San Luis Obispo County commemorates California Wine Month

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

September is California Wine Month and the San Luis Obispo County wine community’s more than 250 wineries and 36,000 vineyard acres are raising a toast to this proclamation made by Governor Jerry Brown and the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, shepherded by the Wine Institute. San Luis Obispo County is made up of four distinct American Viticulture Areas (AVAs): Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley, Paso Robles and York Mountain making more than 50 wine varietals in a variety of styles. These family businesses invite wine enthusiasts to join them during California Wine Month to celebrate the vibrant wine culture in San Luis Obispo County.

A number of events and wine specials are scheduled across San Luis Obispo County to celebrate California Wine Month. Most notable among them is the destination food and wine event, Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011, taking place September 29 through October 2 in the communities of San Luis Obispo County. This four-day series of events includes the Marketplace at the Main Event featuring more than 200 Central Coast wineries and unique winemaker dinners where you will taste the bounty of the region and meet the personalities behind the product. Wine enthusiasts can choose from the enchanting Mission Plaza Heritage Dinner in San Luis Obispo on October 1, sponsored by the City of San Luis Obispo, http://www.sanluisobispovacations.com/; the magical Paso Glow Dinner in Paso Robles on October 1, sponsored by the Travel Paso Robles Alliance, www.TravelPaso.com, and the prestigious Sunset Western Wine Awards in Pismo Beach on September 30, a ceremony recognizing the West’s finest vintners, sponsored by the City of Pismo Beach, www.ClassicCalifornia.com. For information and to purchase main event tickets to Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011 events, please visit www.SavorCentralCoast.com.

In celebration of San Luis Obispo County’s $1.8 billion industry contribution to the California wine industry the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau is holding a month-long sweepstakes for two pairs of winners to enjoy an all-inclusive weekend at the region’s upcoming harvest festival events. Enter to win a weekend either:
• Paso Robles Harvest Wine Weekend, October 21-23, or
• San Luis Obispo Wine Country Rockin’ Harvest, November 4-6
Both packages will include winery tours with hands-on experiences, vintner dinners, balloon rides over the vineyards, behind the scene tours of Hearst Castle and lodging for two. To enter, visit the SLO County Visitors and Conference Bureau website at www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com between September 1 and 30, and ‘Like’ on Facebook. Winners will be announced October 1 at the Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011 Main Event at the Santa Margarita Ranch. (Winners need not be present to win.)

Apart from events held within the county, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles vintners – including nominees for the Sunset Western Wine Awards – will take their show on the road, pouring wines under the auspices of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and San Luis Obispo Vintners Association this September, including:
• Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Station , New York, NY, September 14, 2 to 5 p.m., Media and Trade Tasting
• California Wine Rush – Ferry Building San Francisco, CA, September 17, 12 to 3 p.m., Consumer Tasting, General Admission $45, www.CaliforniaWineMonth.EventBrite.com
• K&L Wine Merchants, Hollywood, CA, September 23, 5 p.m. Media Tasting; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Consumer Tasting, Admission $5, www.klwines.com/local_events.asp#2

Additionally, several San Luis Obispo County wineries will commemorate California Wine Month with special offers for guests throughout September. For more information on special promotions at San Luis Obispo County wineries in honor of California Wine Month, please visit www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance at www.PasoWine.com or the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association at www.SloWine.com.

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Morro Bay hosts 5th Annual Avocado & Margarita Festival

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Morro Bay, California’s location on the spectacular Coast Highway One offers visitors more than just a scenic vista: it is also the gateway to robust avocado orchards dotting the local landscape. On September 17, the charming coastal community celebrates two of its best loved products with the Fifth Annual Avocado & Margarita Festival. The daylong event is produced by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce to showcase locally grown avocados alongside Morro Bay’s well known reputation for food and fun.

