Media release:

Celebrate 20 Years of Paso Robles Wine Country’s Heritage Winegrape Paso Robles, CA (December 13, 2011) Tickets are on sale now for the 20th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March during the popular Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two ticket levels are available for purchase at www.pasowine.com; ZIP (Entrance at 6 p.m.) and Zin Fan Del (Entrance at 7 p.m.).

“Zinfandel has been a key influence on the development and growth of the Paso Robles wine industry,” said Alex Villicana, board chairman of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “Celebrating 20 years of Zin Fest reflects the honor and significance of Zinfandel as the heritage winegrape of Paso Robles.”

A collection of Zinl activities return to Zinfandel Festival this year including the Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction, featuring Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends, Dessert Wine Bar, and Plaza Lounge. The Wine Country Auction within the Zin Tasting offers a variety of unique lifestyle and wine auction lots including wine tasting retreats, dinners with Paso Robles producers, VIP tours, seminars and special large format bottles signed by the winemakers. Funds raised through this auction will be gifted back into the local community through organizations that support healthcare, education and greater community services.

The Wine Country Auction is only one of the many components featured during the Saturday Zin Tasting. Nearly 60 Zinfandel producers and 20 local restaurants highlight their culinary talents and premium Zinfandel wines at the marquee event held at the Paso Robles Event Center. The decadent Dessert Wine Bar features Paso Robles dessert style wines and chocolate. The Plaza Lounge provides attendees the opportunity to enjoy a variety of cigars complementing an evening that honors the history of Paso Robles Wine Country. Stay tuned on Twitter, Facebook and foursquare to learn more about 2012 Zinfandel Festival surprises.

• ZIP (Zinfully Important Person) Entrance - $85 - Saturday - 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Zip in early to the Zin Tasting and get asneak peek of Wine Country Auction items and experience other special surprises.
• Zin Fan Del Entrance - $60 - Saturday - 7- 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a great assortment of Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends, and bring home a piece of Paso from the Wine Country Auction.
• Sneak Peek Pass - $10 Discounts on ZIP and Zin Fan Del Ticket levels until January 31, 2012

Tickets for the 20th Annual Zinfandel Festival are available for purchase online at www.pasowine.com. All Zinfandel Festival tasting ticket packages include unlimited wine tasting and a commemorative glass made by Riedel. A limited amount of ZIP and Zin Fan Del tickets will be available at the door, provided they are not sold out. Tickets are limited and advance purchase is highly recommended. Must be 21 and older; photo identification verifying age will be required at time of entry.

In addition to the Zin Tasting and Wine Country Auction, more than 150 area wineries host special activities and events throughout the weekend including winemaker dinners, food pairings, live music, vineyard tours and more to complete your Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival Weekend experience. Many of these wineries offer ZIN FAN specials to ticketholders of the Zin Tasting & Wine Country. For more information about the 20th Annual Zinfandel Festival, local hotel accommodations and restaurants, visit www.pasowine.com.

PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE ADDRESS PO Box 324 Paso Robles, CA 93447 PHONE 805.239.8463 FAX 805.237.6439 WEB pasowine.com