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Tuesday, 14 February 2012 08:33

Remember your First Crush on Valentine's Day

Written by Becky Zelinski

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Do you remember your First Crush? I know I do.

Memorable or forgettable, most of us fondly recall that first feeling of butterflies fluttering in our tummies. This Valentine's Day, take a moment or two and tell us about your First Crush, and if your had to name a wine after him or her, what would it be?

Here's my story to get you started... cooties

I was eight and in third grade. It was that time in early adolescence when the boys scribbled "CP" -- short for Cootie Protection -- on their hands, and all they wanted to do was run from the girls. Needless to say, all us girls wanted to do was chase the boys and give them the cooties they feared.

My First Crush's name was Kevin. He was skinnier than me, had braces and freckles and was a toe-head. (For those of you unfamiliar with this term, it's a "Southern" word and what my mother called kids with bleach-blonde hair.) We were Crossing Guards together and I could beat him at tetherball, but Kevin ran faster than me so I never was able to catch him. I'm pretty sure I never gave him cooties but I do remember scribbling his name on my notebooks and we occasionally walked home from school together.

First Love? No, not really. First Crush, yeah, probably. It seemed all important at the time but left no scars and I never shed a tear. This was definitely Puppy Love, but if I had to name this wine after Kevin, I'd call "Cootie Cuvee."

Published in Barrel Room

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Tuesday, 06 December 2011 14:25

Paso Insider Holiday Tips

Winter has finally arrived here in the beautiful Paso Robles wine region. The early-morning frosts started this week so the brilliant gold and orange blanket of vines covering the hillsides have given way to brown. Soon the leaves will drop from the vines and they will stand dormant until spring.

But even as the fall colors and life leave the vineyards, the rest of the region becomes awash with the sparkle and excitement of the Christmas season. Tasting rooms and downtown stores have donned their festive motifs. It’s the perfect time to experience the winter magic of the Central Coast. You can treat yourself to a vacation or weekend retreat while picking up some fabulous wine for gifts for friends and family.

Many wineries (including First Crush) host holiday open houses and downtown shops and tasting rooms are a fun way to sip and shop for Christmas. We invite you to join us for the First Crush Holiday Open House is Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 1-5 p.m. Enjoy some tasty treats paired with First Crush wines, Becky’s cheese pairings and holiday recipe ideas and pairing suggestions. We also have holiday merchandise and gift ideas on sale, and will be offering generous holiday discounts on our wines.

And while you’re here, here are some insider tips to make your season bright: visit our Crush Club partner – Vivant Fine Cheese – for Danika’s fabulous cheese selections. This is where we buy pir cheeses to pair with the First Crush wines, and Vivant gives Crush Club members 10% off purchases. If you’re in Templeton and just want a quick but great sandwich, visit the Templeton Deli. They aren’t a partner but they’re a local gem. Don’t forget the Templeton Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. – noon. It’s heralded as one of “THE” best farmers markets in SLO County. For a hearty breakfast, check out our local favorite—Hoover’s Beef Palace in Templeton. If you’re in Paso, there are lots of great breakfast spots, but Vic’s is a long-time local favorite and Chico’s is a relatively new, but popular kid on the block.

You can pick up some great port from Roxo Port Cellars in the Meritage Tasting Lounge downtown or take a beautiful drive out to Silver Horse or Cass Winery to try their new port wines. You can pick up some sparkling wine for your New Year’s celebration from our friends at Arroyo Robles or Tobin James. Cass also has a new sparkler you can try. All of these wineries are also Crush Club partners and offers discounts to Crush Club members.

When you get hungry, drop by Thomas Hill Organics and see what Chef Julie has on the menu for lunch or dinner. Crush Club members get a free glass of wine with their meal. The dining scene has changed a bit lately. Some of my favorite hot spots have closed and a few new ones opened. For elegant evening dining, visit the reliably good, Artisan or Robert’s on Pine Street. Enjoy a cocktail at the Villa Creek Bar or design your own Bloody Mary and watch Sunday football at Pappy Magregor’s.

Each December in Paso Robles brings the Vine Street Victorian Showcase-- a spectacular exhibition of the Vine Street Victorian houses dresses up for the holidays. The city practically comes to hault between 8th and 21st streets to allow families to view this awesome and entrancing showcase. There are carolers, Christmas lights, characters, music and fun to be had by all. Children can send their letters off to Santa, tell off old Mr. Scrooge, and they might even get a peek at that boisterous Grinch.

This year marks the 25th celebration of this extravagant event and it's supposed to be a cold one. So bring your winter coats, your family and your Christmas cheer to Paso Robles to experience this one-of-a-kind showcase!