The Avocado & Margarita Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 714 Embarcadero on the Morro Bay waterfront. Attendees will enjoy live music, margaritas and a selection of beers, and tasty avocado dishes that begin with guacamole and just keep going. Members of the California Avocado Commission will be on hand with recipe books, avocado scoopers and children’s goodies. Ask them where the best avocados on the planet are grown. Morro Bay restaurants will extend the festivities with avocado-based recipes on their menus.

The event’s prime location in the heart of the fishing village affords visitors commanding views including the iconic Morro Rock, families of kayakers paddling in the Bay and whale watching boats making their way to waters where grey whales entertain into the fall. The Avocado & Margarita Festival celebrates the avocado industry and local California growers who produce more than 10 million pounds of avocados every week.

Admission is $1; food and beverages are available for purchase. Live music, prizes and fundraising efforts will also take place.

For more information contact Craig Schmidt at (805) 772 – 4467 or e-mail at craigschmidt@morrobay.org.

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Eighth Annual Hit and Giggle Golf Tournament

Posted on September 6, 2011 by

Created by Women for Community in 2004, the Hit & Giggle Golf Tournament has contributed nearly $167,000 to programs providing health and human services to those most in need in San Luis Obispo County. United Way is proud to be able to continue the successful tradition of this event in 2011. It is with Women for Community’s enthusiastic endorsement that United Way is now the host of this fun and unique golfing experience.

The Hit & Giggle will be held on Sept. 10 at Avila Beach Golf Resort with a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. The event includes a four-person scramble format, cocktail reception and awards ceremony following tournament play.

Originally started as a women’s tournament, the Hit & Giggle fills the playing field with men, most of whom good naturedly don their best feminine attire and compete for the best dressed, among other prizes. The tournament also features the “Sip & Giggle” raffle for 100 bottles of premium wine signed by local “celebrities and characters”, a piece of unique art by Ashleigh Anderson and six magnums from Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles. Tickets are $100 and you need not be a golfer or present to win at the time of drawing.

“We are so excited that United Way has agreed to continue this tournament so that it continues to provide a fun yet productive means of giving back to the community,” said Kristin Yetter, founding member of Women for Community. “We are supporting this year’s tournament committee and plan to participate at the event. We hope to see all the past golfers and volunteers there.”

All of the tournament’s proceeds will provide funding to local nonprofit programs through United Way’s Community Impact Fund grant awards. This year, 20 programs focused on education, financial stability and health were awarded a total of $75,000. The public is invited to participate by being a player, sponsor or volunteer at the Eighth Annual Hit & Giggle Golf Tournament.

To register for the tournament as a player, sponsor or volunteer, contact United Way of San Luis Obispo County at (805) 541-1234. For more information, visit United Way’s website at www.unitedwayslo.org or e-mail golf@unitedwayslo.org.

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Happiest City in USA gives “Green Light” to Earth Day Destination Marathon

Posted on September 1, 2011 by

The lush hills and premier wine country surrounding the charming downtown of San Luis Obispo (halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco along the Central Coast of California) will provide an aptly green-themed backdrop for the City’s inaugural San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half, slated for Earth Day on Apr. 22, 2012. Registration is now open through Active.com.

Recently designated the “Happiest Place in the USA” by National Geographic author Dan Buettner, San Luis Obispo, or “SLO,” offers visiting racers a happy setting in which to experience a runners’ high: scenic views, clean air, crisp ocean breezes, and before and after-race farm-fresh wine tasting, dining, and live entertainment at the event’s three-day “SLO Life Expo.”

Founded by Get Off the Couch Potato Sports Productions LLC, with Title Sponsorship from the City of San Luis Obispo’s Tourism Business Improvement District, the inaugural event will feature a full and half-marathon benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training and a 5K race benefiting the local Special Olympics Chapter.

Honoring Earth Day, the event coordinators plan to take extra measures to ensure a “green” race environment by asking racers to participate in the “BYOB” (bring your own bottle) initiative and by using recycled paper and plastic for marketing and vendor materials.

