Small-scale winemakers take center stage at Garagiste Wine Festival
Rockbound Cellars proprietor Fiorella DeRodeff pours wine for Mitch Gilkey of Saxum Vineyards and Curren Du Beau of Kukkula Winery.
Over 50 micro-wineries pour for 500 wine lovers in Paso Robles
– The 13th annual Garagiste Wine Festival was celebrated over the weekend in Paso Robles, drawing wine enthusiasts and industry leaders from across the region for a celebration of small-scale winemaking.
Held at the Paso Robles Event Center, the festival showcased more than 50 micro-wineries, each producing fewer than 1,500 cases per year, highlighting the spirit and innovation of the garagiste movement.
Over 500 attendees sampled exclusive wines from boutique producers, many operating without tasting rooms or national distribution. The event fostered direct connections between winemakers and wine aficionados, offering a unique chance to experience diverse varietals and small-batch creations firsthand.
Manoli Boutzoukas, left, and his father James Boutzoukas, pour some of their exclusive Greek-styled wines from Boutz Cellars. Their selections include rare varietals like Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, and Vidiano.
This year’s festival featured multiple tasting sessions, educational seminars, and a winemaker mixer, providing an immersive experience into the world of small-batch winemaking.
While official attendance figures have not been released, the festival has consistently attracted a dedicated following of wine aficionados, contributing to its reputation as a must-attend event for those seeking distinctive, handcrafted wines.
Michael Velasquez with Bushong Vintage Company pours a taste for Geoff and Brenda Price of Fullerton, Calif.
Over 50 winemakers poured at event
Absolution Cellars, Arbuckle Ridge, Bella Luna Estate, Boutz Cellars, Buckaloose Wines, Bushong Vintage Company, Cairjn Wine Cellars, Ciento Cellars, Concur Wines, Creek Cut Wines, Cutbow Wines, DENO Wine, Diablo Paso, Dubost Winery, El Vinero Wines, Ella’s Vineyard, Emercy Wines, End of the Day Wines, Etnyre Wines, Hayseed and Housdon, IIWII Wines, Kaleidos Winery, Kiamie Wine Cellars, Loom Wines, Marin’s Vineyard, MCV Wines, Nenow Family Wines, Quench + Temper Wines, Red Door Ranch, Seven Oxen Estate, Sinor-La Vallee, Slouch Hat Wines, Songs Wines, Staysail Cellars, Steinbeck Vineyards, Stilson Cellars, Tolo Cellars, Torch Cellars, Tribeca Wine Co., TW Fermentation Co, Ulloa Cellars, Ultima Tulie, Vigo Cellars, Zanoli Wines, Zobeto Wines, and 915 Lincoln.
Cole Stilson pouring for Stilson Cellars.
It was a great time with lots of great wine, but they missed mentioning one of my favorites – 915 Lincoln. Every wine I had from them was wonderful.
It was a great time with lots of great wine, but they missed mentioning one of my favorites – 915 Lincoln. Every wine I had from them was wonderful.