tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79528238226405062052024-02-20T08:02:14.267-08:00Notes From the Tasting RoomThis blog highlights the experiences of a tasting room attendant in the Paso Robles Wine Region of California. The blog is here to help teach you the etiquette of the tasting room, and well as keep you up-to-date on the best new releases in wine. But further, e tell the story of those in the tasting rooms, and expose the good, bad and the ugly of the industry. As we say, "There's always a backstory."The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-43417987780249270262012-04-30T16:57:00.002-07:002012-04-30T16:57:46.217-07:00Change in PlansHi all,<br />
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As you may have noticed, I haven't been able to keep up with blogging. You all have no idea how "back blogged" I am. Part 3 & 4 of Paso Garagiste for example anyone?<br />
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My life is crazy busy, and blogging about an event takes A LOT of time. Sooooo, for better or for worse, I am switching my blog to tumblr. You may have heard of "Oscar PR Girl" on Tumblr. Well, my new blog is: <a href="http://pasoprgirl.tumblr.com/">pasoprgirl.tumblr.com </a>I'm entering the world of Tumblr, Instagram and blogging in the moment - much easier and me and actually quite a lot of fun!<br />
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All this doesn't mean I will never blog here again, but the focus is definitely changing. I'll be covering Central Coast wine, food, events, hotels, nature and more on the new blog. Plus many instagram photos to make it all look cool.<br />
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It's been one year since a started Notes from the Tasting Room - thanks to everyone who has helped me out along the way!<br />
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Now onto the new adventure.......The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-20970914680347331372012-02-20T11:16:00.000-08:002012-02-20T17:56:19.642-08:00Rhone Rangers @ Windfall FarmsYesterday, Boyfriend and I spent a FABULOUS day at the <a href="http://rhonerangers.org/">Rhone Rangers</a> Paso Robles Chapter Tasting Event. It was held at the gorgeous <a href="http://www.windfallfarms.net/">Windfall Farms Event Center</a>, which has been featured on this blog a few times before.<br />
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I simply adore this event as it is a day to, shall we say, "honor the rhone grape varietals" that have helped to make the Paso Robles wine region famous. Of course, as most of you already know, we pretty much owe the Rhones in the region to <a href="http://www.tablascreek.com/">Tablas Creek</a>. Here's the basic story:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjRz_C-cARo/T0KK1LHgZVI/AAAAAAAAArA/jH31W78UtrE/s1600/jasondani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjRz_C-cARo/T0KK1LHgZVI/AAAAAAAAArA/jH31W78UtrE/s320/jasondani.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of Tablas Creek's GM, Jason Haas along<br />
w/ wine club assistant Dani - both pouring for <br />
Tablas at the event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.beaucastel.com/?langue=en">Chateau Beaucastel</a> wanted to start a sister winery in California. They searched up and down the coast, only to settle at their current location on Adelaida Road in Paso. Beaucastel chose the area as we have basically the same calcareous/limestone soil as the Rhone Region in France, as well as the same climate. So they knew the Rhone varietals could thrive here. Around 1990, they sent some of the first Rhone vines to the Paso Region, though the vines needed to go through quarantine for three years before being released to Tablas.<br />
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Once Tablas Creek fully planted their vineyard, they asked themselves, "Should we keep these vines to ourselves or should we share?" Thankfully, they shared! They set up a nursery and sold cuttings of their grapes to many neighboring wineries in the area.<br />
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Fast forward to now, and we have <a href="http://www.saxumvineyards.com/">Saxum Winery</a> winning "Wine of the Year" in the Wine Spectator Magazine last year with a GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre.) Now that definitely put Paso on the map! - Not only informing people that we grow the Rhone varietals well here, but we do make some great, kick-ass wines :)<br />
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So yesterday was an "ode to the Rhones" where all the wineries who are part of the Rhone Rangers Organization could come out and pour a few of their wines. They got to show off their Rhone based wines and as Boyfriend said, "Wow - these are some of the best wines from the area!"<br />
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Before we went, Boyfriend counted that there were 44 member wineries that are a part of the Paso Rhone Rangers Chapter. We then counted that we have visited 28 of those 44 - pretty darn good! It was our goal for the day to check out the wineries that we had heard good things about, but hadn't had a chance to try ourselves yet - and what a great opportunity to be able to do that!<br />
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First up: <a href="http://www.kaleidoswine.com/">Kaleidos Winery</a>. They had poured at the Paso Garagiste Festival but I had missed them - doh! But today I finally got my chance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUV6z3IpOMo/T0KNShowf-I/AAAAAAAAArI/ar6yaJQcbZM/s1600/kaliedos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUV6z3IpOMo/T0KNShowf-I/AAAAAAAAArI/ar6yaJQcbZM/s320/kaliedos.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve from Kaleidos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Steve, the Owner/Winemaker/Winegrower was pouring three Syrahs from three different vineyards - all of them gorgeous. There was Lock Vineyards, Halter Ranch Vineyards (where I work) and Starr Ranch Vineyards (this wine was just written up in an article in <i>The Tasting Panel.</i>) You can't go wrong with any of the three, and I HIGHLY recommend that you check them out and try all of the Kaleidos wines. I know I will - I'm running over to his tasting room as soon as possible! (He's currently pouring out of the Changala tasting room on Willow Creek Road every Fri - Sun.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3g98G0XQ3oE/T0KNi11bJXI/AAAAAAAAArQ/HyrQ9Iu9Lrk/s1600/kevinproulx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3g98G0XQ3oE/T0KNi11bJXI/AAAAAAAAArQ/HyrQ9Iu9Lrk/s320/kevinproulx.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin from Proulx</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Next up: <a href="http://proulxwines.com/">Proulx Wines</a> (sounds like Pru.) I have consistently heard great things about Kevin's wines, but this is the first chance that I got to try them. He was pouring his new rose from a barrel sample - a really big but mostly dry rose - I liked it a lot. Next up he poured two reds: The Syrah and the "Dimples" (Zinfandel, Syrah & Petite Sirah) - both fabulous wines. I was really impressed and will be zipping over to his cute tasting room later this week to try the rest of the wines.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04sZ8vGActo/T0KRREz6AlI/AAAAAAAAArY/g2fAd-jfKqs/s1600/aparo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04sZ8vGActo/T0KRREz6AlI/AAAAAAAAArY/g2fAd-jfKqs/s320/aparo.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amparo of Minassian-Young</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last up, <a href="http://www.minassianyoung.com/">Minassian-Young Winery</a>. I have wanted to try their wines forever, but because of their location (near Halter Ranch Vneyards) I find that I never go all the way up into the hills on my day off. Well lucky me, I finally got to try a few of their wines yesterday.<br />
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Amparo (owner of Minassian-Young along with her husband, David) was pouring three wines - Grenache, Mourvedre, and their "Cuvee de Paso" - a Mourvedre based GSM blend. The Grenache was super lovely. Now I must admit, I am biased as Grenache is probably my most favorite varietal. But because of that, I am super picky about Grenache wine. Boyfriend and I were both on board, fully in love with this. It has that licorice quality that some Grenache wines get - all in a good way. And at just $24 a bottle, I can't tell you what a great value that is. Beautiful wines on a beautiful property - I highly recommend that you go visit Amparo & David Thurs.-Mon. at their winery on Peachy Canyon Road.<br />
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Now of course I also had to visit a few of my favorite wineries - I couldn't miss the chance to catch up with them and see if they were pouring any new releases. I first tried to visit Maggie at <a href="http://www.altacolinawine.com/">Alta Colina</a>, but the crowds were too great! They're so hip now that they were featured in Wine Spectator with great scores. Here's a photo os the mob with Maggie holding down the fort:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0sQbukRU4Q/T0KSEAU5yjI/AAAAAAAAArg/3p4im79teSM/s1600/maggie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0sQbukRU4Q/T0KSEAU5yjI/AAAAAAAAArg/3p4im79teSM/s320/maggie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-G35el08gk/T0KTpMXkV5I/AAAAAAAAArw/W3O7w1PZivM/s1600/kendall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-G35el08gk/T0KTpMXkV5I/AAAAAAAAArw/W3O7w1PZivM/s320/kendall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I was thrilled to see <a href="http://www.aventurewine.com/">L'Aventure</a> pouring their wines. The fabulous Kendall was super helpful as she knows I'm addicted to the L'Aventure wines. First up, I was able to try their new Roussane - it has 18% Grenchace Blanc in it. FABULOUS! It's amazing how even though the Grenache Blanc is only 18%, you could really taste it in the wine.<br />
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Next up the '09 Cote a Cote, a GSM blend that received 95 points from Wine Advocate. I LOVE this wine, always have and probably always will. My issue is that it is $85 a bottle and on a tasting room girl's salary, well, "sigh." But that's definitely why I took advantage of being able to taste the Cote yesterday - and I savored every drop. Here I am with my glass of Cote a Cote, my favorite wine of the day:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoF1zYbIWH8/T0KTgyszNQI/AAAAAAAAAro/3xF3QcWt0PA/s1600/sarahlaventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoF1zYbIWH8/T0KTgyszNQI/AAAAAAAAAro/3xF3QcWt0PA/s320/sarahlaventure.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OmxKzNQH_U/T0KU7ANrjrI/AAAAAAAAAr4/Ed1D0n9XzXY/s1600/samsarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OmxKzNQH_U/T0KU7ANrjrI/AAAAAAAAAr4/Ed1D0n9XzXY/s320/samsarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I went to visit my buddy SAM from <a href="http://www.cypherwinery.com/">Cypher Winery</a> (where I used to work) and I ended up helping her pour for a little while as they were super busy. It was great to catch up with her and try a few of their new releases again. I think their Mounvedre is my favorite, and their Grenchae and the Kiler Canyon Syrah/Mounvedre blends are both excellent! Great job, team Cypher!!!<br />
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And btw - I have to point out how much I love the new Cypher Labels - they all glitter a little with metallics in the ink:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maGRfcoCaJA/T0KVoUEAcuI/AAAAAAAAAsA/akpuvCSKhks/s1600/grenche.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maGRfcoCaJA/T0KVoUEAcuI/AAAAAAAAAsA/akpuvCSKhks/s320/grenche.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now before y'all start yawning that my blog is going on too long, I'm going to hit you with a few photos of the day of my favorite peeps in the wine industry:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The fabulous Staci from <a href="http://www.clayhousewines.com/">Clayhouse Wines</a> - and guess what? Clayhouse is pouring Tannat on their tasting menu right now. Go over there and try it!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Neil & Marci from Lone Madrone - hey guys, thanks for the fabulous industry party the other evening! The blog on that is coming soon :)</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nB9B0m7jAT4/T0KXAgmSz_I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/58SZKOvT6jE/s1600/nei;lmarci.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nB9B0m7jAT4/T0KXAgmSz_I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/58SZKOvT6jE/s320/nei;lmarci.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Lindsey from <a href="http://halterranch.com/">Halter Ranch Vineyards</a>, pouring the halter ranch Wines - great job, Lindsey! Apologies that I got so caught up talking to people I didn't come over and give you a break.....bad Sarah......</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Boyfriend and Seth (Tasting Room Manager @ Halter) hanging out trying some vino together:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJoFzwc4KXk/T0KX5Iu86nI/AAAAAAAAAsg/rDeCrkVdR3o/s1600/danaseth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJoFzwc4KXk/T0KX5Iu86nI/AAAAAAAAAsg/rDeCrkVdR3o/s320/danaseth.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The sweet guy from New Orleans who handed out Mardi Gras bling to everyone - thank you! Literally everyone was wearing the bling - too funny. You'll see the necklaces again for tomorrow's Mardi Gras!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6idd7YrMXM/T0KYNVj0dYI/AAAAAAAAAso/tCV4CrpAsog/s1600/mardigras.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6idd7YrMXM/T0KYNVj0dYI/AAAAAAAAAso/tCV4CrpAsog/s320/mardigras.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Boyfriend and I with our buddy Jason from <a href="http://www.zenaidacellars.com/">Zenaida Cellars</a>. I was bummed I didn't really have time to taste their wines again - Jason, I'll stop by soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7yf-Tq22NK0/T0KY9FCALvI/AAAAAAAAAsw/za3OAk_QZAM/s1600/sarahdanajason.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7yf-Tq22NK0/T0KY9FCALvI/AAAAAAAAAsw/za3OAk_QZAM/s320/sarahdanajason.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And finally, my buds: Ted from <a href="http://www.casswines.com/">Cass Winery</a>, Mr. Glenn from <a href="http://www.justinwine.com/">Justin Vineyards</a>, and the fabulous & famous Bobby Fox! Along with Kate from EOS and her husband Jamie who works at Firestone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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A big "Thank You!" to the Rhone Rangers for hosting such a great event. Not only was it educational, allowing me to try new wines in the area and find out about wineries that I haven't been to yet, but it also allowed me to catch up with a lot of folks. Another amazing day in the Paso Wine region!<br />
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Viva la Rhones de Paso Robles!!!<br />
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</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-57799804259113073042012-02-10T21:32:00.000-08:002012-02-11T08:05:17.717-08:00The Halter Ranch Industry Paaaaarty!!!So....it has been almost three years since Halter Ranch held its last industry party. We decided to throw another party now for the "launch" of our new production facility, and we wanted the party to be HUGE so that as many industry folks as possible could attend. Seth (our tasting room manager) and I put the word out - and we put the word out long and far. But it wasn't hard as so many folks had heard about our new facility and wanted to see it. Plus, we would be serving tacos al pastor, and folks wanted to come for that :)<br />
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Tony is our wine club manager and the so called, "Ambassador of Fun." We terrified him with visions of hundreds of people attending the party. He was freaking out at 200, so can you imagine what he was thinking when the rsvps reached three hundred? Here he is, happy in the new production facility, before the craziness began:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RNcnDTkXrE/TzX3qnxDkmI/AAAAAAAAAns/ng9uLKIT6Wo/s1600/tony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RNcnDTkXrE/TzX3qnxDkmI/AAAAAAAAAns/ng9uLKIT6Wo/s320/tony.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We polished and polished glasses for the party, and polished a total of 372. I kept saying to Tony, "Is that enough? Really, is that enough?" And dear Tony would smile sweetly, and say - in his silkie yet condescending way - "Sister, we have MORE than enough."<br />
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Hollow words, Tony. Hollow words.<br />
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Hollow because, the party started at 6, but folks started showing up at 5pm. By 6:30, we were out of those 372 glasses (are you still cocky, Tony?) They pulled another 150 brand new yet not polished glasses out and those were gone by 7:30. From there, you were on your own with plastic cups that were great for the Firestone beer, though people used them for vino too.<br />
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So that puts us at around 500 people that attended - though in reality, it may have been 550 to 600. It was truly one AMAZING paaaaaarty!!!!! :))))<br />
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One thing that was so fabulous was that the party included all industry folks: from tasting room staff to winemakers to winery owners to hotel staff to restaurant folks - come one, come all - we brought everyone on board to find out what Halter is all about!!!<br />
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I had to work it and was so slammed, I couldn't mingle too much to be in the center of the partying. But I am going to post the photos that I took just so that you get an idea of the fun had by all:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Michelle (HR at Halter) with Erin (our GM's fabulous wife):</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">My dear friend Addie from Epoch with two of her favorite guys:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">My old, but totally cool, Cypher Crew - Stevie, Leanna & Mike - thanks so much for coming to the party guys!!!:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Molly (Halter enologist) Leslie (who helps keep the place running) and Bill (our former winemaker):<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Boyfriend Dana (he regained status) with the gorgeous Laura from Clayhouse wines:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Me with the fabulous Marc Goldberg of Windward Vineyards - I LOVE this man!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Photo of Tony and I, coming out as "work husband" and "work wife" - our significant others understand - hahahahaha!!! :) Too funny<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OqrlrFAB5yU/TzX6RLaBnmI/AAAAAAAAAok/n273iqWbhZY/s1600/sarahtony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OqrlrFAB5yU/TzX6RLaBnmI/AAAAAAAAAok/n273iqWbhZY/s320/sarahtony.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And finally, Leslie and Mitch - two of the institutions of Halter Ranch. We would not be where we are today without them. We love you guys!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I wish I had more photos - like of Mr. Seth, the fabulous tasting room manager whose birthday was the next day but who wouldn't let us celebrate at the party. That's OK though as his present was having so many people show up to the party - it showed that our hard work paid off!!!<br />
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A FABULOUS time was held by all!!! And now we're asking, how soon can we hold another as it was too much fun!!!<br />
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Thanks to all who attended. It was great to see you and we all appreciate your support!!!<br />
