Paso wineries to pour at Garagiste ‘Southern Exposure’ festival
Festival comes to Solvang Feb. 13, 14
–About 50 garagiste winemakers, from throughout California – from Napa/Sonoma to Santa Barbara to Ventura and points in between – will be pouring their small lot, boutique wines for the discerning public during this two day Garagiste event. Included in the lineup of boutique wineries are six distinctive wineries from the Paso Robles area.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, Alta Colina’s Bob Tillman will join a panel discussion with Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines and Eric Mohsemi of Zaca Mesa Vineyards on the subject: Digging Deep into Mourvedre. This seminar will explore different styles of mourvedre, and of course, include an array of mourvedre tastings. Sure to sell out quickly, purchase tickets online.
In addition to Alta Colina pouring selections of their world-class, estate grown Rhone varietals during the Garagiste festival, five other Paso Robles wineries will pour their wines for your tasting pleasure:
Ascension Cellars: Sourcing their grapes from Paso Robles’ East Side CASS Vineyards (named 2015 winery of the year by Central Coast Wine Competition), Ascension Cellars specializes in handcrafted Rhone and Bordeaux style wines.
Cloak and Dagger: Grapes from their “Hidden Vineyard” in the Templeton Gap produces unique and tantalizing Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Syrah. Southern Exposure is one of the few (if not only) events you will be able to experience the wines of this 500 case producer.
Diablo Paso: At 300 cases per year, this boutique winery, and winemaker Enrique Torres, is the only 100-percent Spanish Varietal producer in Paso Robles. Don’t miss a chance to experience the passion of Spanish wines when you drop by to taste at Garagiste.Torres has recently opened a tasting room in downtown Paso Robles.
MCV Wines: This 500 case producer, with a tasting room in picturesque Morro Bay, sources his grapes from the Paso Robles AVA, and specializes in petite sirah. While focusing on petitie sirah and petite sirah blends, winemaker Matt Villard is branching out using additional, and harder to source varietals as he expands his offerings to the public. Don’t miss the chance to sip and chat with Matt!
Halcyon Wines: Sunday, Feb. 14 will also have Tyler Elwell, Assistant Winemaker at Tablas Creek, introducing his much talked about new label, Halcyon Wines. Tyler will also be a panelist on the Sunday Valentine’s day panel “Rise of the Bubbles” on the new wave of California sparkling wine and will be pouring his sparkling cabernet franc.
Golden Triangle: And speaking of introductions, Garagiste Festival co-Founder, Stewart McLennan will be pouring his own just-released Golden Triangle wines on Sunday, as well. Golden Triangle was a hit of the Paso Robles event, and you’ll have another opportunity to taste before these extremely limited-production wines are still available.
Check the website for a complete schedule and list of wineries, and to order tickets for the Mourvedre seminar, and one or both days of tastings: www.californiagaragistes.com. Don’t miss being able to sample the wines of these fine Paso Robles wineries, and other California garagistes.
