Our annual kick-off tasting features the unreleased wines of fifty California wineries and an array of hors d'oeuvres from Dolphin Bay Executive Chef, Evan Treadwell.

The always exceedingly popular, magical Dinner at Hearst Castle is one of the most sought-after dinners in America. Guests are seated on a terrace that views La Casa Grande, the Greco-Roman swimming pool and the Santa Lucia Mountain Range.

Extraordinary wines from featured wineries, including those from Jonata Winery, Martin & Weyrich Winery, Palmina, Roederer Estate & Windward Vineyard will be matched with the cuisine of Chef Christopher Kostow, Executive Chef of The Restaurant at Meadowood in the Napa Valley, a Relais & Chateaux / Relais Gourmands property, who will present cuisine that is a perfect match for such a world-class venue.

The Dinner at Hearst Castle is available to patron and corporate sponsors through the Wine Classic "Enchanted Circle." Please contact Archie McLaren at (805) 544-1285 for sponsorship criteria and further information.

Round-Trip, Luxury Coach Transportation will be provided to Hearst Castle from the Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa.

The concept of a Paulee began in the Burgundy region of France, circa 1928, when the vignerons of the community of Meursault decided to have a dinner at the end of the harvest and invite the field workers to share in the festivities. An array of local wines were brought and poured, and the event was so thoroughly enjoyable that La Paulee soon encompassed all of the vignerons of Burgundy, who brought their finest wines to the proceedings. La Paulee was so popular that it ultimately became a part of the world-famous annual Hospice de Beaune Auction weekend.

Last year, the Wine Classic presented a Paulee Dinner for those patrons who did not attend the Dinner at Hearst Castle. Each couple brought a special bottle to share with dinner companions. Unlike the Burgundy La Paulee, the Wine Classic Paulee encourages you to bring a special wine from any grape variety that you wish. This year's Paulee Dinner will be held at Lido at Dolphin Bay, where Chef Evan Treadwell will present a multi-course dinner that will be designed to match with wines from an array of grape varieties. The Wine Classic will provide a superb Methode Champenoise wine to begin the festivities and an excellent white wine to be served with the first course. Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!

Please contact Archie McLaren, Central Coast Wine Classic Founder & Chairman, for further information and registration: archie@slonet.org; Telephone: (805) 544-1285; cellular 878-3124; fax 595-2742.