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p.s. In case you haven't seen it yet, here's a few photos of the new production facility, where the party was held:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It will be available for tours in April. be sure to come and see us!!!</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-44016441119496113432012-01-30T22:04:00.000-08:002012-01-31T10:40:08.560-08:00Halter Ranch Industry Party!As most of you know, I work at <a href="http://www.halterranch.com/">Halter Ranch Vineyards.</a> It has been THREE years since Halter has held an industry party and by god, we're holding a huge one to make up for the past couple years! We're hoping to hold the "party of the year" on Feb 8 from 6-8pm. We're hosting it in our new winery - which actually has been the talk of the town. It is stunning - a 34,000 sq. ft. production facility - all brand new and state of the art. I always joke that our winemaker, Kevin Sass, must be like a kid in a candy store and probably the luckiest winemaker in the world - lol!<br />
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We would love to have ALL industry folks attend the party so that you can find out about all the great things going on at Halter Ranch. So come one, come all! Winemakers, Tasting Room staff, GMs, Restaurant folks, Hotel folks, Limo drivers, Industry folks in Edna valley - basically, if you're in "the industry" we want you there! Please rsvp to <a href="mailto:reservations@halterranch.com">reservations@halterranch.com</a> by Feb 3rd to secure your place. We're getting the Al Pastor Tacos from Los Robles Cafe and want to make sure we have enough for everyone :)<br />
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Oh...and did I mention? 50% off of all wine purchases at the party. Woo hoo!<br />
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Here's a few photos of our new winery to give you an idea of the gorgeous new facility where we all will be partying!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1K7j5hZ-Sc/TyeCQKzGqyI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Osx9iVe9Kn8/s1600/halter1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1K7j5hZ-Sc/TyeCQKzGqyI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Osx9iVe9Kn8/s320/halter1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0IOjiXoAyU/TyeCnILE2EI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/VzfqoRGO8dQ/s1600/halter4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0IOjiXoAyU/TyeCnILE2EI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/VzfqoRGO8dQ/s320/halter4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Of course, if you're not industry, we ask that you please don't "crash" the party. That said, you can sign up for our wine club and party with us in the new facility on March 31st from 4-6. or...you can contact <a href="mailto:Lindsey@halterranch.com">Lindsey@halterranch.com</a> to set up a mini vineyard walk/production tour. Then by sometime April, we'll hopefully have a full production tour available where you follow us through the process of making wine. Too fun!<br />
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And btw - did I mention? There are 22,000 sq. ft of caves dug out behind the production facility. Can you imagine the party we could hold when those open? :)<br />
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I hope to see all of my industry friends at the paaaarty! It will be so fun to see you all. Do me a favor and show up, as that will really stress out Tony, our wine club/event manager. He's worried that the party will get out of control - that's why we have to make sure that it does. HA!<br />
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See u there!!!The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-26707969517931180452012-01-25T21:02:00.000-08:002012-01-25T21:02:50.015-08:00I'm back, bitches!I'm a bad blogger. A very, very very bad blogger.<br />
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It has been quite a while since I've done a blog post. But you have to excuse me - I got the cold of a century, I had to put my dog to sleep right before Christmas, and then I had a relapse of my bad cold. I'm even still recovering - the whole thing really sucked - Oy vey.<br />
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But it hasn't been all bad. My rooster rescue organization, "Save the Cocks!" was featured in the SLO New Times. You can read the article <a href="http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/7184/insert-joke-here/">HERE.</a> We've been selling the COCKSTRONG wristbands like crazy - you can get them at <a href="http://www.thebladerunner.com/">Bladerunner</a> in SLO, and at <a href="http://www.firestonebeer.com/">Firestone</a> & <a href="http://www.lonemadrone.com/">Lone Madrone</a> in Templeton (Parrish Family Vineyards tasting room in Paso is coming soon!) Then my Luv it FRESH sprays are also being sold at Bladerunner Salon & <a href="http://www.veriscellars.com/">Veris Cellars</a> - they're selling fabulously! Its been great to see something that I created be useful for people.<br />
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And now I'm back! Ready to FINALLY finish the blog on the Garagiste festival, and looking forward to the follow-up "Thank you to the Volunteers" party for the Garagiste volunteers & sponsors. After that, I have some fabulous blogs that have been "back blogged," and of course, always moving on to the next good thing.<br />
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So as I said in the title, "I'm back, bitches!" Watch out, Paso Robles :)The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-7322750539762809902011-11-24T10:05:00.000-08:002011-11-24T10:06:12.249-08:00Paso Garagiste Part 3! well.....ummm.....Ummm, I had wanted to have Paso Garagiste Part 3 of the blog up by now, but with work, life and preparing for Thanksgiving, it's all gone to pot.<br />
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So....in lieux of Part 3, I'm sending a Happy Thanksgiving message out to all of you! I'm so thankful to live in the Paso area and work in the wine industry where we're all all like a close knit family. Not to mention the fact that we have access to such fabulous wine & food. This <i>is</i> the good life, and I hope my blog reflects the good times we all have together here. I have to admit, it will be hard for me to ever leave this area.<br />
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So yay - Happy Thanksgiving to all! By noon, I planning to be high on bubbles and hopefully passed out from eating all the holiday goodies before anyone else can get to them. You gotta be quick with the crowd I hang out with :)<br />
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Viva la Dia de Gracias!!!! (I don't know if that makes sense but it sounds close enough.....)The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-50684282905109360212011-11-16T20:08:00.000-08:002011-11-29T23:31:35.600-08:00Paso Garagiste Festival - Part 2No intro this time - I'm going to jump right in where I left off:<br />
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Can you imagine the scene: Christian was delayed and running late with the wines for the second seminar. The first seminar is ending as the Cypher team arrives. We get things set up and start to hear how Christian wants us to handle the barrel tour and "Whoa! What??? You want me to pour at the event? What-When-Where-Why? Can I run away? Ack! What's a girl to do?"<br />
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OK. I realize at this point I'm considered an old tasting room hag/wine pourer wench and can handle this just fine. It's just that it makes the blog a wee bit more fun if I try to set up the drama.....I hope you understand....<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27kmyQXoq4U/TsSC3f5yURI/AAAAAAAAAjk/6dMI3LX5qPw/s1600/samplebottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27kmyQXoq4U/TsSC3f5yURI/AAAAAAAAAjk/6dMI3LX5qPw/s320/samplebottles.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barrel sample bottles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anyhoo, let's get on to the details about the second seminar with Christian from <a href="http://www.cypherwinery.com/">Cypher Winery</a> & Ryan Render from <a href="http://www.rendarrio.com/">Rendario Vineyards.</a> It was all about tasting wine to see what effect the oak from the barrels has on the wine. We're talking about oak from different areas (French, American, Hungarian, etc) different coopers (folks who make the wine) & different grains. Everyone in the class had two glasses, and I was one of four pourers that went down the aisles pouring Wine A and Wine B so people could go back and forth and compare the differences between the two wines. As we were doing this, Christian and Ryan talked about the different oaks and comparisons, walking people through what this oak or grain does to the wine so that people could really taste and understand it.<br />
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I do have to admit, I was so busy running around pouring wine that I didn't really listen to the details about what Christian & Ryan were saying - sorry! That said, I do remember Christian explaining why you use different oaks, grains and toast levels to add complexity to wine. Basically, he said, "If you don't use the variables in barrels to add complexity to wine, it would just be like only doing the missionary position for the rest of your life." I immediately said, "That's why I love this man!"<br />
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Here's a fabulous shot of Ryan & Christian doing their thing:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UhhxDRIHDpU/TsSE4iTSX8I/AAAAAAAAAj0/b2y_bKop2ME/s1600/ryanchristianpanel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UhhxDRIHDpU/TsSE4iTSX8I/AAAAAAAAAj0/b2y_bKop2ME/s320/ryanchristianpanel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now as I was pouring, I had to deal with this nasty, rowdy table that kept heckling me through the event. I bet most of you at this point could rightly guess that it was SAM from Cypher Winery. Yes, SAM LOVES to cause a scene wherever she goes and this was no exception. But don't worry, I gave them hell right back & held my own by making them pose for a picture on the blog. On the left is (passed out) Jericho from <a href="http://www.twistway.com/">Twist Salon</a>, then SAM and her friend Dennis, who is trying to convince SAM to pour wine into his mouth...oh dear.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOWPmilZaW4/TsSEsq5fsLI/AAAAAAAAAjs/MfyTAZSOi8g/s1600/rowdytable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOWPmilZaW4/TsSEsq5fsLI/AAAAAAAAAjs/MfyTAZSOi8g/s320/rowdytable.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And I have to feature this pretty hilarious photo of Christian with his right hand assistant winemaker, Katie:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHm-4KfX418/TsSFYmQJ3TI/AAAAAAAAAkE/5J30YEHL0IM/s1600/KatieChristian.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHm-4KfX418/TsSFYmQJ3TI/AAAAAAAAAkE/5J30YEHL0IM/s320/KatieChristian.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm guessing that they're saying: "Fuck you all you losers who didn't buy tickets to the fabulous Paso Garagiste event. It SOLD OUT Bitches!"<br />
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Now I have no idea if that's what they're really saying but I'm here typing, drinking bubbles, and somehow it seems appropriate.<br />
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So all the pouring during this class and the clean-up after simply took it out of me. I was pooped and it was only 1pm! What's a girl to do? Head over to the <a href="http://www.casswines.com/Cafe---Catering">Cass Catering Truck</a> and get fabulous tacos prepared by the amazing Chef Jacob (whom most of you know has been on the blog multiple times...) Jacob and his sidekick Ben prepared excellent butternut squash tacos for me that had cream fraiche and tangy salsa on them. Super good, and just what a girl needed to fuel up and keep going.<br />
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Here's Chef Jacob creating his taco masterpieces:<br />
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I love you, Jacob!!!<br />
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So this blog is short and sweet, with the next blog focusing on the main event: Sarah running around trying to check out as many wineries as possible. On this next blog, I will announce my favorite new winery find.<br />
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Viva La Paso Garagiste!The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-71749776445189125952011-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:002011-11-16T19:20:58.192-08:00PASO GARAGISTE!Wow. Paso Garagiste. Held at Windfall Farms on Saturday. We've all been talking about this so for so long, it was hard to believe the day had finally arrived. But arrive it did - and wow! What a fabulous event! The day was simply amazing. I think the event exceeded all expectations for everyone involved. This was a festival for the history books.<br />
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Now to remind everyone, the Paso Garagiste Event was created and organized by an amazing group of people: Stewart McLennan, Doug Minnick, & Dan Erland Anderson, along with the fabulous Lisa Dinsmore. All have a passion for wine and specifically passion for wines from the Central Coast. The team brought their many talents from their varied backgrounds together to create the fabulous event - and this event truly is a welcome addition to the "typical festival schedule" for the Paso area.<br />
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So here we go - onto the blog!:<br />
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As I approached Windfall Farms in the morning, I was stunned - yet again - by the beauty of the place. It is a 724 acre piece of property that is still used as a thoroughbred breeding & training facility. The buildings are incredible - most are made of brick and have fabulous steeples - which make you think you're in England. The views on the property are simply stunning - and since we're in Paso, the property is surrounded by vineyards.<br />
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Here are a few shots of the property:<br />
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</div>Quite stunning, huh? What a fabulous choice for the first ever Paso Garagiste festival!<br />
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I arrive around 9 am and everyone is running around setting things up. I was lucky as my job for the morning was to be the personal assistant to the winemakers who were speaking at the seminars. For the first seminar that would be: Justin from <a href="http://www.saxumvineyards.com/">Saxum Wines</a>, Neil from <a href="http://www.tablascreek.com/">Tablas Creek</a> & <a href="http://www.lonemadrone.com/">Lone Madrone</a>, & Terry from <a href="http://www.adelaida.com/">Adelaida Cellars.</a> Then the second seminar/barrel education class would be lead by Christian from <a href="http://www.cypherwinery.com/">Cypher Winery</a> & Ryan Render of <a href="http://www.rendarrio.com/home.html">Rendario Vineyards.</a> So my job was greeting them when they arrived, setting them up with coffee & water, and chatting it up with them. Hard job, eh? :)<br />
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So I know Neal, Christian and Terry already, but I haven't had the opportunity to meet Justin before. I mean, my goodness, his James Berry Vineyard wine won "Wine of the World" (yes, the WHOLE world!) in 2010. Now I always jokingly say, "I hate Justin Smith. He's an amazing winemaker. I hear he's an extremely nice guy. He is gorgeous. His wife is gorgeous. His kids are gorgeous. Even his dog is gorgeous. " At this point, my friend Stew would interject - "Yeah, I've even met the dog. He is pretty gorgeous." I'm totally joking of course but I was super excited to finally meet the man himself - and yes, he truly is a really nice guy.<br />
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So the first seminar beings with Stew asking Neal, Justin & Terry questions about life in the wine world. Here's shots of the action - I love Neal's grin & beanie:<br />
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Stew asked great questions covering topics such as this year's harvest, what's it like to balance family life against the harvest season, describe a varietal (that Stew chose) & their vision of how to grow that varietal and make wine, etc. the best way possible. Terry's varietal was Pinot, Justin's was Syrah, and then Neal's was....wait for it....Tannat, of course! Oh, that made me very happy as I think you all know by now, I'm <i>obsessed</i> with Tannat.<br />
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The class went really well - lots of jokes and laughter, excellent questions & answers, and Stew even opened it up for questions from the audience. Really fun.<br />
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Afterward I was able to snap a photo of the panel all together. Here it is from left to right: Neal, Terry, Justin, Stew & Doug:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqGMqtCc0C8/TsGJIQJffxI/AAAAAAAAAjI/lM1SkPpUoo4/s1600/panel1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqGMqtCc0C8/TsGJIQJffxI/AAAAAAAAAjI/lM1SkPpUoo4/s320/panel1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now before the event had happened, we were all a little concerned about making sure Justin wasn't swarmed after the talk as he needed to take off to continue working harvest. In fact, we had heard a joke about someone just wanting to touch him, to make sure he was real. I told Justin the story and asked if I could get a photo of me touching his arm, proving he was a real human being and not just a supernatural hologram. Here is the fabulous photo:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJiWR9XtBic/TsGLOQltc8I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/galr8Cmcf4A/s1600/sarahjustin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJiWR9XtBic/TsGLOQltc8I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/galr8Cmcf4A/s320/sarahjustin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That photo completely cracks me up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now if you know me, you know I've been on a quest to try as many wines as I can from the Paso area, searching for the great ones. Though I've been exposed to some amazing wines, I have never fully been able to answer the question of why certain wines are so spectacular and why most wines are simply bad. I told Justin about when I first had Herman Story Wines, I was on the floor, completely blown away about how amazing they were. I had heard Herman Story wines were similar to Justin's so..... I asked Justin, since he is considered one of the best winemakers of the world at this point, what is it that he does that makes his wine so amazing? He laughed and said he couldn't really answer that as there are so many factors that go into it. But he said that he and I must have the same palate (did you hear that? Justin said I have his palate!) and that he makes wines that he loves, and he's lucky enough to achieve that. I talked about James Berry Vineyard and he did say, as so many winemakers do, "It really does start in the vineyard. I do as little as possible to not interfere with the wine - and make sure I don't screw it up!" What a humble answer from such a talented guy. I told him I still think it has something to do with the fact that he's surrounded by fairies & butterflies and he lives in some magical world. Just saying.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up: we'll talk about Christian & Ryan's seminar that was an educational class on wine barrels - how different barrels affect the taste of the wine. That said, I'm running short on time and will save it for the next blog. For now, I will leave you with this photo of Christian from Cypher Winery:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>No explanation - just go with it.<br />
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Next blog hopefully coming soon!The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-61315629794143209462011-11-10T22:57:00.000-08:002011-11-11T07:51:54.150-08:00The Kickoff Garagiste Event!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKEKxJpH2r4/TrzE31BVy3I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/iFj3m7K39iI/s1600/Garagiste.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKEKxJpH2r4/TrzE31BVy3I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/iFj3m7K39iI/s320/Garagiste.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Today was the kickoff to the Paso Garagiste Event that will be held this Saturday at <a href="http://www.windfallfarms.net/">Windfall Farms.</a> If you don't know what the event is, you're lame. I don't mean to be mean, but yes, you'd be lame.<br />
