Inaugural Trade Event includes Public Grand Tasting on January 10
Central Coast, CA: A multifaceted cast of master sommeliers, wine industry leaders and hospitality professionals is set to convene at the inaugural “Wine Speak Paso Robles”—a trade-focused event that will take place in the Paso Robles wine country on January 9-11.
Wine Speak Paso Robles features winemaker seminars, hospitality development seminars, technical winery tours and private tastings, as well as a public “Taste of Paso Robles” grand tasting on January 10 at the Atascadero Lake Pavilion. Tickets for both the grand tasting and trade seminars may be purchased at www.WineSpeakPaso.com.
Wine Speak Paso Robles is intimate by design, with winemaker seminars limited to 100 guests, and hospitality seminars limited to 200 guests. Technical winery tours will take guests out into some of the region’s most noteworthy vineyards.
Wine Speak Paso Robles was co-founded by Chuck Furuya, MS and partner at Hawaii’s DK Restaurants, and Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins, VP of operations at Ancient Peaks Winery in Paso Robles.
“Our goal is to create an opportunity for the wine community to get together for a time of learning, sharing and camaraderie,” Furuya said.
Highlights of the event include deep dives into New World Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; a Paso Robles blind tasting led by master sommeliers; and “The Philosophy of Aloha” hospitality seminar led by two senior executives from Hawaiian Airlines.
“This is a unique event that blends broad perspectives with regional flavor,” Wittstrom-Higgins said. “It will be educational, but also very social. Audience participation will be highly encouraged, and everyone who attends will make new friends.”
Featured master sommeliers will include Fred Dame, vice president of prestige accounts at American Wine & Spirits and chairman of the board of GuildSomm; Nunzio Alioto, an Antonin Careme Award winner and former chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers; and Greg Harrington, founder and winemaker at Gramercy Cellars. Featured winemakers will represent numerous regions, including Walla Walla, Napa Valley, West Sonoma Coast, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Paso Robles and Victoria, Australia.
The “Taste of Paso Robles” grand tasting on January 10 will showcase 25 leading local wineries in an intimate setting overlooking Atascadero Lake. Local chefs will present wine-friendly small plates and winemakers will showcase some of their finest reserve and library bottlings.
Wine Speak’s sponsors include The Carlton Hotel, The SOMM Journal, TricorBraun, Umpqua Bank, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, CAB Collective, Tasting Panel Magazine, Farm Credit, Visit Atascadero, Glenn Burdette, KRUSH Radio, Visit SLO CAL, The Clever Root and Cameron Ingalls Photography. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the local Rossi Foundation, supporting arts, education, health, social services and the environment.
“WINE SPEAK PASO ROBLES” SCHEDULE
For complete details, visit www.WineSpeakPaso.com
PUBLIC EVENTS – January 9-10
Casual “BYOB” Kickoff Tasting
Historic Carlton Hotel Restaurant on January 9 @ 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Taste of Paso Robles” Grand Tasting
Atascadero Lake Pavilion on January 10 @ 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
TRADE & MEDIA SEMINARS – January 9-10
New World Syrah – January 9 @ 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Panelists:
- Serge Carlei, Winemaker, Carlei Wines (Victoria, Australia)
- Bruce Neyers, Owner, Neyers Winery (Napa Valley, California)
- Greg Harrington MS, Founder and Winemaker, Gramercy Cellars (Walla Walla, Washington)
- Andy Peay, Owner and GM, Peay Vineyards (West Sonoma Coast, California)
- Moderator: Chuck Furuya MS, Partner, DK Restaurants (Honolulu, Hawaii)
New World Cabernet Sauvignon – January 9 @ 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Panelists:
- Serge Carlei, Winemaker, Carlei Wines (Victoria, Australia)
- Bruce Neyers, Owner, Neyers Vineyards (Napa Valley, California)
- Greg Harrington MS, Founder and Winemaker, Gramercy Cellars (Walla Walla, Washington)
- Moderator: Chuck Furuya MS, Partner, DK Restaurants (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Central Coast Syrah – January 10 @ 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Panelists:
- Justin Smith, Owner, Saxum (Paso Robles, California)
- Matt Dees, Winemaker, Jonata, (Ballard Canyon, California)
- Adam Tolmach, Owner and Winemaker, Ojai Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley, California)
- Moderator: Chuck Furuya MS, Partner, DK Restaurants (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon – January 10 @ 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Panelists:
- Matt Dees, Winemaker, Jonata, (Ballard Canyon, California)
- Mike Sinor, Director of Winemaking, Ancient Peaks Winery (Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, California)
- Tyler Thomas, Winemaker, Star Lane Vineyard (Happy Canyon, California)
- Guillaume Fabre, Winemaker & Owner, Clos Solene Winery (Paso Robles, California)
- Moderator: Chuck Furuya MS, Partner, DK Restaurants (Honolulu, Hawaii)
HOSPITALITY SEMINARS – JANUARY 11
ABCs for Tasting Room Staffs and Restaurant Servers – January 11 @ 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Presenters:
- Chuck Furuya MS, Partner, DK Restaurants
So You Want to Be A Wine Professional – January 11 @ Noon to 2 p.m.
Panelists:
- Fred Dame, Master Sommelier, vice president of prestige accounts at American Wine & Spirits, Chairman of Board Guild Somm.com
- Mark Shishido, Wine Director, Alan Wong’s Restaurant
- Nunzio Alioto MS, Former Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers
- Moderator: Chuck Furuya MS, Partner, DK Restaurants
The Philosophy of Aloha – January 11 @ 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenters:
- Renee Awana, managing director for product development at Hawaiian Airlines
- Alisa Onishi, director of brand management and development at Hawaiian Airlines
PRIVATE TRADE & MEDIA EVENTS
Media & Sommelier Paso Robles Blind Tasting at Historic Carlton Hotel – January 9 @ 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (by invitation)
VIP Reception at Historic Carlton Hotel – January 10 @ 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (by invitation)
Winery Technical Tours – January 11
- Tablas Creek Vineyard, hosted by Jason Haas, GM, Partner
- Saxum’s James Berry Vineyard, hosted by Justin Smith, Owner
- Ancient Peaks Winery, hosted by Mike Sinor, Director of Winemaking
- DAOU Vineyards & Winery, hosted by Maeve Pesquera, Senior Vice President
