SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
The Wine Attic Open in Avila BeachSunday, August 27, 2006The Wine Attic - a downtown Paso Robles wine shop and tasting room - will open a new location on Friday in Avila Beach.Owner Jan Manni teamed up with Cal Poly psychology professor Kelly Moreno, who owns the commercial space behind The Custom House. Moreno said he wanted to open a wine-related business and thought the Wine Attic was the perfect fit for the 650-square-foot shop at 53 San Miguel St. Manni, who originally opened The Wine Attic two-and-a-half years ago, says Avila's location is ideal because it's a growing market. The new wine bar, shop and eatery will serve a light fare of food similar to the Paso Robles location with a menu of cheese plates, paninis and salads. It's smaller than the North County shop but will boast a 400-square-foot patio. Local and international boutique wines will be available for tasting, by the glass or bottle. The only other wine-related business in downtown Avila is the Alapay Cellars tasting room, located next door. Friday's grand opening will include Justin Baldwin of Justin Vineyards as the featured winemaker, and music by Nicole Stromsoe and her jazz ensemble. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Central Coast Wines to go InternationalFriday, August 25, 2006With plans to broaden the wine selection and educate patrons on international wines, local sommelier Aaron Warren has bought Central Coast Wines at 712 Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo.Warren acquired about 900 wines with the purchase of the store, nearly all from the Central Coast. When the store - newly named Central Coast Wines International - reopens in late September, it will showcase wines from the major wine-growing areas of the world, with an emphasis on Burgundy, France. International wines and wines from other domestic regions will eventually make up 30 percent of the selection. The store will also feature a wine bar with expanded bar seating; a selection of artisan cheeses, olives and spreads for purchase; and weekly events featuring local winemakers. Warren plans to offer an extensive selection of vertical wine tastings, which is a tasting of wines from consecutive vintages from the same producer. Article: Biz Buzz, The Tribune Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Sep 16-17 - San Luis Obispo Men's City AmateurThursday, August 24, 2006The 2006 San Luis Obispo Men's City Amateur will be held September 16th and 17th at Dairy Creek Golf Course.Entry Fee is $35.00 which includes Prize Purse & Tee Prize (Does Not Include Green Fees or Cart Fees). All Entries must be received by Tuesday, September 12th. Entries Non-Refundable after September 15th. Flights include a Gross Championship Flight (Gold Tees) for 5.0 & Under and 2 Net Flights for 5.1 & Above (1st Flight - Blue Tees, 2nd Flight - White Tees). To register, contact Kent Lauble at (805) 782-8060 or visit www.centralcoastgolf.com. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf A Potpourri of Red Wines from Paso RoblesWednesday, August 23, 2006An article posted at The Tribune today highlights a potpourri of red wines from Paso Robles.The 2004 Robert Hall Rhone de Robles ($18) was recently named the best California Rhone blend at the California State Fair. No surprise there. It's an easy- to-drink blend dominated by grenache and syrah, with smaller amounts of cinsaut and counoise. The wine has bright flavors of blackberry, sweet strawberry, chocolate and roasted coffee. The finish is very smooth. Another good Rhone red from Paso Robles is the 2004 Cass Rockin' One ($34), which is mostly grenache with a little syrah. It's a bigger, more firmly structured wine than the Rhone de Robles, and it displays ripe strawberry flavors accented by mocha and tobacco. Surprisingly, the wine has an alcohol level of 15 percent-plus, but it more than carries it. Moving down the road to Templeton, Wild Horse Winery has released its 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($20), a full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, chocolate and spice. It finishes with some firm tannins, so drink it with a hearty meat dish or lay it down for a year or two. If you're looking for something that's ready to drink now, try the 2004 Wild Horse Merlot ($20), a wine with bright black cherry and plum flavors. It doesn't have quite the depth of the cabernet, but it's smooth and tasty. Both the cabernet and the merlot have small amounts of cabernet franc, malbec, syrah and petit verdot in the blends to add complexity. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine SLO Wineries Raise Funds for CommunityTuesday, August 22, 2006In an article at The Tribune, Janis Switzer shares examples of how county winemakers are throwing their skills, and their wines, into increasing numbers of fundraising events that benefit a variety of local community programs.When Bill Hinrichs, owner of Ranchita Canyon Vineyards, started thinking about a way to raise funds to restore the old Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse in San Miguel, he approached Niels Udsen of Castoro Cellars with an idea. Udsen started Castoro in 1983 with his wife, Bimmer, and as one of Paso Robles' older wineries had worked on other community fundraising projects over the years by sponsoring local teams, hosting charity dinners and donating the use of his tasting room to local causes. So, when Hinrichs asked