ONGOING

Every Wednesday at Vinoteca Wine Bar,"Winemaker Night" - various local winemakers host tastings of their wines at 835 12th Street, on the park, in Paso Robles. For more information, call 227-7154

Every Friday at Great Gatsby's Mediterranean Market,"Friday Night Extravaganzas" - tastings of local wines hosted by the winemaker and/or winery representative, with appetizers and live music from 5-9:30 p.m. Great Gatsby's is located at 1750 El Camino Real, Grover Beach. Call 805-473-VINO (8466) for upcoming events.

Every Friday, "Wine Away the Week" 4:00-7:00 p.m. at The Wine Outlet / Jeremiah's Tasters Wine Bar in the Atascadero Factory Outlet Center, Highway 101 at Del Rio exit in Atascadero. Single tastes of wines from around the world for $1, or $2.50 for three. Also themed tastings every fourth Friday. Call for upcoming schedule 805-462-9463.

Themed tastings for members are held every second Friday with the Atascadero Chapter of the American Wine Society. Themes change every meeting, and guest winemakers are often in attendance. For more information contact Alana Reynolds at 438-5500. Attendance is limited to 36 people.

Monthly winemaker's dinners at local restaurants or wineries with the Sisters of the Vine/Women's Wine Society. The wine maker is present to discuss how wines are made and why certain foods and wines are paired together. You may attend an event without being a member. For more information, call 1-888-481-WINE.

ANNUAL EVENTS

A Touch of Jazz
February 28, Atascadero Lake Pavilion
This annual elegant benefit for the Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County's Operation School Bell features magic demonstrations, wine tasting, gourmet food, and a silent and live auction. Operation School Bell seeks to clothe under-advantaged school kids. Tickets $45. For more information, contact the Assistance League of SLO County at 782-0824 or P.O. Box 14904, SLO, CA 93406.

"Orchids On Parade" 9th Annual Central Coast Orchid Show,
Friday, March 5, 2004
Sponsored by the Five Cities Orchid Society at the South County Regional Center, 800 West Branch, Arroyo Grande, California. The Orchid Show Preview Reception Benefit will be held Friday evening from 6:00-9:30 p.m.. Benefiting the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation which assists burn-injured children, the evening includes: Central Coast wines, hors d'oeuvres, music, and the orchid show awards. Attendees purchase orchids prior to the show opening to the general public. Benefit tickets are $20.00 per person. General Admission for the Orchid Show on Saturday, March 6, 9:00-5:00 and Sunday, March 7, 10:00-5:00 is $2.00. For more info, call 805-929-1791 or log on to www.fcos.org.

Paso de Robles Art Association Reception
March 7, 2004, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Join Robert Hall Winery for an afternoon reception, honoring artists of the Paso de Robles Art Association. Robert Hall Winery, 3443 Mill Road, Paso Robles, 239-1616.

12th Annual Taste of Solvang
March 19-21, 2004 (3rd weekend in March)
Weekend Food Festival includes a "Dessert Reception", "Walking Smorgaasbord", "Wine and Cheese Tasting", and dancing. Limited ticket sales, call (800) 468-6765 x520, Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau at (805) 688-6144, or check out www.solvangusa.com for more information.

12th Annual Zinfandel Festival Weekend
March 19-21, 2004 (3rd weekend in March)
Celebrate the Zinfandels of Paso Robles at one the most comprehensive Zinfandel events in the state of California, which will again be produced by the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association (PRVGA). The Festival starts on Friday with Winemaker dinners and special events at participating Paso Robles wineries and restaurants. On Saturday, a Zinfandel live auction will be held at the Paso Robles Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. After the live auction, theres's a silent auction of wine and lifestyle lots. Then it's the Zinfandel grand tasting in the historic Paso Robles Inn Ballroom from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Grand Tasting will feature Zinfandels from Paso Robles and gourmet appetizers. Sunday, the celebration continues as area wineries host a special wine tastings, entertainment and gourmet delights. A complete listings of the weekend's events is available at www.pasowine.com. Admission is $50 for the silent auction and Zinfandel Grand Tasting. Admission to the silent auction, Zinfandel Grand Tasting and live auction is $75. For more info, visit www.pasowine.com or call the PRVGA at (805) 239-8463 x471.

