PASO ROBLES — Ranked 11th by last year’s U.S. food and wine festival calendar critics, the 2017 Paso Robles Wine Festival is scheduled for May 18-21 and will feature four days of dinners, tastings and educational seminars fit for both experienced and inexperienced palates.
“My deepest apology to Sonoma, but if they are the prince of wine, the Central Coast is the new king,” said Paul Katona, who attended last year’s festival.
The event will kick off Thursday evening with the Winemakers Dinner. On Friday, May 19, select wineries will share their library, reserve, white and rose and futures — all complemented by gourmet bites — at the night’s Reserve event. Festivities will continue throughout Saturday, May 20, with a day full of fun and educational winemaker seminars, featuring five winemakers showing a taste of the region’s diversity.
Guests will be able to learn about distinct growing regions in Paso Robles and the surrounding areas straight from the winemakers themselves. The day will culminate with more than 70 wineries coming together for a Grand Tasting at the Paso Robles Downtown City Park.
“This is the fourth year we’ve done it this way,” Wine Country Executive Director Jennifer Porter said. “Wine Country members choose which area they want to be in. Areas include Bordeaux, Rhone, Zinfandel, Burgundian, Italian and even other wild wines, like Spanish, for noncommittal members. While members will pour predominantly one varietal they may still have others, but for the most part they will focus on just the one.”
The goal of the last day of the festival, May 21, is to encourage people — both locals and visitors — to travel outside of the park and explore some of the 140 different events happening at North County wineries. One of the fastest growing wine regions in the state, there is sure to be something for everyone at one winery or another — whether it be eating dinner, dancing to live music by local artists or sampling new barrel releases.
“This is such a fun time to be in Paso,” past attendee Diane Walter said. “So many of my friends and I make it an annual weekend trip. Can’t wait.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit county health care, education and community service organizations.
Tickets, which are available now, can be purchased by visiting www.pasowine.com.
For information, call 805-239-8463 or email in**@pa******.com.