Udsen to create a special bottling of red wine using Hinrichs' grapes, Udsen enthusiastically agreed. Thus, the first 100 cases of PVC Schoolhouse Red were bottled from the 2003 harvest, and all proceeds from the sales were directed to the Pleasant Valley Community Foundation. They did it again in 2004 and 2005. The Far Out Wineries, a marketing group made up of 14 wineries west of Paso Robles, has helped fund a similar schoolhouse restoration. Windward Winery, along with 14 participating pinot noir producers, raised $28,000 for the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation, and the Central Coast Wine Classic handed over a check this week for $64,500 to the Community Wellness Center - a new cancer support facility founded by Justin and Deborah Baldwin of Justin Winery. "Fund-a-Need" raises funds for designate causes each year, and last year more than $41,000 was raised for The Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers, an organization founded by Brian and Johnnie Talley of Talley Vineyards. The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is also actively funding community needs. This year's 14th annual Zinfandel Festival collected more than $66,000 for health care programs for vineyard workers, and will help establish a mobile health care unit in Shandon, similar to one that already has been funded in San Miguel. From the winemakers' viewpoint, using their wines to help raise needed funds is simple. "We want to be one industry that is known to benefit the community in different ways," says Castoro Cellar's Udsen. "When somebody hears the words "wine industry" or "vineyard" the first thought should be a good thought." Article: All for a good cause in San Miguel The Tribune, Janis Switzer Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine SLO County Second Least Affordable Region in StateFriday, August 18, 2006San Luis Obispo County was the second least affordable region in the state for first-time homebuyers, the California Association of Realtors reported Thursday.The percentage of households in the second quarter of 2006 that could afford a median-priced home in that period was 17 percent, compared with 23 percent for the previous year, according to the association's new quarterly housing affordability index. Santa Barbara was the least affordable region at 14 percent; the High Desert region was the most affordable at 39 percent. Only 23 percent of first-time buyers in California could afford the median-priced home in the second quarter of this year, compared with 30 percent for the same period in 2005. The minimum household income needed for first-time buyers in California to purchase a $482,000 home in the second quarter was $98,720. That's based on an adjustable interest rate of 6.48 percent and a 10 percent down payment. San Luis Obispo County residents would need to have a higher household income - $103,290 - to afford the second-quarter median price of $504,350. Article: Housing Affordability for First-Time Buyers Down in California Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate Paso Robles Winemaker Featured at FreeWeekly.comThursday, August 17, 2006Mediterranean grape varieties have emerged from obscurity to star status in only a few years. If you think this topic is new to you, consider that the ubiquitous shiraz grape (called syrah in its native France ), is one of them. And there are many more.Most grape varieties native to the Mediterranean aren't well known. The white viognier grape flirted with stardom about ten years ago, but was soon eclipsed, first by Italy 's pinot grigio, then by New Zealand 's unique style of sauvignon blanc. Roussanne is as important as viognier in the south of France, but is even less known elsewhere. Mat Garretson of Garretson Wine Company specialized in a segment of Mediterranean grapes called "Rhone varietals", basically the aforementioned grapes plus a few others, which are from the Rhone River Valley in southeastern France near and in Provence . His grapes are from a part of California called the Central Coast , specifically the town of Paso Robles and the area around it. Paso Robles is in northern San Luis Obispo County , about halfway down the California coastline. The vineyards closest to the ocean, some only six miles from the water, enjoy a somewhat cooler climate than those farther away. Highway 101 is often used as a convenient east-west dividing line. Hot days, cool nights, and the widest day/night temperature swing in California . Also, the first rainfall of the fall rainy season is typically about two weeks later than Napa or Sonoma , giving a longer "hang time" or fall ripening period. More hang time gives the grapes more time to develop flavors. Garretson's G White 2005 is softly dry, richly textured, and complex, with aromas and flavors of white peach, lime and honeysuckle (often tasted in viognier). It's a delicious combination of viognier's subtle complexity and roussanne's depth. Article: Garretson "G" White 2005 California (Paso Robles) 50.4% Viognier , 49.6% Roussanne Website: www.garretsonwines.