Roll Out the Barrels
Thursday-Sunday, April 30-May 2, 2004
Celebrate Spring with this popular event filled with winetasting, feasting, education and entertainment as you travel the trails of Edna Valley Arroyo Grande Valley wineries. For more information, contact the San Luis Obispo Vintners and Growers Association at (805) 541-5868, 5828 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, www.slowine.com.

Rock Around the Clock
Friday, May 14, 2004
Rock around the clock 50's style with Chumeia Vineyards. The evening begins with passed hors d' oeuvres, Eisenhower's favorite dinner, prizes for best costume, professional swing dancers, Chumeia's award-winning wines, 50's band and dancing! Call Chumeia Vineyards for reservations at 226-0102.

22nd Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival
May 14-16, 2004 (3rd weekend in May)
Friday: Events include Golf Tournament, Winemakers' Dinners, Winery Events. Saturday: Paso Robles Wine Festival in the Downtown City Park, Noon-5:00 p.m., ticket price includes admission, live entertainment, wine glass, and tasting tickets. Saturday evening: More Winemakers' Dinners and Winery Events. Sunday: Special events at the wineries include barrel tastings, gourmet food, barbecues, tours, special wine discounts and tastings. For more information, contact the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association at www.pasowine.com, (805) 239-WINE (8463) x471.

Jazz Under the Stars
Saturday, May 15, 2004 - Martin & Weyrich Amphitheater
After the wine festival, enjoy an evening of jazz hosted by Martin & Weyrich Winery in Paso Robles. Tickets are $25, and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information or reservations, call Martin & Weyrich Winery at (805) 238-2520.

9th Annual Atascadero Wine Festival
Friday & Saturday, June 25-26, 2004 (4th weekend in June)
This event begins on Friday with a golf tournament to benefit the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. Friday evening there is a Winemaker Dinner and silent and live auctions at the Pavilion at Atascadero which benefits the Charles Paddock Zoo. The $80 ticket price includes dinner, wine, and the auctions. The Saturday tasting ­ which also benefits the zoo - will be held at Atascadero Lake Park from 11:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and will feature an art show by Atascadero Art Association artists, entertainment, and food from local restaurants. Your $20 Saturday ticket gets you 8 tastes and a logo glass. Save $10 by purchasing both tickets at the same time for only $90! For info and tickets, call the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce at 805-466-2044, the Atascadero Wine Festival message center at 805-461-WINE (946 3), or www.atascaderowinefestival.org.

Midsummer Magic
Saturday, June 26, 2004 (4th Saturday in June)
This annual benefit sponsored by the Library Foundation for the Paso Robles Library features a festive theme night with wine and beer tasting, a silent auction, entertainment, games and gourmet food. Call the Paso Robles Library at 805-237-3871 for more information.

7th Annual Meridian Vineyards 4th of July Celebration
Sunday, July 4, 2004
Live entertainment, food & fireworks. Call Meridian Vineyards at (805) 237-6000 for more info.

20th Annual Central Coast Wine Classic
Thursday-Sunday, July 15-18, 2004
This summer celebration - one of the premier wine events and auctions in the country - benefits several arts and healing organizations in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, and features multiple components including auctions, tastings, dinners, symposia, a cooking demonstration and a golf tournament. The week's festivities conclude with Sunday's Grand Wine Tasting at Avila Beach, showcasing over one hundred wineries from throughout California and live dance music. For tickets or more information, contact The Wine Classic at 544-1285, www.wineclassic.org.

2nd Annual West Fest
July 14, 3-7
Enjoy music and wines from the wineries on Highway 46 West. Detailed information TBA.

California Mid-State Fair
July 28 - August 8, 2004
Have fun and celebrate the viticultural industry at the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles. Enjoy premium wine tasting, amateur winemaking contests, and more. The Annual Grape Escape Day on the fair's last Friday evening will host a variety of grape- and wine-related activities, capped off by the Winemaker- and Winegrower-of-the-Year awards that evening during Jazz Night. For more information, contact the MSF office at 805-239-0655 or visit www.midstatefair.com.

22nd Annual Central Coast Wine Festival - Historic Mission Plaza
Saturday, September 4, 2004 (Labor Day Weekend), 12:00-4:00 p.m.,
This event benefits the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and will feature fine restaurants and breweries of California's Central Coast as well as the up-and-coming vintners from the Edna Valley Arroyo Grande Valley Vintners' Association. In addition, a silent auction will feature goodies from local businesses, wines of participating vintners, and culinary, travel and lifestyle items. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. For more information, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 805-773-4973.

