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View GarageI can't believe it but with only two months to go, it's that time of year again, and time to start putting together the annual Paso Robles NorCal / SoCal Rendezvous and Wine Run. If you haven't haven't read about this event in other threads I highly recommend checking them out. We have tons of pics and lots of stories. I can't believe this is our 9th year of making this run. Every year has been a real blast, and this one looks to be no exception. We have a lot of new members who will be joining us, as well as some of the die hards who come every year. We have had as many as 20 cars, and this year promises to be a big one. I'm sure will have supercharged cars there, and possible a V8 conversion too. This will be a great opportunity for different owners from different areas to get together and have a ton of fun.
What is it?
Make no mistake about it, this is a wine event. If you enjoy wine, or even just want to learn more about it, this is the event for you!
As always, this is a "couples friendly" event. Wives, significant others, etc are always welcome, and always seem to have a great time. We always have a number of women attending, so you can be sure that it's not just about the cars and a bunch of gearheads hanging out. Obviously we already all have that in common, and of course we will spend time talking cars, but it is really about the wine, the food, and the people.
The 2 day format has been a huge hit, so we will be doing that again this year. This gives us the time to get there, have a nice lunch, go wine tasting, and then off to dinner, without rushing around. The second day gives us the chance for a fun run, and then more tasting for those who are die hard wine fans.
When is it?
We are again doing this on the same weekend as the last couple of years. Weather can be hit or miss, but all in all, it was much better than the super hot times we had chosen before. It also avoided all the complications of other events in town, graduations, and tax day. So, we will again be doing it on the same weekend. The date this year is April 14/15.
Where do we stay?
I have negotiated and made the arrangements for a group rate of $154 (down from $189.95) at Holiday Inn Express. It's a nice hotel with all the features we need, and centrally located with a big parking lot. What more can you ask for? Everyone will be responsible for making their own reservations and paying for their own room though. Just tell them you are in the 968forums group to get the rate. This rate is only good up until March 15. After that, it goes back up. Cancellations must be made 1 week prior to the 14th. There are also a number of other hotels in the area, both less and more expensive, if you choose to stay somewhere else. A list is at the end of this. We will use Holiday Inn Express as a central point though.
How much are the tickets?
Tickets are $40 per person in advance (so I can arrange for the food and tasting fees that most wineries now charge). For that, you get lunch, tasting at 4 wineries, and even a souvenir gift. Contact me to arrange payment. This must be paid separately and in advance by April 1.
Can I just go to one part?
Of course anybody is welcome to join us at dinner, or Sunday for breakfast, (but you must let me know in advance of either of these so I can get the reservation count right) or just show up for the Fun Run, and can do so without buying a ticket, but the tasting sessions and lunch are for ticket holders only. If you aren't buying a ticket, or aren't planning on tasting, please do not come to that portion of the event, as it just gets too confusing for the wineries, and is distracting for those of us who are there for the tasting.
I'm in SoCal - When do we leave? Where do we go?
I will again open the house to anybody from the San Diego area that wants to crash here Friday night, so as to shorten their drive day. Contact me if you plan to stay here, as reservations are on a first come first served basis, and I only have so many rooms.
The SoCal contingent will depart my house at 6am. That's right, 6am. I don't want to get stuck and be late again. In order to shorten the time to get there, with the exception of a rest stop along the Highway in Gaviota, we will not be stopping at all along the way. If you want to caravan up with us (very fun) I highly recommend being at a point along our route, where you can clearly see us coming, BEFORE we are scheduled to be there.
The SoCal caravan contingent will take the same route as last year, still winding up the coast for a bit so we can all stare out at one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. A detailed route guide will be provided at my house, or can be emailed if you contact me. Basically we are going to go 405 to 10 to 1 to 101 to 46 East to Tobin James.
The Socal route "pass by" times are as follows:
7:30 - 7:35 In front of Pepperdine in Malibu (Northeast Corner of Malibu Canyon Rd and PCH)
9:30 – 9:40 Gaviota Rest Stop http://www.dot.ca.go...int/ra/ra30.htm
11:45 Holiday Inn Express 2455 Riverside Dr.
I'm in NorCal - When do we leave? Where do we go?
Chris Vais headed up the NorCal contingent last year, and we'll see if he will do it again and figure out your route and rendezvous locations and times. You can contact him at the email listed below.
How does it work when we get there?
We will all rendezvous at the Holiday Inn Express, where we will stop for a brief photo op, and make sure we are all assembled. I will hand out your tasting pass there. Unless we get there early, or I work out how to do cleanly and swiftly, we will not be checking in at this time, as we want to get moving and on to the lunch and off to the tasting. This will identify you to the wineries as part of our group, and will have already paid for your tasting.
Upon departing the hotel rendezvous, we will go to Tobin James Winery, to arrive at Noon. We will all be parking together in the back, so as not to interfere with their normal and extremely busy operations. So, it is important that we stick together. I have gone to great lengths to make all of the arrangements, the staff is going way out of their way for us, and I do not want to upset that, so please do not go in ahead of me.
We will have a fully catered lunch at Tobin James. This is also included in your ticket price. This will allow us to avoid the messy restaurant problems we have had in the past, and also will give us the most time for the tasting. If there are special dietary needs, please contact me immediately.
After lunch, we will go in and taste some of Toby's latest wines. This place is an amazing amount of fun, and if you haven't been there before, you are really in for a treat.
Upon departing Tobin James, we will be off for our adventure of tasting. Once again I promise to provide an interesting selection of wineries this year, which will again be different than previous years, so those who have attended before will also have the pleasure of trying something new. I strive each year to illustrate something new about wine, provide something new for the palate, hopefully show people different things about different wines, and do so in a fun and special manner. I think I have hit on a good bunch this year, and very much look forward to seeing what others think.
After the day of tasting, again this year we will go to AJ Spurs Saloon for dinner at 7, conversation, and all that goes with the end of such a great day. These people are serious about their meals, and I highly recommend comfortable waistbands. I have arranged for separate checks again this year, as this seems to be by far the preferred method.
After dinner we will all separate to our respective hotels for the night. Those returning to Holiday Inn Express can almost certainly expect some excellent after hours activities. Last year I missed out on the late night scotch tasting. If that happens again, I won't be missing it this year. I have already arranged for a space for this to take place.
Sunday morning, we will all assemble in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express at 8:30am departing shortly thereafter to arrive at 9am at Hoover's for breakfast. This is THE best breakfast in the Paso Robles area. I have also arranged for separate checks here.
From there we are off on our fun run. It will be about 60 miles of beautiful scenery along the Paso Robles winery roads. I will issue maps and such at breakfast.
After that, you are on your own. Some of us will probably continue on with wine tasting. You are welcome to join is if that's what we decide to do. Otherwise, you are free to GO HOME!
Please RSVP to me via email ASAP so I can anticipate needs and make changes as necessary.
Hope to see you there!
Event Contact info:
Flash
968forums@gmail.com
Chris Vais
christopher_vais@comcast.net
Holiday Inn Express
2455 Riverside Dr.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Res: 866-224-6196
Direct: 805-238-6500
Fax: 805-238-0500
Contact: John Arnold
www.hixpaso.com
AJ Spurs
508 N Main St. Templeton 93465
805-434-2700
Hoover's
401 North Main St Templeton 93465
805-434-2114
Tobin James Cellars
8950 Union Rd
Paso Robles 93446
805-239-2204
Paso_Robles_Hotels.pdf 34.34KB
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