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Big Drop in SLO County Homes SalesWednesday, August 16, 2006San Luis Obispo County home sales dropped nearly 42 percent last month compared with the same period in 2005, DataQuick reported Tuesday.In July, 297 homes were sold. That compares to 510 homes sold in July 2005. While home sales slowed, the median price rose in July. The median - the statistical point where half of homes sold for more and half for less - was $541,500 last month, a 3.1 percent increase from the previous year when the median was $525,000. The median price was $580,500 in June, a month when 381 homes were sold. DataQuick, which provides data on new, resale and attached and detached homes and condominiums, is just one source of sales and home price information in the county. The California Association of Realtors will release its figures later this month. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate Pismo Beach Golfer featured in FORE MagazineTuesday, August 15, 2006Pismo Beach golfer, Joshua Warthen, was featured this month in the SCGA's FORE Magazine.While the switch from beaches and waves to bunkers and water hazards may not be a natural one, Pismo Beach's Joshua Warthen seems to be transitioning without a hitch. "I really feel like I am meant to play golf," he says. "Why would I improve at this game so quickly?" Despite the fact that Warthen, 26, only began playing golf when he was 19, he sports a +3.4-index and has fared well since the start. Less than three years after picking up a club, he entered his first SCGA qualifier and played his first SCGA Amateur Championship in 2002 at El Caballero CC in Tarzana, where he finished tied for ninth. He has qualified for every championship since. "Someone randomly dragged me down to this par-3 course in Pismo," he says, "and I didn't really have any trouble chipping and putting the ball but hitting it straight off the tee was tough. I loved it, and was instantly hooked." Before golf, Warthen was a student at Arroyo Grande High School, playing soccer and baseball his first two years; he tried golf as a 12-year-old but it wasn't for him at the time. "Golfing really turned my life around," Warthen says. "It exposed me to some really positive influences and gave me a deeper respect for people and the game. I went to college because of golf." Article: A Beachin' Golfer FORE Magazine, July/August 2006, Katie Denbo Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Steady Sales of Million Dollar SLO HomesMonday, August 14, 2006According to an article in The Tribune, the recent slowdown in the local housing market has brought some price reductions to homes in the $1 million-plus range, but local real estate experts say higher-end properties are still fetching huge sums from equity-rich baby boomers.Nearly 200 single-family homes in the million-dollar plus range have sold so far this year - 12 percent of all local sales - compared to 165 during the same period last year. The median selling price year-to-date: $1,325,000, up 2.3 percent over the year-earlier period. The average time it takes to sell these homes also hasn't changed much - 131 days this time in 2005 compared to 111 days so far this year - meaning that they're selling just as quickly. Buyers driving the upper end of the market are from Southern California, the Central Valley, and to a lesser extent the Bay Area, Astle said, and they have significant disposable income. The changing demographics of the county - from a community that centered on families to one that has a greater concentration of wealthy retirees - will likely fuel the higher-end market for years to come. Article: For million-dollar homes, realty sales remain solid The Tribune, Julie Lynem Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate Aug 26 - CASA Benefit Golf Tournament at Sea PinesSunday, August 13, 2006A benefit golf tournament is planned for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program on Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. Check-in starts at 7 a.m. at the Sea Pines Golf Resort, at 1945 Solano St. in Los Osos.Tournament format is a nine-hole Scramble, with four-person teams and an 8 a.m. shotgun start. There will be prizes for the first-, second- and third-place teams. Prizes will be awarded for longest drive and closest to the hole on two selected holes. A raffle will follow with a variety of prizes, including a half-day guided kayak tour for two with lunch in Morro Bay. To sign up, call the Sea Pines Golf Resort Clubhouse at 528-4653, or Tournament Chairman Gary Orback at 528-1538 or 440-9093. Cost is $30 per player. Proceeds support the recruitment, training and supervision of CASA volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in San Luis Obispo County. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Cal Poly Rated 1st by Golf Digest in California Golf Colleges for AcademicsSaturday, August 12, 2006In their September 2006 issue, Golf Digest Magazine ranked the NCAA's 772 men's programs and 500 women's programs in six categories, grading each category on a curve to determine overall scores.Golf Digest ranked the Cal Poly Men's golf program 27th in the nation (and 8th in California) while both the Men's and Women's programs at Cal Poly were ranked 11th nationwide (and 1st in California) in academics. Half of the schools that ranked ahead of the men's and women's program academically are Ivy League members. For high school juniors who are excellent students first, golfers second, Cal Poly and other selected academic colleges provide the absolute best education and an opportunity to play, the national magazine said about its top-50 education rankings. Academics was one of six categories considered in determining the overall rankings. The remaining categories were team adjusted scoring average, two categories of player