The grape harvest has begun to draw attention to the state’s wine industry. Gov. Jerry Brown and the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors have again proclaimed September as California Wine Month.
The San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau is promoting upcoming consumer wine events, while regional trade groups are on the road.
“California wine is so important to our local area here,” said Brittany Garcia, the visitors bureau’s community and member relations manager. “I think it really shines a light on San Luis Obispo County wines and wine regions.”
Members of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association collaborated on an industry tasting at Grand Central Station in New York on Wednesday.
On Saturday, they will pour for consumers in San Francisco. They’ll be in Hollywood on Sept. 23.
“The wineries on their own can gain attention for their wines and their vineyards,” Garcia said. “But it’s also about celebrating everything that our wine region encompasses, including our lifestyle and our culture.”
A study conducted in 2007 by MKF Research estimated that wine, vineyards and related businesses generate nearly $1.8 billion in the county. In 2010, according to the agricultural commissioner’s crop report, wine grape sales accounted for about $173 million.
As part of their promotional efforts, the visitors bureau is offering a contest to win a festival weekend for those who follow them on Facebook.
To enter, visit www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com by Sept. 30 and click the “Like” button on the organization’s Facebook page. Winners will be announced Oct. 1.
The prize is a weekend stay during the Paso Robles Harvest Wine Weekend Oct. 21-23 or the San Luis Obispo Wine Country Rockin’ Harvest event Nov. 4-6. Packages include hands-on winery tours, vintner dinners, balloon rides over vineyards, a tour of Hearst Castle and lodging for two.
Local winery honored
Eberle Winery in Paso Robles was named 2011 Winery of the Year at the annual International Sommelier Challenge in San Diego.
The 33-year-old winery was one of 213 entrants from 17 countries that entered the competition to be judged by 13 sommeliers.
Annual ‘Taste’ event
Nearly 40 local wineries, breweries, restaurants and dessert makers will be featured at the eighth annual Taste of the Central Coast on Sunday afternoon.
Held at Cypress Ridge Pavilion on the Nipomo Mesa southeast of Arroyo Grande at 3 p.m., the tasting supports local foster and special-needs children and families served by the nonprofit Family Care Network.
Tickets are $75 per person. Visit www.fcni.org or call 781-3535.
Do you have news for Wine Notes? Email rrailey@thetribunenews.com or call 441-4556.
SanLuisObispo.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. See our full terms of service here.
Here are some rules of the road:
You should also know that The Tribune does not screen comments before they are posted. You are more likely to see inappropriate comments before our staff does, so we ask that you click the "report abuse" button to submit those comments for moderator review. You also may notify us via email at webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us the profile name of the user who made the comment. Remember, comment moderation is subjective. You may find some material objectionable that we won't and vice versa.
If you submit a comment, the username of your account will appear along with it. Users cannot remove their own comments once they have submitted them, but you may ask our staff to retract one of your comments by sending an email to webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Again, make sure you note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us your profile name.
Be the first to know what's going on in San Luis Obispo County. Just tell us how you want to find out — we'll take care of the rest.
Sign up for breaking news alerts from SanLuisObispo.com and get the latest news sent to your cell phone via text message.
By signing up for alerts from this site, you are signing up for a program that may include up to 5 SMS text alert(s) per alert category per day. There is no service fee charged per month but your carrier's standard text messaging and other charges may apply. You may stop this subscription service at any time by sending the text message "STOP" to 72737. You must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to use our alert services. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you agree that you have received parental permission both to complete the registration process and to receive SMS content on your cell phone. For help, send the text message "HELP" to 72737. This service will work with ATT, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, Alltell, US Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Boost, Virgin Mobile USA, Celluar South, Telos, Centennial, East Kentucky Network, Cellcom, Immix and Rural Celluar.
E-mail »
Twitter »
Facebook »
iTribune »
Subscribe »
RSS »
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.