San Luis Obispo Wine Country Celebrates 26th-Annual “Harvest on The Coast” with Beachside Grand Tasting, Winemaker Dinner, Auction and Winery Open Houses November 4 – 6
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA— With winegrowing in San Luis Obispo (SLO) Wine Country defined by its pronounced coastal climate, it only makes sense that the local winemakers are celebrating harvest within reach of surf and sand at the 26th annual “Harvest on The Coast” extravaganza happening November 4 – 6, 2016.
The weekend includes a Friday night winemaker dinner; a Saturday afternoon Grand Tasting & Auction; and Sunday winery open houses. For information and tickets, visit www.slowine.com/events/harvest-on-the-coast.php or contact (805) 541-5868. A “designated driver” ticket is also available for $30.
“Our vineyards are located just five miles from the Pacific Ocean on average,” said Heather Muran, executive director of SLO Wine Country. “With this event, we go straight to the source to celebrate the harvest season and all that makes SLO Wine Country unique.”
GRAND TASTING & AUCTION – November 5
This year’s series of wine and food events revolves around an open-air, ocean-view Grand Tasting and Wine Auction on November 5 at the Avila Beach Resort located at 6464 Ana Bay Road in Avila Beach. General admission tickets are $80 offering entry from noon to 4 p.m. Early-entry tickets may be purchased for $110 and include admission at 11 a.m. and tastings of library wines, large format bottles and reserve wines. Premium seating at the live auction includes tables of eight for $900 with wine service and appetizers provided by Two Cooks Catering.
Attendees at the Grand Tasting and Wine Auction will also enjoy all-inclusive wine tastings and cuisine provided by more than 50 local winemakers, chefs and artisan food producers. Meanwhile, live music will be provided by the Tipsy Gypsies, a local jazz quintet specializing in music from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Along with all of this comes the winemaker-hosted wine and lifestyle auction at 2 p.m.
An assortment of extravagant auction items will be featured at the November 5 event including a luxury villa vacation in Palm Springs; a library wine lot of more than 50 bottles; and getaways to San Francisco for a Giants game and yachting; lodging, wine and dining in Sun Valley, Idaho; and a winter getaway to the Montana Sporting Club. (details below).
“Our auction lots are more innovative than ever before thanks to the imagination of our winemakers,” said Heather Muran, Executive Director of SLO Wine Country. “We look forward to an afternoon of sunny energy and good vibes.”
Muran added that one of the more popular live-auction lots is called “fund a need,” where auction monies benefit a local cause. This year’s chosen non-profit is Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County, an organization that provides positive adult relationships for children who face difficult life situations.
“CRAFTED ON THE COAST” WINEMAKER DINNER – November 4, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Other weekend events include “Crafted on the Coast,” ($120) which offers the chance to soak up ocean views and dine with five local winemakers at Ocean Grill Restaurant (268 Front Street) in beautiful Avila Beach. This five-course artisanal dinner will be created by Chef Bryan Mathers and paired with local wines from Center of Effort, Autry Cellars, Chamisal Vineyards, Saucelito Canyon Vineyards and Tangent Winery. Space is limited.
“SURF’S UP SUNDAY” WINERY OPEN HOUSES – November 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy free winetasting throughout SLO Wine Country all day Sunday, November 6! This event is complimentary to all who attend Saturday’s Grand Tasting event. Attendees simply bring their Grand Tasting wristband and wineglass, and then enjoy Sunday’s complimentary tastings, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, wine discounts, 6-pack wine specials and more.
STAY IN AVILA BEACH AND SAVE
SLO Wine Country Association is proud to partner with the Avila Beach Tourism Alliance to offer $20 off Grand Tasting tickets for those who book lodging in Avila Beach. For a list of lodging partners, please visit www.visitavilabeach.com.
SAMPLING OF AUCTION ITEMS
Here are just a few auction lots to be featured in this year’s silent and live lifestyle and wine auction:
-Three-nights luxury villa vacation in Palm Springs with wine from Edna Valley Vineyard
-A library wine lot of more than 50 bottles from various SLO Wine Country wineries
-A three-night getaway to Sun Valley, Idaho including lodging, wine and dining from Talley Vineyard
-A winter five-night, six-day trip to the Montana Sporting Club
-A large-format collection of wine in hand-etched bottles donated by the Nivens family
-Two box-seat tickets to a San Francisco Giants game to include a chef-prepared pre-game wine and food pairing aboard a private yacht owned by Alpha Omega boutique winery, plus a yacht cruise, photo session and two night’s lodging at Hyatt. Package donated by Tolosa Winery.
In the San Luis Obispo Wine Country on California’s Central Coast—or “SLO Wine Country,” as locals call it—the Pacific Ocean shapes our culture, our terrain and our wines. Here, where our wineries boast an average distance of just five miles from the water, the prevailing marine conditions are among the most pronounced of any wine region in California. Our ocean-cooled environment fosters unifying qualities that are native to the wines of SLO Wine Country. For details and wine tasting information, visit SLOWine.com.
