Paderewski-Polish, Pianist, Politician, and Paso Wine Grape Grower
Written by Coleen GravemA 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 20th 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...)
Great food and wine pairings are like the dynamic duo of any wine region, and it's no different in Paso Robles. First Crush is pairing up with Thomas Hill Organics on August 24 for Wine Wednesday at the popular downtown Paso Roble's bistro. Chef Julie Simon has created a fabulous three-course menu to serve along with our First Crush wines.
Julie is just one of Paso Roble's French connections to great cuisine. Her cooking was inspired by her family's culinary background in Southern France, and her enthusiasm for fresh, seasonal organic ingredients and her creative ability for unique pairings is a perfect match for Thomas Hill Organics and First Crush wines. Lowell and I will be there to talk about the wines and enjoy the dinner, which will be s erved from 5-9 p.m. The three course dinner with wine is $38.00/pp. Reservations aren't required but encouraged and there's a link to reserve your spot below or call (805) 226-5888.
MENU
Baked Maila Calms from the Wood Burning Oven with Wild Fennel and Lemon
2010 Spring Fling Robert Hall Vineyards Chardonnay
Salt Crusted Pork, Cannelini Beans, Heirloom Tomatoes, Garlic Confit
2008 Soul Mate
BLack Peppercorn Ice Cream, Red Wine Poached Pear, Chocolate Shortbread Cookie
2008 Menage a Trois
A Scent of Provence in Paso
Not only is Paso Robles becoming famous for its great wines, it’s also a premier region for lavender. In addition to over 200 wineries in Paso Robles the central coast also has some great lavender farms where you can tour, taste and buy lavender.
Our burgeoning region—abound with great wine, food and beauty—gives one the same wonderful sense of a place that other great wine regions have, making Paso Robles a great destination and a well kept secret.
This Saturday, July 9, 2011, the 3rd annual Central Coast Lavender Festival will be held at the Downtown Paso Robles City Park from 10 am to 3 pm. The Central Coast Lavender Festival is the premier celebration of the joys of lavender and the largest lavender festival in San Luis Obispo County. It is hosted in partnership by the Paso Robles Main Street Association and Central Coast Lavender Growers Association and is an opportunity for farmers to celebrate their harvest as well as for patrons to learn more about the plant—from the field to final product.
This family oriented festival hosts more than 100 booths featuring art, music and culinary delights showcased in a Lavender Tasting Garden. First Crush Winemaking will be there educating spectators about the Paso Robles wine region and what First Crush Winemaking has to offer. Be sure to stop by and allow us to expand your central coast wine knowledge! The event also offers children a chance to show their creativity by decorating garden pots in a special kid’s section of the park. Admission is free and there is free parking throughout downtown. Hope to see you there!
Restaurant Month 2011!
January is here, and that means it's restaurant month here in San Luis Obispo County!
As usual, a number of delectable Paso Robles restaurants are participating, and have created special menus to tempt your palette through the entire month! Each Restaurant Month menu features a three course meal for thirty dollars, and many restaurants also offer flights of local wine pairings for an additional cost.
Here's a list of some of the some pf the participating Paso Robles restaurants:
The Steakhouse at the Paso Robles Inn
To view a list of all the participating restaurants throughout SLO county, click here.
Bounty of the County Winemaker Dinner
Visit First Crush at the SLO Vintners’ Rockin’ Harvest Celebration on Nov. 6, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Come by and taste our wines, and bid on our fabulous Live Auction Item – a First Crush, First Class harvest experience for two PLUS two nights lodging at the Paso Robles Hampton Inn. More than 60 Central Coast's best wineries and restaurants present wine tasting, food, music and more, Included in your ticket is free admission to the SLO Vintners Open House on Sunday. This is one beach party you won't want to miss. Prairie Home Companion favorite, Inga Swearingen, will perform, with special guests the Crush-Tones (our very own winemaker's band).
Celebrate the “Bounty of the County” with First Crush at Cass winery, Friday, October 8, 2010. Help First Crush celebrate and indulge in all the bounties of harvest here in Paso Robles wine country, by joining us for our “Bounty of the County” Harvest Winemaker Dinner!
This hearty winemaker dinner is part of First Crush’s series of 2010 Harvest Winemaker Dinners. For this event, we will be featuring the wines of our friends at Cass Winery, a family owned and operated winery located just South of Paso Robles in the small town of Templeton. Cass prides itself on producing only the finest Rhone varietals and Rhone-style blends from its estate vineyards.
Nestled amongst the beautiful oak trees in the renowned “Templeton Gap” region, Cass is the perfect setting for a joyous celebration of everything that harvest in Paso Robles brings: good food, good wines, and great friends.
Cass’ own in-house chef, Chef Jacob Lovejoy, has prepared an outstanding menu, designed to allow guests to indulge in all the rich fall flavors and foods produced right here on the Central Coast. Chef Lovejoy’s menu includes mini-flatbread pizzas, topped with Cass’ own truffled goat cheese (a local favorite!), as well as a dark chocolate crème brulle with espresso cream and a berry coulis, paired with a pre-release sample of Cass’ Syrah port.
Hungry for more? Then join us, Friday, October 8, as First Crush and Cass winery celebrate the “Bounty of the County!”
SLO Vitners Rockin' Harvest Celebration
Visit First Crush at the SLO Vintners’ Rockin’ Harvest Celebration on Nov. 6, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Come by and taste our wines, and bid on our fabulous Live Auction Item – a First Crush, First Class harvest experience for two PLUS two nights lodging at the Paso Robles Hampton Inn.
More than 60 of the Central Coast's best wineries and restaurants will be at the event, presenting wine tasting, food, music and more. Included in your ticket cost is free admission to the SLO Vintners Open House on Sunday. Prairie Home Companion favorite, Inga Swearingen, will perform, with special guests the Crush-Tones.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here.
Compliments to the Chef: Kelly Wangard
Chef Kelly Wangard delights in utilizing only the freshest, seasonal produce the Central Coast hast to offer, and will undoubtedly prepare a meal that will provide an unforgettable introduction to the First Crush Cabernet Sauvignon Harvest experience.
Chef Wangard is the head Chef of the Steakhouse at the Paso Robles Inn where the welcome reception will be held. A Paso Robles native, Wangard attended Paso Robles High School before leaving the Central Coast to pursue her passion for the culinary arts at the San Francisco Culinary. She worked at a number of prestigious restaurants across the United States and the Virgin Islands before finally returning home to Paso Robles. Chef Wangard’s menu at the Paso Robles Inn features the traditional steakhouse fare that has been attracting tourists and Paso natives to the restaurant for over the past 100 years, but with a fresh, modern perspective.
Upcoming Events
- First Crush Wine Fest Open House
May 18, 2012 - May 20, 2012 - Historical Vineyard & Winery Tour
May 18, 2012 - The Friday Fete
May 18, 2012
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