Annual Gathering Planned in Paso Robles, CA
December 13, 2024 (Paso Robles) – The national Rhone Rangers will host the 17th “Rhone Rangers Experience” on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Paso Robles, CA. A full day is planned during the annual event, including a “Rhone Essentials” seminar, Vintners’ Luncheon, Grand Tasting, and a Silent Auction benefiting the Rhone Rangers educational endeavors. Rhone Rangers from throughout the organization will be represented, including wineries from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County, Ojai , Monterey, Napa, Sonoma, El Dorado, Lodi, Temecula, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.
The Rhone Rangers, who are dedicated to the education and the promotion of American Rhone varietal wines, will present a top example of each of the principal categories of Rhone wines during the seminar. The morning session will be moderated by special guest, Samantha Cole-Johnson, US Editor of JancisRobinson.com. A panel of winemakers and principals who have chosen the Rhone Rangers route will represent ten categories including: Sparkling Rhone, Viognier, Obscure White- Rhone Varietal, White-Rhone Blend, Dry Rosé, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Obscure Red Varietal, and Red-Rhone Blend. Following the seminar, participants will be joined by Rhone Ranger principals and winemakers for a luncheon prepared by Chef Jeffery Scott with an opportunity to enjoy special releases of Rhone wines and interact with the producers. An auxiliary silent auction will be held during the luncheon featuring select auction lots from the ten wineries represented during the seminar, in addition to a special lot of “Rhone Essentials” wines.
The afternoon segment of the Rhone Rangers Experience will include a Grand Tasting of 250+ wines from Rhone Rangers members, including top single Rhone varietals and the best in Rhone blends. Throughout the tasting, guests are invited to bid on auction lots donated by Rhone Ranger member wineries, with proceeds benefiting the Rhone Rangers education programs and scholarship fund.
An “All-Access” package is available, including the Welcoming Coffee Bar/Auction Preview, Seminar, Luncheon, and early-entry into the Grand Tasting and Silent Auction ($195 per person + tax/fees), or guests may select the Grand Tasting/Silent Auction afternoon segment ($85 per person + tax/fees). Sponsor, Trade and Media inquiries may be sent to kim@rhonerangers.org. For additional information and to reserve tickets, visit the Rhone Rangers website, www.rhonerangers.org.
About the Rhone Rangers
In the early-1980’s several maverick American winemakers and wine growers began experimenting with Rhone-style wines. By the mid-80’s this group of California Rhone producers were informally meeting to share winemaking information and insight. This group went on to formally organize in 1998 as a 501 c
(6) non-profit organization with a mission to educate and promote the enjoyment and production of the Rhone varietal wine grapes. Known as the Rhone Rangers, they are a group of 120+ wineries throughout the United States dedicated to making wines from the 22 traditional grape varieties approved by the French government for the Côtes du Rhône, as well as Durif (Petite Sirah).
The Rhone Rangers hold special events throughout the year to raise funds for the Rhone Rangers Educational Programs and Scholarships. For more information, please visit www.rhonerangers.org.
