There are many wine festivals and events, but none quite like the Paso Robles Garagiste Festival It is a wine festival dedicated to undiscovered and under the radar artisan winemakers who are making top notch, handcrafted small-lot production wines. The Garagiste Festival was named one of the Top Nine Incredible Epicurean Vacations by ABC News. 

The Garagiste Festival is committed to fostering the spirit of free exchange of ideas and encouragement that has made Paso Robles one of the friendliest, most successful and innovative wine-making communities. The festival is produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry.  Proceeds from 2011’s sold-out festival were donated to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program.

The main event takes place at Windfall Farms in Paso Robles where the winemakers pour their own wines. This is where some of the best discoveries in wine tasting can take place from hand crafted wines in small alocations, many are less than 1,000 case total production. Some of my personal best discoveries have come from winemakers that have no tasting room and crack a bottle on a picnic bench, at a conference, or smaller wine events. 

Just some of the Garagistes pouring include: Aaron Wines, Alta Colina Winery, Ambyth Estate, Anglim Winery, Argot, Baron's, Bodega de Edgar, Bodegas M, Caliza Winery, Cayucos Cellars, Center of Effort, Cloak & Dagger, Edmond August, Girnata Wines, J Dusi Wines, Jacob Toft, JK Wine Company, Kaleidos, La Filice, Les Deux Charts, Liquid Farm, Luminesce Wine, Nicora Wines, Paix Sur Terre, PasoPort Wine, Per Cazo Cellars, Rancero Cellars, Rangeland Wines, Red Zeppelin Winery, Rendarrio Vineyards, Sinor-LaVallee, St Hilaire Vineyard, Stage Left Cellars, STANGER Vineyards, Two Shepherds, Vin Alegre, Vines on the Marycrest, Westberg Cellars, and Zin Alley

Photo Above - Defending Champ of the "Spirit of Gargiste" Award, Victor Abascal of Vines on the Marycrest 

(Photo Above - Left Andrew Murray AKA Mr Rhone) 

Saturday, November 10th: The Main Event: The day begins by bringing back one of the most popular features of last year’s event, its winemaker panel and tasting seminars. This year some of the Central Coast’s most innovative winemakers and “hottest” grapes will be featured in the seminars titled Digging Deep Into Syrah: Microclimates, Terroir and Stylistic Decisions and A Look at Emerging Varietals. The session will be lead by legendary Rhone winemaker Andrew Murray of Andrew Murray Vineyards. (The festival’s Grand Tasting follows, taking place from 2 – 5pm, featuring over 45 garagiste winemakers. The day finishes with the Winemaker After-Party where guests and winemakers can mingle, drink and continue the conversation. (http://www.garagistefestival.com)

Sunday, November 11th: So You Want to Make Wine? symposium at The Vintner’s Vault. An event for serious avocational, and aspiring, winemakers — and those who simply want to learn more about the nitty-gritty of the winemaking process. (Many portions of post are from a media release)