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The <a href="http://pasogaragiste.com/">Paso Garagiste Festival</a> is the first festival of it's kind, highlighting Garagiste Winemakers from the Paso Wine Region. Garagiste is a French term meaning "Garage Winemakers" and the festival highlights winemakers who make 1,500 cases or less. Most don't have tasting rooms so this is a FABULOUS opportunity for them to show the world what they are all about.<br />
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The event will be held this Saturday at Windfall Farms from 2-5pm for the Grand Tasting of over 40 wineries - OMG! This is going to be TOO much fun.<br />
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So to get back on message: Tonight was the "launch off" event of the Garagiste Festival featuring the Women of Paso Garagiste: Maggie from <a href="http://www.altacolinawine.com/">Alta Colina</a>, Stephanie from <a href="http://www.giornatawines.com/">Giornata</a>, and Amy from <a href="http://www.rancherocellars.com/">Ranchero Cellars.</a> All three ladies poured two of their fabulous wine at <a href="http://15degreescwines.com/">15C</a> - many locals and industry folks were out to support the event.<br />
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I walked in to meet Amy from Ranchero Cellars who poured me her Viognier - what a yummy Viogier! In fact, I don't really love Viogniers but Amy's was great!!! Here's Amy & I - we tried to get her bottle/label in the photo but didn't quite succeed:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBWxdo8gVZc/TrzBg4xsNWI/AAAAAAAAAho/XB8NgUwWSAA/s1600/AmySarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBWxdo8gVZc/TrzBg4xsNWI/AAAAAAAAAho/XB8NgUwWSAA/s320/AmySarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I got to see Ms. Stephanie of Giornata (as well as Broadside & Il Campo.) The Giornata Vermentino is one of my favorite wines of all time! But tonight, she was pouring two reds - and I got to try the Barbera. FABULOUS! Really bright fruit, yet light like a Pinot. Great job, Giornata!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MWqkiBAdbo/TrzCO3IwlAI/AAAAAAAAAhw/gm8egUE-dms/s1600/Stephanie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MWqkiBAdbo/TrzCO3IwlAI/AAAAAAAAAhw/gm8egUE-dms/s320/Stephanie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And then....tah da!! Here's Maggie from Alta Colina - the Rhone King (or Queen, shall I say.) Look, I admit, I'm a HUGE fan of Alta Colina and I'll be doing a full blog on them soon. But for now, check out Maggie balancing three bottles of wine along with Maggie from <a href="http://www.windwardvineyard.com/">Windward Vineyard</a>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTvG5pOsREo/Tr1EWqu1ljI/AAAAAAAAAiY/HSmbYy6RKN4/s1600/Maggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTvG5pOsREo/Tr1EWqu1ljI/AAAAAAAAAiY/HSmbYy6RKN4/s320/Maggie.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Ok. On to Stew. One of the founders of the Paso Garagiste Festival. He created a trophy for the winery who supported the Garagiste Festival the most. It has a wood base that is 120 years old, representing Paso Robles. Then it has granite over the top of that representing the Earth. Then it has a metal valve that represents industry - and all of the hard work it takes to be a winemaker. Someone will win this award on Saturday - and I will of course let you know who wins :)<br />
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Here's Stew with the award he created:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOqlF3L2s6A/TrzEaD7pPeI/AAAAAAAAAiA/BxYQ1wNDyCw/s1600/Garagistetrophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOqlF3L2s6A/TrzEaD7pPeI/AAAAAAAAAiA/BxYQ1wNDyCw/s320/Garagistetrophy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And here's the main crew partying out back at 15C during the event - people were calling it the "afterparty" within the party! Lisa Dinsmore is there - she's been a fabulous help in putting the whole festival together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvxZrIA_em4/TrzEs51pIZI/AAAAAAAAAiI/-n_Valv1ep4/s1600/afterparty%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvxZrIA_em4/TrzEs51pIZI/AAAAAAAAAiI/-n_Valv1ep4/s320/afterparty%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So Sarah will be @ the Paso Garagiste Festival blogging away. But what else will Sarah be doing? She'll be the assistant to the winemakers for the day!! We're talking Christian from <a href="http://www.cypherwinery.com/">Cypher Winery</a>, Neil from <a href="http://www.tablascreek.com/">Tablas Creek</a> & <a href="http://www.lonemadrone.com/">Lone Madrone</a>, Terry from <a href="http://www.adelaida.com/">Adelaida</a> and ...wait for it.....Justin from <a href="http://www.saxumvineyards.com/">Saxum Wines!!!!! </a>I'm super excited and have been practicing my best "get out of here paparazzi!!!" moves to protect the winemakers :)<br />
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Can't wait to see you all for the Paso Garagiste Event - hooray!!!!!The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-54974579771506267982011-11-10T21:28:00.000-08:002011-11-13T14:35:05.515-08:00Rose Rockoff - Wines & After Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uUVANWF8tts/TrtcEtPD_uI/AAAAAAAAAf4/xsACJ3uarcw/s1600/rosebottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uUVANWF8tts/TrtcEtPD_uI/AAAAAAAAAf4/xsACJ3uarcw/s320/rosebottles.JPG" width="320" /></a>In the last post I announced the winners & all the wines of the Rose Rockoff, but I was to much of a wimp to get you the details as I was too tired. But today, I'm bright eyed & bushy tailed and will give you the full low down!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>There was a tie for the winner of the Rose Rockoff Event. The winners were: L'Aventure Cote A Cote Rose & Chamisal Grenache Rose. That said, the top six of my favorite roses are ALL winners in my eyes as they made it to the top six out of 35 or so. There is no second place - all of these are great roses. So though I'm naming the two "winners", I want you to know about each rose as they are ALL great wines. So here we go:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J7a3DdrIy4A/TrtbzDtUfdI/AAAAAAAAAfw/xnVgaKrKmy8/s1600/coteacote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J7a3DdrIy4A/TrtbzDtUfdI/AAAAAAAAAfw/xnVgaKrKmy8/s320/coteacote.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Cote A Cote is 64% Mourvedre, 26% Grenache & 10% Syrah. It had a strongly intense Mourvedre nose - meaning the earthy "barnyard" quality that you can get with mourvedre. Though mourvedre isn't my favorite varietal in a rose, this is probably the best rose I've ever had in my entire life. I mean, the quality! Amazing job, Stephan. What I loved about it is that yes, you tasted the mourvedre, but it was light, and gave a cool mourvedre "kick" at the back of the palate. Robert, the Tasting Room Manager at L'Aventure had told me that this rose was left only five minutes on the skins - wow! Such a beautiful rose - everyone was so sad to find out that it is sold out. But remember it for next year!<br />
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L'Aventure 2010 Cote A Cote Rose $30<br />
<a href="http://www.aventurewine.com/">http://www.aventurewine.com/</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emNUtH9KA3k/Trte1pNSnDI/AAAAAAAAAgA/yPewDjsCohE/s1600/chamisal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emNUtH9KA3k/Trte1pNSnDI/AAAAAAAAAgA/yPewDjsCohE/s320/chamisal.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Chamisal Rose is 100% Grenache. The first thing I noticed about this rose was its color - a gorgeous cranberry. It is a clean/crisp rose with a tartness & spice that I love at the back of the palate. It had quite a creamy, elegant mouthfeel with a touch of sweetness which, as I always say: "helps to make the medicine go down." :) It was also bright at the front of the palate - feeling like raspberry/cranberry. Chamisal had two different clones of Grenache for the rose - both chosen for their red fruit and spice. The rose is not available in the tasting room, but you may still be able to order online. Email them & ask!<br />
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Chamisal 2010 Estate Rose $22<br />
<a href="http://www.chamisalvineyards.com/">http://www.chamisalvineyards.com/</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdZ7SP3fowE/TrtfDc9iv1I/AAAAAAAAAgI/eurIRQXBn9Q/s1600/lagrandecote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdZ7SP3fowE/TrtfDc9iv1I/AAAAAAAAAgI/eurIRQXBn9Q/s320/lagrandecote.jpg" width="240" /></a>The La Grande Cote rose is a joint venture by Guillaume Fabre (winemaker for Clos Solene as well as the assistant winemaker for L'Aventure) and Erich Russell (Viticulturist.) The blend is 49% Mourvedre, 32% Syrah and 19% Grenache. I love the nose on this rose! So beautiful - tons of tropical fruit. But what I love most about this rose is how dry it is. I mean, it is literally BONE dry. In fact, that's a big part of the reason why I chose to have this rose as part of the tasting as it is really hard to find a bone dry rose from the Paso area. It is very light on the palate so I started the tasting with this rose - and everyone commented on how fabulously dry it is. This is the rose that the "cocky bunch" thought was a L'Aventure, but it wasn't! It was La Grand Cote. And I have to admit, going into the tasting, my favorite was Chamisal...and I knew everyone would love the L'Aventure Cote A Cote...but the night of the tasting, La Grande Cote was my absolute favorite! I think it was because it is on the lighter side and super dry - and since I'm such a bubbles girl now, I loved the crispness of this rose.<br />
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La Grande Cote 2010 Rose $25<br />
<a href="http://clossolene.com/">http://clossolene.com/</a> (Just e-mail them to ask about it!)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gntkKSYICYo/TrtfLpwINUI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/cjrYYgCIgfQ/s1600/bambam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gntkKSYICYo/TrtfLpwINUI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/cjrYYgCIgfQ/s320/bambam.jpg" width="240" /></a>The Terry Hoage Bam Bam Rose is 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache & 25% Cinsault. The Bam Bam Rose is a HUGE rose! It's on the heavier end for me - even the color almost takes it to a red wine vs. a light colored rose. It's almost a chewy rose that is a bit tart and to me - tastes like fabulous cranberry. Not tons of fruit but has great minerality. It's funny - because of the color, I almost would have thought that it was a big earthy/barnyard/funky mourvedre based rose that I wouldn't like - but not so! It's pure, beautiful, clean fruit - an all around great rose!<br />
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The 2010 Terry Hoage Bam Bam ($20) is sold out, so be first in line to try the 2011 version!!<br />
<a href="http://www.terryhoagevineyards.com/">http://www.terryhoagevineyards.com/</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tObHtQXTFJQ/TrtfWakptRI/AAAAAAAAAgY/dXvNXIE8PU4/s1600/estaterose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tObHtQXTFJQ/TrtfWakptRI/AAAAAAAAAgY/dXvNXIE8PU4/s320/estaterose.jpg" width="240" /></a>The L'Aventure Estate Rose is one of the first roses I ever tried that I truly loved. The blend is 70% Syrah & 30% Cabernet. I remember trying it at the winery on a cold day, and not really loving it. But we still bought it and took it home with us. A few weeks later, the weather was 90 degrees, and we popped this baby open - OMG! Then I realized why everyone loved this L'Aventure Rose! It's pretty intense and to me has gorgeous, luscious flavors of guava, kiwi & watermelon. Simply a fabulous rose - a must have. And great news - it is still available!<br />
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L'Aventure 2010 Estate Rose $25<br />
<a href="http://www.aventurewine.com/">http://www.aventurewine.com/</a><br />
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Last but not least is the Clayhouse Adobe Pink Rose. The blend is 38% Mourvedre, 32% Syrah & 30% Cabernet. It is quite a light rose, so we poured it as # 2 in the line up. It has a bit of sweetness to it yet most folks would consider it dry. To me it has flavors of kiwi & watermelon along with a strawberry aftertaste. It was almost tangy & zippy! A FABULOUS rose for the pricepoint of $15.<br />
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Clayhouse 2010 Adobe PInk Rose $15<br />
<a href="http://www.clayhousewines.com/">http://www.clayhousewines.com/</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-djIdlTwLbe0/TryrCjRC28I/AAAAAAAAAhg/qJUCOKQ4Tt4/s1600/clayhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-djIdlTwLbe0/TryrCjRC28I/AAAAAAAAAhg/qJUCOKQ4Tt4/s320/clayhouse.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">So yay! That's the lineup as well as all the details about the roses from my <i>fabulous</i> Rose Rockoff Tasting Event. (I'm not getting cocky, am I??) But I wouldn't have been able to hold the event without the help of all the wonderful folks at <a href="http://15degreescwines.com/">15C</a> in Templeton. Here's a photo of the crew with a couple of extras added in:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJd8viYH9oE/TrtfqlwiLtI/AAAAAAAAAgo/szgwZDR7ce8/s1600/15Ccrew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJd8viYH9oE/TrtfqlwiLtI/AAAAAAAAAgo/szgwZDR7ce8/s320/15Ccrew.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
From left to right: Ali (the owner of 15C), Lisa Ortman (owner of Ortman wines), Carly (works @15C), Alex (from Tablas Creek who crashed the photo), Holly (who works at 15C) and Loshel (who works @ 15C - notice how he is texting while I'm taking the photo....) and in the front is my buddy T who works at 15C as well as Cypher Winery.<br />
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Thanks guys! You all helped make the event a great success!<br />
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One of my favorite things that happened that night is that in some way, somehow, 15C became a disco night club as they were getting ready to close. I mean really, truly - T plugged his ipod into the stereo system and woo hoo - we were jammin. That's when Michelle and I heard "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga and off we went. We both LOVE Lady Gaga and have to sing along with her whenever we can. The way it began was Michelle sauntering up to me singing "I've had a little but to much - oh oh oh oh" and I was well on my way. What I love about Michelle and I is that we shared the song - I'd sing "What's going on on the floor" and she's sing "I love this record baby but I can't see straight anymore" and that was us! Thank God I was beyond tipsy otherwise I never would have been up for it - too funny. BTW - if you know us, we also did a legendary gig singing Bad Romance. It's on video somewhere...I'm still trying to figure out how to destroy the tape....<br />
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I'm ending with this fabulous photo of Maggie (from <a href="http://www.altacolinawine.com/">Alta Colina</a>) and I having a ball at the dance party:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDvOGGuJVXo/Trtf8lx-dFI/AAAAAAAAAgw/MXzrWv7QLto/s1600/sarahmaggie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDvOGGuJVXo/Trtf8lx-dFI/AAAAAAAAAgw/MXzrWv7QLto/s320/sarahmaggie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I think Maggie's face sums it all up right there :)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Woo hoo! That's it for the Rose Rockoff Blog! A big thanks to 15C for hosting the event, and a big thanks to all who attended the event. Up next: a bubbles tasting event for the holidays and a Grenache tasting for my birthday in Febraury. I'm super excited! I think I'll make a habit of this as it is too much fun :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to all of you who were a part of this first tasting event. Rock on! :)</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-83575590559423071142011-11-08T22:22:00.000-08:002011-11-09T15:20:40.547-08:00The Rose Rockoff Event - 15@15C!Eight months ago, I started my quest to do a blog on the "best of the best" roses in the Paso area. Yes, EIGHT months ago. But finally, after running from winery to winery (thru rain, thru snow, thru sleet - oh wait, it was summer...) I narrowed my favorites down to the top six. Then to take it to the next level, this past Saturday, I hosted the "Rose Rockoff" event where us "regular tasting room folk" got to choose #1 out of my top six.<br />
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</div><div>What was absolutely hilarious for me is that it was held on probably the coldest night of the year so far! We were out on the back patio at 15C - with a heat lamp that actually did keep us pretty darn warm - yet it was still a freezing night. But we proved that you can drink rose anytime, anywhere - no matter how cold or warm it is! It was perfect :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>What is ironic is that when I first started in the wine industry, I hated roses! I had never found any that impressed me. I was working with my dear friend, Michelle at Cypher Winery, and she LOVED rose. In fact, I have dubbed her the "Grand Dame of Rose." She got me hooked on the rose bug, and really was an inspiration for this blog. So thanks, Ms. Michelle! Not only did you get me hooked on rose, but you & Ali got me hooked on bubbles.......</div><div><br />
</div><div>OK - focus Sarah - don't be distracted by bubbles. Here we go:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Boyfriend and I were running late to the event as we both had crazy Saturdays at work. Tho to note: the name Boyfriend currently represents "Formally Known as Boyfriend" until further notice - meaning the position of Boyfriend on this blog may be up for grabs. But in the meantime, Dana, as my best friend, is happy to play the part for the sake of the blog :) </div><div><br />
</div><div>So as I said, we got there late and had to do the set up. I needed to taste through all of the roses again to get the lineup for tasting - from light roses to the heavier roses. Keep in mind, the last time I had some of these roses was months ago so I had to refresh my memory on what was what. In the middle of this, folks kept showing up and wanting to say hi and I had to yell at them to go away so they wouldn't see the bottles - it was pretty funny as most folks didn't believe me and kept coming so I really had to kick them out. The best was Addie who wouldn't listen at all and came in for hugs with her eyes closed so she wouldn't see the bottles - too funny.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here's the lineup of the roses. We labeled them A to F, from lightest to heaviest roses, trying to make a nice transition from varietal to varietal:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uDue3t2xeI/Trn9oHbozAI/AAAAAAAAAeg/jAEmM8Vld9A/s1600/setup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uDue3t2xeI/Trn9oHbozAI/AAAAAAAAAeg/jAEmM8Vld9A/s320/setup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>So I of course, had to do a little talk about the madness of my eight month rose blog. It was going well until a Mr. Bobby Fox and a Mr. Glenn Milton decided that they needed to heckle me - tho of course it was pretty hilarious. At one point, Mr. Bobby yelled - "Get on with the tasting already!" Ok Bobby, I know you needed to get your drink on, but seriously? hahahahaha</div><div><br />
