Central
Coast Wine Classic:
Wining and Dining at the Highest Level
The
Central Coast Wine Classic set for August 10 through
14 will now cover two wine growing counties and is bringing
a dozen exciting new oenophile events to Santa Barbara - enhancing
the already well-established Wine Classic that continues in
San Luis Obispo. This major enhancement to the Wine Classic's
consistently comprehensive schedule as one of the most educational
charity wine auction weeks in America gives the world-class
destination another reason for people to plan a visit to The
"American Riviera."
According
to Central Coast Wine Classic Founder & Chairman, Archie
McLaren, "Our array of culinary and wine symposia has been
highly praised by our Wine Classic patrons over the years. We
want to heighten our educational mission by embracing an even
greater depth and breadth of edifying wine and cuisine related
topics."
The
31st Annual Wine Classic will be presenting a range of special
venues from San Simeon to Montecito and almost every great vacation
spot in between to two iconic locations - Hearst Castle to the
Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. You'll find
events in Paso Robles, Templeton, Santa Margarita, San Luis
Obispo, the Edna Valley, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, Arroyo Grande,
Santa Maria, Los Olivos, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara
and Montecito. This whole classically sculptured event is truly
just a barrel of fun - whether you choose one event or the package
of all events! Log on www.CentralCoastWineClassic.org.
The Wine Classic has evolved in so many ways from a single date
in '85 to this 31st edition which covers two counties, over
five days with 19 events, including six symposia, in addition
to making its' debut in Santa Barbara with a dozen events planned.
Friday evening August 12 at the 124 year old Santa Barbara Club,
the Rare Wine Dinner will be a exceptional occasion to dazzle
taste buds with wines and champagne rated at 98, 99 and the
perfect score, 100 points - a 1946 Don PX Convento Seleccion
from Bodegas Toro Albala, had a production of just 825 bottles.
The center attraction here will be the auction, on the strikingly
beautiful Bella Vista polo estate with views of the Pacific
and Channel Islands.
Includes
a multi-course luncheon prepared by Chefs Frank Ostini, Grilling
Guru of the Hitching Post in Buellton, and Rick Manson, whose
eclectic array of Southern-Styled Cuisine is indescribably exhilarating.
Wines from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County will be
in some rare and expensive company as there will be wines from
all the major wine growing regions of the world represented.
In fact, Wine Spector rated this five-day event as one of the
Top Ten Wine Classics. Santa Barbara Executive Chef James Siao
of Finch & Fork Restaurant, Kimpton's Canary Hotel will
be sharing his culinary skills during this year's events.
Chef James Siao, Finch & Fork, Kimpton's Canary Hotel
Generosity
is all embracing at the Wine Classic. Since 2004, when McLaren
initiated the Central Coast Wine Classic Foundation it has been
a patron to 125 arts centric non-profits in Santa Barbara and
San Luis Obisbo Counties. Raising an incredible $2.5 million
for these vital healing arts, studio arts and performing arts
organizations. This kind of serious funding makes a big difference
to these charities.
In
addition to wining and dining, this Wine Classic has some terrific
symposiums lined up. This is a great opportunity to gain a greater
appreciation of this 'liquid of the gods' by learning more about
the grape and its varieties. From how it's grown and in what
soil; to the careful production steps each wine demands. Symposiums
on Paso Robles Bordeaux Varietals, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Napa
Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Australian Wines, Louis Roderer Champagne,
and even Black River Caviar dot the landscape of choices. Pinot
Noir gets two meetings on Friday August 12 in the afternoon:
The Santa Barbara Wine Collective meets in the Funk Zone and
the Central Coast Pinot Noir Symposium will be at the newly
opened Santa Barbara Inn.
If
your business would like to make a donation to the Wine Classic
Auction a form is available by calling Archie McLaren direct.
Archie McLaren contact info: (805) 878-3124; Fax (805) 595-2742;
archie.wineclassic@gmail.com.
Central
Coast Wine Classic now in it's 31st year
19 events in five days; seven in SLO; 12 in Santa Barbara.
Advance
reservations are NOW OPEN - Early Registration Recommended,
many sell-out early. There are no tickets to events; names will
be at the door of the event(s) you signed up for.
http://www.centralcoastwineclassic.org/registration.php.
Astounding
$2.5 million has been raised for 125 non-profit organizations
in SLO and SB counties since 2004 when CCWC Foundation was formed.
The non-profits chosen are in Studio, Healing and Performing
Arts. This year's auction catalog will be available online in
July. Last year's packages are still up to give you an idea
of the variety and value. This is theGranddaddy of wine and
life style auctions. Auction takes place at the expansive Bella
Vista, Pat Nesbitt's Polo Estate in Summerland.
Talking
about Granddaddy's, one of the dinners will be at the historic
Hearst Castle. Being there in the evening, you can almost sense
the presence of the people who were guests at this legendary
palace. Four chefs: Christophe Eme and Laurent Quenioux conceive
& create the five-course dinner; assisted by CCWC's stellar
family of chef's including Michael Hutchings and James Sly of
the Santa Barbara area. The top-priced event of the 19, but
what an experience!
This
is the first year CCWC is in Santa Barbara, one of the world's
top travel destinations. The Wine Classic has been going on
for 30 years in SLO. Another star chef from Santa Barbara Michael
Hutchings will be preparing the Winemakers Dinner at the Santa
Barbara Courthouse on Friday from 7-10 p.m.
Chef
Michael Hutchings
To
give you an idea of the incredible lots and the prices they
went for, the highlights in 2014 included: Lots were 60 Bottles
of Fine French Red Burgundy wine for $35,000; a 2014 Harvest
Dinner for Twenty-Four People presented by Au Bon Climat winery
and the Buellton Hitching Post restaurant for $24,000; a Wine
& Culinary Tour of French Wine Country for two people for
$20,000; a Dinner with Archie McLaren and Baseball Legend Tim
McCarver featuring a Dozen Bottles of Rare Wine from Around
the World from the 1964 Vintage for $20,000; the Yuroz oil painting
at $20,000; 30 Bottles of Cult Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
for $18,000; and a Gourmet Food & Wine Crystal Cruise for
two from Singapore to Hong Kong for $15,000.
1987
Ferrari Testarossa Gemballa - only one of three made will be
on display at the Auction. It belongs to founder Archie McLaren.
Crockett & Tubbs of "Miami Vice".
For
2016, the Studio Arts Beneficiaries will be the Hearst Preservation
Foundation and the Friends of Hearst Castle Foundation that
sustains the irreplaceable, historic Hearst Castle artifacts.
The Performing Arts Beneficiary will be the newly established
Léni Fé Bland Performing Arts Fund, founded by
2016 Wine Classic Patron Honoree Sara Miller McCune of Montecito.
The Wine Classic Board of Directors will announce the Healing
Arts Beneficiary soon.
For
additional information visit: www.CentralCoastWineClassic.org.