Friday May 2nd thru Sunday May 4th
The event was going to be billed as a winemaker weekend featuring Loring Wine Company and Roar wines. But who's kidding whom? You may decide to come out to meet Gary Franscioni of Roar, and who wouldn't? He's a GREAT guy. Or to try those killer Roar wines you're hearing so much about! Or, you may want to come out and see me make a fool of myself. But we all know that Gary Pisoni is the main draw. So here's your chance to hang out and party with the legendary Gary Pisoni! Gary is practically a mythical creature, not unlike Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster. But better groomed. The boy just doesn't make many public appearances. And I can attest to his ability to party - this is one wild dude! This is an opportunity that doesn't come around very often. In case you didn't hear about last year's fun, check out this link:
http://www.loringwinecompany.com/latest.htmlThis year, we're planning on an even bigger and better event!
Things will play out as follows:
Friday Night
We'll meet up at the Brosseau's Inn at the Pinnacles B&B (http://www.innatthepinnacles.com) for an off-line style wine tasting. Food will be provided, as well as transportation for folks staying down in Soledad. More about accommodations in a minute. The theme of the evening will be Monterey County wines. For those of you who don't know the name Brosseau, Jan and Jon Brosseau have had their own vineyard next to Chalone for about 20 years - and I started sourcing Pinot from them last year. Jon was one of those crazy guys, like Dick Graff at Chalone, who saw the potential of the limestone soil in the hills east of Soledad, and was willing to put up with small problems like no water and no electricity. Recently, they've built a high-end B&B on the property. Don't worry, the water and electricity issues have been resolved! Their son, Bill, is the new head winemaker at Testarossa. He also produces wine under his own label, Gabilan. We'll be featuring those wines, along with some of my wines. Feel free to bring wine from any producer in the area, or wines made from grapes grown in the area. Of course, if you just HAVE to bring a bottle of Krug Rose, DRC, Screaming Eagle, Petrus, or Yquem... we won't hold that against you!!
Saturday Morning/Afternoon
Transportation will again be provided all day Saturday, so that you can truly enjoy the day. The drive up to the Pinnacles can be tricky even without a drop of wine in your system. Safe and sane is the primary theme of the weekend. OK, maybe a little bit insane will be fine too.
Gary Franscioni will be giving us a tour of his Garys' and Rosella's Vineyards. We'll then head over to Pisoni Vineyard for another off-line style winefest. The wine theme will be, "Impress Gary Pisoni"! The Pisoni Clan (including Gary's Mom and Dad, and his sons Mark and Jeff) will be BBQing up some tasty food, in addition to playing the role of party hosts. And when you say Pisoni and Party in the same sentence, watch out! There'll (hopefully) be jeep tours and (definitely) lots of fun hanging out in the caves and talking and drinking with the Man, Gary Pisoni.
Saturday Evening
We'll be having a catered 4 course dinner up at the B&B, featuring Roar and Loring Wine Company wines. If you haven't heard about Gary Francsioni's Roar label... where have you been?! These are stunning wines. Adam and Dianna Lee are the winemakers for Roar... so given the combo of "Team Siduri" and Gary and Rosella Franscioni, you know great things are happening in those bottles. And that Loring stuff... nice wines but I hear the guy's a jerk.
The Pisonis will also be joining us for dinner, so you'll have plenty of interesting people to talk to!!
Sunday
We'll tour the Brosseau's vineyard and then get a special tour at Chalone.
This should once again be an amazing weekend. I can't say for sure that last year's event was the best day of my life, but it was easily a Top 10!
Now for the "business" portion... Since we're doing an expanded event, rather than asking people to bring food and drive themselves around, we've decided to charge for food, catering staff, transportation, and other incidentals like porta-potties (nice ones). We figure our break even cost per person is $195... so that's what we'll be charging. Lodging is extra. The B&B has 7 rooms that run about $200 a night, with a two night minimum (Friday and Saturday). These will go fast. There's a Best Western in Soledad that's probably the next best place to stay. The rooms there run like $80. We'll be running shuttle buses between the B&B, Best Western, and the vineyards. In addition to the $195 and room costs, you'll have to bring a bottle of wine per person for Friday night and then again on Saturday to the Pisoni Bash. We'll be limiting the number of participants to 40-50. That way you'll be able to get some one on one time with Gary, Gary, and Bill!
I realize that this won't be cheap... but I guarantee that you'll have a hell of a time. I'm already as excited as a 6-year-old looking forward to Christmas morning!! Hope you can make it this year!!
Questions? Call or e-mail me: (714) 279-3067 (weekday)
Brian@LoringWineCompany.com Reservations (for the weekend or rooms at the B&B) : Call Jan Brosseau at (831) 678-2400