PASO ROBLES, CA—On day one, Friday, May 20 2011, fans of California’s Central Coast wines had the chance to mix, mingle, and taste with a number of revered Paso Robles winemakers, owners, and professional staff. The “Reserve” tasting event kicked off the 29th Annual Wine Festival, a weekend of tastings, auctions, seminars and dinners. But there was a catch. Each of the more than 50 wineries in attendance could only showcase a single wine—presumably their best. Of course there were morsels of food to sample between gulps as local chefs and caterers offered culinary tidbits reflecting local flavors of the region. The finale of the afternoon brought a Futures Auction where eight wineries offered big lots of unreleased wines to the highest bidders. Most in attendance were too busy tasting to take part in the auction. But that allowed for some real deals that went to a select few!

The Reserve event took place in the late afternoon within a grand white circus tent. Fortunately, the notorious daytime heat from past years did not materialize. Cool temps made for an enjoyable time! I highly recommend not just this event but the Grand Tasting in the park held on the following day… But more on that event in a separate post to follow a bit later.

Always a gentleman, Paul Sowerby sales manager of Adelaida Cellars proudly poured their highly acclaimed 2006 Cabernet Viking Reserve.

Mike Mooney from the 3,500 case ultra-boutique Chateau Margene was on hand to greet his many fans by pouring a 2007 Reserve Cabernet. (Personal Note: Their Mooney Family Reserve 2009 Pinot from Santa Lucia Highlands is nearly sold out. I was offered a private taste of this coveted lot and found it quite luscious!

When it comes to food and drink I believe that face-to-face connections matter. It is most satisfying to enjoy fine wine from good local people — folks you have met and know personally. Would you agree?

I was thrilled to meet (and taste wine with) Maggie D’Ambrosia from Windward Vineyard. Maggie and Marc Goldberg specialize in 100% estate-grown and produced Burgundian-style, Pinot Noir. The pair take great pride in their handcrafted wines produced on the Westside of Paso Robles. Here she was pouring their just released 2008 Barrel Select Pinot Noir. It was the first time that this wine had ever been served at an event. Simply delicious!

Wild Horse Winery brought out the goods! OMG! Their 2008 Unbridled Reserve Cabernet from the Cerro Prieto Vineyard tasted crazy good! Many of their very best wines are only available at the Templeton, California tasting room. I highly recommend a visit. 

Wild Horse winemaker Chrissy Wittmann was happy to chat about her wines in great detail. It was a real treat meeting her.

Marc Laderriere from Vina Robles was on hand to showcase their wonderful 2007 Syree blend. I found it to be a terrific wine. I’ve just learned that respected Central Coast winemaker Nick de Luca has recently joined their team.

Always thinking out of the box, Jason Haas from Tables Creek Vineyard was one of the only wineries represented at the event showcasing a white wine. Here he is pictured with their White Rhone Blend: a 2009 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc. It’s a traditional blend of Southern Rhone varietals: 62% Roussane, 26% Grenache Blanc, 12% Picpoul Blanc. I was pleased to find that this wine is produced from an organically farmed vineyard!

His infectious smile invites visitors to kick back, relax, and enjoy life. It’s Ted Plemons from Cass Vineyard & Winery. Though Ted was pouring his 2008 Reserve blend, it won’t be released until next November. What’s in it? A mix of Cabernet, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. It had medium body and finesse. By the way, their tasting room is magical. Surrounded by oak trees and gentle rolling hills, it’s in the outskirts of Paso Robles near Creston; a great place to taste and relax. I’ll often see horseback riders stop by to linger in the tranquil setting.

It is always a delight to visit with Paul Hoover from Still Waters Vineyard. This passionate Central Coast winemaker followed his dream by starting out with a one-acre vineyard in the El Pomar District. He now has 60 aces producing fourteen varieties and has received a number of gold medals. At the Reserve event Paul poured his 2005 Estate Cabernet. If memory serves me, it is a well-crafted blend of Cabernet, Cab Franc, and Malbec.

Yes, of course! Food must be presented to fill out the flavors of the region.

The event was not too crowded at all and everyone was having a good time.

Even wine tasting can be exhausting. With so many wonderful wines to be sampled it’s important to take some time at the end of the day and reflect.

Next post will recap the Grand Tasting in the park which followed on Day Two.