An historic building, for over a century a bustling part of downtown Paso Robles, will soon have a new tenant to add to its long history: General Store Paso Robles will open this Spring.  Offering provisions for picnic, pantry and home, the store will specialize in Central Coast goods. It will face the park at 841 12th Street, next to the future home of Artisan Restaurant.

Erin Stuck, Jillian Waters and Joeli Yaguda, proprietors of General Store Paso Robles, bring a combined 25 years of Paso Robles food, farm and retail experience. “Moving here from Portland, I was used to amazing food purveyors. Paso blew me away with how much access there is to farmers and artisans, in addition to incredible wine,” says Ms. Stuck. 

The 10th Annual Paso Robles Olive Festival, a Paso Robles Main Street Association event, will be held Saturday, August 17, 2013. The festival is 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Paso Robles Downtown City Park. Admission is free. There is only a fee for wine and beer tasting. 

“Join us for olive tasting, olive oil, head to head cook off, cooking contest, artists, crafters, wine tasting, and more,“ organizer Norma Moye says. “It’s a beautiful day of tasting all that nature has to offer through that wonderful fruit called “the olive”.”

Crown Limousine is a great choice for wine tasting tours

You sit at the back of a dimly lit stretch limousine, reclining upon the sleek leather seats, leisurely sipping a glass of Champagne as the car rolls smoothly over the dark roads. Casually, you glance out the window in time to notice a car that just swerved in front of your vehicle. The move that might have caused another driver to slam on the breaks was swiftly neutralized by your driver’s quick reflexes and sound tactical skills. You, as a passenger, felt not a thing. In a few moments, the limo rolls around to the entrance of the party you’re attending tonight and the driver stops, walks around to your door and helps you out of the vehicle. You’ve arrived in style. You’ve arrived in safety.  You’ve arrived with Crown Limousine. 

Jim Norman takes over family-run Norman Vineyards

Norman Vineyards, established in 1971, was one of the original vineyards to be planted in Paso Robles, on a cool stretch of the west side on Vineyard Drive, an area now bursting with vineyards and wineries. The late wine pioneer and "Godfather of Zin" Art Norman and his wife Lei grew their vines and business from the ground up, researching and fine-tuning as they went to create the best quality grapes possible.
After twenty years of premium grape growing, they decided to start their own winery in1992. Though they had envisioned a small operation, producing perhaps a few thousand cases of wine per year, the instant success and acclaim they achieved led them to grow.

Taste handcrafted red wines at Rocky Creek Cellars

Lord Kuma Notabi lay sprawled out on the pavement soaking up the warm sun in front of the entrance to Rocky Creek Cellars tasting room. One could tell he was royalty not only because of the white plush fur coat that was spread liberally across his body, but from the haughty gaze he flashed out of his dark eyes at the people who passed by on their way to the door.

His canine mind wondered as usual just what the attraction was inside as he had witnessed visitors eagerly coming to the winery for years now. He could understand it if they came to enjoy something like the huge bowls of food his servants placed before him every day. But that's not what they wanted. They came to taste the liquid that filled the dark bottles that lined the shelves along the wall. He'd never know these delights but was content that it made his servants happy to supply these people with this elixir. He rose, and stretched, and ambled inside to take in the action at the tall bar.

Born in Budapest, John Somogyi brings a decidedly Hungarian flare to the experience of tasting Rocky Creek's Rhone varietals. The twinkle in his eyes belies his attempt at serious conversation as he tells his story and one finds themselves laughing as he indicates quite seriously that the large Akita is most definitely royalty. "It's LORD Kuma Notabi," he says as he answers the question as to the dog's name and lineage.

Somogyi and his son, Dustin produce handcrafted red wines with rich flavor and texture. "We only do red wines," Somogyi says, "of the Rhone variety."  There are no blends here. Everything is 100% single varietals.

Nowadays Dustin is the primary winemaker and he takes care of the three-acre vineyard of syrah on the property as well as tending to all that is involved in the winemaking process. "I learned everything from my father," he says, "but have also taken classes and wouldn't mind obtaining a degree in enology."  Besides the estate syrah, grapes are sourced from vineyards belonging to friends that the Somogyi family has had since settling in the location at the corner of Apple Road and Highway 46.

