For the second year, I attended The Garagiste Festival held in Paso Robles Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th at the Paso Robles Event Center. Celebrating its 13th anniversary, the festival kicked off with a rare and reserve “No Repeats” tasting on Friday evening at Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero. Although I didn’t attend, it appeared to be “an epic event” by those with whom I chatted the following day.
The highly anticipated VIP tasting seminar, “1500 Cases & a Plan(e) The Gary Eberle Story: A Trip Across the Vintages with an Original Paso Pioneer” began Saturday morning at the Event Center. Moderated by Garagiste Festival Co-founder Stewart McLennan, the seminar explored with Gary his winemaking journey – from his discovery of food and wine in New Orleans in the late 1960s, to beginning his own winery in 1979, producing just 1500 cases (like a true garagiste), then piloting his own plane across America to promote his wines – to how he grew his winery into the Paso legend it is today. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the release of Eberle’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon and Eberle’s winery was recently crowned 2024 Winery of the Year by the Central Coast Wine Competition. And let’s face it, when Gary Eberle speaks, people listen.
The Grand Tasting that followed the tasting seminar on Saturday featured an array of Paso Robles’ small production wines produced by over 50 innovative winemakers. Fortunately, I was able to have a media VIP pass with my +1 in order to have early entrance at 1pm. And (coming as no surprise who know me), we stayed until the end at 5pm, as did others. The diverse crowd included plenty of representatives from the over-21 set of Gen Z to wine lovin’ Boomers, all of whom were from not only California but from states on the East Coast, South and Midwest. My observation was that The Garagiste Festival has an appeal to a broad range of wine lovers who are ready to “think out of the box.”
Of course, every festival has an opportunity to continue the fun, and The Garagiste Festival was no exception. The always popular, ‘it takes a lotta beer to make great wine’ Keep It Rockin’ After Party with food and live music began at 5:30pm. What a weekend!
For those who are scratching their heads wondering the meaning of “garagiste,” here you go! Garagiste (garage-east) is a term originally used in Bordeaux region to “throw some shade” on rogue small-batch wine makers who often worked in their “garages” (anything considered not a chateau). These renegades shunned the “rules,” but now it’s a movement to spotlight incredible wines found throughout the world. In the United States, the first Garagiste Festivals began in 2011.
Over 200 Wines Are Poured at the Garagiste Festival
At the risk of causing a bit of FOMO, exceptional wineries poured were a diverse array of sparkling, white, red, rose wines. Over 200 wines, including unusual blends, single varietal wines, sparkling wines, and more, from over 25 different grape varieties, were available for tasting during the weekend. Without a doubt, bookmark this event for next year.
Paso Robles wineries that poured were: Absolution Cellars, Arbuckle Ridge*, Bella Luna Estate, Boutz Cellars, Buckaloose Wines, Bushong Vintage Company, Cairjn Wine Cellars, Ciento Cellars, Concur Wines, Creek Cut Wines*, Cutbow Wines*, DENO Wine, Diablo Paso, Dubost Winery, El Vinero Wines, Ella’s Vineyard, Emercy Wines, End of the Day Wines, Etnyre Wines, Hayseed and Housdon, IIWII Wines, Kaleidos Winery, Kiame Wine Cellars, Loom Wines*, Marin’s Vineyard, MCV Wines, Nenow Family Wines, Quench + Temper Wines, Red Door Ranch, Seven Oxen Estate, Sinor-La Vallee, *Slouch Hat Wines, Songs Wines, Staysail Cellars, Steinbeck Vineyards, Stilson Cellars, Tolo Cellars, Torch Cellars, Tribeca Wine Co.*, TW Fermentation Co, Ulloa Cellars, Ultima Tulie, Vigo Cellars, Zanoli Wines, and Zobeto Wines. (The * indicated first-time wineries at the event.)
Although there was so much wine from which to choose, some of my favorites (in no particular order) follow. Check out the wineries for yourself by following the link provided and purchase a few bottles.
Aromatic, Racy White Wines
End of the Day Wines 2023 Albarino ($30) always has my name on it with its balanced profile, racy acidity, floral, apple peel and tropical fruit notes. Manchego cheese and marcona almonds with this Albarino are all you need at the end of the day (See what I did there?). Carl Bowker is Winemaker.
Cairjn 2023 Vermentino from Duas Terras Vineyard ($42) offers snappy acidity, stone and citrus fruit notes and a lingering finish. Pair with grilled shrimp atop your favorite salad. Andy Neja is Winemaker.
IIWII 2022 Picpoul Blanc from the Willow Creek AVA ($65) is always a brilliant choice thanks to its refreshing acidity, bright citrus aromas and flavors and its ability to pair with my favorite “snack,” raw oysters! Phil LaMontagne and Cyril Pujadas are Winemakers.
Autry Cellars 2021 Viognier from Still Waters vineyards ($39) boasted bright floral and citrus aromas, a round mouthfeel and just-right acidity. Sip by the pool or in the afternoon with a good book. Steven P. Autry is Winemaker
Boutz Cellars 2023 Moschofilero (Greek White Varietal) ($38) is a surprising and welcome addition to the Garagiste lineup. I loved this bold wine with spice, floral aromas, and hints of citrus on the palate. Grilled calamari, please! James and Manoli Boutzoukas are Winemakers.
Complex, Flavorful Rose and Red Wines
Crush Vineyard 2023 Tantric from the Crush Vineyard ($34) is a tart, broad rose of Tannat. Plenty of vibrant acidity, savory notes and red fruit flavors, this is a gutsy, food friendly rose not to miss. Pair with friends and Thanksgiving. Denise and Scott Schramm are Winemakers.
Nenow Family Wines 2022 Elevens ($58) is a complex and balanced Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah and Counoise. Notes of blackberries, tobacco, earth and rich red fruit create an incredible blend that’s mouthwatering with any shish kabob you toss on the grill. Drew Nenow is Winemaker.
Steinbeck Vineyards 2018 Zinfandel ($55) is an Old World style of Zinfandel with lush fruit, moderate acidity and soft tannins. Cue the burgers! Bryan Widstrand is Winemaker.
T.W. Fermentation Co. 2019 Merlot ($64) is a textured, broad Merlot with moderate acidity and firm tannins that provide a foundation to notes of black cherries, earth, flint and dark fruit compote. Grab a bottle and invite your friends for a few s’mores around the bonfire. Paul Quinn and James Schreiner are Winemakers.
Stilson Cellars 2021 The Return GSM ($45) continues to be one of my favorite Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre choice. Aromas and flavors of baking spice, rich cherries and vanilla are lifted with moderate acidity and structured tannins. This wine is perfect on a crisp and cool fall evening paired with your favorite beef stew (thanks, Grandma for the recipe!) and crusty baguette. Cole Stilson is Winemaker.
There’s no arguing that The Garagiste Festival is a place to discover new wines from up-and-coming winemakers who pour their own wines. We are able to learn fascinating stories, celebrate the wine industry with each sip and have a blast doing it all! This year, the non-profit Garagiste Festivals benefit the Cal Poly SLO Wine and Viticulture program. I’ll see you next year in Paso Robles for The Garagiste Festival 2025!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
