Wine Coast Country Travel Log

20 May

The 4th Annual Wine, Waves & Beyond: Central Coast Longboard Surf Classic

By Wine Coast Country

The 4^th Annual Wine, Waves & Beyond: Central Coast Longboard Surf Classic, is just around the corner on May 30-June 2, 2013. With 4 days of events throughout San Luis Obispo County, including a Surf Movie Night, Barrel to Barrel event, Winemaker Dinner, Longboard Surf Contest and the 805 Classic, this is a weekend not to be missed!

Join us as we kick off the 4-day event with our Surf Movie Night at the famous Fremont Theater. Woodshed Films will be presenting “Thicker Than Water” and “Groundswell” with special guests, Dan Malloy and Cinematographer Kellen Keen. All proceeds from this epic movie event will go to AmpSurf, in a night filled with community, culture, surfing and prizes! Enter your raffle tickets to win prizes from original art & custom boards, to dinner at SLO county’s finest restaurants, plus tickets to weekend Wine, Waves & Beyond events.

The Wine, Waves & Beyond Barrel to Barrel event is one that can’t be forgotten! Held on the ocean front lawn at the Cliffs Resort with panoramic ocean views, live music from Aloha Radio, over 35 visiting wineries and breweries, local cuisines, and an incredible silent auction. Come down for a glass of wine, tastes from our best local restaurants and a sunset to remember.

On Saturday, June 1^st, our partner Chronic Cellars is pairing up with Cypher and Grey Wolf Cellars to pour for our first ever Winemaker Dinner! Chefs from around the county will each create a delicious course paired with a flight of these three local wines. Space is limited so make sure you sign-up soon! Even more, this year’s chef auction returns with the opportunity to bid on custom meals prepared for you and three guests by SLO County’s finest chefs.

Rise and shine on Sunday, June 2^nd for the 4^thAnnual Longboard Surf Contest, Vintage VW Display and the 805 Classic, all happening in Pismo Beach. Our Longboard Surf Contest will not only have men and women’s heats, but a Challenged Athletes and local Winemakers/Brew Masters heat! Alongside the surf contest is the “805 Classic.” Guests will experience a day filled with a vintage VW display, live music from Soul Sauce and the Crisptones, and a BBQ with featured Firestone Walker Brewing Company brews. Come relax and watch the sunset to finish up the event weekend.

Proceeds are donated to Association of Amputee Surfers (www.ampsurf.org), an organization that strives to promote, inspire, educate, and rehabilitate those with disabilities, especially veterans, through adaptive surfing and other fun and safe outdoor activities. Join in the festivities and be a part of the Central Coast’s premier lifestyle event. For a complete listing of events and more information, please visit www.winewavesandbeyond.com.

17 Apr

9th Annual Taste of Pismo Features SLO Vintners’ FarmFest-On-The-Coast

By Wine Coast Country

The Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce presents the 9^th Annual Taste of Pismo from Friday April 26 through Saturday April 27, 2013 on the cliffs of Dinosaur Caves Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. For two festive days in Pismo Beach, guests can experience regional wine tastings and delicious cuisine samplings from the area’s finest chefs, vintners, and farmers. SLO Wine Country will present a unique, in-depth farm-to-fork food experience pairing local farmers and esteemed local chefs with the members of the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association’s outstanding Central Coast wines.

FarmFest-on-the-Coast, Friday, April 26, from 4-7pm at Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach. Farmers and chefs will unite with local winemakers to showcase sustainability and deliver farm-to-fork pairings that are locally grown, harvested and handmade. Attendees at FarmFest-on-the-Coast, will learn exactly where their food comes from, and be able to shake the hand that harvested it when SLO Wine Country joins forces with local farmers, ranchers and fisheries to showcase fresh, local produce. Guests will experience sustainably grown, raised and caught produce prepared fresh by esteemed local chefs. On top of savory samplings, local vintners will be pouring world-class wines featuring over 30 different brands. Live music will be performed by the Hot Club of SLO, a string gypsy jazz trio that draws inspiration from the late Django Reinhardt and other famed 20′s and 30′s jazz musicians blending hot jazz with French gypsy music. Some of the featured farmers, chefs, restaurants, wineries, and sustainable showcasing partners will include Talley Farms, SLO Fresh Catch, SeaVenture, Ancient Peaks, Baileyana , Center of Effort, Chamisal Vineyards, Claiborne & Churchill, Edna Valley Vineyard, Tolosa Winery, Wolff Vineyard, and many more.

The Taste of Pismo’s Premier Wine & Culinary Event, Saturday, April 27, from 12pm to 4pm at Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach. Guests will indulge in regional food and wine pairings in addition to tasting top-rated local and award winning wines from over 20 local wineries and artisan micro-brews, delicious local cuisine, and live entertainment. Some of the featured restaurants and wineries will include Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Steamers of Pismo, Zorros Café & Cantina, Cracked Crab, Lido, Ventana Grill, Marisol, Toucan Wines, Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards, Adelaida Cellars, Pismo Beach Winery, Croad Vineyards, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, Red Carpet Winery, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, Kynsi Winery, Monarch Grove Winery, Phantom Rivers Wine, Stephen Ross Wine, Opolo, and many more.

Friday-Saturday Combination Discount tickets for The Taste of Pismo’s Premier Wine & Culinary Event/FarmFest-on-the-Coast are available for $80/person. FarmFest-on-the-Coast tickets are $40/per person at 805-541-5868 or www.SLOwine.com. The Taste of Pismo’s Premier Wine & Culinary Event tickets are $50/person and $25 for designated drivers at 805-773-4382 or www.pismochamber.com . For more information, please visit tasteofpismo.com.

