SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
SLO County Chardonnay FestivalSaturday, April 22, 2006San Luis Obispo County is already known as one of the state's largest wine-producing regions. Soon, it could become one of the few places in the world to host a chardonnay festival.Organizers of the proposed three-day event, which is being planned for Feb. 9-11, 2007, say they want the festival to have a "laid-back" feel, with visitors wearing flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts. Activities include winemaker dinners, a kayak trip followed by wine tasting on the dunes, biking, hiking, a private tour of Hearst Castle, a Saturday night party and open houses with barbecues on Sunday. Nipool Patel, owner of Lamplighter Inn, and Shay Stewart of Central Coast Wine Tours, say they chose to host the event in the off-season because the Central Coast is not traditionally seen as a tourist destination that time of year. They hope to attract more than 350 visitors. They are also targeting the Gen-X and Gen-Y crowds in an effort to build loyalty with that audience. Patel says people in those age groups have adventurous tastes and a penchant for "funky labels" in the medium-price range. As well, Patel and Stewart hope to work with Cal Poly students on many aspects of planning and marketing the festival, expecting to return some of the proceeds to Cal Poly, possibly for scholarships. They already have an event sponsor lined up and are looking for industry sponsors. Hundreds of wineries from Edna Valley to South Africa may be represented at the festival, which is being patterned after the annual Chardonnay du Monde festival in France. For more information, call Stewart at 215-2317. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine |
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