An Evening of Wine and Orchids
September date TBA
Enjoy wonderful wine tasting and gourmet food at Arroyo Grande Community Hospital's (AGCH) annual fundraiser, sponsored by AGCH and French Hospital. Tickets are $50. For information on vendor space or for attending the event call 542-6365.

6th Annual Nipomo Wine and Flower Festival
Sunday, September 19, 2004, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Held at the historic Dana Powers House, at 535 Mehlchau in Nipomo, and always a sellout, this event is a fundraiser for the Old Town Nipomo project and features local artists, merchants, restaurants, winemakers and members of the Central Coast Greenhouse Growers Association. Tickets for this exclusive event include winetasting, food, and commemorative glass. The tickets are $35 and available at Nipomo Rexall and Nipomo Flowers and Gifts. For more information call, 805-929-2352.

13th Annual Day at the Ranch
Saturday, September 25, 2004 (4th Saturday in September), 2:00-5:00 p.m., location tba
This benefit for Hospice of San Luis Obispo County, Inc. is held each year at one of the county's historic ranches, and will feature over 40 wineries and about 30 local restaurants. For more information or to be put on the mailing list call 800-549-1538 or 434-1164.

Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Celebrate the local harvest and arts with wine and beer tasting, food, arts & crafts, activities for kids and great entertainment. Enjoy demonstrations, tasting contests, music and a Santa Maria style Barbecue cook-off. Contact Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, 925-2403 ext. 851, or (800) 331-3779, x851 regarding beer and wine tasting, and the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department 925-0951 ext. 349, regarding arts & crafts. Admission to the festival is free. Wine and beer tasting tickets may be purchased the day of the festival or in advance.

Morro Bay Harbor Festival
Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3, 2004 (1st weekend in October)
Check out the intriguing food and wine pairings available at the California Seafood Faire & Winetasting Pavilion. Its focus is the pairing of fresh-caught seafood with premium Central Coast wines and presents a great chance to dispel some popular myths about what wine should accompany what type of cuisine. Call the Festival Office at 805-772-1155 for more details.

Paso Robles Harvest Wine Tour
Friday-Sunday, October 15-17, 2004 (3rd weekend in October)
This Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association (PRVGA) event kicks off with winemaker dinners hosted by local chefs and vintners, at Paso Robles wineries and other local venues. On Saturday and Sunday, experience the harvest first-hand. Winemakers will be on hand to discuss winemaking and answer questions. Taste new releases, attend seminars, enjoy BBQ's, entertainment, tours, samples, grape stomping, wine discounts and more. To request a brochure or to find out about winery events, contact the PRVGA at www.pasowine.com, (805) 239-WINE (8463) x471.

13th Annual Harvest Celebration
Thursday-Sunday, October 31-November 3, 2004 (1st weekend in November)
This annual event kicks off with an evening of food and wine pairing in downtown San Luis Obispo at exciting downtown restaurants followed by a symposium and winemaker's magnum gourmet dinner Friday night. On Saturday, enjoy a chef's demonstration at the San Luis Obispo Farmers' Market, and then the Grand Tasting at Biddle Park. On Sunday, member wineries host open houses. For more information, contact the San Luis Obispo Vintners and Growers Association at 805-541-5868, 5828 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, www.slowine.com.

3rd Annual Cambria Art & Wine Festival
January 28-29, 2005
The Cambria Chamber of Commerce & Allied Arts Association present the Cambria Art & Wine Festival. The fun begins on Friday with Special Shopping Deals and Entertainment throughout the Village. The "Art, Wine & All That Jazz" kick-off party on Friday night includes the Art Show Preview, Wine Tasting & Food Pairing and Entertainment. The Main Event on Saturday includes the Art Show/Silent Auction, Wine Tatsing, Gourmet Foods as well as Demonstrating Artists, Special Shopping Deals and Entertainment throughout the Village. Save on pre-sale tickets: Kick-Off Party & Event: $35. Event only: $15 (until 1/5/04 - then $50 and $25). For more information call the Chamber at 927-3624 or log onto cambriachamber.org.