And after you’re all tuckered out from all of the tasting, shopping and sight-seeing, check-in to one of our partner hotels or bed and breakfasts. Enjoy nightly wine receptions at La Quinta Inn & Suites, the in-door pool at the Holiday Inn Express, or a great breakfast at the Marriott or the Best Western. Cozy up next to a fireplace at the Creekside Bed and Breakfast or enjoy the views at Belvino Viaggio. If you want to enjoy the coast on your visit, stay with our friends at the Fog Catcher in Cambria.

Published in Barrel Room

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Wednesday, 16 November 2011 14:41

With Thanksgiving Comes Soul Mate

Thanksgiving holiday traditions usually revolve around the dinner; that delicious, juicy turkey, with succulent mashed potatoes, and a gravy topping with so much loving support it could run for president . This special meal marks the beginning of the holiday season, when people break out the flannel sheets and winter coats, and call up the chimney sweep to get the fireplace ready for Ol’ Saint Nick. But the desire to make this dinner perfect also brings about a Thanksgiving Dinner conundrum: which wine to serve?

With so many options to choose from, where does one start? Turkey comes with light and dark meat and there are so many other dishes on the table both red and white wines could work. The solution is to find a well-balanced wine that pairs with a lot of different foods and flavors. The First Crush Winemaking team has the perfect solution: the 2008 Soul Mate. It’s a light and lively-styled Bordeaux Blend with a mixture of complex aromas and flavors. Soul Mate is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot. With its nose of cherry, oak and vanilla, and its tastes of spice and toffee, it’s a wine that can pair with almost anything. It is sure to please you and your guests and will compliment your Thanksgiving turkey, ham or even your “Tur-duck-en”.

You can venture out to the First Crush Wine Workshop in San Miguel to buy this phenomenal blend, or you can order from the comfort of your flannel sheets at home, either way this wine promises to be the bow on top of the perfect Central Coast Thanksgiving Dinner.

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Wednesday, 02 November 2011 15:04

To blend, or not to blend? That is the question

Written by Becky Zelinski

I love a big, beautiful Cab just as much as the next girl. But when it comes to most wines, individual varietals generally don’t have the legs to stand on their own. As with most things, there are exceptions to every rule, and I’m sure some of my friends (and foes) may disagree (and will likely tell me so)…but in general, blended wines surpass their individual parts in balance, complexity and flavor.

Look at it this way: do you like to eat peanut butter by itself? Or do you prefer it with chocolate or perhaps with some jelly and bread? Like many great taste sensations: sometimes two great tastes, just taste great together. This may sound like a clever jingle (which it is), but it’s also true for wine grapes. In my opinion, there's nothing better than a wine that exhibits the bright, fruity cherry-flavors of a Cabernet Sauvignon softened by the silky-chocolate hints of a Merlot and the lingering complexity of a Cab Franc (much like our 2008 Soul Mate, I might add). Whereas to achieve this with anyone of these individual varietals, you'd be giving up one of these delectable traits. (For the rest of the story, click the READ MORE link below...)

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Wednesday, 02 November 2011 08:58

Paderewski-Polish, Pianist, Politician, and Paso Wine Grape Grower

Written by Coleen Gravem

A pianist, composer, diplomat, and First Prime Minister of Independent Poland—you might wonder why we here on the Central Coast celebrate Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941). The answer is simple: he helped make Paso Robles famous.

In the early 20^th century he planted Zinfandel wine grapes on parts of his 2,864 acre land and eventually made his wine at the famous York Mountain Cellars. He first came to the hot springs in Paso in his mid-50s and decided to make a residence here, buying Rancho San Ignacio and Rancho Santa Helena to start agricultural practices in the area. Throughout this time Paderewski was still composing, performing, and touring all over the world, whilst also being a Prime Minister of Poland, even being the representative to sign the Treaty of Versailles in 1918, restoring Polish Sovereignty after over 120 years. (To read more, click link below...)

Published in Grapevine

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Wednesday, 19 October 2011 10:20

Harvest is Winding Down

Wine grape harvest in Paso Robles has been all over the charts this year, but while some vineyards and wineries are just starting to collect their bountiful harvest, First Crush Winemaking has begun to wind down. Every year is different in wine country, and this year has been no exception to the rule. First Crush has been lucky in that the vineyards that they worked with this year have had some ripe fruit to be picked and crushed earlier in the season, allowing for the fabulous harvest weekends to be better than ever.

This year, First Crush featured other wineries as usual, but they were also featured, themselves! Sunset Magazine's second annual Savor the Central Coast was a wild success this October, and wine and food lovers got the A-list treatment at First Crush while they picked, sipped, crushed, and stomped the day away while learning about wine, winemaking, and viticulture practices.

Throughout this year's harvest, First Crush got their hands on some spectacular wines, including a Syrah Rose to be bottled next week, and ready for release in February. So far it has a citrus nose and an acidic mouthfeel, making for a great rose, and an even better time.