growth, climate and coaching/facilities. The overall rankings were designed to help high school juniors who hope to play professionally after college, according to the magazine. Team adjusted scoring average (Golf First: 40 percent; Academics First: 15 percent): Spans last four seasons. Applies formula used by NCAA committees to select postseason teams; equalizes raw scores to par 72 while also equalizing variables such as weather, course difficulty and setup. Source: golfstat.com. Player growth (Golf: 19.5 percent; Academics: 7 percent): New from 2005. Determines whether players on a program's roster during the last four seasons improved. The first measurement (50 percent of score) counts the percentage of players who annually improved their adjusted scoring averages. A score of 12/10 means 12 players improved and 10 declined. The second measurement (50 percent of score) shows the cumulative improvement (declines are negative numbers). Players must meet a minimum number of rounds to be included. Source: golfstat.com. Academics (Golf: 14 percent; Academics: 58 percent): School's overall score from U.S. News & World Report's 2006 guidebook, America's Best Colleges. Scores were estimated for schools in the third and fourth tiers of the guidebook's listings. Schools appearing in Academics First rankings do not offer athletic scholarships and have a minimum academic score of 65 (men) and 60 (women). Source: usnews.com. Climate (Golf: 12 percent; Academics: 10 percent): A 30-year average of number of playable days between Sept. 1-May 31. Allows for play in poor weather but not in extreme, dangerous or snow-covered conditions. Maximum: 272 days. Source: Longitudes Group. Coaches/facilities (Golf: 14.5 percent; Academics: 10 percent): Measures coaches‚ experience and past performance; quality of campus-affiliated or available courses and practice facilities; and other resources. Sources: Information provided by schools and Ping American College Golf Guide (collegegolf.com). Article: How To Find The Right Golf School Golf Digest Magazine, Sept. 2006 Interview: Cal Poly makes Golf Digest list Golf in the Middle Kindgom, Larry Mauter Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Golf Talk Radio ESPN Short Game ClinicsFriday, August 11, 2006The Golf Talk Radio ESPN "Short Game" Clinics which includes putting, chipping and pitching with Golf Talk Radio's co-hosts and PGA Golf Professionals Billy Gibbs and Mike Brabenec will be held at the Avila Beach Golf Resort on August 5th, August 19th and September 9th, 2006 beginning at 11:00am.The "Swing" clinic which includes tempo, timing and more will be held at the Blacklake Golf Resort July 29th, August 12th (Special Woods Only Clinic) and September 2nd, 2006. Each clinic is only $20 per person and you can sign up through www.golftalkradio.com or by calling the Avila Beach Golf Resort at (805) 595-4000 ext.1 or the Blacklake Golf Resort at (805) 343-1214 ext. 4. See you at the course! Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Great Buying Opportunity at The Woodlands Through AugustThursday, August 10, 2006 Imagine living on California's Central Coast in a community that offers an unparalleled, 5-star resort lifestyle. Well, Trilogy Central Coast is just such a place to purchase the home of your dreams today. Trilogy Central Coast is including all options and upgrades, with savings of up to $150,000 on 10 spectacular designer homes. These homes include professionally selected interiors and upgrades, plus they are available for immediate move-in. For a limited time, 3.99% 5 year fixed financing is also available. So whether you are looking to make a move to the Central Coast or find a place to escape, there has never been a better time to buy. For more details or to schedule an appointment please call 1-877-GOLFSLO. But hurry, this opportunity ends August 31st. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Real Estate Models Open at The Villas at The WoodlandsWednesday, August 09, 2006John Scardino, developer of The Woodlands project on the Nipomo Mesa, has selected San Luis Obispo-based Fortini Home Garden Design to design the interior of model homes at The Villas at The Woodlands.The models are scheduled to open in mid-August, and the public will get a chance to visit the model homes and tour The Woodlands development. Scardino said the selection is in line with his policy of hiring local engineers, architects and subcontractors. As part of the largest housing development on the Central Coast, the 40 executive homes at The Villas will range from 2,460 to 3,014 square feet and feature exterior designs reminiscent of the Mediterranean. The homes will offer panoramic views of the new Monarch Dunes Golf Course, Scardino said. The Woodlands is a 957-acre community currently under construction on Highway 1 south of Willow Road. Monarch Dunes, an 18-hole course, is already completed, along with a clubhouse. Once at full build-out, The Woodlands will include an additional 27 holes of golf, a retail center, a business park, a resort hotel and a 32,000-square-foot community center with a day spa, a gym, tennis courts, a pool, a ballroom, a bistro, a crafts building and a wine library, Scardino said. Article: Woodlands developer selects SLO designer for models Website: www.woodlandscentralcoast.