</div><div>Tho I bored Bobby (just kidding, Bobby!!) I talked about why I started this silly little blog and how sometimes I wondered at the point of it all.....but because of this blog, it was a great excuse to get all my friends from the area together for this tasting so, woo hoo! I also talked about how lucky I felt to have met so many people in just the last year via the Paso Wine Industry and how all the folks in attendance were a type of "family" for me. Beyond that, I talked about the last eight months of me trying to get to all the wineries I wanted to get to to try their roses, and why I chose the ones I did. Ok - so I did run about the mouth a bit but come on - this is my Rose Rockoff Event that I've been waiting eight months for! My only regret is that I didn't have everyone introduce themselves so at the next event, y'all better be ready.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here we go: the lineup was six roses to be tasted by 15 local tasting room folks - the main 15@15c. Boyfriend and I were an extra two. Ok - I realize that really makes 17@15 but...whatever. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Here's a photo of my dear Addie and I promoting 15C. Addie's name is really Adelaida - after Adelaida Road & the Adelaida hills. You can't get more wine industry than that!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GbBffAzOjg/TroFxpJyujI/AAAAAAAAAew/xEsF7yEZrXg/s1600/15%254015%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GbBffAzOjg/TroFxpJyujI/AAAAAAAAAew/xEsF7yEZrXg/s320/15%254015%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And before we get going - a big thanks to Ali & everyone at <a href="http://15degreescwines.com/">15C</a> for hosting the event for us! It was a great space to hold the tasting event & we really appreciate all of your hospitality.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So we start with the first rose. It has a fabulous nose, and is totally dry. Really clean and crisp. My buddies Garrett, Addie & Alex all said, "We know which one this is - it's a L'Aventure." I said, "Oooo you cocky, cocky people. It's not a L'Aventure - just wait till you find out what it is!" They were like "Nooooo! It's really not a L'Aventure??" So I had to get a photo of their cocky little selves being told that they were wrong - soooo funny!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rySZekonDh8/TroCWGvRzCI/AAAAAAAAAeo/a4qiCZXuuLk/s1600/cockygroup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rySZekonDh8/TroCWGvRzCI/AAAAAAAAAeo/a4qiCZXuuLk/s320/cockygroup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>We then tried the next rose, which was still really light, but more on the sweet side. From there, the next rose had quite an earthy funk on the nose (as it was mourvedre based) but had a beautiful, elegant taste about it as well as great finish. The next rose was dry and had a clean grapefruit/guava taste. The next was bigger, yet with a tad of sweetness and even a little spice. The last rose was HUGE and almost lent itself to a red wine. Whew! That's a lot of tasting!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here's a photo of my dear Bobby Fox and T as they were exhausted from tasting all the wine, but as you can see, were also expressing their love for each other :) I personally think T was dreaming dreams of the upcoming grenache tasting...but we'll talk about that later......</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kieE1dW534k/TroIk7omlgI/AAAAAAAAAe4/BtYR_t7nc20/s1600/Bobby%2526T.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kieE1dW534k/TroIk7omlgI/AAAAAAAAAe4/BtYR_t7nc20/s320/Bobby%2526T.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Everyone took their time, tasting through the wines and figuring out which was their favorite. They rated the wines, turned in their cards, and I had to total them all up. But before I announced the winner, we had to get a photo of the whole group of tasters:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkdMGzKvNQ0/TroPC_L1ZII/AAAAAAAAAfA/BIFoc7uh1Fo/s1600/thewholegroup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkdMGzKvNQ0/TroPC_L1ZII/AAAAAAAAAfA/BIFoc7uh1Fo/s320/thewholegroup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>The 15 tasters were:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Lindsay, the Tasting Room Manager @ <a href="http://www.thacherwinery.com/">Thatcher Winery</a> along with her boyfriend Nick, who works production at <a href="http://www.vinarobles.com/">Vina Robles</a></div><div>Lindsey Burrell from <a href="http://halterranch.com/">Halter Ranch Vineyards</a> (where I currently work)</div><div>Addie from <a href="http://www.epochwines.com/">Epoch Winery</a></div><div>T (short for Tajin) from <a href="http://cypherwinery.com/">Cypher Winery</a></div><div>Alex from <a href="http://www.tablascreek.com/">Tablas Creek</a></div><div>Garrett from <a href="http://www.calcareous.com/">Calcareous Vineyards</a> and his girlfriend Jesse who is working production at <a href="http://www.meridianvineyards.com/">Meridian </a></div><div>Michelle - the Grand Dame of roses who works at <a href="http://15degreescwines.com/">15C</a> along with her husband Stew</div><div>Bobby Fox who does a bunch of stuff in the wine industry, including working at <a href="http://www.venteuxvineyards.com/">Venteux</a> now and again</div><div>English Glenn who works at <a href="http://www.venteuxvineyards.com/">Venteux</a></div><div>Maggie whose family owns <a href="http://www.altacolinawine.com/">Alta Colina</a></div><div>Taryn from <a href="http://www.jadavineyard.com/">Jada Winery</a></div><div>Jason from <a href="http://www.calcareous.com/">Calcareous</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Ok, drumroll please....the winner is....</div><div><br />
</div><div>ACK! It's a tie! The winners were:</div><div>The Cote a Cote Rose from L'Aventure & Chamisal's Grenache Rose. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The fabulous runner's up were "La Grande Cote" by Guillaume Fabre & Erich Russell, Bam Bam by Terry Hoage, L'Aventure Estate Rose & Clayhouse Adobe Pink. More on these wines to come.....</div><div><br />
</div><div>Wow! What's interesting is that the two winners were my favorites going into the event so I am so glad that they both won - how fun to have a tie! That said, my favorite for the evening was a different rose...I'll tell you why soon...</div><div><br />
</div><div>But here's Ms. Addie after we announced the winner:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNMIMGkScds/TroTXplDe1I/AAAAAAAAAfI/puMdbNxQ8DE/s1600/addie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNMIMGkScds/TroTXplDe1I/AAAAAAAAAfI/puMdbNxQ8DE/s320/addie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And here's the other fabulous "fashion" photos of the evening:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Myself with Ms. Michelle - the Belle of the Rose Blog - </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7wLojduKec/TroTxjDkxaI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/fNHh7dkQFrM/s1600/michellesarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7wLojduKec/TroTxjDkxaI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/fNHh7dkQFrM/s320/michellesarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Myself with the darling Alex and the fabulous Mr. Glenn with the sexy English accent - </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCQfSlr5smU/TroUJgsY9HI/AAAAAAAAAfY/WudGAjwHnE8/s1600/alexglennsarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCQfSlr5smU/TroUJgsY9HI/AAAAAAAAAfY/WudGAjwHnE8/s320/alexglennsarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Sarah with Addie, Nick & Lindsay - my fellow hardcore rose tasters -</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MLs40GSiNk/TroUitcCqkI/AAAAAAAAAfg/kbrZIbHWNjY/s1600/lindsaynickaddiesarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MLs40GSiNk/TroUitcCqkI/AAAAAAAAAfg/kbrZIbHWNjY/s320/lindsaynickaddiesarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Plus a great shot of "Formally Known as Boyfriend" & I with Garrett and his girl, Jesse:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_VXsVKOkA0/TroVu-ykcwI/AAAAAAAAAfo/XYRlXwKPQUY/s1600/garrettjesseus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_VXsVKOkA0/TroVu-ykcwI/AAAAAAAAAfo/XYRlXwKPQUY/s320/garrettjesseus.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Next up I need to go into more details about each of the roses on the blog as well as the story of how 15C suddenly turned into a dance club on a Saturday night. That said, I'm pooped and will have to do Part 2 of this blog tomorrow. But.....I will tantalize you with anticipation to make sure you check in to read Part 2: What's the details on the other wines listed for the tasting? What was Sarah's favorite for the night? Did Sarah & Michelle sing bad Lady Gaga karaoke at the dance party? Only if you tune into Part Two will you find out :)<br />
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Cheers to the Rose Rockoff!!!!</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-87984698271824909892011-11-01T22:17:00.000-07:002011-11-01T22:33:19.095-07:00Rose Rockoff - This Sat @ 15C!Hi all,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hozqb1mR59Y/TrDTlbsY6LI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/KxX3b1lGwPw/s1600/Rose-Wine-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hozqb1mR59Y/TrDTlbsY6LI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/KxX3b1lGwPw/s320/Rose-Wine-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So if you know me, you know that I've been hunting down the "best of the best" roses in the area since this spring. In fact, I'm sure most of you are sick of hearing "I need to taste that for my rose blog!" I know...I know.....Apologies as even <i>I am tired of hearing it.</i><br />
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But really & truly, this has it been a lot of work! There's never enough time to really get to run around & try what I want, and certain wineries are only open limited hours, so it's been really hard to run around and get to try the roses. But after about 6 months, I've tried 35+ roses, and have picked my top 6. Drumroll please......<br />
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Well.....come to think.....yada yada - yeah, I'll do a blog about each of the roses and why I think they are so fabulous. Good. - but BORING! Can't I do more? Heck ya! So, I'm about to step it up a notch and keep the party going:<br />
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Now that I've picked these top six, I'm putting them up to the test of my fellow industry folks & friends. I'm hoping to have the "Fifteen @ 15C" - 15 friends from the industry who will blind taste these top 6 roses, and then pick the winner. <i>ALL</i> are winners in my eyes, yet at the same time, how fun to choose the best of the best!<br />
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So this Sat night at 7pm, on the back patio of 15C in Templeton, we'll be holding the "Rose Rockoff" in order to pick "The Best Rose in the Paso Area" - off of my standards, anyway :) What I love about this is that the panel will be made up of us "regular" tasting room folk who would never be asked to be part of a panel like this. Well this Saturday, we WILL be the panel - yay! This will be a lot of fun - and a great way to get us industry folks together for a mini-industry party. At the party, I'll reveal the top six roses from the area, but will follow up with a blog on it all - and the winner will get a special blog done on their winery.<br />
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So come one, come all! Join us Sat night @ about 7pm for a lot of fun. "The Rose Rockoff" - if you've seen the movie, <i>Tenacious D</i>, you'll know what I mean :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8UmE2dD-o/TrDUIYuYUuI/AAAAAAAAAaY/yKgbeYH3hq4/s1600/15C.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8UmE2dD-o/TrDUIYuYUuI/AAAAAAAAAaY/yKgbeYH3hq4/s320/15C.png" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://15degreescwines.com/">15C</a><br />
1121 Rossi Road<br />
Templeton - in the Trader Joe's shopping Center<br />
805.434.1554The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-19216740509070282622011-10-23T18:33:00.000-07:002011-10-31T11:12:54.638-07:00Last Burger Sunday of the Year - Why oh Why Does it have to End?OMG - the incredible Jeff Scott supplied us with the most FABULOUS burgers every other Sunday all summer long for Burger Sundays. But alas, all good things must come to an end. "Sigh." But of course Sarah was there to capture every moment of the last Burger Sunday of the year - how could I miss it??? I was there in full force with my posse, drinking waaaay too much vino :)<br />
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First off, we order our burgers (Portabello mushroom burgers that Chef Jeff added not only onions to but wild blue berries to for sweetness - Chef Jeff, we LOVE you!) and we sit down at a picnic bench, only to find out that we're sitting at the "Tannat Table." OMG - it must be kismet as Tannat is my favorite grape of all time. Here's a photo of the Lone Madrone flier of the Tannat Table:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBA5qseAU20/TqS4iDMNUCI/AAAAAAAAAZE/WULewGGQbjs/s1600/tannattable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBA5qseAU20/TqS4iDMNUCI/AAAAAAAAAZE/WULewGGQbjs/s320/tannattable.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I haven't posted it yet - it's a total exclusive - but here's a photo of myself & Neil at a Burger Sunday earlier this sumer where we drank Tannat in the hot sun - proving that no matter what time, place or temperature, you can <i>ALWAYS</i> drink Tannat - you may pass out, but that's irrelevant. Too funny :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxorbVNcC0g/TqUxXtUIFRI/AAAAAAAAAaE/y69tLT-8Waw/s1600/sarahneil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxorbVNcC0g/TqUxXtUIFRI/AAAAAAAAAaE/y69tLT-8Waw/s320/sarahneil.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Since it was a hot day, we started off drinking a nice old bottle of La Mezcia which is a blend of Grenache Blanc & Albarino. It's my favorite white that Neil makes as it s so bright & crisp - perfect for such a hot day!<br />
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For round two, Michelle got us a bottle of the Chenin Blanc, which is from 40 year old vines! It is a much "bigger" wine with a luscious, velvety mouthfeel. *Really* good with the burgers. And my goodness - the burgers were just amazing. I cannot think of one way to improve them further - Chef Jeff, you did it again!<br />
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The rest of this blog is "easy" as I'm just documenting my buddies for the day :) First off is Deb, my new BFF who is pouring wine for the first time ever! Doesn't she look like a natural? Way to go, Deb! Alongside her is my dear Amanda who works at Lone Madrone:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7szoVmwIYw/TqS5C8_Tr9I/AAAAAAAAAZM/zRGabIqQlgQ/s1600/debamanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7szoVmwIYw/TqS5C8_Tr9I/AAAAAAAAAZM/zRGabIqQlgQ/s320/debamanda.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Then here's a photos of the band: Martin Parish Bands who rocked it for us all day:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iomUjNTufpQ/TqS5dvB5MnI/AAAAAAAAAZU/mPybIwlXDDU/s1600/martinparisband.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iomUjNTufpQ/TqS5dvB5MnI/AAAAAAAAAZU/mPybIwlXDDU/s320/martinparisband.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then here's a photos of my "crew" - my "best of the best girls" that keep me sane in the Paso area:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWGYZZ4nNtI/TqS5whst_II/AAAAAAAAAZc/OL-IlbrIG10/s1600/mygirls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWGYZZ4nNtI/TqS5whst_II/AAAAAAAAAZc/OL-IlbrIG10/s320/mygirls.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Left to right: Kathy - Sam's sister from OC, SAM - the Queen E.O of Cypher Wine, Michelle, the Marketing/Event Coordinator from 15C, and Lisa, my most favorite partner in crime in the bloggersphere :)<br />
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Then here's the gorgeous couple - Neil & Marci (Neil being the winemaker/owner of Lone Madrone):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rxfrdX8eZE/TqS6pQCkxjI/AAAAAAAAAZk/nzxVg18t-OQ/s1600/NeilMarci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rxfrdX8eZE/TqS6pQCkxjI/AAAAAAAAAZk/nzxVg18t-OQ/s320/NeilMarci.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And here's a photo of my posse all together:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPDSbfRtl8E/TqS67-7vRfI/AAAAAAAAAZs/mrP9Y40xlzg/s1600/thewholecrew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPDSbfRtl8E/TqS67-7vRfI/AAAAAAAAAZs/mrP9Y40xlzg/s320/thewholecrew.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So Sarah is used to bubbles and isn't used to "full on vino" - so I got a bit tipsy partaking in the four bottles that were brought to out table over the course of the afternoon. But that's what makes the last "Burger Sunday" of the year memorable - ahem. (Thankfully I was able to destroy the photos.) Now I just have to wait till next year's Burger Sunday's to start drinking white wine again as I'm dangerous. In the meantime, BUBBLES!!!! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of love to Neil, Marci & Jackie @ Lone Madrone!!! Thanks for the fabulous day - & the bottle of La Mezcia - my favorite white wine of yours :) Much appreciated!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lone Madrone Winery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2485 Hwy 46 W</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paso Robles, CA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">805.238.0845</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">info@lonemadrone.com</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-23449530904678584082011-10-21T10:28:00.000-07:002011-10-21T10:28:04.432-07:00Last Burger Sunday This Sunday @ Lone Madrone!I'll be there as I can't let the last Burger Sunday of the season pass me by. And I'll probably be blogging, as usual. Come one, come all - this will be a great/crazy Burger Sunday as it's Harvest Festival Weekend!<br />
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Burger Sundays @ Lone Madrone Winery 12-3pm<br />
With Burgers (including portabella) by Chef Jeff Scott + great music, fabulous wine & good folks!<br />
2485 Hwy 46W Templeton<br />
805.238.0845<br />
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See you there!!The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-37599557684145264242011-10-10T20:18:00.000-07:002011-10-11T11:14:11.046-07:00I'm high on RAKU Crack!My dear friend, Stephen Patrick of Stephen Patrick Design designed the interior of the new, fabulous Japanese fusion restaurant, <a href="http://www.rakuusa.com/raku/">RAKU.</a> OMG! - I mean, I really feel like I was transported back to SoHo, NYC. The place is stunning: so hip and cool, all in a sexy red theme. Stephen is an extremely talented man.<br />
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So we crashed the place after I crashed Stephen's Art After Dark Party where Boyfriend & I presented Stephen and his husband Todd with Save the Cocks! t-shirts. You can read about the fun <a href="http://savethecocks.blogspot.com/2011/10/save-cocks-crashed-stephen-patrick.html">HERE.</a> We had so much fun and had to continue the party, so I finally got the chance to go to RAKU - yay! I've been wanting to go, ever since they opened.<br />
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So here we arrive, and Stephen orders us lots of sake and beer to have before we go in. They actually have a pyramid flame, lighting the outside - how cool is that?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hS0M5E0Cln8/TpOqg-bJaoI/AAAAAAAAAX4/8CXvXpEYKws/s1600/rakuflames.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hS0M5E0Cln8/TpOqg-bJaoI/AAAAAAAAAX4/8CXvXpEYKws/s320/rakuflames.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ooo - the Kirren and hot sake were FABULOUS! I had so much fun sitting outside in San Luis on a Friday night - I felt like a <i>very</i> lucky girl.<br />
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Our table was ready inside but before we stepped in the front door, I had to get a shot of Stephen in front of his masterpiece:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wDe484-YSXs/TpOq6NTBOPI/AAAAAAAAAYA/2WKSJashLc8/s1600/stephenoutsideraku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wDe484-YSXs/TpOq6NTBOPI/AAAAAAAAAYA/2WKSJashLc8/s320/stephenoutsideraku.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We walked in. OMG - this place is AMAZING! Totally gorgeous - it sets quite the scene. Can I eat here every lunch & dinner, please? For example, here's the art piece that is the background to the main sushi bar. It's of a tiger and dragon fighting - how gorgeous is that?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zP-cAFNvI28/TpOrfx8oyLI/AAAAAAAAAYI/gi2qug8agDo/s1600/dragontigerbar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zP-cAFNvI28/TpOrfx8oyLI/AAAAAAAAAYI/gi2qug8agDo/s320/dragontigerbar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Wow. Simply fabulous.<br />