Packet pick-up is scheduled for Apr. 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Apr. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SLO Life Expo at the Madonna Inn. On Race Day, the SLO Life Expo will open at 7 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. Each finisher receives a technical t-shirt, medal, inaugural commemorative program, as well as a “green” virtual goodie bag.

SLO hotels offer the ideal home-base for vacationing runners to experience the area’s lively downtown shopping district, endless outdoor adventures, and one-of-a-kind historic and cultural attractions such as Hearst Castle, Mission San Luis Obispo, world-class wine country, and the famous Thursday Evening Farmer’s Market.

For more information and updates on the inaugural San Luis Obispo Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, visit www.SLOMarathon.com. For information on downtown San Luis Obispo’s centrally located lodging and activities, visit www.SanLuisObispoVacations.com.

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20th Annual Pops by the Sea returns to the “Summer of Love”

Posted on September 1, 2011 by

This Labor Day Weekend, for the 20th year in a row, the San Luis Obispo Symphony will return to Avila Beach, and transform a golf course into a concert hall for a family-friendly, community event that has become a Central Coast tradition. On Sept. 4, Maestro Michael Nowak and the San Luis Obispo Symphony will present “Pops: Summer of Love,” an orchestral summer “Pops” concert, hosted by KSBY’s Jeanette Trompeter, featuring the music of the late 60’s and early 70’s –music that defined a generation. Fans this year will be treated to fabulous tunes from the Beatles, the Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Chicago and much more. From California Dreamin’ to Nights in White Satin, Yellow Submarine to The Pink Panther, the concert will feature the talents of San Luis Obispo’s Louie Ortega, saxophonist Dave Becker, and a talented band of local favorites with your San Luis Obispo Symphony.

The event will be held at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the venue. Wine, beer and affordable picnic fare are readily available for purchase at the event.

Lawn seating $15, “Pedal to Pops” lawn seating for cyclists $12, lawn seating for kids 14 and under are free, party table seating $25 per person, premium party table seating $35 per person, champagne tables $85 per person.

For more information or to order tickets now, contact Patty Thayer at the Symphony office at (805) 543-3533 or go to www.slosymphony.com.

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Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance showcases SLO County wines at the Mid-State Fair

Posted on July 28, 2011 by

The Paso Wine Country Alliance is working with 15 Degrees C Wine Shop & Bar to showcase San Luis Obispo County Wines at the Mission Square Wine Bar during the California Mid-State Fair.

The fair ends this Sunday and fair goers are invited to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the fair and then stop by and enjoy a glass of wine or draft beer in the shade. During the fair, Mission Square has been featuring award-winning Paso Robles wines by the glass, different daily wine flights from the Central Coast Wine Competition Award winners as well as a selection of beer, various cheeses and olive oils.

Mission Square features a new wine flight each day focused on different varietals and themes from the Central Coast Wine Competition award winners.

Flights include everything from Syrah and Spanish whites, to Chardonnay and Zinfandel demonstrating the diversity of wines produced in San Luis Obispo County. Special guest appearances are made from the winemaker personalities themselves from 5 – 7 p.m. every day. Mission Square guests are encouraged to taste through the wine flights and chat with the winemakers.

Visit www.pasowine.com to sneak a peek of the wineries and wines featured.

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The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute booked for Mid-State Fair

Posted on July 1, 2011 by

The California Mid-State Fair recently signed “The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute,” a band that will bring its unbeatable live performance to the 2011 CMSF.  The show will take place on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Grandstand Arena.

Admission for the show will be free with paid admission to the Fair.  The concert comes as a thank you gift from the Fair to the fans for all their support and dedication throughout the years.

“The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute” is a Beatles tribute band that has far surpassed any other tribute band.  The band’s precise renditions of the Beatles’ songs allow the fans to feel as if they are actually watching the real thing.

The tribute band will awe the audience when they perform the Beatles’ all-time hits such as “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Yesterday,” “A Day In The Life,” “Penny Lane,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Hey Jude.”