Harvest has come to a bittersweet end, but First Crush is looking forward the eventful year ahead, and the great wines that are to come.

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Wine Grape Escapes

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Wednesday, 05 October 2011 20:27

Savoring the Central Coast

Written by Becky Zelinski

Savoring the Central Coast

On September 29, First Crush Savored the Central Coast with Sunset wine editor, Sara Schneider and a group of eager new Crush-tomers. After a sipping and picking about a 700 lbs. of Silver Horse Vineyard Syrah, the fun-loving group enjoyed a fabulous lunch prepared by Chef Julie Simon of Thomas Hill Organics paired with the wines of Chamisal Vineyards. Great wine and food, set to the melodious tunes by the Belmores and beautiful panoramic views from the Silver Horse Vineyard made for a fabulous day.

The First Crush "Berry-to-Bottle" tour was one of the tours featured as part of Sunset's Savor the Central Coast hosted by the San Luis Obispo County Visitors' Bureau. It was an abbreviated version of the Crush Encounters only available from First Crush in the beautiful Paso Robles wine region. Savor is a three-day event that highlights the best of the best of the Central Coast giving guests a chance to taste wines, visit attractions, enjoy farm and agriculture tours and much more.

First Crush enjoyed being a part of this fabulous event and having a chance to showcase its fabulous, fun and educational hands-on winemaking experiences. There's no other wine experiences like the First Crush available anywhere else. For the fall 2011 season, there are two remaining Crush Encounter winemaking weekends. They include Oct. 15 at the Cass Vineyard & Winery and Oct. 22 at Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery.

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Wednesday, 05 October 2011 20:02

October Update: It's beginning to look a lot like Harvest

Written by Becky Zelinski

Crush_Sept2411_110924_0003x600 Harvest is finally underway in Paso Robles. Things have been getting off to a slow start and yields are low, but spirits are high. Regardless of the trials and tribulations, harvest is by far the most beautiful and exciting time in wine country. And only First Crush puts you up front and center in all of action with our hands-on, educational, fun and fantastic Crush Encounters!

So what are you waiting for? There's still time to come to the beautiful Paso Robles wine region this fall to LEARN, SEE and DO a real wine grape crush! There's nothing else like it anywhere else, and it only happens once a year, and it's only available from First Crush! If you register by this Friday, Oct. 7 for either of your remaining Crush Encounters, you can bring a friend for half off. (See website for details.)

If Vines Could Talk...

They'd tell you they've had a really tough year! Due to the late spring frost, many growers and winemakers are seeing less than 50% of their normal yield come in from the field, and due to an unseasonably cool summer, it's coming in later. Growers are hoping that the lower yields will be compensated by higher quality, and increased fruit prices in 2011. Bulk wine supply has definitely dwindled with 2009 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon vanishing faster than Houdini. And with slim pickin's this season, I think growers are right to be optimistic about 2012.

For First Crush, harvest is nearly half over. With three successful Crush Encounters under our belt, we head into the home stretch. So far, the weather and the grapes have been beautiful, and our Crush-tomers have all had a great time.
We have two Crush Encounters left: one at Cass Vineyard & Winery on Oct. 15 and one at Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery on Oct. 22. Don't miss these last two opportunity to enjoy a fun and fabulous Harvest and Wine Grape Crush in Paso Robles this fall.

Don't be Crushed

Despite the woes in the field, things are still busy in the winery. We are fermenting our first-ever First Crush Syrah Rose, which was harvested with loving hands by our Crush-tomers on September 24 from the Silver Horse Vineyards. The Rose is coming along nicely and has almost finished its primary fermentation. Our Savor Crush-tomers and Calypso Crush-tomers harvested Syrah on September 29 and 30, and it too is making its magical transformation from berry to world-class wine.

Savoring the Central Coast

Harvest Wine Weekend

There's a lot happening in Paso Robles in October, and the Harvest Wine Weekend is one way to check in on some of the action. It's three days of tasting, touring, wining and dining. Wineries all over the region invite you to visit Paso Robles and host parties, dinners and more.

First Crush is no exception. We've teamed up with Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery to offer you three great days of winemaking fun. You can experience it in one or two days, and are invited to kick off your weekend FREE OF CHARGE at the Pomar Junction Train Wreck, Friday, Oct. 21 from 5 p.m. – dusk when you register for a one or two-day Crush Encounter. You'll enjoy VIP treatment at the TrainWreck, see and learn how wine is made with First Crush and Pomar Junction on Friday, and then get to bottle wine to take home on Sunday.

For a limited time, you can enjoy all of this for as little as $175/pp. A full day of wine making education, great food, music and fun for about the price of ONE winemaker dinner.
For details and information about everything going on Harvest Wine Weekend, visit pasowine.com.