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So the backstory: Tony, the owner of RAKU, had RAKU in Grover Beach but wanted to move it to SLO. Stephen used to go to the sushi bar in Grover Beach and thru kismet & common sense, became the one to design the new sushi bar. RAKU means fun in Japanese and my god, did we have fun that night! Fabulous sushi at a reasonable price in a gorgeous setting: who could ask for anything more????<br />
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We had waited for a booth so that Stephen could show me the sexy snakeskin fabric. No worries, no snakes were harmed in the making of these booths as they are all plether. But isn't it cool - sexy metallic red & black that sparkles in the low light? Here's Stephen looking sexy, showing it off:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_7Zaqs0GRE/TpOuS74EnlI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/1mSoBAKE3B8/s1600/stephensnakeskin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_7Zaqs0GRE/TpOuS74EnlI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/1mSoBAKE3B8/s320/stephensnakeskin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And here's Todd - though you can hardly see him! But what you can see is the fabulous ceiling of umbrellas and lights hanging down - too fun:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKEqeDI2Y_U/TpOumgllZ4I/AAAAAAAAAYY/L2YYzxE5_Rc/s1600/Toddlights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKEqeDI2Y_U/TpOumgllZ4I/AAAAAAAAAYY/L2YYzxE5_Rc/s320/Toddlights.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Onto the food: Stephen just starts ordering things as he knows the menu and can order the best of the best. Thank you, my dear man. Anytime I go there I will call you for an ordering consultation - everything was exquisite.<br />
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We started off with regular edamame which was great, but then moved to spicy/sauteed edamame which was INSANE! Good god - who thought of this! SO good. I'm craving it now as I write this.<br />
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We then shared huge bowls of miso soup: REAL miso soup that is actually good for you. That could have been a meal unto itself.<br />
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Then comes the sashimi. The salmon was out of this world! I couldn't stop eating it (sorry Stephen!) My god, it just melted in your mouth.<br />
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Then roll after roll after roll arrived: I couldn't keep track. Everything was so good - I think I ate until the point where my tummy burst!<br />
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Ooo - what's that? There were bottles of volka lit up on the sushi bar. Stephen said, "We're experimenting to see if we want to an exotic martini bar." Hell, yes! I'm up for that! So Stephen brought over one of the vodlka bottles to show me it up close. He lit it all up with his iphone - ingenious :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S07qSW4RJNc/TpOwM_quRLI/AAAAAAAAAYo/SPIam4MKpyE/s1600/stephenvoldraku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S07qSW4RJNc/TpOwM_quRLI/AAAAAAAAAYo/SPIam4MKpyE/s320/stephenvoldraku.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
What a cool shot! What I'm happy about the most though is that Stephen and I talked about lemon drops, my new favotite drink. He said that he can make an AMAZING lemon drop: Stephen, I'm holding you to it! Let me know when I can come over... and if I can crash the night...ahem.......<br />
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Here's Stephen and I all happy with tummies bursting from fabulous food:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHgL57HX37c/TpOvrLBG1qI/AAAAAAAAAYg/juZ2a8J6_J8/s1600/stephesarahbooth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHgL57HX37c/TpOvrLBG1qI/AAAAAAAAAYg/juZ2a8J6_J8/s320/stephesarahbooth.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's a photo of Boyfriend & Todd who laughed it up all night, talking about everything from <a href="http://savethecocks.com/Save_the_Cocks/Save_the_Cocks_Homepage.html">Save the Cocks!</a> to other things that Stephen and I couldn't understand. As long as the boys were having fun, we were all happy :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ni29-73RT8/TpO1Nm4Z9zI/AAAAAAAAAY4/jmvr5BULoiw/s1600/boyfriendToaddraku.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ni29-73RT8/TpO1Nm4Z9zI/AAAAAAAAAY4/jmvr5BULoiw/s320/boyfriendToaddraku.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So lucky me, as the night got later and later, Tony the owner decided to hang out with us a bit. All I did was RAVE about his food - I'm his new #1 fan. Here's a hilarious photo of Todd, Tony & Stephen - with Tony being the jokester of the group:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZi1f7UCVFc/TpOyxH6VnkI/AAAAAAAAAYw/tWfAtrlBwTg/s1600/TonyToddStephenRaku.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZi1f7UCVFc/TpOyxH6VnkI/AAAAAAAAAYw/tWfAtrlBwTg/s320/TonyToddStephenRaku.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I told Tony his food was like crack - RAKU Crack! Or else it was like ecstasy which made me insanely happy. Either way, I'm totally addicted, after just one dinner. Get your ass over there stat! You won't regret it. It's sushi of a lifetime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And if you see Stephen & Todd while you are there, please yell, "Save the Cocks!" at them for me, please :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ahem. I need to go there tomorrow @ 7am and wait in line till they open. Yeah, it's that good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RAKU Japanese Sushi Bar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">857 Higuera Street</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">San Luis Obispo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">805.544.7258</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">http://rakuusa.com</div><br />
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</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-57733942886013364082011-10-09T22:03:00.000-07:002011-10-10T08:45:00.546-07:00SAVOR!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">SAVOR the Central Coast was held last weekend and boy, was it a fabulous day! All the food & wine a Tasting Room Girl could eat & drink - who could ask for anything more?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day was as gorgeous as gorgeous could be. And lucky me - I was able to go with my dear friend Lisa, who, as you will see, ended up being the most perfect/gorgeous model/sidekick for me for the day :) We arrived, grabbed ourselves a glass of vino and took the first photo of the day together (while we were still sober in the first 5 minutes of arriving.......)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBLFl8iNBXs/TovR4x9s0rI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8RT7ORyQzmc/s1600/firstphotooftheday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBLFl8iNBXs/TovR4x9s0rI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8RT7ORyQzmc/s320/firstphotooftheday.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friend Tina was part of Sunset's "One Block Diet" Contest - meaning that you get your food locally from around "your block." The contest was for folks to gather their neighbors to create the "One Block Diet" Community and then hold a fabulous feast, showing off what they created. Tina, her husband Thomas and her friends made it to the top ten - yay! Her group was named "Bees' Knees" - here's a photo of their board with a bee actually sitting on their logo - too funny - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UT8iKAu2eL4/TovSRpZDKkI/AAAAAAAAAWg/hIgzma8qRMU/s1600/teambeesknees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UT8iKAu2eL4/TovSRpZDKkI/AAAAAAAAAWg/hIgzma8qRMU/s320/teambeesknees.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are Tina & Thomas in front of the board of photos that showed the different aspects of what they did to create the feast:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSY6GecchyI/TovSedj1VsI/AAAAAAAAAWk/j8M0vFnuqAo/s1600/Tinathomas1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSY6GecchyI/TovSedj1VsI/AAAAAAAAAWk/j8M0vFnuqAo/s320/Tinathomas1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Teams Bees' Knees didn't win the contest (darn it!) but they deserve a big CONGRATULATIONS for making it to the top ten! It was a lot of work for them - great job, guys!<br />
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After the contest winners were announced, Lisa and I started to wander around, specifically looking for our buddies at the 15C booth. (Bubbles? Bubbles? Does anyone have bubbles available? Shoot!) Here's Lisa with my dear Adrienne as well as Doug, Alli's hubby:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BID5ciM5wV4/TovSx_RthZI/AAAAAAAAAWo/S8Ngr6TJAuo/s1600/adriennelisadoug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BID5ciM5wV4/TovSx_RthZI/AAAAAAAAAWo/S8Ngr6TJAuo/s320/adriennelisadoug.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now I was on the hunt to try to find bubbles, but became distracted by all the fabulous food. Wait - who is that? Could it be? Yes! It was Shaun, the head chef from <a href="http://www.lunaredslo.com/">Luna Red</a>. And who was he with? It was Maegen from the <a href="http://theneoncarrot.com/">Neon Carrot</a>! These are my buddies that I met at the <a href="http://notesfromthetastingroom.blogspot.com/2011/06/pinot-paella-festival-part-1-of-2-no-3.html">Pinot & Paella Festival</a> - and can you believe it, I was supposed to go to each restaurant and do full blogs on them - though it hasn't happened yet. Oy vey, how time flies......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7D0NbUMQ_M/TovS_NrFbUI/AAAAAAAAAWs/PmMDlzXCrVQ/s1600/meeganshawnsarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7D0NbUMQ_M/TovS_NrFbUI/AAAAAAAAAWs/PmMDlzXCrVQ/s320/meeganshawnsarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We continued our search for bubbles, only to run into Bob, Jackie's husband (Jackie works with me at Halter Ranch & is a fellow lover of Herman Story wines.) Bob lost Jackie and was trying to figure out how to find her.... But then he gave up, found some dessert and did "cheers " for the photo. We love you Bob! (Thankfully Jackie & Bob were reunited - but only after about an hour of searching - oy vey....)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4EkoceSOaQ/TovTMK14YII/AAAAAAAAAWw/2ErkoNg8dd8/s1600/bob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4EkoceSOaQ/TovTMK14YII/AAAAAAAAAWw/2ErkoNg8dd8/s320/bob.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa and I were starting to get tired - it was hot....all the food...wine...it was too much...poor us :) But we found our way over to the Vons Beer Garden - hooray! I took a photo of the scene:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8alBkAdh4o/TpJvLGxAz8I/AAAAAAAAAXc/zmRyO-zTF_A/s1600/Where%2527s+Lisa%253F.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8alBkAdh4o/TpJvLGxAz8I/AAAAAAAAAXc/zmRyO-zTF_A/s320/Where%2527s+Lisa%253F.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course Lisa jumped in before I know it for the photo op - she is a total opportunist :) The rest of the day became not, "Where's Waldo?" but, "Where's Lisa???"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I have to admit, the BEST food of the day was the prosciutto pizza from Vons with fresh arugula & salt sprinkled over the top. Really. Truly. It was the BEST food of the day. And I'm not alone - many of my fellow industry folks said the same thing. After the event, the Vons pizza is all we talked about. Does that mean that the food at SAVOR really sucked, or is VONS frozen Pizza really that fabulous? Thoughts??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OMG! There they are! My best buddies Stephen Patrick & Todd Lemay - yay!! They said, "We just arrived, this is the first place we've gone to and of course, here you are - you're everywhere!!!" I said, "No - you guys could just sense I was here and like a tractor beam, I pulled you in." :) I wish I could have hung out with them more, but they were on the hunt to find good vino (can I blame them?) But I was able to capture this fabulous shot of the three of us before they ran off:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPGhqUI0E4s/TpJxgIoFd7I/AAAAAAAAAXg/hnX37QM9Aeo/s1600/stephenTodd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPGhqUI0E4s/TpJxgIoFd7I/AAAAAAAAAXg/hnX37QM9Aeo/s320/stephenTodd.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So off Lisa and I go to see what other food & vino we could find. In a buffet line I suddenly hear, "Hey, Sarah!" It's Donna & Tad from <a href="http://notesfromthetastingroom.blogspot.com/2011/09/taste-du-slo-leil_21.html">The Taste of San Luis!</a> Wow, guys - must we keep meeting in buffet lines like this? Too funny! It was so great to see them again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcNiZYt3wWc/TovTb1mbjdI/AAAAAAAAAW0/m9WpDjCSsq8/s1600/donnatad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcNiZYt3wWc/TovTb1mbjdI/AAAAAAAAAW0/m9WpDjCSsq8/s320/donnatad.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok. I have to admit - Though I was searching for bubbles, I couldn't find any, and I didn't love a lot of the vino....But thankfully, Clayhouse Wines was there with their Adobe Pink - yay! That's one of my FAVORITE roses ever and will be featured on an upcoming blog. Anyway, my friend, Laura was probably getting tired of me going to her booth over and over again for more of the Pink, but she sure didn't show it. Good Girl!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-d1Lxx8FuA/TpJznnZgVPI/AAAAAAAAAXk/L0e7oVgc1SU/s1600/Laurasarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-d1Lxx8FuA/TpJznnZgVPI/AAAAAAAAAXk/L0e7oVgc1SU/s320/Laurasarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now Clayhouse created a stick-on tattoo for their line of Adobe Wines saying "Red, White & Pink!" Here's Lisa rocking her new tattoo - she's looking pretty hot :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6etKEcPq-k/TovTuHnSbiI/AAAAAAAAAW4/RSzSPNzqfEA/s1600/sexylisa%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6etKEcPq-k/TovTuHnSbiI/AAAAAAAAAW4/RSzSPNzqfEA/s320/sexylisa%2521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Off to the old historic barn for another, "Where's Lisa?" photo opportunity:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHnZtoW_0Oo/TovT_e9zO8I/AAAAAAAAAW8/yTn8YfUXUUM/s1600/lisabarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHnZtoW_0Oo/TovT_e9zO8I/AAAAAAAAAW8/yTn8YfUXUUM/s320/lisabarn.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the barn itself - all I can say is, "wow."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chmnxXy5Hys/TovUQy2tZiI/AAAAAAAAAXA/axU2WOfvyoI/s1600/barnoverview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chmnxXy5Hys/TovUQy2tZiI/AAAAAAAAAXA/axU2WOfvyoI/s320/barnoverview.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back on the road again, still looking of bubbles, when I ran into Lindsey & Sarah - my crew from Halter! Don't the two of them look fabulous? I love Sarah's hat - and Lindsey looks so GQ....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Oc1amEkvyI/TovUfUBEyjI/AAAAAAAAAXE/2fxrYcQp6_o/s1600/sarahdoylelinday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Oc1amEkvyI/TovUfUBEyjI/AAAAAAAAAXE/2fxrYcQp6_o/s320/sarahdoylelinday.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wait...wait...what is that? Could it be? Are those bubbles? YES! they are bubbles!!! Hooray! Domaine Le Mieux was pouring Vin de Pomme - bubbles made from apples! They even opened a bottle just for me - What a fabulous way to end the day :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4-U0rcVB30/TpJ3S2zYx-I/AAAAAAAAAXo/8-e4R0FynCg/s1600/Domaine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4-U0rcVB30/TpJ3S2zYx-I/AAAAAAAAAXo/8-e4R0FynCg/s320/Domaine2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HT_Vhk5-qEM/TpJ3YaQY_ZI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Ufy1gcQRrLI/s1600/Domaine+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HT_Vhk5-qEM/TpJ3YaQY_ZI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Ufy1gcQRrLI/s320/Domaine+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"La la la, la la la la la la la la, la la la la la - I just can't get you outta my head, no your love is all I think about" - that was the music playing at the 15C booth after party - hooray! I didn't know after parties happened @ SAVOR, but of course Alli would make that happen :) My favorite bubbles included - yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my dear friend Michelle from 15C with Christian from Artisan Restaurant & Ben from Bladerunner Salon:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSTZmEMlCLc/TpJ4Bodyz0I/AAAAAAAAAXw/BC667mp8Lo0/s1600/15Cafterparty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSTZmEMlCLc/TpJ4Bodyz0I/AAAAAAAAAXw/BC667mp8Lo0/s320/15Cafterparty.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ben delighted us with a dance of him dancing on a pole to the music for a good ten minutes. I have video of it all and trust me, it is HILARIOUS!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was getting a late in the day - too much food, wine & fun - Lisa passed out with her jug wine:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_326208597"></span><span id="goog_326208598"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eluh8Ah9Bjo/TovVkIeRBCI/AAAAAAAAAXU/9k9pnriWAnU/s1600/lisapassedout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eluh8Ah9Bjo/TovVkIeRBCI/AAAAAAAAAXU/9k9pnriWAnU/s320/lisapassedout.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fact that she passed out is quite ironic as she took one for the team, and stopped drinking hours earlier as she was the designated driver. Thanks, Lisa! I owe you big time! And BTW - you're a fabulous actress :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm so glad that I was able to attend SAVOR this year - it was too much fun! A big thanks to Sunset Magazine for putting it on - we'll be looking forward to next year's event.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After everything, I attended yet another "After party" for the SAVOR event and had lemon drop after lemon drop after lemon drop....I'd blog about the party, but I don't remember it - hahahahahahahahahaha!! But here's a photo of Lisa - I think it says it all!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLYvNvFFh0k/TpKAmRmcV2I/AAAAAAAAAX0/ZiAM_LmfcF0/s1600/LEMONDROPS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLYvNvFFh0k/TpKAmRmcV2I/AAAAAAAAAX0/ZiAM_LmfcF0/s320/LEMONDROPS.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she fabulous? Lisa - can you come with me to every blog worthy event? Please???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long live SAVOR!</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-58500341681184730722011-09-29T22:25:00.000-07:002011-09-30T07:53:55.068-07:00My Obsession.....Hello. My name is Sarah Forstner, and I'm a Herman Story Stalker.<br />
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Ahem.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_3rKzYLZ2fY/ToVLLRjzl3I/AAAAAAAAAWI/cQyC12Ly3FY/s1600/hermanstoryvino.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_3rKzYLZ2fY/ToVLLRjzl3I/AAAAAAAAAWI/cQyC12Ly3FY/s320/hermanstoryvino.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well, it's true, and I should just come straight out and admit it.<br />
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But in fact, I'm actually a <a href="http://hermanstorywines.com/">Herman Story</a> addict. I can't get enough. And on a Tasting Room Girl's salary it's really true: I really can't get enough bottles of Herman Story wines. (sigh) I'd drink it every night if I could, and I'd even inject it straight into my veins when necessary (although that actually defeats the purpose of tasting wine, but whatever.....)<br />
