PASO ROBLES, CA—For many who love California’s Central Coast wines the highlight of the Paso Robles Wine Festival came on day two, Saturday, May 21 2011. The Grand Tasting allowed visitors to spend the afternoon in Paso Robles’ charming downtown City Park where wineries poured a great variety of their regional wines.

To my great relief, this year, the notorious summer heat did not materialized and comfortable temperatures prevailed. All in attendance were well-behaved and in good spirits. It was a superb day. If you were unable to attend, here’s a glimpse into what you missed…

The event was held from 2-6 p.m. Although large crowds were in attendance, the park where wines were served is spread over a large area and so the overall feeling of the day was quite comfortable and gregarious.

After a short wait in line visitors were allowed to enter the cordoned off event area.

Winemaker Ken Volk was happy to greet visitors and pour his outstanding Kenneth Volk wines. If you haven’t tried them—you simply MUST. Many years back, it was one of Ken’s sumptuous wines that first induced me to begin work on a book about California’s Central Coast wine country. He’s one of the most talented blending artists in the region.

Another talented winemaker that I was fortunate to spend some time with was Neil Collins of Lone Madrone. (If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Neil is also the winemaker for Tablas Creek Vineyard.) I wish I could recall what he was pouring for me in the photo because it was GREAT! Both his Lone Madrone tasting room and the Tablas Creek hospitality center are located in Paso Robles.

A special guest showed up that day! Yes, it’s the Paso Wine Man (aka Casey Biggs, star of stage and screen). Sure, you recognize him as the Cardassian Damar from TV’s Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. But many, many others now know and love him for his dry brand of humor as demonstrated in a current series of hysterical YouTube commercials promoting Paso Robles wine. On screen, as the Paso Wine Man, he’s SO good you can’t help but love him. In person, I found him to be reserved, respectful, sincere, very likable, and perhaps even a bit modest. Bravo, Casey Biggs!

It was nice to see Mitch Wyss, award-winning viticulturist for Halter Ranch, after such a long time. The last time we had a chance to chat was well over a year ago. Mitch and wife Leslie live on the ranch and maintain the health of the vineyards. His goal is to create a vineyard that would last 100 years or more. To ensure longevity of the vines, he has committed to a program of sustainable practices that includes the use of organic products and biodynamic preparations, as well as some dry farming. Mitch maintains gardens for beneficial insects, refrains from spraying harsh chemicals, and relies on chickens to eliminate destructive pests. If you’ve never been to their tasting room, renovated Victorian farmhouse, and cottage gardens, you haven’t been to Paso! It’s a must-see! (Oh, yes, and their wine is pretty damn good too! YOU MUST try their Ancester Estate Reserve: it’s the best from their estate each year without regard to varietal.)

Wine festivals are about much more than just snacking on bite-size hors d’oeuvres and navigating freeways of frenzied wine tasters. Half the fun are the people you meet in between and along the way. Sydney Thatcher is a Hershey’s Chocolate sales rep. who certainly knows the sinful delights (and health benefits?) of chocolate and wine… I was thrilled to learn that she had recently purchased three copies of The California Directory of Fine Wineries, Central Coast edition. “I bought three as gifts and one for me… It’s the best guide to our Central Coast offerings. It’s a self-guided tour!” (Thank you Sydney!)

Her sister, Julie Campbell is a professional photographer who covers all types of events on California’s Central Coast. These two wine lovers are a wonderful example of the dear, high-spirited folks who gather at such events. It was great to meet them!

Perhaps they are in disguise? For it is a rare treat to find the Ortman clan, Lisa, Chuck, and son, Matt, together in one place. This esteemed Central Coast winemaking family’s modest downtown tasting room, just down the block from the Grand Tasting event, is the best place to taste their Ortman Family Vineyards’ line-up of wines (e.g. Cabernet, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, and Syrah).

This absolutely beautiful flower arrangement at the edge of one of the booths was designed to lure visitors to taste the host’s wine. It worked as I drifted by their table to enjoy the fragrant display… But please don’t ask whose wine was being served. (LOL)

I’ll tell you why this man is smiling… It’s because his wines are awesome. Steve Anglim was pouring some absolutely fabulous stuff. (One of my favorite wines of the day!) As I sipped, a gentlemen tasting beside me turned to spy my reaction. We both looked at each other and nodded. We didn’t have to speak a word. The look said it all. Wow.

What’s that? You never heard of Anglim Winery? Well, now you have. They only make about 3500-4000 cases annually. The tasting room is located in a restored 122-year-old building that once served as Paso Robles’ train depot. It’s a bright and airy space. The wines are food-friendly. Take a bottle to dinner. (I’ll recommend a splendid, new, nearby restaurant in a future post).

At these regional events it’s wonderful to have the chance to meet and chat with the winemakers and owners behind the wine. Pictured above is Tom Lane winemaker for Bianchi Winery who enjoyed visiting that day with his customers. This was my first in-person meeting with him. His easy-going personality kept me engaged a bit too long as others were waiting to meet him. One woman waiting in line gave me the “evil eye”.

Tom’s specialties include: Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, and the Zen Ranch Zinfandel. At their popular Paso Robles tasting room., about 6 miles east of downtown, you’ll find many more varieties. Visitors love its location among oak-studded rolling hills. There’s a lovely lake beside their tasting room that invites visitors to linger.

Why is Opolo Vineyards such a favorite winery destination? The place is always buzzing with activity. Is it the weekend festivities and grilled delicacies (e.g. their own Cevapcici, a Serbian-style roll of minced beef)? Is the the fact that you can sip your choice from the winery’s thirty-some offerings on a covered deck while taking in the vineyard views? Well, not only is it all of the above but, in addition, it’s the cool vibe! It’s a great place to chill. I’ve had many conversations with co-owner David Nichols. He is always upbeat and rather mellow. Get him together with Opolo’s other half, Rick Quinn, and magic happens. They two business partners have created a must-visit tasting room and unique experience. Their loyal fans ride the edge of obsessive. Weekends are good there. That’s when it’s most crowded and that’s when it’s the most fun!

Broadcasting LIVE from the Grand Tasting were the locally renowned “Cork Dorks” (Adam Montiel and Jeremy West) from The KRUSH 92.5 “The Perfect Blend” (streaming online at KRUSH925.com). The guys pulled me out of the crowd and spoke to me about… well, come on… you know!!!

At the end of the day, when most melancholy festival-goers begin to filter through the exit gates, I was too energized from the events of the day to head back to the hotel. I shuffled past the nostalgic downtown storefronts toward 13th Street, heading for the family-owned and operated Pianetta Winery Tasting Room. These folks have farmed in California since the 1920s… In 2006, theirs was among the first tasting rooms to open in downtown Paso Robles.

Though Caitlin Pianetta runs the tasting room (and whatever else the tiny 2,700 case enterprise might need to be done from helping with crush to chemical analysis), her dad, John, is the man behind their wine. He’s not often available and is usually tending to the vineyards. I was SO pleased to find him there that afternoon. He told he that he had literally just stepped off the tractor!

Several years ago, I fell head over heals with their Tuscan style blend. All their wines are solid, beaming with that luscious Central Coast fruit.

News Flash: Pianetta Vineyards will again be bottling the super popular “jug wine” this month (June, 2011). They’ve been pre-selling it via the tasting room at a good discount. Though I’m dying to try it, so far, I’ve heard that it’s pretty darn good!

…In closing this post I must say that this was a fantastic event. The annual Grand Tasting is most certainly something to add to your annual calender for May, 2012.