We are proud to support the young winemakers at the Wine and Viticulture Program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. NO ONE – including your cute baby – under the age of 21 will be admitted to the Festival. No animals allowed except for service dogs. You must present your ticket and a photo ID to gain admittance. If tix purchased by check, your name will be at Check-In.
