Winemaker Central

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We bring the Central Coast wine regions to you in a series of 45 minute seminars designed to educate, inform, and tantalize your senses.  Winemakers, sommeliers, and industry experts will guide you through these intimate and up-close experiences while Sunset Wine Editor, Sara Schneider, moderates the sessions. *Advance purchase required. Schedule is subject to change without notice.

Get Your Tickets Here!

• Saturday, September 26, 2015

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    • Meet the Syrahs with Sunset Wine Editor Sara Schneider
    • 11:30 am - 12:10 pm

    Often misunderstood and ignored, Syrah has yet to enjoy its day in the sun. But the Central Coast is producing versions of this wine second to none—in a range of styles from lean and earthy in cool parts of Santa Barbara and SLO Counties to more richly fruited in warmer Paso Robles. Come find your style—and do match a bottle with Santa Maria Barbecue before the weekend’s over.

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    • Atascadero Craft Beer & Cider Tasting
    • 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm

    Presented by Bristols Cider House & Tent City Beer Company

    Dry hopped, bourbon barrel aged, bottled aged, champagne yeast, OH MY! As ciders and craft beer grow in popularity, so do the stylistic differences in its production. Come learn the nuances of beer and cider brewing from this exciting panel of local experts and taste your way through a wide variety of producers discovering which style is among your favorite!

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    • Be a Wine Competition Judge with Sunset Wine Editor Sara Schneider
    • 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm

    Go behind the scenes of Sunset’s International Wine Competition with a panel of our professional judges. Taste medal winners along with them as they reveal what they think about when they’re evaluating a wine, how they can possibly taste 100 wines a day, and what they love about it (or not).

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    • Cool Chardonnay – The Maritime Influences on Coastal San Luis Obispo Chardonnay
    • 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

    Winemakers Brian Talley – Talley Vineyards, Fintan “Fin” du Fresne – Chamisal Vineyards, Mike Sinor – Sinor-Lavallee and Joe Ibrahim – Edna Valley Vineyards, will come together to discuss the history and characteristics of the region dating from the early plantings in the Edna Valley in the 1970s, the plantings in Arroyo Grande Valley in the 80s, and the more recent planting developments in areas like Avila Valley. They’ll talk terroir, acid, and maritime influence as it pertains to the wine region of Coastal San Luis Obispo. This is an opportunity to join the Central Coast’s most esteemed producers as they discuss the character and complexities of Chardonnay that are distinctive to Coastal San Luis Obispo.

• Sunday, September 27, 2015

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    • Atascadero Craft Beer & Cider Tasting
    • 11:30 am - 12:15 pm

    Presented by Bristols Cider House & Molly Pitcher Brewing Co.

    Dry hopped, bourbon barrel aged, bottled aged, champagne yeast, OH MY! As ciders and craft beer grow in popularity, so do the stylistic differences in its production. Come learn the nuances of beer and cider brewing from this exciting panel of local experts and taste your way through a wide variety of producers discovering which style is among your favorite!

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    • Sparkling Wines from Around the World with Wine Editor Sara Schneider
    • 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

    Why does Champagne taste like Champagne, and California sparkling wine—made from the same grape varieties—taste distinctly different? And what about Spanish Cava and Italian Prosecco? Learn how the terroir of the place, the method used to make the bubbles, and the winemaking choices create distinct, recognizable profiles. Then taste blind to see if you can pick them out.

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    • Wine and Cheese Pairing with Sunset Wine Editor Sara Schneider
    • 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm

    Not so fast. It’s harder than most people think to make a truly complementary match between wine and cheese. Earthy, tangy, pungent cheeses are especially hard on reds. Taste some great pairings in this session, and learn from Central Coast cheese and wine experts why the elements together have captured that big yum factor.