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Real Estate Slowing SLO Homes Sales will passTuesday, August 08, 2006Al Heavens recently shared an article at Realty Times about the current real estate market and real estate's cyclical nature - whether booming or slowing (the official housing industry word is "normalizing"), it, too, will pass. It's now a market in which buyers can be more selective. Now it's up to sellers to rise to the occasion.Article: Slowing sales? They'll Pass. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate Sep 2 - San Miguel Mission Benefit Golf TournamentMonday, August 07, 2006The Friends of the Mission San Miguel Arcangel are hosting a golf tournament on Saturday, September 2nd, 2006 at the Paso Robles Golf Club to benefit the preservation of the San Miguel Mission.The 4-person Scramble costs $125 per player. Call Mrs. Maria Payeur at (805) 467-2131 for more details. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Aug 24 - Terra Presents Passion for Paso in San JoseSunday, August 06, 2006 Terra Presents the Second Annual Passion for Paso event on Thursday, August 24, 2006 at the San Jose Museum of Art. Discover how the diverse soils, combined with warm days and cool nights make the Paso Robles AVA distinct, different. Taste the wines and meet the winemakers of Paso Robles Wine Country. Featuring more than 100 wines from 27 Paso Robles Wine Country wineries in one convenient location in Downtown San Jose. Art, live jazz, hors d'oeuvres, wine dinners and wine & lifestyle benefit auction. Website: www.passionforpaso.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Sep 2-3 - Central Coast Classic Women's Golf ChampionshipSaturday, August 05, 2006Cypress Ridge Golf Course is hosting the Central Coast Classic - Women's Golf Championship on Saturday September 2nd & Sunday September 3rd, 2006. Tee Time starts at 1:00.The 36 hole Stroke Play tournament (gross & net) is open to women with an 8.9 index or less. Professionals and Amateurs invited to play. Tees will be a combination of red and white. Cost is $100 both days, which includes green fees, range balls, prize fund. Carts not included in price. Deadline to enter is August 30, 2006. First round times will be by random draw. Second round times will be by first round scores. Sign up: www.cypressridge.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Aug 12-13 - Santa Maria Valley Men's Amatuer Golf ChampionshipFriday, August 04, 2006The Santa Maria Valley Men's Amatuer Golf Championship will be held Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th, 2006 at Rancho Maria Golf Club in Santa Maria. Starting times for this 36-hole stroke play tournament are Saturday from 8:00am to 11:0am and a Sunday 9:00am Shotgun. Fees are $175.00 per person, $200 per person after August 4th, 2006.To sign up or obtain more information, contact Mike O'Keefe at (805) 937-2019. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Central Coast Pilates for GolfersThursday, August 03, 2006According to an article in The Tribune by Emily Logan, a few Central Coast golfers have found a way to improve their games while steering clear of injuries - Pilates.Local Pilates instructors have been working with golfers to develop routines that focus on the specific needs of a golfer's body. 'A healthy body is the most important piece of equipment a golfer can have,' said Ardy Janku, owner of Ardy's Pilates Studio in Pismo Beach. Janku is certified to teach a program called Pilates for Golf, and other local instructors have begun customizing workouts for their clients who are golfers. These routines begin by focusing on the same elements as regular Pilates - core strength, breathing and flexibility. But for the specific golf programs, instructors test the student for problems during a golf swing and correct the problems with Pilates moves. Studios offering Pilates for golfers: Ardy's Pilates Studio 580 Cypress St., Suite N2 Pismo Beach 773-3863 Balance, a Pilates Studio 570 Higuera St, Suite 185 San Luis Obispo 541-1781 Infinite Dynamics 811 El Capitan Way, Suite 100 San Luis Obispo 594-1061 Article: Better golf through Pilates Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Enjoy Golf and Wine with your Hearst Castle VisitWednesday, August 02, 2006Tom Stienstra shares a "Top 10" list for things to do on the Central Coast in an article for SFGate.com - which of course includes golf and wine tasting.The shadow of Hearst Castle seems to loom over everything on California's central coast. No matter where you go in the vicinity of San Simeon and San Luis Obispo, you are likely to feel that shadow. Of course, the tour at the castle should be a must-do on everyone's life list. But this also means that many fabulous adventures in the area get overlooked. A survey of California's top 100 outdoors and travel writers revealed that a bike and wine tour was the No. 1 adventure in the region, and many others rated high: paddling a kayak through a wildlife reserve, fishing and boating, golf and other trips. Article: Hearst Castle's Rich Setting - California's Central Coast Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Wine Saturday Clinics at Cypress Ridge Golf AcademyTuesday, August 01, 2006Saturday Clinics at the Cypress Ridge Golf Academy are being offered every Saturday from 11:00am - 12:00pm. Beginners and intermediate skilled golfers are welcome and encouraged to participate in this instructional clinic. Fee is $25.00 per session. For more information contact the pro shop (805) 474-7979.Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf |
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