Many years ago the property contained an apple stand. John passed by the stand numerous times on his business forays to the area. At the time the family was living farther north and while winemaking was something he did for the family, it was not his career. John built buildings then. One time as he drove along the highway he noticed a for sale sign on the apple stand. There and then he made a decision to buy the property that sits on the southern slope of York Mountain alongside Rocky Creek. In 1999 the winery began and eventually John and Dusty built the rustic and homey tasting room.

Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and estate grown Syrah are the varietals produced at Rocky Creek. "We do small batches, "Dusty says, "and let them mature at lower levels of sugar. This gives the wine more finish. Fermentation is done in open bins and hand punched down."

"We believe in long aging," John comments, "We are just offering our 2003 Syrah now." Rocky Creek ages their wines for at least three to four years. They also use less sulfite and thanks to the longer aging this dissipates. Sulfites are often the cause of what some people experience as a wine headache.

"While we purchase most of our grapes from other vineyards," John says, "we make sure that they are grown in the fashion that we grow our grapes in." The Somogyis do dry farming only. The success of these practices shows up in the tasting. Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are aged longer. The Syrah is delightful with a smooth, mellow, peppery and spicy taste. The longer aging plays well with the Cabernet resulting in lower tannins and a fruit-forward wine. The 2008 Pinot Noir from the York Mountain Appellation has shades of blackberry and raspberry with soft tannins and creamy texture.

Lord Kuma walks slowly behind the patrons at the bar out into the grassy yard with the tinkling fountain flowing nearby to lounge in the shade of the trees. He hopes the people will not miss looking at the two antique hand presses from the old country located outside in front of the tasting room. One should appreciate the history and the efforts that have gone into the art of winemaking over the centuries, he thinks. But mostly he sighs and awaits his servants to attend to him once the day's labors are done when he will enjoy the tasty morsels that they will place in his bowl that sits by the doorway to the winery.

— Ruth Ann Angus

Paso Robles bed and breakfast with the best views offers amazing specials

High Ridge Manor, often called best bed and breakfast in Paso Robles, is offering specials to tourists and locals looking for a relaxing getaway. The B&B has the distinction of being voted one of the top 14 "Most Romantic B&B and Inn in the United States by Traveler's Choice Award.

It's an amazing bed & breakfast with the best scenic views in Paso Robles. Come explore the best that the Paso Robles Wine Country has to offer. The region is known for amazing wines, boutique shops and stunning panoramic vistas.

High Ridge Manor features lush gardens and hills accented with oaks and vineyards. Guests are welcome to play billiards in the pool room, make a selection in the wine cellar and enjoy appetizers. Each luxury guest suite has a whirlpool tub, fireplace, feather-bed and private entrance. Wake up to a gourmet breakfast that starts the day's adventures in the scenic surroundings.

BMSCC Will Assemble Great Talent from Across the US for Intimate Festival

Music Fans are Invited to Camp Out for the Weekend or Drive in for a Day

On May 9-12, 2013, in the picturesque Monterey County hamlet of Parkfield, CA, the Bluegrass Music Society of the Central Coast (BMSCC) proudly presents the Parkfield Bluegrass Festival. Parkfield, known as the “”Earthquake Capital of the World,” springs to life every Mother’s Day Weekend with the best little bluegrass festival anywhere. Bluegrass music fans take over this small country village once a year for four days of concerts, workshops, children’s activies, camping and round the clock music jams! Attendees are welcome to come for the weekend with their RV’s or tents. One day admissions are also available and the Festival offers a great day trip outing from Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo.

The 2013 Parkfield Festival will feature a wealth of ear candy again this year with headliner bands the Junior Blankenship Band and the Roland White Band. The Festival will welcome other well known artists including the Kathy Kallick Band, Snap Jackson, Dark Hollow, Rocky Neck, the Get Down Boys, Rock Ridge, the Roustabouts, and Leroy Mack. These performers will offer a diverse sampling of instrumental and vocal bluegrass music.

