Times Press Recorder: Avila Festival Celebrates Wines

Article by: “TPR Staff”

Avila Beach is the hub of the 29th annual Central Coast Wine Classic that kicked off Thursday and will continue through Sunday, July 14.

“A Celebration of the Remarkable Wine and Cuisine of the Central Coast of California and the Napa Valley” is the theme for the 2013 festival that also includes events in Shell Beach and other locations.

Events today, July 12, start at 8:30 a.m. with the Cycling Classic with Carissa Chappellet, a bicycle tour of wineries in the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley.

That will be followed at

10 a.m. by the San Luis Obispo County Chardonnay Symposium at Avila Lighthouse Suites.

At 2 p.m., the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Symposium will take place at the Avila Beach Golf Resort.

Events today will climax with two simultaneous events — the Justin Winemaker Dinner at Lido Restaurant at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa in Shell Beach and the VIP Outdoor Winery Dinner Dance & Paulee at the Avila Beach Golf Resort — from 7 to 10 p.m.

Details of the Justin Winemaker Dinner had not been announced at press time, but the cost is $95 per person.

The VIP Outdoor Winery Dinner Dance & Paulee will be hosted by wineries from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties as well as Napa Valley.

In addition to the cuisine of chef Meghan Loring of Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, the event will include music by the Zongo Allstars, also at a cost of $95 per person.

Two events are set for Saturday, July 13 — the French Burgundy Symposium from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with renowned collector and Burgundy expert John Tilson, and the Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Live Auction, Silent Auction and Luncheon from noon to 5 p.m. at Avila Beach Golf Resort.

The luncheon and auction will feature an array of fine wines and unique lifestyle excursions in California, the United States and such countries as France, Italy, Spain, India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Borneo.

It also will include the eclectic cuisine of chef Rick Manson of Chef Rick’s in Santa Maria and costs $125 per person.

The festival will wind up Sunday, July 14, with two events, starting with the Santa Barbara County Syrah Symposium from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Avila Beach Golf Resort.

The symposium will feature Jaffurs, Jalama, Margerum, No Limit, Rusack, Samsara and Tensley wines at a cost of $50 per person.

A Reserve Wine Tasting, featuring the “most special wines of 50 California wineries,” is set for 1 to 4 p.m. at Avila Beach Golf Resort.

Culinary samplings from fine Central Coast restaurants and the music of Soul Sauce will be included at a cost of $50 per person.

The annual festival raises funds for a wide range of charities each year.

For 2013, the Wine Classic Foundation board has chosen to support Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara, Heaven Can Wait Equine Sanctuary in San Miguel, Los Osos Middle School PTSA Music Supporters and Meathead Movers Wrestling Club from San Luis Obispo.

Other beneficiaries will include the San Luis Obispo Child Abuse Prevention Council, Sansum Clinic Cancer Center in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Botanical Garden and Symphony of the Vines from Atascadero.

Rounding out the list are the Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo County and Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo.

SOURCE: http://www.timespressrecorder.com/articles/2013/07/11/news/news58.txt