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So ever since I've found Herman Story, I've been recommending Herman Story to anyone who asks my opinion about wine. That said, I need to stop as these folks keep going there and buying the wine that I want to keep all to myself! But I did tell my dear friend Jackie all about Herman Story - so this past Sunday, she and her husband, Bob, decided to swing buy and taste the wines. <i>HELLO!</i> (sing song voice) That was the perfect opportunity to swing by Herman Story to keep Jackie company, introduce her around, and just happen to have the time to taste through the wines again. And again. And again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqE_XJtSFzo/ToVINA_cYwI/AAAAAAAAAV8/SSgZ44p2gKU/s1600/casualencounters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqE_XJtSFzo/ToVINA_cYwI/AAAAAAAAAV8/SSgZ44p2gKU/s320/casualencounters.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>So we went through the wines, but this time I got a few bonuses. First off, they were pouring "Casual Encounters," the GSM blend that Cameron was waxing bottles of the first day I arrived at the tasting room. I wanted to buy that bottle just because of the gorgeous label: Honeybees crawling all over a beautiful flower - a chance encounter of hot love between a honeybee and a flower :)<br />
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The vino was INCREDIBLE! 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache & 30% Mourvedre. Ok - I may prefer to see this wine in about a year or so, but my goodness, you could sure tell the amazing quality - and decanting may take care of any tightness anyway. Another "ball hit out of the park" by Russell From. It's just so neat to find such a gifted winemaker who creates fabulous wine after fabulous wine. I wish I could just buy his whole collection of vino!<br />
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Here's what Russell says about his 2009 Casual Encounters:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykMswvWiCro/ToXTYf-FD2I/AAAAAAAAAWU/jerTVA4-IWU/s1600/casualencountersbacklabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykMswvWiCro/ToXTYf-FD2I/AAAAAAAAAWU/jerTVA4-IWU/s320/casualencountersbacklabel.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i>"2008 was my first vintage of Casual Encounters, and I was quite impressed by how dark and brooding it was. As you know, my wines are typically -how shall I say- HUGE, but this wine is a different sort of beast altogether, something looming with fangs and long arms…but from a distance. If the 2008 was a werewolf, then the 2009 is the cabin you’re holed up in waiting for the beast to strike. A nose of raspberry brambles, cedar chest, fresh forest, minced meat pie and dried violet. A lengthy, inky palate of apple from a roast pig’s mouth, leather, fig, white smoke and the sense of summer turning into fall." (DRINK NOW: 1 hour decant; CELLAR: 4-5 years)</i><br />
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By the way, Russell was there that day! It was so nice to finally meet the man behind Herman Story wines. Here's a photo of Russell with his gorgeous girl, Vailia:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msQx1OW8ZSQ/ToVIDgxgLJI/AAAAAAAAAV4/YiYSSptuKD0/s1600/russelvailia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msQx1OW8ZSQ/ToVIDgxgLJI/AAAAAAAAAV4/YiYSSptuKD0/s320/russelvailia.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So what's up next? BONUS! Russell & Vailia poured Larner Vineyard (single Vineyard) Grenache & Syrah for us. They are both wine club only bottles so it was a rare treat to get them.<br />
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The Grenache was probably the biggest Grenache I've ever had - leaning more towards a Spanish Garnacha. It was actually quite dry/tannic - surprising for me - and I loved it. It was a HUGE hit for my friend, Jackie, and that is the one she ended up buying for the day.<br />
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Then they poured the Larner Syrah - Amazing. How does this dude do it? On top of that, this label pictures the <i>real </i>Herman Story riding on logs from his logging days. Proof Wine Collective helped create the label and boy did they do a bang up job. Keep in mind, this is a real photo that is now artistically turned into a wine bottle label:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nuOF0IDU6g/ToVKbQ0VuEI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Aj9KGi6zdyw/s1600/hermanstory1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nuOF0IDU6g/ToVKbQ0VuEI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Aj9KGi6zdyw/s320/hermanstory1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gjDA20hSYkc/ToVKf3McqfI/AAAAAAAAAWE/UIGDyQAsfYI/s1600/hermanstory2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gjDA20hSYkc/ToVKf3McqfI/AAAAAAAAAWE/UIGDyQAsfYI/s320/hermanstory2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Yeah - that's him! Herman Story pictured above!<br />
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Then Russell took us into the back where he makes the wine, and showed us a few of his amazing new barrels. Barrels that have extremely thick wood as well as extremely high toast levels (think wood with a high level of being charred, burned & toasted to impart certain qualities on the vino.) These barrels cost around $1,500 - no small investment when you need to buy a lot of barrels!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-R3mKh4Gc/ToXUeFjD4uI/AAAAAAAAAWY/EBVEQO92J3k/s1600/russelbarrels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-R3mKh4Gc/ToXUeFjD4uI/AAAAAAAAAWY/EBVEQO92J3k/s320/russelbarrels.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then we went back to the tasting room and again tried the "Nuts & Bolts" Syrah. Though I'm in love with "Casual Encounters," though I'm on the floor for the "On the Road Grenache," I'm simply in awe of the "Nuts & Bolts Syrah - THE best wine I've had in my entire life. Thank you Mr. Russell From for making such fantastic wine. And you really wonder why I'm a stalker?</div><br />
And to wrap it us, here's a photo of myself with my dear friend Jackie & her "Herman Story Loving" Husband, Bob - my stalker partners in crime :) - photo taken by Boyfriend, of course.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Chz1aWI3Y5c/ToVOJDV48qI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/-ahmZPSOoks/s1600/jackiebobsarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Chz1aWI3Y5c/ToVOJDV48qI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/-ahmZPSOoks/s320/jackiebobsarah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A couple days later I ran into Russell & Vaiia in the Trader Joe's check-out line. I ran up to Vailia saying, "It's true! I really am a Herman Story Stalker! I even follow you to Trader Joe's!" Hahahah.<br />
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Can you believe it? In one month, three blogs on one subject: Herman Story Wines." This has never been done before, and probably will never be done again.<br />
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Long live Herman Story Wines!<br />
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P.S. for Russel & Vailia: No need to take a restraining order out on me - at least not yet, anyway. This is all in good fun!The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-49840601920411810762011-09-27T22:56:00.000-07:002011-09-28T07:51:54.145-07:00Vale Fine Arts Gallery Opening GalaI was so excited to hear that a new contemporary art gallery was opening in downtown Paso! It's called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vale-Fine-Art/173884099339618?sk=wall">Vale Fine Arts</a> and is owned by Madeline Vale along with her husband Edward Wilcox - who is a fabulous artist, I must say.<br />
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This past Saturday evening was their "Grand Opening Gala" with a ribbon cutting ceremony & party. The "who's who" of the wine industry & art scene were there - and I had *so* much fun catching up with old friends! (I mean, come on! Who wouldn't attend this party? It's not often you get something new & exciting in Paso! If you didn't go, <i>"Loser!" </i>in the sing song voice.) First off, <a href="http://cypherwinery.com/">Cypher Winery</a> was pouring excellent vino along with <a href="http://15degreescwines.com/">15C</a> supplying my favorite cava bubbles - woo hoo! Cypher only brought magnums - thankfully so as they are sexy & more <i>"artistic" </i>- and supply a lot more wine :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVdGhQOlxrM/ToKrZcvlPnI/AAAAAAAAAVA/k9J2fvKLKks/s1600/cypherbottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVdGhQOlxrM/ToKrZcvlPnI/AAAAAAAAAVA/k9J2fvKLKks/s320/cypherbottles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i><br />
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Many apologies to my buddy T, the bartender for the night, for going through the line so many times to get more bubbles.....<br />
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My dear friend Michelle completely fell in love with a piece of art that Edward did. If you can believe it, he made it using tar - though it looks more like a reactive finish. I think the piece was the crowd favorite for the night. Michelle is starting a penny jar to get up to the $10,000 + price tag:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keQom-eLcgw/ToKuSGmanGI/AAAAAAAAAVE/WG_moiKFVUA/s1600/edwardsart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keQom-eLcgw/ToKuSGmanGI/AAAAAAAAAVE/WG_moiKFVUA/s320/edwardsart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Apologies that the photo isn't clear. Obviously I was on too many bubbles....)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's a photo of Michelle with Lisa & Losh (Losh works at 15C) all in front of Michelle's coveted art piece:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmVEV9JW8GM/ToKuwqwC3lI/AAAAAAAAAVI/P8jpleHQzpQ/s1600/Michellelisalosh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmVEV9JW8GM/ToKuwqwC3lI/AAAAAAAAAVI/P8jpleHQzpQ/s320/Michellelisalosh.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Suddenly, my dear friend Laura from <a href="http://www.clayhousewines.com/">Clayhouse Wines</a> showed up. I didn't get a chance to chat with her, but she did chat with Boyfriend. Here's their adorable photo:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SaT1zM3-fY0/ToKvEf18oxI/AAAAAAAAAVM/xdLEBMxy1jk/s1600/BoyfriendLaura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SaT1zM3-fY0/ToKvEf18oxI/AAAAAAAAAVM/xdLEBMxy1jk/s320/BoyfriendLaura.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Laura is one of the first that we met when we came to the area and we're forever grateful that she helped show us around :)<br />
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OK. On to the art. Here's a few great shots of what's in the gallery:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pt70fUn5OAM/ToKvYs9o7RI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/6kqODWRVmuQ/s1600/art1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pt70fUn5OAM/ToKvYs9o7RI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/6kqODWRVmuQ/s320/art1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRgZ7MBdamg/ToKvlMONeqI/AAAAAAAAAVU/p7FnPohKCI8/s1600/art2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRgZ7MBdamg/ToKvlMONeqI/AAAAAAAAAVU/p7FnPohKCI8/s320/art2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiKCXRafwPY/ToMtbKng_cI/AAAAAAAAAVw/18HmgqoOFPs/s1600/colorart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiKCXRafwPY/ToMtbKng_cI/AAAAAAAAAVw/18HmgqoOFPs/s320/colorart.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yYM7hULUkUk/ToMtiR7CApI/AAAAAAAAAV0/FyGJ6nhWYfU/s1600/photographs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yYM7hULUkUk/ToMtiR7CApI/AAAAAAAAAV0/FyGJ6nhWYfU/s320/photographs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRIibJgAwqI/ToKvtNoXdoI/AAAAAAAAAVY/szejW6uZMos/s1600/art4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRIibJgAwqI/ToKvtNoXdoI/AAAAAAAAAVY/szejW6uZMos/s320/art4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The artist of this last piece is <a href="http://www.aleahkouryart.com/index.html">Aleah Koury</a>. He was such an amazingly nice guy! The piece pictured above was one of my favorites for the evening - and here he is in front of another one of his pieces, pictured along side my <i>FABULOUS</i> friend, Lisa:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHRb2EINK7Y/ToKwNCJmSQI/AAAAAAAAAVc/eMInBnZg91k/s1600/lisa%2526artist.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHRb2EINK7Y/ToKwNCJmSQI/AAAAAAAAAVc/eMInBnZg91k/s320/lisa%2526artist.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So lots of eating...and drinking...went on into the wee hours. Most people had left, but we lingered on. Aren't we smart! Lucky us - T from 15C left behind a bottle of cava, unopened and ready to go. I saw Madeline searching for bubbles. I said, "Let's pop this baby open to celebrate your fabulous opening!" And yes, we did. Though when I opened it, I let it "POP" instead of the quiet sommelier thing. I much prefer the "pop" to mark a celebration.<br />
<br />
Here's a photo of Madeline & I breaking the bottle open - woo hoo!:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVP7FPj2GVs/ToKy3kJyWhI/AAAAAAAAAVg/hZSGuMgenXk/s1600/sarahmadeline.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVP7FPj2GVs/ToKy3kJyWhI/AAAAAAAAAVg/hZSGuMgenXk/s320/sarahmadeline.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I had to get a photo of Madeline & Edward to mark the grand opening night. Here they pose before one of the finest of pieces of art for the night. First off, here's Madeline & Edward:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqvNiZ08w0w/ToKzQkhf-8I/AAAAAAAAAVk/Q-0afZRpGSI/s1600/madelineedward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqvNiZ08w0w/ToKzQkhf-8I/AAAAAAAAAVk/Q-0afZRpGSI/s320/madelineedward.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are posing before the piece of art called, "Red Legs." Here it is:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qSApp51FcY/ToKzcTcOoJI/AAAAAAAAAVo/bVX2PnysLFE/s1600/redlegs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qSApp51FcY/ToKzcTcOoJI/AAAAAAAAAVo/bVX2PnysLFE/s320/redlegs.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Red Legs" was the piece everyone was talking about for the evening. Too sexy & cool. Madeline, can I work for fine art?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To end the fabulous evening, I ran into Lindsay, aka. "Tasting Room Celebrity." I realized we hadn't done a photo of her in a while - but she happily obliged, blowing smoke into the gorgeous painting that hung in the entry way of Vale Fine Arts:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVEKVTsNR-Q/ToK1s1J5HzI/AAAAAAAAAVs/2eHbzIxonmc/s1600/tastingroomcelebritysmoke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVEKVTsNR-Q/ToK1s1J5HzI/AAAAAAAAAVs/2eHbzIxonmc/s320/tastingroomcelebritysmoke.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tasting Room Celebrity does it again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A big thanks for Madeline Vale & Edward Wilcox for throwing such an amazing gallery opening. I wish you nothing but the best of success, and I must say how thankful I am that you opened shop in the Paso area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out Vale Fine Art gallery Located at:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">619 12th Street, Paso Robles, CA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">310.795.4680</div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-43658264993743378422011-09-21T20:22:00.000-07:002011-09-25T09:20:42.714-07:00Taste du SLO Leil!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J4szifO2_Uc/TntTDoINFWI/AAAAAAAAAU4/-PN9xjjjGss/s1600/closeupcostume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J4szifO2_Uc/TntTDoINFWI/AAAAAAAAAU4/-PN9xjjjGss/s320/closeupcostume.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>It's amazing to think that exactly one week ago, I was at the <a href="http://www.downtownslo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:taste-of-san-luis&catid=3:promotions&Itemid=15">Taste du SLO Leil</a> in San Luis Obispo. Ah, the memories....I wish I could go to the event all over again. Well, in some sort of way I am, by doing this blog tonight for my "Taste du SLO Leil One Week Anniversary!" (Knowing me, I'll use this anniversary as an excuse to do <i>something</i> special every Wed. night. for the rest of the year and beyond. I wonder of Boyfriend is up for that.....)</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I must start at the beginning: The Taste of San Luis is an event held every year to benefit the beautification & promotions of downtown San Luis Obispo. My friend, Stephen Patrick of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Patrick-Design/327871746160">Stephen Patrick Design</a>, sits on the Boards of Directors of the <a href="http://www.downtownslo.com/">San Luis Obispo Downtown Association.</a> His position on the board is Design Chair, and this event is mostly his to create - & what a fabulous job he does!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Each year there is a different theme for the event. In 2009 it was Wedensday Night Fever (named appropriately as the event is always mid-week.) Here's a photo of Stephen and his husband, Todd dancing the night away:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYSBzXBBMbY/Tnv5dHYUzVI/AAAAAAAAAU8/anbZFl5pSFA/s1600/wednightfever.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYSBzXBBMbY/Tnv5dHYUzVI/AAAAAAAAAU8/anbZFl5pSFA/s320/wednightfever.png" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Then last year, the event theme was Rock the Casbah - oooo - I wish I had been able to go to that! They had a hookah bar, belly dancing and FABULOUS costumes! Here's Stephen with his gorgeous assistant, Sam:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_R6pTwGPPz0/TnqjurBC-WI/AAAAAAAAASc/TmsZVbhImPo/s1600/stephenSAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_R6pTwGPPz0/TnqjurBC-WI/AAAAAAAAASc/TmsZVbhImPo/s1600/stephenSAM.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Now a few weeks ago, I realized this year's event was coming up so I got online to check it out, only to find out that this year's event was in the theme of <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/home.aspx#/en/home/americas/usa.aspx">"Cirque du Soleil."</a> As soon as I found that out, I realized <i>HAD</i> to go! I ran into Stephen and he told me that what they were planning was just insane, and he was hoping to top all other years. OK. I'm in. Game on.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I had to work on Wednesday but was twitterpated all day, waiting to be able to go to the event. I got all dressed up at work, and Boyfriend picked me up to then do the drive down to SLO.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When we arrived, this is the scene that greeted us at the entrance:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zllVYxylAI/Tnql4HLRk1I/AAAAAAAAASg/MukI57wRLi8/s1600/sloliel+enrty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zllVYxylAI/Tnql4HLRk1I/AAAAAAAAASg/MukI57wRLi8/s320/sloliel+enrty1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l17wH1GIK8U/TnqmI-dsUVI/AAAAAAAAASk/uuf_VHJtw-E/s1600/sloleilentry2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l17wH1GIK8U/TnqmI-dsUVI/AAAAAAAAASk/uuf_VHJtw-E/s320/sloleilentry2.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOVtZQOYJjc/TnqmhZwzv-I/AAAAAAAAASo/0QaRBkNJJDs/s1600/sloleilentry3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOVtZQOYJjc/TnqmhZwzv-I/AAAAAAAAASo/0QaRBkNJJDs/s320/sloleilentry3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IbSgY6ACmnA/Tnqnx7e_JdI/AAAAAAAAAS0/YcZ7_UxGHL8/s1600/sloentry7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IbSgY6ACmnA/Tnqnx7e_JdI/AAAAAAAAAS0/YcZ7_UxGHL8/s320/sloentry7.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EleiV7SLfUE/TnqnL1P7F-I/AAAAAAAAASw/kpLjS2zbvQY/s1600/sloleilenret5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EleiV7SLfUE/TnqnL1P7F-I/AAAAAAAAASw/kpLjS2zbvQY/s320/sloleilenret5.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yeah. Pretty cool, right?</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I was super excited. I mean to get in, we had to duck under the suspended girl pictured above. She had to lift up her legs so us tall folks could get through - pretty fun.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The dancers/actors are from both <a href="http://coredancecompany.org/">CORE Dance Company</a> as well as <a href="http://suspendedmotion.net/">Suspended Motion</a>. Everyone was so excellent at what they were doing - God...I felt so old & out of shape.........