Hailing from Nashville, Grammy-winning mandolin legend Roland White will lead his agile and swinging west coast bluegrass band. The California version of his band includes bluegrass stars Herb Pedersen, Bill Bryson, Blaine Sprouse and Diane Bouska. Roland’s musical past has seen him featured with Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, the Kentucky Colonels and Country Gazette. Mr. White is well known for his infectious rhythms, out-on-a-limb banjo mischief and old-fashioned country duets.

What Wine Do You Pair With Bear?

Paso Robles Big game hunter and wine fanatic pairing wine with wild game meats on new website wildgamewine.com

Two wine lovers in Paso Robles launch WildGameWine.com to pair wine with venison, elk, moose, buffalo, boar, wild turkey, duck, pheasant, goose, quail, halibut, bass, tuna, salmon, trout and more. The site includes recipes to help match wine with wild game meats and more than 100 recommended wines from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara wineries and vineyards.

Steve Mayer is a big game hunter, fisherman, self-taught chef, and wine connoisseur. He was destined to create a new web site devoted to pairing wine with wild game – wildgamewine.com.

The site offers tasty recipes for wild game and recommendations for  pairing wine with venison, wine with duck, wine with salmon and many more.
“I’ve enjoyed pairing Paso Robles wines for over 35 years,” Mayer says, “and I’ve also hunted and fished all around the world.” To marry these two loves in his life Mayer learned to cook and found that the correct wine was synergistic with the meal he prepared.

“It was like an epiphany. I needed to share this with other hunter-gatherers who obtain their own truly organic protien from the wild. A lot of hunters are out there that have never put together fish and game with wine,” he says.

On Feburary 28th at the Bookbindery in Culver City, the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour took place. Visitor's Guide staff writer Don Sonderling attended the event, indulging in the mountains of fine foods, intellecutal conversation, and of course, a diverse palette of wines from 40 different Paso Robles' wineries. Visit Don's blog: http://www.winersdelight.blogspot.com/ to see all the photos from the event.

Josh Beckett moves to consulting role as winemaker Terry Culton takes over

Josh Beckett, winemaker and son of owner Doug Beckett, has announced that he will move to a consulting role at Peachy Canyon Winery. He has hired Terry Culton, formerly of Adelaida Cellars, as winemaker. Terry has a proven record of making highly sought-after wines with consistent 90+ ratings in every major industry publication.

Terry has been called a “top-flight winemaker” by notable writer Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate. He has a broad range of winemaking prowess with multiple grape varieties due to making wine at Calera Wine Co., Willamette Valley Vineyards, Edmeades and Wildhorse. “Terry Culton brings the best our industry has to offer. As a friend and associate for over 20 years, Peachy Canyon is excited to have both Terry and his talent on board,” says Doug Beckett, owner of Peachy Canyon.

Broken Earth Winery

The setting is picturesque. Lovely manicured grounds surround two large mustard colored buildings. Stately cypress trees line the drive. Umbrella shaded tables and chairs grace the side lawn. Vineyards spread out in every direction on either side of the property. This is the Broken Earth Winery.

As visitors approach the production facility building, a vast solar array comes into view. The huge solar panels face toward the sun and throughout the day they follow its path. Broken Earth is one of the largest wineries on the Central Coast and it is the first to power all of their energy needs with solar power. The reality of how effective this is comes into play when you find out that this winery produces more than 200,000 cases of wine a year. 

When guests hear the name Pear Valley, they often don’t know it’s a winery that produces some of the finest local selections in the Central Coast’s up-and-coming wine country.

Travelers and locals are welcome to enjoy the breath-taking scenery that includes a hilltop view of the Salinas River surrounded by an exhilarating landscape of the crowns and valleys of Paso Robles.

Wild Coyote Estate Winery

Gianni Manucci’s winemaking philosophy is simple: Revere and respect Mother Earth.  He learned from his grandfather to be a farmer first, “If you grow good grapes, you’ll have good wine.”  

Grapes and farming are in Gianni’s blood.  His grandfather was a farmer in Italy, and Gianni knew that one day this is what he would do.  But before he could follow his dream Gianni dedicated himself to an architectural career for 25 years.  Only after a successful “first” career, did he decide to do what life had intended for him.  He became a farmer, and created a winery and spiritual retreat that is a slice of heaven on earth. 

Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery

Longtime friends and business partners Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick are known for their incredible achievements in the entertainment industry: mastermind producers behind American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Got Talent and other hit shows, they have storied careers that span from performing in a music group, to choreographing for the stars to producing Emmy-nominated television programs.

What they have not, up until recently, been known for is their knowledge of the wine industry. But if they can turn any young, inexperienced-but-promising singer or dancer into a star, couldn’t they apply the same formula to making wine? 

Changala Winery 

Changala Winery, owned and run by husband-and-wife team Jean and Heidi Changala, is the product of the Changalas’ love for their adopted hometown of Paso Robles.

In 1987 Jean and Heidi moved to Paso Robles from the Bay Area.  Both engineers by trade, they were excited to stretch their wings in the open space that the Central Coast had to offer, and to get back to Jean’s farming roots.

Journey to Italy via the experience of Il Cortile Ristorante befittingly set in Northern San Luis Obispo’s wine country. Il Cortile, located at 608 12th Street in downtown Paso Robles, has offered locals and visitors a unique dining experience, which has been described as big-city fine dining in a warm, small-town setting with affordable pricing. 

Dinner is served seven days a week beginning at 5 p.m. in Il Cortile’s contemporary but yet old world design influenced dining room and outdoor courtyard where patrons can enjoy the beautiful Central Coast climate.

Vines RV Resort

Recreational vehicles long ago stopped being travel trailers and are truly luxury homes on the road, so it follows that the facilities that cater to their owners offer up-scale amenities. Life on the road is a delight when you can pull into accommodations like those being offered by Vines RV Resort that also has very chic facilities coupled with old fashioned values at affordable pricing.

Owners Karen and Jeff Marsden have constructed a wonderland of recreational facilities located adjacent to the 101 freeway just north of downtown Paso Robles on Wellsona Road. “We are the Waldorf Astoria of the RV world,” Karen said as we toured the spacious grounds. It is evident that this is the truth when you see the décor in the main clubhouse building.

Pacific Coast Wine Trail

North San Luis Obispo County now “on the map”, alongside tasting regions like Napa, Paso Robles and Sonoma. Visit 6 coastal tasting rooms, all within 3 miles of the Pacific Ocean from Hearst Castle, through Cambria, to Harmony.

North San Luis Obispo County features one of the most scenic untouched stretches of coastline in California. Now visitors can enjoy that beauty while tasting some of the regions best Rhone and classic coastal varietals. Six SLO County wineries have joined together, creating the “Pacific Coast Wine Trail” stretching along the Pacific Coast Highway from San Simeon to Harmony.

The Shops at The Garden Shed

Passion is a funny thing. You never know when it will find you, and it never fails to pull you in a direction you never planned on going. At least that seems to be the unifying moral of the stories behind the owners at The Shops at The Garden Shed, located in the charming east village of Cambria. 

Housed in a rustic and sprawling 7,000-sq.ft. renovated creamery on Main Street, its core is The Garden Shed, a garden accessories and décor store lovingly and thoughtfully filled with whimsical wares and inspirational installations by the soft-spoken and sweet owner Ashley Gracey. Gracey explains that she and her husband Lucky opened The Garden Shed 14 years ago as a side business to complement Lucky’s landscaping company. That was their plan. But passion for decorating and a proclivity for digging up garden art treasures soon transformed the side business into a main one that demanded their full attention. 

Hoppe’s Garden Bistro

Any gourmet dish is only as good as its base—that decadent, mouth-watering sauce that transforms an entrée from mediocre to remarkable. At Hoppe’s Garden Bistro in Cayucos, producing fine stock is an art, tradition and tasty testament to the restaurant’s longtime acclaim. 

The stock for their eclectic French and coastal-California inspired cuisine is made from a traditional mirepoix, a recipe which combines roasted bones with celery, onions, carrots, tomato paste and wine. Once roasted, the ingredients are covered in water, reduced down, and then cooked at a low simmer for 48 hours. The broth is then strained, reduced again and finished to-order for one of an exhaustive list of gourmet entrees.