20 Feb

Planning a Wedding in Wine Coast Country?

By Wine Coast Country

By Tina Swithin

As someone who is about to be married in just seven short weeks, I can personally attest to the fact that wedding planning entails a lot of work. There are countless decisions to be made not to mention the minor details which add up quickly. Hiring a wedding coordinator may be one of the most important decisions that a couple will make- after the proposal, of course!

Wedding planners have become indispensable regardless of whether you are working with a large budget or a small budget. The overall consensus is that hiring a wedding coordinator is well worth the
expense for a wide variety of reasons and in contrast to popular belief, it can actually save you money. Wedding planners will assist you in various capacities depending on your needs. They are equipped to guide you through the entire process from start to finish or can simply assist with whatever capacity that you require. In addition to planning for your wedding day, your coordinator will help you refine your ideas, plan your budget and keep your schedule on track. Continue reading →

20 Feb

Unique Olive Oil Workshop: First Time on the Central Coast!

By Wine Coast Country

Come immerse yourself in this unique olive oil workshop, the first of its kind on the Central Coast!

When: Saturdays 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (see schedule below)
Where: Foxdale Farm & The Groves on 41 in Templeton
Cost: $139 includes lunch and beverages

Class size: Limit 20 persons

Visit the local olive press, learn the positive and negative attributes associated with extra virgin olive oil and taste olive oil like the experts. This hands-on workshop will delve into some of the basic varietals grown on the central coast, will explore pairings with different food items and even touch on blending oils to modify flavor profiles. Continue reading →

06 Feb

Weddings in WineCoastCountry: Edna Valley Vineyards

By Wine Coast Country

by Tina Swithin

If you need to find me on a random Saturday afternoon, I am usually found enjoying the gorgeous views of Edna Valley Vineyards in San Luis Obispo. You will be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular view than the one that awaits you in the Edna Valley area of Wine Coast County. While this winery is a personal favorite of mine, there is something truly magical about this venue when a wedding is underway.

Michele and Eric recently experienced the magical ambiance of Edna Valley Vineyards on September 22, 2012 as they became husband and wife with their dog, “Brubeck” by their side. Brubeck is the couple’s first child who was affectionately named after musician Dave Brubeck. This was only appropriate because the couple first met at Dave’s concert! The day before the wedding, Brubeck escaped from his nearby San Luis Obispo boarding facility and climbed over a six-foot fence. I am guessing that he was afraid of being left out of the wedding festivities but the wonderful Tina Hoppe of Edna Valley Vineyards gave the green-light for Brubeck to attend the wedding where he even posed for multiple photos! Continue reading →

19 Jan

Agritourism Adventures in Wine Coast Country: Morro Creek Avocado Ranch

By Wine Coast Country

by Tina Swithin

Oh, how I love the Central Coast! Being that I am a lifelong resident of San Luis Obispo County, one would assume that I would know this county like the back of my hand. That isn’t necessarily true- it seems like there is always something exciting to discover in my beloved Wine Coast Country.

Case in point is the Morro Creek Ranch in Morro Bay, California. Over the past thirty years, I have driven past this ranch on the scenic route from Morro Bay to Atascadero more times than I could possibly count but I have never stopped to explore the property. With time on my hands during the holiday season, I made it my personal mission to stop and smell the roses…err…I mean, the avocados!

Continue reading →

13 Jan

California Western Monarch Day Celebration

By Wine Coast Country

Feb. 2nd, 2013

Just north of Oceano plans are in place for a joyful celebration for Western Monarch Day at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. There will be butterfly talks and educational booths for adults, as well as art activities for children. The main attraction, however, is the thousands of Monarchs hanging in huge clusters from the eucalyptus and pine trees in the grove. The grove will remain open through the month of February from 10am-4pm with docents providing daily talks at 11am and 2pm. For more information, please visit www.MonarchButterfly.org or contact the Visitor Information Center at 800-443-7778.

Times: 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Monarch Butterfly Grove
Address: Monarch Butterfly Grove, Hwy. 1

07 Jan

Savor WineCoastCountry During California Restaurant Month

By Wine Coast Country

January 2013 is California’s 6th Annual Restaurant Month. You can visit participating restaurants, until January 31, for a 3-course, prix-fixe menu for only $30!   You can enjoy the bounty of WineCoastCountry and indulge in fresh, locally grown produce, naturally raised meats, and choose from a beautiful selection of locally produced wines. We have ten distinct destinations for you to explore as you travel along the Discovery Route in WineCoastCountry with a cornucopia of delicious restaurants waiting for you to experience.

To plan your culinary weekend getaway in WineCoastCountry and for a complete listing of our participating restaurants, visit sanluisobispocounty.com. Reservations are recommended if not required. Bon appetit!

26 Dec

Polar Bear Dip

By Wine Coast Country

Date: Jan 01, 2013
Cost: No charge

The annual Polar Bear Dip in Cayucos is a local favorite and not to be missed! The festivities start at 9:30am and the Dip is at noon.

16 Dec

Annual Mushroom Walk on the Fiscalini Ranch

By Wine Coast Country

Date: Jan 05, 2013
Cost: Free

10:00am – 12pm – Come walk with David Krause and Mark Bunschwiler for our annual mushroom walk in the forest. Both leaders are experts from the Native Plant Society on Mushrooms and Fungi. Call 927-2202 for reservations.
Contact: Joyce Renshaw Phone: 927-2202