New lots have been added and include:
Patrimony immersion: A rare double-magnum bottle (3L) of the 2017 Patrimony Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with an exclusive Mediterranean lunch, tasting, and vineyard tour at Daou Mountain for six people.
J. Lohr’s Urban Escape: Four-course dinner for six people at the exclusive private club, The Battery, in downtown San Francisco hosted by Cynthia Lohr, owner at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, and esteemed MS Christophe Tassan who expertly pairs the cuisine with J. Lohr library and small-lot, winery-exclusive wines.
Paris Valley Road Experience: Private five-course dinner for eight at the newly opened Paris Valley Road Estate Winery hosted by winemaker Doug Hidinger and exquisitely paired with Paris Valley Road wines by Chef Joe White.
Steve Rogers of Rooted Family Wines.
–It was a long year as time slowly crept by, especially because we couldn’t make our frequent trips from the Los Angeles area up to Paso Roble Wine Country. We are now cautiously making up for lost wine time! Our initial getaway was just a month ago, but my wife and I again heard the call of the wine.
Jumping into our car, we made a spur-of-the-moment, mid-week Paso trip to quench our long-deprived thirst for Paso Wine Country. Arriving late in the afternoon, we found the area bustling and electric; the smiles, the energy, people on the street, in stores, and the eagerness to pour for you wineries. On this short visit, we didn’t waste any time to wine and dine.
The Beckett Family. Courtesy photo.
–The Beckett Family, founders and owners of Peachy Canyon Winery, have been named the 2020 Wine Industry Persons of the Year by the Paso Robles Wine County Alliance.
This award annually recognizes individuals who exemplify the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country with outstanding leadership, vision, and stewardship. This award is typically presented at the PRWCA’s annual gala, which will not take place this year due to limitations on large gatherings. Instead, the Beckett Family, including Doug and Nancy Beckett, Jake Beckett, and Josh Beckett, will be honored in an upcoming Where Wine Takes You podcast as well as an episode of the weekly Paso Wine Zoom Hangout. An in-person celebration to honor the Beckett family will take place in the future once large gatherings are able to take place.
Chelsea Franchi.
–Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance has announced the winners of its 2020 Winter Wine Awards. The winner in the category of Cellar Worker is Chelsea Franchi, the senior assistant winemaker at Tablas Creek Vineyard.
This award is meant to recognize a cellar team member who has contributed the most to help their team produce outstanding Paso Robles wine.
Franchi grew up in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California with a family that encouraged (and applauded) her enthusiasm and fascination for wine. She attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo to study Agricultural Business and Wine and Viticulture. While working on her degree, she got a job at Tablas Creek as a Greeter/Hostess and from there, moved into the tasting room. Upon graduation in 2008, she started her production career working hard as a “cellar rat” under the guidance of Winemaker Neil Collins. To further her knowledge and appreciation of wine, she took the first level sommelier exam in the middle of h