Alternative Tastes Wine Festival returns to Paso Robles Aug. 1 and 2
All proceeds from the silent auction and any net proceeds from the festival will benefit Libretto Conservatory
– The Alternative Tastes Wine Festival will return for a second year on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, featuring rare varietals and a new nonprofit partnership with Libretto Conservatory.
Co-hosted by Brecon Estate and CRUSH Vineyard, the two-day event will begin on the evening of Aug. 1 with an outdoor dinner at Brecon Estate in Paso Robles. The meal will be catered by Chef Rachel Ponce and her team from Pair With.
The festival will continue on Aug. 2 at Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero, starting with an educational seminar and followed by a walkabout grand tasting and silent auction. More than 25 wineries will participate, each pouring red and white wines made from grape varietals grown on fewer than 1,000 acres in California, according to the 2023 United States Department of Agriculture report.
“These grapes haven’t been widely planted or ventured far from their native regions, so when you introduce these varietals to a new location, you’ll uncover a whole world of untapped flavors and nuances,” said Damian Grindley, founding winemaker at Brecon Estate and co-chair of the festival.
The idea for the festival grew from earlier industry tastings hosted by Brecon Estate that focused on lesser-known varietals such as Albarino and Tannat. CRUSH Vineyard, which specializes in estate-grown Tannat, collaborated with Brecon Estate to bring the event to the public, launching the Alternative Tastes Wine Festival in 2024.
All proceeds from the silent auction and any net proceeds from the festival will benefit Libretto Conservatory, a nonprofit organization formed through a partnership between Paso Robles jazz club Libretto and the Los Angeles-based Michael Ragonese School of Music. The conservatory provides scholarships for advanced music education led by professional musicians.
Early bird tickets start at $65 and are available through July 11. Additional details can be found at alternativetasteswinefestival.com.
