Celebrating the pronounced coastal climate that makes the region’s wines so distinctive, the San Luis Obispo (SLO) Wine Country Association hosts its 24th annual “Harvest on The Coast” extravaganza on November 7 – 9, 2014. This series of wine and food events includes a collaborative winemaker dinner on November 7; winery tasting room open houses on November 9; and the main event—an open-air, ocean-view Grand Tasting and Wine Auction on November 8 at the Avila Beach Golf Resort from noon to 3 p.m. ($85 / $95 for 11 a.m. early entry).
GRAND TASTING & AUCTION – November 8
Attendees at the Grand Tasting and Wine Auction enjoy all-inclusive wine tastings provided by the winemakers of SLO Wine Country; cuisine by more than two dozen local chefs and artisan food producers; and live music by Cuesta Ridge, a local band beloved for its strains of acoustic Americana with bluegrass flavor. Along with all of this comes a winemaker-hosted wine and lifestyle auction featuring rare wines, culinary treats and SLO Wine Country destination experiences. (See examples of exciting auction items below).
“The winemakers and growers are going all out to provide some incredible auction items,” said Heather Muran, Executive Director of SLO Wine Country. “As always, it’s going to be raucous and fun.”
She adds that one of the more popular live-auction lots is called “fund a need,” where auction monies benefit a local cause. This year’s chosen non-profit is the Family Care Network, a family services provider for more than 1,400 families throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Meanwhile, SLO Wine Country has teamed up with the Avila Beach Tourism Alliance to offer a $20 per ticket discount off the Saturday Grand Tasting for attendees booking their stay in Avila Beach. For information and tickets, visit www.slowine.com or contact (805) 541-5868, info@slowine.com. A “designated driver” ticket is also available for $30.
CRAFTED ON THE COAST – November 7
Other weekend events include “Crafted on the Coast,” ($120), a collaborative winemaker dinner happening at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa on Friday, November 7 at 5:30 p.m. The evening includes a patio reception; wines from nine different winemakers; plus a multi-course “Secret Mystery” dining experience crafted by Sycamore’s own Chef Gregg Wangard. Attendees are also invited to enjoy discount accommodations at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa.
“GO COASTAL” OPEN HOUSES – November 9
Sunday, November 9 is a winery open house day where participants who attended Saturday’s Grand Tasting are invited to “Go Coastal in SLO Wine Country” and enjoy complimentary tastings. This is a chance to visit local tasting rooms; enjoy light bites and live entertainment; and take advantage of wine discounts including the “Six-Pack Sampler Program,” where wineries offer a group of six wines at a special event price.
SAMPLING OF AUCTION ITEMS
Some of this year’s November 8 auction items include:
-Endless Summer...in Montana! (five-day, four night luxury cabin retreat for four at the Montana Sporting Club with access to sporting club activities, amenities, Polaris Ranger vehicle and personal ranch host.
-Blend If You Want To! (private blending seminar for six with Winemaker Mike Sinor of Sinor-LaVallee. Create one barrel of wine (12 cases to be shared amongst six guests). Includes one-night stay at the Avila La Fonda Hotel in Avila Beach.
-Wine Weekend Getaway in the Edna Valley (includes two-night stay at the Kurtz Casita in the Edna Valley for four; Claiborne & Churchill Winery gourmet winemaker dinner and separate library tasting).
-May the MAGNUM FORCE Be with You (eclectic collection of 11 magnum (1.5L) bottles from SLO Wine Country member wineries).
-Private Stay with the Talley Family (three-night getaway for four and dining at Rosemary Talley's home in Sun Valley, Idaho; dining at acclaimed restaurant in Ketchum, Idaho; two magnums of Talley Vineyards Wine for each couple.
-Year of Wine Club Memberships (wine club memberships for a full year to several wineries; includes pick-up parties and club member discounts).
-When the Sun goes Down...at the Casitas Estates! (two night Stay at The Casitas Estate for eight. Includes candlelight dinner by Luna Red with Kynsi Winery’s winemaker; wine country luncheon beneath century old oaks; educational tasting of Pinot Noir clones; and one bottle of Kynsi’s finest for each guest).
In the San Luis Obispo Wine Country on California’s Central Coast—or “SLO Wine Country,” as locals call it—the Pacific Ocean shapes our culture, our terrain and our wines. Here, where our wineries boast an average distance of just five miles from the water, the prevailing marine conditions are among the most pronounced of any wine region in California. Our ocean-cooled environment fosters unifying qualities that are native to the wines of SLO Wine Country. For details and wine tasting information, visit SLOWine.com.
WWW.SLOWINE.COM