</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As we were were taking photos of the amazing entryway, we saw that our buddy, Mr. Stephen Patrick himself, was also taking photos. He was all glitzed out in a gold ringmaster costume - we LOVED it! Here's us taking a photo of Stephen taking a photo:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZN2agrAZoU/TnqvmAedNbI/AAAAAAAAATM/G85g2Pv88tI/s1600/Stephen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZN2agrAZoU/TnqvmAedNbI/AAAAAAAAATM/G85g2Pv88tI/s320/Stephen1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After grabbing our glass of <a href="http://www.laetitiawine.com/">Laetticia</a> bubbles at the entrance, Boyfriend and I walked around to check out the scene. The actors & actresses were scattered everywhere, setting the circus vibe in every corner. Here's a photo to two sexy nymphs:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WE87JqHWgM/TnqpQSj8lBI/AAAAAAAAAS4/OdP_DEY2jGM/s1600/nymphs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WE87JqHWgM/TnqpQSj8lBI/AAAAAAAAAS4/OdP_DEY2jGM/s320/nymphs.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And one of the coolest costumes of the night:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Up5aL6N_oOo/TnqqMXWBaDI/AAAAAAAAAS8/AuNLCl2-FnA/s1600/costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Up5aL6N_oOo/TnqqMXWBaDI/AAAAAAAAAS8/AuNLCl2-FnA/s320/costume.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We wandered closer to the mission, and saw that even the famous bears in the fountain had a circus touch:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PJJaTdLHTg/TnqqnMpUVAI/AAAAAAAAATA/m7NIZF0bndg/s1600/bearshoops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PJJaTdLHTg/TnqqnMpUVAI/AAAAAAAAATA/m7NIZF0bndg/s320/bearshoops.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And we got to see a sneak peek of the fabulous Mark Wilder while he was practicing his juggling act:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArpaIOFwL_4/TnqrJ-DGbbI/AAAAAAAAATE/DISKXpTOHCA/s1600/jugglers+practicing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArpaIOFwL_4/TnqrJ-DGbbI/AAAAAAAAATE/DISKXpTOHCA/s320/jugglers+practicing.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We then wandered back up front to get another glass of bubbles, and I start chatting with a fabulous lady named, Laura. "Where are you from?" I queried. She answered, "Templeton." I said, "Me too, but I be rocking it Eastside" (gang signs raised of course - though I may embellishing on this a bit....) She said, "I'm Eastside too. What winery are you by?" I answered, "Pomar Junction." She said, "Me too!" It ends up, we live a few blocks from each other. What on earth are the odds? Laura's boyfriend said there may be a bit of kismet in the air and we should all get together again soon! Here's a photo of me with the lovely lady (and apparently my neighbor) Laura:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAlPyFcjWB8/TnqtjVdHh9I/AAAAAAAAATI/cfXp4xdrGm8/s1600/LauraSarah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAlPyFcjWB8/TnqtjVdHh9I/AAAAAAAAATI/cfXp4xdrGm8/s320/LauraSarah.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We then realized we were starving and went to where all the food and wine were being served. All the restaurants did tapas style food to then pair with a local winery. It was extra fun for us since both Boyfriend and I are industry, we knew a lot of the folks pouring there. I felt like it was like a high school reunion of sorts :)</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As we were grabbing all of the food and vino that we could, we kept running into this fabulous couple - Donna & Tad. We were frequenting the same booths and having to stand in the same lines! (we both have fabulous taste...) Tad works for the San Luis Tribune and the paper had a table at the event.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I loved chatting with Donna - she was quite funny and so sweet. Here's a photo of myself and dear Donna at dusk eating our fabulous goodies. I adore the lighting of this photo:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wviB8SDIuPA/Tnqyw5QOv5I/AAAAAAAAATQ/GK5EtEmkp8w/s1600/SarahDonna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wviB8SDIuPA/Tnqyw5QOv5I/AAAAAAAAATQ/GK5EtEmkp8w/s320/SarahDonna.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Suddenly dancers rushed by us. I grabbed one and asked, "What's going on?" "The show is about to begin!" Show? What show? I had no idea! Boyfriend and I ran upfront and sat on the pavement - front row and almost center!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">To begin with, Todd Lemay and CORE Dance company started out with a dance act, dancing to one of my favorites songs, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w&ob=av3n">Crazy.</a> Here's a photo of the action:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFUudWVoAOw/Tnq0Ob3JkhI/AAAAAAAAATU/U53S3-Bb2pg/s1600/Todddisco.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFUudWVoAOw/Tnq0Ob3JkhI/AAAAAAAAATU/U53S3-Bb2pg/s320/Todddisco.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Then here are a few photos of other acts:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVaGTyrAN7M/Tnq0_4h_OBI/AAAAAAAAATY/hKDTR_U7TGI/s1600/suspended+motion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVaGTyrAN7M/Tnq0_4h_OBI/AAAAAAAAATY/hKDTR_U7TGI/s320/suspended+motion.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-mjuM6sK40/Tnq1SPmpY4I/AAAAAAAAATc/_hs_b78B5Hk/s1600/lightshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-mjuM6sK40/Tnq1SPmpY4I/AAAAAAAAATc/_hs_b78B5Hk/s320/lightshow.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dzUgpgVKduc/Tnq2FDNjV-I/AAAAAAAAATk/fOgiBm51XNw/s1600/dance2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dzUgpgVKduc/Tnq2FDNjV-I/AAAAAAAAATk/fOgiBm51XNw/s320/dance2.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But my FAVORITE part of the night was watching the HILARIOUS Mark Wilder - Mr. Juggler man. I simply LOVED his style. Totally light & self-deprecating - he was simply a master at preforming his act.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here's the first photo of Mark juggling with Harry the juggler (& Spencer the drummer doing the comical drumming behind their act):</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQM_pJg1BbY/Tnq3-zc8m-I/AAAAAAAAATo/Ek3MxsXnYyg/s1600/juggling1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQM_pJg1BbY/Tnq3-zc8m-I/AAAAAAAAATo/Ek3MxsXnYyg/s320/juggling1.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I was actually included in Mark's act at one point: he wanted to juggle a flaming torch, a sharp cleaver and a bowling ball all at once. He passed the bowling ball to me to judge its' weight, and wanted me to throw it back to him. I just quickly rolled it back before I had to get in on the action of throwing a 16 lb bowling ball his way. Yeah, I would have probably caused a major accident.....</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qCSvjtRpqcw/Tnq8jBLO2cI/AAAAAAAAAUE/kw-Uj5aG5Zs/s1600/bowlingball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qCSvjtRpqcw/Tnq8jBLO2cI/AAAAAAAAAUE/kw-Uj5aG5Zs/s320/bowlingball.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here's Mark juggling all three dangerous items - good god, man!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pk-QsujOYjE/Tnq82AEHkjI/AAAAAAAAAUI/2Q-X6gwDjtM/s1600/bowlingball2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pk-QsujOYjE/Tnq82AEHkjI/AAAAAAAAAUI/2Q-X6gwDjtM/s320/bowlingball2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As if that wasn't enough, the highlight of Mark's act was that he was going to juggle flames while riding a unicyle. I have my own experience riding unicycles so I was quite excited to see what was up. Here I am doing my thing:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8zlR_xWUbY/Tnq406vhCvI/AAAAAAAAATs/4cLnczZ7cWk/s1600/sarahunicyle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8zlR_xWUbY/Tnq406vhCvI/AAAAAAAAATs/4cLnczZ7cWk/s1600/sarahunicyle.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">OK. So I admit, I really wasn't riding the unicycle - but I sure look cute, don't I? :) (This photo - why? Yes, well, it's a long story.....)</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So Mark, of course, played out <i>every</i> inch of the unicycle bit that he could. First off, he couldn't get on:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wA3sotz3-4/Tnq5gyNLGSI/AAAAAAAAATw/OvmFzNPRgWE/s1600/unicycle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wA3sotz3-4/Tnq5gyNLGSI/AAAAAAAAATw/OvmFzNPRgWE/s320/unicycle1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Then he had to stretch (yea, that's hot):</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru4SRa5nMKY/Tnq52KDSK0I/AAAAAAAAAT0/Vp70RNghRjY/s1600/unicycle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru4SRa5nMKY/Tnq52KDSK0I/AAAAAAAAAT0/Vp70RNghRjY/s320/unicycle2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Priceless. I got the money shot<i>........ </i>:)</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And then, he was about to mount the monster:</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32axyy-POcY/Tnq6seoVkKI/AAAAAAAAAT4/w6YFuGBeZXU/s1600/unicycle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32axyy-POcY/Tnq6seoVkKI/AAAAAAAAAT4/w6YFuGBeZXU/s320/unicycle3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And here he is - he made it to the top!!!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvxPv-W0KBA/Tnq7WB5p4XI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HnB8wx5fRLY/s1600/unicyle4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvxPv-W0KBA/Tnq7WB5p4XI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HnB8wx5fRLY/s320/unicyle4.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And Ta Dah! Here's the master, riding the unicycle, while juggling flaming torches - WOW!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-KD8eg4KpU/Tnq7CJoBAgI/AAAAAAAAAT8/tbZhyoeYT9g/s1600/unicycleflames.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-KD8eg4KpU/Tnq7CJoBAgI/AAAAAAAAAT8/tbZhyoeYT9g/s320/unicycleflames.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I HEART Mark Wilder! You can contact him at: wilderjuggler@gmail.com if you want to schedule him for a show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">This blog keeps on going! It's the longest blog I've ever done - woo hoo! Here comes more:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Now that Mark had his grande finale on the unicycle, the dance party begins. Here's a couple photos of the action:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIFxklq_iHs/Tnq-kYwL-uI/AAAAAAAAAUM/LIV7xmz7Oc4/s1600/danceparty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIFxklq_iHs/Tnq-kYwL-uI/AAAAAAAAAUM/LIV7xmz7Oc4/s320/danceparty.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> And Todd, the Ringmaster, dancing the night away:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMve07h2iYo/Tnq_vE1ZQEI/AAAAAAAAAUU/jyutXfrXBgc/s1600/Taodddancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMve07h2iYo/Tnq_vE1ZQEI/AAAAAAAAAUU/jyutXfrXBgc/s320/Taodddancing.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Speaking of Disco, here's Boyfriend all dressed up & jazzed up for the night:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0KDZW1bjz4/TnrAo9f2u7I/AAAAAAAAAUc/op3HRpibscI/s1600/danasparkles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0KDZW1bjz4/TnrAo9f2u7I/AAAAAAAAAUc/op3HRpibscI/s320/danasparkles2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">And here's a great shot of me and Mr. Stephen Patrick himself:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-464lD8o5NNY/TnrA83yHE5I/AAAAAAAAAUg/wKRU5_z2dkk/s1600/sarahstephen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-464lD8o5NNY/TnrA83yHE5I/AAAAAAAAAUg/wKRU5_z2dkk/s320/sarahstephen.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">And to wrap up this fabulous night, I have to highlight the photo of Mission Plaza all lit up. Gorgeous, isn't it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ms4LtmBv5-k/TnrCSoM5MJI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ZeYKFLOWBXo/s1600/missionplazaloghts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ms4LtmBv5-k/TnrCSoM5MJI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ZeYKFLOWBXo/s320/missionplazaloghts.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Boyfriend and I helped out with all the clean up - taking down all the decorations that Stephen brought to the event. I took a photo of the beautiful flowers going away in the truck - why oh why does this magical night have to end???</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6iPE14BLMM/TnrDRt_Jb9I/AAAAAAAAAUs/51poTB6Sh38/s1600/cleanup1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6iPE14BLMM/TnrDRt_Jb9I/AAAAAAAAAUs/51poTB6Sh38/s320/cleanup1.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">We captured the image of Stephen & Todd totally exhausted by the event. So much so, they can hardly stand up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ9ROP1jWn4/TnrD-rEYJwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/4FDWCcUQQDg/s1600/stephentoodtired.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ9ROP1jWn4/TnrD-rEYJwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/4FDWCcUQQDg/s320/stephentoodtired.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But then I jump in on the action, looking all bright eyed and bushy tailed! Why is the party done already? Is the 2012 party here yet? (I definitely wanted to keep this night going....)</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4uQN6BiufE/TnrErvotj8I/AAAAAAAAAU0/x49-6zaSpSw/s1600/stephen+Toaddsarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4uQN6BiufE/TnrErvotj8I/AAAAAAAAAU0/x49-6zaSpSw/s320/stephen+Toaddsarah.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Hooray for the most fabulous Taste du SLO Leil party! I have to say we LOVED this year - but can't wait to see what Mr. Stephen will come up with next year!!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">P.S. As you can see in the photos, after the main event was over, Todd took off his make up, but still had glitter on his face. As we were all saying goodbye, Boyfriend hugged Todd goodbye, and got glitter on himself, which we didn't see. We were obviously tired the next morning and Boyfriend didn't shower before work. A big WHOOPS! because Boyfriend had glitter all over him. His new nickname at work is "Sparkles." It just works. If you see him, be sure to call him Sparkles - hee hee! :)</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A toast to San Luis Obispo! The happiest city in the USA!!!!!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">P.S.S. I just found this video of the event. Enjoy!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EwCen55eiwY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div>The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-86908884748806470472011-09-18T18:32:00.000-07:002011-09-22T20:36:01.660-07:00"On the Road" Went On the Road!By now, you all know my intense love for Herman Story Wines. I'm mean, truly. I'm in awe - and <i>deeply</i> in love.<br />
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People call me a "Picky, picky palate." And yes, I suppose that's true. But you know, I simply don't like drinking mediocre wine. For example, the other day, when we were tasting a French wine that had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brettanomyces">brett</a>, I simply said, "I'm sorry. Call me picky, but I just don't like "poo" in my wine." Isn't that fair? I mean really, who likes poo in their wine? I don't.<br />
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So folks that I work with always say, "Well, Sarah, what do you like?" And I now answer:<br />
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<a href="http://hermanstorywines.com/">HERMAN STORY</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZgoQFYVJUk/TnaaOou4z_I/AAAAAAAAASM/vHoA43deHWU/s1600/ontheroad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZgoQFYVJUk/TnaaOou4z_I/AAAAAAAAASM/vHoA43deHWU/s320/ontheroad1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>So the other day, I brought in Herman Story's "On the Road" Grenache for an after work tasting so that they can finally get an idea of what type of wine I love. After just pouring the wine out of the bottle to start the breathing process, my buddy Seth grabbed the glass from me, smelled the bouquet and said, "OMG! This is exactly what I would expect a perfect Grenache wine to smell like." There were so many layers of complexity: beautiful cherry/raspberry fruit, spice - I even picked up a soft baby powder. Now Jennifer Hoage has said about one of her wines, that you could smell baby power in the bouquet. I had thought, "Why would you want to smell baby powder?" But you do. It's in the Herman Story Grenache and it is FABULOUS. (Please imagine in your head that I said FABULOUS in the high-pitched singsong voice.)<br />
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I proceeded to tell him that when I drank this wine as well as the Herman Story "Nuts & Bolts" wine, I started to tear up. He said, "Never, ever admit that you cried over a wine. That is just pathetic. If you do, keep it to yourself!" Well, he had a few sips, even though the wine hadn't fully breathed, and was totally in love. He left the room, and then came back crying like a baby - "This wine is amazing! It makes my dreams come true! I never realized a wine could be like this! How can I get more?" (Ok I realize I'm paraphrasing here, but he really was sobbing like a baby - hee hee!! )<br />
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Eventually, after the wine had opened up (Russell recommends that the wine decants for about an hour) everyone got to try the vino. Everyone was in love it with! Everyone, except the pickier, pickier Lindsay, that I work with. He's even pickier than me. "Yes, it's good" he said. "In fact, it's as good as any $75 bottle of wine I've tried (keep in mind the "On the Road Grenache is $42.) but I would prefer to taste the wine in about 5 years." Well, sure - I'd agree with you on that. This wine will become better and better with age. But to answer him, Seth and I said - "Good. You bottle age your wine, while we'll enjoy it and drink it all up right now!" In our minds, it's perfect and ready to go.<br />
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To mention, the other day I was lucky enough to taste the 2008 Bone Rock Saxum, 2008 L'Aventure Cote a Cote, a 2008 Booker Syrah & a 2008 Justin Focus. All were good (with the Saxum being my favorite) but the Herman Story 2009 On the Road Grenache blew them ALL away. Yeah, it's <b>that </b>good, <i>in my not so humble opinion...........</i><br />
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Sadly, I had to save enough for Boyfriend as this bottle was our bottle to share. But I do have to admit, I saved only about 20% of the bottle as we were all fighting to get as much of this wine as we could. Poor Boyfriend.<br />
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I met Boyfriend at my local favorite wine bar for bubbles, and we hung out with our best buddies for a while. I had the Herman Story Grenache in my bag and kept telling folks about how amazing it was.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJHG7mF6naI/Tnaai9K7hzI/AAAAAAAAASQ/IGCzz2wwB3k/s1600/ontheroad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJHG7mF6naI/Tnaai9K7hzI/AAAAAAAAASQ/IGCzz2wwB3k/s320/ontheroad2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Now Mr. Robbie from behind the bar and I were talking about the Villa Creek Grenache and since 15C had it on their menu, I had to have a taste of it. Now it is quite good, but I told Robbie it wasn't quite as good as the Herman Story Grenache. "And by the way, I have it right here. Do you want to try it?" Robbie said - "Hell yes!" and pulled out as glass immediately.<br />
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Robbie took a drink, closed his eyes and took it all in. "OMG - this is AMAZING." He also said this wine would be even better in a few years, but totally loved it now. My other dear friends, Stew & Michelle, tried it and were in awe. Stew kept thanking me for bringing the wine in and letting them try it.<br />
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Boyfriend got a few sips, but that was it. I have a feeling we'll have to get back to Herman Story to get another bottle for just the two of us. Vailia said that only have one pallet left of the "On the Road" Grenache & the "Nuts & Bolts" Syrah so if you want to try them, get over there asap!<br />
