Wine and Fire, Ha-cha-cha-cha…

Wine and Fire Santa Rita Hills

Sometimes one needs to step away from the familiar of one’s immediate surroundings and spend some time exploring areas that are close but oft forgotten. So when the opportunity came up to go to Wine and Fire put on by the Santa Rita Hills Wine Alliance and region, located about an hour south of us, in Lompoc, it was a no brainer. First it helped get my bearings as I was always confusing Santa Lucia Highlands (north in Monterey County) and Santa Rita Hills (south in Santa Barbara County) with each other. Aside from the directional confusion, I realized that the Highlands focus more on Bordeaux and Southern Rhone with some Burgundian varietals thrown in, where as the Hills focus on Burgundian and Northern Rhone varietals with a little Bordeaux thrown into the mix.

Shine ON!

I had the privilege and honor to go up to WineShine winery (distillery), with 101winetours and the Corkdorks while they taped their radio show. It’s located in an industrial area called “Tin City” where a bunch of boutique wineries, breweries, and a distillery-WineShine got together and created an artisan community for those of us who lean toward the spirituous persuasion.

Can I get you a CAB?

Just some of the selection

Typically, because this blog is meant to be a guide for events and places the public can go, I don’t make a practice of blogging on Industry only events. But Thursday night I was treated by the Paso Robles CAB Collective (PRCC) and Parker Sanpei PR to one of the coolest events I’ve been to so far; and if you read this blog, you know that is saying A LOT! Especially with all the unbelievably, wonderful events I’ve been lucky enough to attend recently. The reason I enjoyed this event so much is simple, it was an incredible opportunity to meet/ re-meet and mingle with the people behind some of the best wines on the Central Coast. From winemakers to vineyard and winery staff and owners, they were all together, in one incredibly beautiful location, Daou Vineyards. The PRCC was formed in 2012, and is a grass roots, non-profit organization made up of a group of wineries to promote and improve awareness of the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA), with regard to the area’s unique ability to produce great Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals.

Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’…SLO Wiiine! (Day 2)

After a crazy schedule filled with wonderful epicurean adventures, I’m finally getting around to writing about Day 2 of Rolling out the Barrels. Because even though we hit 8 wineries, we didn’t feel the need to race around from one place to the other so we could give a report on ALL the pairings (in case some place ran out) and offerings like the first day, the 2nd day was much more chill for us. There were fewer places offering food pairings and in general there was more of just a come on in and drink vibe, all around.

Hog Heaven at Bacon & Barrels

These are probably two of my favorite words in the whole English Language, besides words like Love and Peace.  As I told the organizer, this was one of the most brilliantly named events I’ve ever heard, everything explained in two simple words…Bacon & Barrels. And really after that what else needs to be said? I was eagerly anticipating this event, and apparently I wasn’t the only one, when tickets went on sale for the July 19-21 2013 event on April 1st, it sold out within 2 weeks.

Getting Uncorked at Forks and Corks!!

The Paso Forks and Corks Festival

The day started out a bit shaky, because Doug woke up feeling really nauseous and as much as I tried to help settle his stomach, the poor guy was a mess and ended up having to back out at the last-minute. So he took me over to meet up with the “party” bus that was going to take me and the other members of the #ShareSLO Street team up to Halter ranch  for the Paso Forks and Corks Festival benefiting MUST Charities a local charity who alongside other local organizations work to create long-term, sustainable transformation within the region.

#ShareSLO Street team and Cork Dorks!

We arrived at Halter Ranch and went to check in at the winery but discovered that the check in point was a bit further down the road. We weren’t deterred though, we were a little early so what else better to do than some wine tasting to kick off the day! But we can talk about that in another blog, this blog is about Forks and Corks! And be prepared it’s going to be long…because there is so much to talk about. So make sure you grab a glass of wine before sitting on a comfy chair or couch and put your feet up, for a detailed trip through the Forks and Corks festival.

Halter’s, Forks and Corks!!!

Happening July 6th 4-8 at Halter Ranch!

Produced by American General Media Radio Group, and hosted by Halter Ranch in Paso Robles, the Forks and Corks Festival this up coming weekend on July 6th, is shaping up to be quite an event! On the docket? Well lets start with all things “cork’d” (in a good way) being served and by that I mean we are talking whiskey, gin, wine, port, beer, hard ciders, champagne and more! Then the participating local chefs and restaurants will be challenged to come up with wonderful food and dishes to pair. But there is a catch, they can only use a BBQ pit to cook it all in, and they can only use fruits and veggies, such as avocados, peaches, cherries, olives etc. as garnishes.

This will be the first annual and the event is put on to support the MUST! Charities Organization, a community oriented non profit sector that brings help and hope to those in need. In addition to all the great food and booze, there will be live art being produced and exhibited and some terrific bands rotating on the stage to keep everyone in the groove mood.

So come on out with us and enjoy this “Pit to Plate” and all things “cork’d” event on July 6th from 4-8pm at Halter Ranch winery. Tickets are still available for purchase and are priced as follows:  Halter Club Members Discount $60pp, general Public $70pp, and Industry Discount $50 pp.

“Here’s to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned

Cheers!

#SHEdrinks

Next great event coming up is Seven Sisters Fest July 12-13 2013

#ShareSLO @ShareSLO2013

The Six Million Dollar Burger

Summertime is barbecue time. Hence the shortage of restaurant reviews lately. I’ve been struggling this year because the San Luis Obispo area has been very mild, and the beach area I live near has remained shrouded in moisture, making my red oak left outside in the sun virtually non-combustible. I can’t get anything to light. I need a new fire strategy. But you can’t NOT barbecue around the Fourth of July, so I made a charcoal exception, invited friends over, and subjected them all to a burger experiment.

Chicken Fried Tanner Jacks

Tanner Jacks Restaurant

We have known Michael and Kelly for years and have been customers of Tanner Jacks since Michael’s parents Jack (the Jack portion of the name) and Lauren owned the place, in fact I used to work for their parent company Tanner Jacks Inc. But it’s been a while since we’ve been up to Tanner Jacks mostly because it is located on the Mesa between Arroyo Grande and Nipomo. Sunday night Doug had a craving for steak so up to the Mesa we went.

Years ago I told Michael that I couldn’t find a chicken fried steak on the coast that even came close to the one that the hole in the wall local landmark the Way Station in my old home town of Santa Clarita, makes. So Michael set about to putting one on the menu. Initially the chicken fried steak was only part of the Sunday brunch menu, but now it appears to have been made it’s way on to the regular menu so of course I had to try it.

How I Got Fried at Tanner Jacks

I am no wimp when it comes to spice. I have a special sushi roll with fresh cut peppers on top, and pepper sauce on top of that. I used to eat jars of peppers while watching Days of Our Lives on lunch breaks between classes at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo – yes, my (other) male roommate got me addicted and we picked class schedules to be home for Kayla and Patch. Yes, I went to school a long time ago. I enjoy hot food, and have discovered spicy drinks too. A Spicy Bloody Mary with a cooling celery stalk is awesome. But I like even more – I really enjoy jalapeno drinks.