The stunning show will feature three different costume changes that will highlight every era of the Beatles ever-changing career.  “The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute” have performed their heartfelt tribute worldwide in locations including Japan, Malaysia, France, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil.

Come and enjoy classic Beatles’ music as a thank you from the Fair!

The 2011 California Mid-State Fair runs July 20 through July 31.  This year’s theme is “Mountains of Fun.”

More information can be found at www.midstatefair.com.

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Circus Vargas adds another show in SLO

Posted on June 30, 2011 by

Due to an overwhelming response to Circus Vargas’ arrival in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn, “America’s Favorite Big Top Circus” has added an extra performance to the Fourth of July weekend schedule on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Ever since the big top was erected, Circus Vargas’ representatives said the phones have been ringing off the hook, Internet sales have gone through the roof and lines of people have been at the ticket booth.

“We are so thrilled that the people of San Luis Obispo County are embracing us,” said Circus Vargas Owner Nelson Quiroga. “We thought we would do well here but we weren’t quite prepared for the lines of people buying tickets in advance of our opening.”

Plenty of seats are still available for all shows although certain seating areas are beginning to sell out. Quiroga wanted to make sure everyone can be accommodated during the five days that the show is in town.

Performances run Monday July 4. Tickets can be purchased in person at the ticket booth in front of the tent, online at www.circusvargas.com and by phone at 877-GOT-FUN-1.

Circus Vargas features death-defying feats, aerial artistry and comedic antics and much more.

Arrive early 30 minutes before show time and get an exciting pre-show peek into the world of Circus Vargas, hosted by reality TV personality from the CBS show The Amazing Race, Jon Weiss. He will be front and center welcoming the audience and inviting children to take a “center stage” look at life under the Big Top.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the pre-show action, and to join Weiss as he guides them on a quick crash course in circus skill and stamina.

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GALA celebrates 15 years of SLO Pride

Posted on June 30, 2011 by

Pop sensation Taylor Dayne will help San Luis Obispo celebrate 15 years of pride with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) as she performs a free concert during the 15th Annual Pride Festival at Mission Plaza on July 11 during Pride Week 2011.

The 15 annual week-long celebration will begin with Movie Night featuring Sundance Film Festival standout, “Undertow,” at the Palm Theatre on June 23. Admission is $15 and includes a wine reception at 6:30 p.m. when doors open; film at 7 p.m. Post film reception at the GALA Center, 1060 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo, will follow with wine and hors d’oeuvres provided by Big Sky Café from 9 to 11 p.m.

A Pride Art Reception will take place on Friday, July 1 at the GALA Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Wine and appetizers will be served; a silent auction will allow art enthusiasts an opportunity to add to their collection while supporting SLO Pride efforts. Independence Day, July 4, will kick off the final events of Pride Week with a beach barbecue at Pismo Beach from 1 to 10 p.m. Families are welcome to attend and enjoy the beach, barbecue, volleyball and fireworks.

A live performance by singer, Jennifer Martin is scheduled at the Steynberg Gallery July 6 at 7 p.m. Drag Divas Live will perform July 8 at SLO Brew from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Divas tickets are available at the door for $20 or online @ slopride.com – doors will open at 6:30 p.m. A Pride Dance Party will follow at SLO Brew from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; dance tickets are just $5 per person with no additional charge for the dance if a Divas ticket is purchased.

A “15 Years of Pride” Celebration will take place July 9 at the GALA Center from 3 to 7 p.m. GALA’s past presidents will have an opporutnity to share their experiences and reflect on the positive impact and growth each made. Live music, a barbecue, educational displays, photos and additional highlights will be enjoyed with all.

Pride Week culminates with Pride in the Plaza, a day of fun for the whole family, including a a bounce house and obstacal course, carnival games, face painting, an adult beverage garden and an eclectic lineup of dynamic performers including an amazing performance by Taylor Dayne. The Festival event runs from 12 to 6 p.m. and is free to the public. All are welcome to attend an After Pride Party at Novo Restaurant.