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So yes, I took the "On the Road" Grenache One the Road yesterday so that many folks could try this amazing wine. I'm thinking to do a mini-movie on it all - Sarah taking the "On the Road' Grenache all over the country to show people what good wine tastes like. I could maybe make a short documentary about it and submit it to Sundance. Are you all on board? Funding, anyone?<br />
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In the meantime, you'll probably find me on the side of the road, drinking my "On the Road" Grenache, mumbling about how fabulous Herman Story Wines are......<br />
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Yeah, not many wineries get a second blog post right after one another. You really, truly may want to check out Herman Story Wines.<br />
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Love to Russell & Vailia!<br />
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(Wish I had more photos but it was a spontaneous day of friends, love and sharing fabulous wine with those you respect. And now, hopefully they respect me a bit more because of my fabulous taste with Herman Story wines - tee hee!!)The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-83081090400682640272011-09-13T21:15:00.000-07:002011-09-21T22:15:03.415-07:00Lemoncello in the Morning!Last night while we were having bubbles @ 15C, Marty promised to bring me a jug of the lemoncello that he and his wife Vicki made. Now keep in mind, when we're drinking, we all know that we all make many promises of what we want to do, but the next morning those promises fade away in a foggy haze....So when Marty promised, Boyfriend & I started placing bets on if he would show up or not. When we got home, I figured it was just a 10% chance that he'd show up.<br />
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Oh ye of little faith.<br />
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This morning while we were getting ready to open the tasting room, a car showed up, and a man started walking down the pathway with a cooler in his hand. Could it be? Was it truly him? Yes! It was Mr. Marty! He didn't forget me & followed through with the lemoncello. In fact, he gave me a whole jug of it! I couldn't believe it. Now just a little of this can put someone totally under the table - so the jug he gave me should last me a long, long time...well, it should, but you guys know me. Hopefuly it will last till the end of the week - hee hee!<br />
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Here's a photo of me with the fabulous Mr. Marty, drinking lemoncello at about 10:30 am. Hilarious :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TRFK1FdwX4/TnAqWItXLLI/AAAAAAAAASI/INJRV9XUF5o/s1600/lemoncellomarty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TRFK1FdwX4/TnAqWItXLLI/AAAAAAAAASI/INJRV9XUF5o/s320/lemoncellomarty.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Long live lemoncello!!!The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-40247718004352119902011-09-12T21:30:00.000-07:002011-09-13T08:30:43.947-07:00Bubbles @ 15C!Monday night @<a href="http://15degreescwines.com/"> 15C</a> is Industry night - woo hoo! Us industry folks get an extra discount for putting up with all that we have to in this crazy wine industry :)<br />
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Boyfriend and I had set up to meet Lindsay Boy, my co-worker from the winery I work at, just to hang out. We got there before him and ordered our typical bubbles. Before we even sat down, Michelle had champagne flutes out on the table, ready to go for us. Does anyone think we're in a rut?<br />
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While we were sipping bubbles, I noticed Michelle unpacking the Torre Oria Cava from Spain that we always order. I ran to her saying, "This is like Christmas Day for me! Can I take them all?" Here I am in my jubilant state:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gocBkwedzVo/Tm7VTMZB0yI/AAAAAAAAARw/2tGUBXjr-kA/s1600/sarahbubbles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gocBkwedzVo/Tm7VTMZB0yI/AAAAAAAAARw/2tGUBXjr-kA/s320/sarahbubbles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a close up of the bottle - Torre Oria from 15C - only $10! I love it as it is just an easy bottle of clean, crisp bubbles. I could drink this all day long. Seriously. No really, I'm not kidding.<br />
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So Linday + Sarah + Sarah's friend Lydie show up to hang out for the night. We're catching up, having a good time when suddenly my buddy Marty from 15C sits down to the left of me. "I'm bored!" he says. "You guys are having a good time, I wanna crash your party." I say, "Marty, you're drinking bubbles?" He said, "Yeah - I saw that you guys were having so much fun, I told the ladies - I want what Sarah's having!" Apparently my obsession with bubbles is spreading amongst the crowd. Here's a photo of Marty & I doing cheers to our love for Torre Oria:</div>
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So we all ordered a cheese plate to share - really people? Do you really think my waistline can take that? But I have to admit, it was quite good.<br />
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We then all decided to share a bottle of something or another. After much deliberation, we decided to get a bottle of bubbles. Oh dear, what bottle? So Sarah and I ran over to the refrigerator to contemplate our choices. After much deliberation (as well as heckles from the crowd as glasses were empty) we chose the Graham Beck 2008 Brut Rose. A great price @ $22. The consensus was that we all loved it! 80% Pinot (but without much earthiness) and 20% chardonnay. Here's a photo of us celebrating:<br />
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Not sure you can see the gorgeous color of the bubbles but it was a sublime salmon color. I have to admit, I was in love with it before I even tasted it! Here's a photo of the label:</div>
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Now I have to give major props out to Adrienne (left) & Michelle for putting up with us tonight - as well as making us a fabulous cheese plate & a phenomenal La Espana sandwich (jamon & manchego) for Boyfriend & I (as Michelle says, we are the worst vegetarians ever....) You ladies rock!</div>
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Another night @ 15C for the record books! Well, sure...I know I may be there again tomorrow.... tee hee!</div>
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On another note: fabulous news! I'll be going to the Taste of SLO Event this Wed. as "Media Celebrity" to blog about it all. This year's event this is "Cirque du SLO Leil." Can you imagine? It is going to be absolutely fabulous. I highly recommend for you to go if you can. You can find out info about it <a href="http://downtownslo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:taste-of-san-luis&catid=3:promotions&Itemid=15">HERE.</a></div>
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Cheers to everyone! - & long live bubbles!! :)</div>
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The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-81666462932533213072011-09-05T23:28:00.000-07:002011-09-15T20:29:54.440-07:00I HEART Herman Story!Ok all - I apologize that I haven't posted in a while. There has been so much going on! It's so funny - I'm pretty "back-blogged" - but I promise to get back on track asap :)<br />
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So though I'm pretty busy, I finally insisted that I had to stop my life, and go wine tasting at <a href="http://hermanstorywines.com/">Herman Story</a> this last Thursday. Now I had been told about Herman Story by an extremely knowledgeable wine taster that I had helped at Cypher Winery. He dubbed Russell P. From (the winemaker of Herman Story) as the next Justin Smith (you probably know that Justin Smith is the winemaker fro Saxum Wines. If you don't know that, what rock have you been under????) After tasting Russell's wines, I have to agree. Now I admit, I haven't had any of Justin's wines, but.....I do know that Russell's wines are the best I have ever tasted so I have a feeling that "the nest Justin Smith" title fits!<br />
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Russell named his winery after his Grandfather. I think it's so great - on the back of every bottle, Russell says this: <i>"Herman Story was a rancher, logger, swapper, banker, philanthropist, a teller of tales, and my Grandfather." </i>I love it.<br />
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So Boyfriend and I showed up at the new Herman Story tasting room which is located downtown Paso Robles. It is off the beaten track though - in more of the industrial area on Paso Robles street off of 13th. Luckily it is near Farm Supply so I can get feed for my chickens and then go wine tasting afterward - ahh, the joys of living in Paso :)<br />
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The industrial feel of the area is perfect for their tasting room. The tasting room is a perfect blend of feeling modern yet old, with rustic metal lining the front of the bar.<br />
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We walked in to meet Vailia, Russell's girlfriend. She was pouring for us for the day - and I have to say, she was absolutely fabulous! So much fun & extremely knowledgable about wine & other wineries in the area.<br />
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Vailia started us out with the "Tomboy" wine. Now this wine had caught my eye @ 15C because of the amazing label. The label shows the back pocket of faded blue jeans - it just works. Why do I feel I just entered the coolest place in the county?<br />
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Vailia talked about how they had an amazing marking team from San Luis that helped design all of the labels and yes, that team did an amazing job.<br />
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The Tomboy wine is 83% Viognier & 17% Roussanne. To be honest, they are just not my favorite grapes. That said, this wine was probably the best Rhone Wine I've ever had. It had an AMAZING mouthfeel - so rich, buttery & smooth with toasted notes - I could tell it was a an amazingly beautiful wine, even though it wouldn't be my personal first choice.<br />
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Then Vailia poured us "On the Road" - 100% Grenache. Grenache is my favorite varietal - and I'm in the process of compiling a blog comparing local grenaches. This one will definitely top that list. I immediately told Vailia, "This is the best Grenache I've ever had!" I can't even begin to describe the velvety mouthfeel and gorgeous fruit. I think Russell sums up the description best from the notes off of his website:<br />
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<i>"Driving up and down the Central Coast throughout harvest has it’s perks, sure I now know more places to find legit burritos than I ever thought possible, but aside from that I get to spend countless hours mulling over the best way to blend my Grenache lots. The 2009 On the Road may be the best Grenache party I’ve ever curated. The wine smells a like a sensuous, low-lit evening: chocolate creme pie, spiced raspberry compote, cinnamon stick, leather and velour pillows. The palate carries the evening into the night and the next morning with dark coffee covered cherries, sweet tobacco, strawberry rhubarb waffles, blueberries and crisp bacon." </i>Oh yeah, baby.....<br />
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Vailia then gave us the tour of the facility. It's pretty neat - this harvest, Russell will do the full harvest at this new location in downtown Paso. Vailia said they are the only folks that are doing the full crush & fermentation downtown - cool, huh? They even gained access to a second space out back where they're putting in a tiny sleeping area and shower. Vailia & Russell live in San Luis & during harvest it will be too exhausting to be driving back & forth - so they'll park it in Paso in a garage. They call it the crash pad :)<br />
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To mention, Russell doesn't have any of his own vineyards, but rather sources grapes from different vineyards in the area. He has a cool map on the back of the tasting sheet that shows the locations of the vineyards - a couple highlights are the Denner & James Berry Vineyards.<br />
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Here's a photo of their barrels, all in cold storage, of course:<br />
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And here's a photo of Cameron waxing the new GSM bottles for wine club.<br />
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The label was so cool - a huge flower with a hummingbird on it - I wanted the bottle just for the label! I asked Vailia about it, but she said that wine was only for wine club, and that they cannot accept anymore wine club members at this point as they need to make sure that they have enough wine - arrrgh! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can in some way, shape or form, get my hands on that GSM. "Will work harvest for wine" may somehow apply here.<br />
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So as we returned to the tasting room, Hank, Russell's dog HAD to join us! He thinks the tasting room bar is his domain :)<br />
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Back to the vino. Next up on the list was a Cote Rotie style Syrah, "White Hawk Vineyards Syrah" where they co-ferment Viognier with the Syrah to make a "bigger" Syrah. Really nice wine. Technically, the wine is sold out but they found a few bottles - so it was our lucky day! I really liked this wine.<br />
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But...here it is...Ta dah! The best wine of the day for me was the "Nuts & Bolts." It is 100% Syrah. And I am so embarrassed, but it is true: I teared up when I tasted this wine. It is absolutely amazing and probably the best wine that I have ever had. Literally. Truly. Mr. Russell From - I am your new #1 fan. Here's a photo of me in my newfound happiness in finding this wine:<br />
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This is what Russell says about this wine:<br />
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<i>"Single vineyard wines are sort of like kids on the Ivy League track; you just have to make sure that you don’t do anything that throws them off and you’ll see them succeed. Blends like Nuts & Bolts are a bit more like me, it takes some well timed advice, a bit of hand wringing and a lot of love to see them come into their own; but when they do they always take the limelight. The 2009 Nuts & Bolts is the best testament to my parenting skills that I can imagine (ladies please don’t get any ideas.) A nose rich with red currant preserves, kirsch, nutmeg and a hint of coriander opens into a palate bursting with ripe plum, open pit bar-b-que and persistent, dusty tannins."</i><br />
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Now on the tasting notes, Russell says, <i>"Questions, critiques, accolades & drunk dials can be directed to winemaker & proprietor Russell P. From." </i>OK Russell - be on notice: when I drink my gorgeous "On the Road" Grenache or the fabulous "Nuts & Bolts" Syrah, expect a drunk dialing call from me with me in tears, saying how much I love your wines. I have a feeling this happens regularly & you're probably already expecting my call :)<br />
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I HEART Herman Story! And highly recommend that you check them out asap. Herman Story will definitely be added to my list of "What's Hot in Paso." Great job, Russell!<br />
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That's my Herman Story & I'm sticking to it!<br />
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Herman Story<br />
1227 Paso Robles St<br />
Paso Robles, CA<br />
805.237.2400<br />
<a href="http://hermanstorywines.com/">http://hermanstorywines.com/</a><br />
<br />The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-37172677463465459002011-08-15T21:56:00.000-07:002011-08-15T22:55:56.634-07:002,500 Page View Celebration - Not So Much...Well, we went to 15C to break open a bottle Anselmann and there was something just not right with the bottle. It wasn't corked, but everyone agreed that it wasn't right. So... Miss Stephanie (from the fabulous Broadside, Giornatta & Il Campo Labels) suggested we try Adami Prosecco as it was so crisp, tangy & tart. We did and were very happy with our celebration bubbles. Here's Boyfriend with our dear Stephanie:<br />
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Here's a close-up on the Prosecco:<br />
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And here's me, celebrating this small accomplishment - woo hoo!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And lucky me, my buddy, Lindsay who is now the fabulous Tasting Room Manager for Thatcher Vineyards showed up with her beau, Nick and we all celebrated with bubbles! Bubbles are kinda our thing....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>But embarrassingly I tipped over a glass which broke, and as we were cleaning it up, Boyfriend also tipped over his glass and broke it s well! Oy vey! Time to go home, apparently! Not sure what happened, but it was one for the record books :)<br />
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Through it all, we still celebrated 2,500 page views! Thanks to all of you who looked at this little blog! We'll celebrate again at 5,000 page views - woo hoo!<br />
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The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952823822640506205.post-85587401278489910482011-08-13T22:18:00.000-07:002011-09-18T20:28:49.508-07:00L'Aventure RoseI work at a winery that lets folks who sell wine for them stay on the property as a "thank you." Hence, here comes Chuck & Jenny to stay for the weekend - Chuck works for Titan Distributors down in Southern California & he sells tons of wine.<br />
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So today, Chuck was headed down to <a href="http://www.aventurewine.com/">L'Aventure </a>to do some wine tasting as he sells the L'Aventure vino. I mentioned - "Hey, please check out the GSM rose as I haven't had it yet." Chuck countered, "I have had it as I sell it and it is FABULOUS. I'll bring you back a bottle." What?<br />
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Sure enough, Chuck comes back and delivers a bottle of the L'Aventure Cote A Cote GSM Rose into my hands - what a guy! I was thrilled as Boyfriend and I have been wanting to get over to L'Aventure to try it but haven't had the chance.<br />
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But alas...poor Boyfriend didn't get a chance to try it as we all killed it in the tasting room before I made it home - woo hoo! :) OMG - this rose was amazing. It's Mourvedre based GSM rose that is still light on the palate and doesn't have the earthy, heavy, barnyard quality that so many Mourvedre based roses have. I'd go on about all the details except for the fact that Boyfriend & I are planning to hit L'Aventure on Monday to try all of their wine & I will blog about it, + I'm about to post my blog on roses and this wine will surely be featured.<br />
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In the meantime, Here's a photo of the generous Mr. Chuck with his gorgeous wife, Jenny:<br />
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Notice my new haircut & color? Isn't it fabulous? That should be a blog post all on it's own - but let's just say that <a href="http://www.bluebirdsalon.com/#!stylists/vstc1=page-4">Danica </a>@ <a href="http://www.bluebirdsalon.com/">Bluebird Salon</a> in SLO rocks!</div>
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Back to the vino - here's the bottle of the Cote A Cote Rose:</div>
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I simply adore L'Aventure wines. I ponder, why can't all wines be this good? As I've said on this blog before, "Damn you, Stephan! You have ruined my palate! I now judge all wines by your marker." Soooo looking forward to Monday & catching up with the folks @ L'Aventure.<br />
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In the meantime, Au Revoir! & a BIG thanks to Chuck & Jenny for the rose :)The Tasting Room Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477937808656218646noreply@blogger.com0