Central Coast Wine Classic

Are you folks familiar with the Central Coast Wine Classic? It's a terrific annual event that raises a lot of money for many deserving organizations! Check it out!

The Central Coast Wine Classic Foundation is pleased to announce the grantees for funds from the 2013 Twenty-Ninth Annual Central Coast Wine Classic, to be held from July 11th through 14th, in Avila Beach, Shell Beach and San Simeon on the Central Coast of California. From net proceeds from the Wine Classic, specific projects are funded for 501(c)3 non-profit corporations in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties whose missions are in the Healing, Performing or Studio Arts. Over the past nine years the event has conferred grants $2,101,055! to 103 such non-profits. Grants for 2013 will be conferred in early October in San Luis Obispo.

For 2013, the Wine Classic Foundation Board has chosen the following beneficiaries: Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara; Heaven Can Wait Equine Sanctuary in San Miguel; Los Osos Middle School PTSA Music Supporters; Meathead Movers Wrestling Club from San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo Child Abuse Prevention Council; Sansum Clinic Cancer Center in Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara Botanical Garden; Symphony of the Vines from Atascadero; Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo County in San Luis Obispo and Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo. The Annual Fund-A-Need Auction Lot Proceeds will inure to the benefit of MUST! Charities in Templeton.

Over the Twenty-Nine Year History of the Central Coast Wine Classic, it has been recognized by its sponsor Wine Spectator as one of the “Top Ten” charity wine auctions in America. A major benefit for San Luis Obispo County tourism, the Wine Classic hosted patrons from thirty states and almost two hundred California communities during the 2011 event. The Official Hotel venue of the 2013 Central Coast Wine Classic is the Avila Lighthouse Suites, directly across the street from the beach and park in Downtown Avila Beach.

The theme for 2013 is “A Celebration the Remarkable Wine and Cuisine of the Central Coast of California and the Napa Valley,” with many of the activities taking place in and around Avila Beach. Activities include a Barrel Tasting, a Reserve Tasting, various Symposia on specific wine types, such as San Luis Obispo County Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County Syrah and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a special tasting of wines from the Burgundy region of France. An Outdoor Winery Dinner Dance at the Avila Beach Resort features the cuisine of Chef Meghan Loring and exhilarating music, and Justin Winery will present a Winery Dinner at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa in Shell Beach. The Annual Black-Tie Dinner at Hearst Castle, features Central Coast Chefs Kurt Grasing of Grasing’s in Carmel, Levi Mezick from 1833 in Monterey, John Cox from Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, Percy Whatley of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, James Sly, Chef-Owner of Sly’s in Carpinteria, and Michael Hutchings of Michael’s Catering in Santa Barbara, coordinated by Chef James Sly’s Team, six courses with matching Wines from Vintner Dignitaries, and the exciting Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction, held at the official Auction venue, the Avila Beach Golf Resort, features an array of fine wines and unique lifestyle excursions in California, the United States and around the world to countries such as France, Italy, Spain, India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Borneo.

The full Schedule of Activities may be seen by visiting the Wine Classic website, www.centralcoastwineclassic.org. Information and reservations may be obtained by calling (805) 544-1285, or by emailing archie@slonet.org.