GALA promotes the well-being of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transendered (GLBT) community on the Central Coast through education, support, recreation, advocacy & partnerships. GALA participates as an integral part of the growth of the greater San Luis obispo community.

For more information about Pride Week or the history of SLO Pride, call the GALA Center at (805) 541-4252.

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Top talent to battle for ultimate honor at Savor the Central Coast

Posted on June 27, 2011 by

In what many in the food world would consider a major upset, Los Angeles has been named California’s Best Food City in the July issue of Sunset magazine, edging out rival San Francisco with a mere one-point lead.

LA clinched the title thanks to its “Star Wattage,” “New Ideas,” and “Variety/Diversity.” With LA just squeaking by, Sunset has declared a rematch: “LA vs. SF: Food Town Smackdown” has been scheduled for Oct. 2 as part of Sunset’s destination food and wine event, Savor the Central Coast, taking place Sept. 29-Oct. 2 throughout San Luis Obispo County. The dedicated theme of this smackdown: cocktails.

“We are so excited to have top mixologists from California’s two great food cities ‘meet in the middle’ and on neutral ground to settle this rivalry,” said Katie Tamony, Sunset editor-in-chief. “The cocktail renaissance in both cities is red-hot and we’re looking forward to seeing fans rally around their hometown favorites!”

“LA vs. SF: Food Town Smackdown” will take place the afternoon of October 2 and will feature celebrity mixologists from each city competing in front of a live audience. The competition will be judged by an expert panel, including Sunset food editor, Margo True, LA Weekly’s Jonathan Gold, and tablehopper.com’s Marcia Gagliardi. At the end, a new champion will be declared.

More information about the contestants and their cocktails will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about all of the Western regional “Food Fights” featured in Sunset’s July issue, see the July 20 press release titled “FOOD FIGHT! Sunset Declares Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, and Phoenix-Scottsdale Winners of Best Food City ‘Smackdowns’.” Or, go to Sunset’s website.

“LA vs. SF: Food Town Smackdown” will be a part of SAVOR’s Main Event, which is being held at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch.

The centerpiece of Sunset Savor the Central Coast 2011, the Main Event will celebrate the flavors of the good life on the Central Coast: Gardening seminars, food and wine pairings, discussions on sustainability, backyard farming exhibits, and cooking demonstrations featuring celebrity chef, Cat Cora.

In addition, the Sunset Savor the Central Coast 2011 weekend will offer a host of adventure tours, celebrations, and farm-to-table meals to bring the beauty and bounty of California’s Central Coast vibrantly to life, including:

  • VIP Reception and Opening Night soirée at Hearst Castle on Sept. 29
  • Sunset Western Wine Awards Gala on the Pismo Beach Pier, Sept. 30
  • Paso Glow culinary experience in Paso Robles’ City Park where local chefs and farmers join Cat Cora to celebrate the Central Coast under the moon on Saturday evening, Oct. 1
  • “SAVOR the Mission Plaza,” an al fresco dining experience in the heart of SLO Mission Plaza, featuring San Luis Obispo County’s best chefs and wineries, Saturday evening, Oct. 1
  • Kayaking the Morro Bay Estuary, hiking Montaña de Oro State Park, hot-air-ballooning over Paso Robles wine country, and much more.

Tickets for the Sunset Savor the Central Coast 2011 event are on sale at www.SavorCentralCoast.com and will also be available at Farm Supply outlets starting July 5.

Sunset magazine has partnered with the San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau to launch Sunset Savor the Central Coast 2011. For more event information and tickets, visit www.savorcentralcoast.com, or call 800‐768‐6653.  Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SavorCC, or follow us on Twitter (@SavorCC).

Ticket proceeds and sponsorships are considered donations to the San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Convention Bureau, a 501 c 6 non‐profit tourism organization promoting San Luis Obispo County.

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