Winners of the Paso Robles Rotary Winemakers’ Cookoff
The crew from Lusso Della Terra accepting the People’s Choice Award.
–On Saturday, the 21st Annual Winemaker’s Cookoff took place at the Paso Robles Event Center.
All proceeds from the event go to the Harlow Ford Scholarship Foundation, which funds scholarships for local high school seniors. Over the past 18 years, Paso Robles Rotary has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to deserving students.
Photo courtesy Peter Schroeder.
The basic concept of the cook-off challenge is for each winery owner and/or winemaker to create the best “hors d’ oeuvres” on a barbecue grill. Event attendees can cast three votes for the People’s Choice Award. Local chefs and well-known industry journalists determine the winner of the Judges’ Award. A “Professional Chef” category also allows a winery to team up with its favorite restaurant or caterer to compete for the best professional entry.
Former Paso Robles Police Chief and Rotary Club member Dennis Cassidy working a grill at the event. Photo courtesy Peter Schroeder.
2019 Winemakers’ Cookoff awards winners
Spirit
1st Place – Calcareous
2nd Place – Cali Paso
3rd Place – Cass Winery
Professional Chef
1st Place – Rio Seco with Stein’s Catering
2nd Place – Robert Hall with Patio Kitchen
3rd Place – Dead Oak Brewery with Colony Market and Deli
Honorable Mention: Peachy Canyon
Judges’ Award
1st Place – Vino Vargas
2nd Place – Earth and Fire
3rd Place – Ancient Peaks
Honorable Mention – Justin Winery
Best Brewery
Firestone Walker
People’s Choice Award
1st Place – Lusso Della Terra
2nd Place – Calcareous
3rd Place – Eberle Winery
Honorable Mention – Justin Winery
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