Second Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival
http://www.sierrapelonavintners.com/
Do you know what an AVA is? It is the abbreviation for “American Viticultural Area”, which is an officially designated wine grape-growing region in the United States. Creation of a new AVA has to be approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the US Department of the Treasury. So, getting a new one is kind of a big deal.
Next question…Did you know that we live right next to one of the newest AVAs – the Sierra Pelona Valley? Where is the Sierra Pelona Valley? Well, if you go North on Sierra Highway from the Santa Clarita Valley to Agua Dulce until you get to the Reyes Winery (http://reyeswinery.com) , you are there!
And, not coincidentally, on April 26th, the Reyes Winery is hosting what is now the 2nd Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association Wine Festival. Billed as “The Perfect Pairing of California Fine Wine & Good Living”, the festival will feature wineries from both within and outside of the Sierra Pelona AVA. Some of the featured wineries will be: Reyes Winery (of course), San Antonio Winery, Alonso Family Vineyards, Golden Star Vineyards, Harris Wine Biz, High Desert Cellars / Chavez Vineyards, Oasis Vineyards, Agua Dulce Winery and Pulchella Winery, among others.
I’ve written in the past about Golden Star and how much I like their wines, especially their Syrah. And knowing that the Syrah grapes actually came from the Chavez Vineyards makes me extra excited to try the Chavez wines as well. Not to mention all the other great winery participants!
From Lee Williams of Golden Star Vineyards (http://goldenstarvineyards.com) :
“Golden Star Vineyards & Winery is pleased to announce that we will again participate in the upcoming 2nd annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival at the magnificent Reyes Winery. This event is an ethereal experience, where wine tasters and winemakers are joined together in the vineyard setting to enjoy the fresh springtime air. We will be pouring our 2012 Syrah from the Antelope Valley of the California High Desert, as well as our signature wine “Purple Haze” an eclectic blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Malbec. Please join us.”
And from Cindy White of High Desert Cellars/Chavez Vineyards (http://highdesertcellars.com):
“We will be pouring the following Chavez Cellars wines at the Sierra Pelona event:
2012 Chardonnay
2010 Syrah Rose
2010 Semillon
2010 Tempranillo
2010 Syrah (Gold Medal Winner)
2010 Merlot (Silver Medal Winner)
2010 Zinfandel (Bronze Medal Winner)
We are very excited to be participating again in this wonderful event. Looking forward to great weather, and seeing many new faces and dear friends.”
Of course the festival will include plenty of local food and lifestyle vendors, along with two great bands, guaranteeing a fun-filled day.
An added plus is that some of the proceeds of the event will go to benefit the new Institute for Culinary Arts at College of the Canyons. Did you know that was coming? Our little valley is really becoming an amazing place with our own burgeoning wine country and a world-class culinary school.
Speaking of COC’s culinary school. I expect you heard that Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley of Pulchella Winery (http://www.pulchellawinery.com) planted a Zinfandel vineyard on the college property. These guys are tireless and always support the local community and its fundraising efforts.
Here’s what Steve Lemley had to say about Pulchella’s participation in the Sierra Pelona event:
“Pulchella is getting ready to release their 2012 vintage production and with 2012 being sure a wonderful vintage it is by far the most concentrated and powerful Paso Robles wines we have ever produced. Releases will include:
100% single vineyard Paso Robles Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon releases. Two Rhone blends including Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah, Syrah blends and more. We will be pouring some of these new releases at the festival.
We are very excited about the event, it supports a great cause and allows local wineries and other to showcase their craft. This being the second year of the event, we are sure it will be just as successful as the last.”
So, take advantage of the fact that we have our own officially recognized grape-growing region right around the corner from us. This is only going to get bigger and better, so get in on the ground floor. And, remember the Golden Rule for local businesses – support them as you would like to be supported. Hope to see you there.
2nd Annual Sierra Pelona Valley
Wine Festival
April 26, 2014
11am – 4pm
http://www.sierrapelonavintners.com/tickets/
Editor’s note: Learn more about what to expect at the 2nd Annual Sierra Pelona Wine Fest in these short videos taken at a recent press conference: Part 1 and Part 2.
Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. (2013 Update: Eve and Michael announced Eve Wine 101 Consulting. Info is here: http://evewine101.com/press-releases/) Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com.
