Santa Barbara & Paso Robles, CA
August 16 - August 23, 2024
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!
please contact us ASAP if you were hoping to be part of this trip
California is undoubtedly the mecca of winemaking, wine growing, and premium wine in the United States. It has actually ascended as one of the premier wine producing regions in the world. While Napa Valley and Sonoma County have gained wider notoriety, there are two regions in the South Central Coast that have arrived, producing wines with worldwide acclaim; Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles.
They are uniquely different from a climatic perspective, and therefore the grape varieties they produce. Paso Robles is warmer and home to some of the most expressive red wines in the New World, both Bordeaux and Rhone varieties. Its neighbor to the southwest, Sta Rita Hills, has a significantly different climate. Defined by the east west transverse growing region, cool air flows in from the Pacific Ocean cooling the region creating a long growing season with significant diurnal temperature shifts. This terroir creates the perfect home for top Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
We hope you will join us this Summer on what is sure to be our best Wine Country Experience yet!
WINIERIES
SAMsARA Wine Co.
Grown on land tended to by 9 generations, this winery specialises in Old-World inspired Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for a wonderful culinary program to pair with their wines.
In 1981, founder Justin Baldwin planted his first vines in hopes of one day crafting Bordeaux-style blends worthy of their French counterparts. Today, Justin’s wines are widely acclaimed and considered some of the finest in the Paso Robles and the Central Coast region.
Stephan Asseo, owner/winemaker, is the founding father of present day Paso Robles wine. They produce some of the regions finest Rhone style wines.
A protege of Asseo, Eric Jensen has elevated Booker as one of the top producers. They specialize in Rhone style red and white wines. Stunning wines!
Clos Solène
Epoch Estate wines are a darling of Paso Robles. They produce some of the most intense and expressive wines made from both Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Grenache and Morvedre as well as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Guillame Fabre is also an Asseo protege. I discovered this small producer 6 years ago and having been buying their wines since. very elegant, expressive wines in a countryside setting.
Dedicated to crafting exceptional cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah with a true sense of place. They offer one of the finest culinary programs as well.
Hidden in the hills of California’s Central Coast, on a rare Limestone outcropping and unobstructed from the Pacific Ocean wind, this unique land produces some of the best Syrah and Roussanne.
Situated in Happy Canyon which is a little further inland, Star Lane is home to some of the regions finest wines made from Bordeaux varieties. A stunning winery experience awaits.
A small, handcrafted producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, producing beautiful, savory and elegant wines from Sta Rita Hills.
L'Aventure
A small, family-owned winery, known for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with distinct influences of the unique oceanic terroir.
With vineyards situated on 13 miles of land, unobstructed from the ocean, these resilient grapes and land are their winemaker's dream challenge. These are some of the most sought after wines by top sommeliers in the US.
This cult producer is one of the most coveted in Santa Barbara County. The regions only Master of Wine, Amy Christine, owns the vineyard and makes these Rhone style wines with her husband Peter.
One of the original producers in Santa Barbara County and a prominent set of the filming of Sideways, they produce some of the most coveted single vineyard Pinots. Owner/winemaker, Frank Ostini will lead us on an incredible experience.
RESTAURANTS
Loquita
Bakery and pizzeria, passionate about local, seasonal produce with an emphasis on sustainability
Originally a farm CSA, now bringing upscale and imaginative dishes featuring all local produce, meat, and baked items
Authentic Spanish cuisine, known for their tapas, wood-fire grill, and paella
25+ year old restaurant, bringing authentic Northern Italian cuisine to California
HOTELS
Bacara ResortThe Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica
30 minutes from LAX Airport, The Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica will host us for the first night of our trip. The hotel sits just outside of downtown, in a quieter residential area, but with with easy access to nearby beaches, shopping, and Santa Monica Pier; the best of both worlds! If you choose to begin your trip a day early, The Ambrose Hotel has extended our group discount for the night before.
The Piccolo in Paso Robles
The next two nights of our Wine Country Experience will be spend in The Piccolo, situated in the beautiful downtown Paso Robles. After our dinners on Saturday and Sunday night, you can take advantage of Tetto, Paso Robles' only rooftop bar, in The Piccolo! Our luxury rooms come complete with local coffee, wine fridges, and juliet balconies.
Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara
The last 4 nights of our trip will be spent in Santa Barbara at the gorgeous, 5-Star Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort. This beachfront hotel will be the perfect way to close our trip. With some free time built in to the latter half of this Wine Country Experience, you will be able to take advantage of many of the Bacara's incredible amenities. Enjoy the sprawling outdoor pool, private beach, premier dining experiences, indulgent spa treatments, unique outdoor experiences, and more!
Lasting impressions of past Wine Country Experiences
“This trip was a once in a lifetime experience; great wine, great food, great wineries, great group! Management and logistics were excellent. Thanks!”
Peter G. from our 2022 Wine Country Experience to Napa & Sonoma, CA
“Another winner!!! Excellent time with George and Christi. Great experiences with food and wine. My husband and I could not have ever, in our wildest dreams, organized a curated trip of this magnitude.”
Ingrid D. from our 2023 trip to Willamette Valley, OR & Walla Walla, WA
“Honestly, this was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Everything was so well planned and thought out. We just had to show up and enjoy! I haven't stopped telling people about it since we got home. Thank you, team!”
Pat G. from our 2022 Wine Country Experience to Napa & Sonoma, CA
Do you have questions about our Wine Country Experiences?
CLICK HERE for our most common FAQs, or email our Director of Marketing, Angelica (blickenderfera@gmail.com) and she will be happy to answer any of your questions!
Never miss an update about our Wine Country Experiences!
WINE COUNTRY EXPERIENCE FAQs
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Registration for the Santa Barbara & Paso Robles trip opens Thursday, March 21!
3pm Eastern - Priority Registration - sign up for Priority Registration HERE
4pm Eastern - Public Registration (if spots remains)
You will secure your spot on March 21 by making the $3500 downpayment per attendee via online payment on our website. The remaining balance will be due one month after the deposit is paid. The balance may be paid by check or online. Failure to pay the balance one month after your deposit is paid will result in a loss of your reserved place on our trip, and loss of your initial deposit.
Once you have gone through the full trip details, we suggest you reach out with any questions you may have prior to March 21, as we anticipate selling out quickly.
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In Paso Robles you can expect to find a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Grenache. In Santa Barbara we will see mostly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. We will be tasting other grape varietals on this trip, but you'll find these are the ones we will encounter the most.
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Yes! Right now we have a free afternoon in Downtown Paso Robles, and a free afternoon-evening in Santa Barbara. We will provide a list of local restaurants, businesses, events, hotel amenities, etc to help you make the most of your free time.
Transportation for free time - the bus will be picking us up/dropping us off, the location will be within walking distance from our hotel, or it will be in a location a quick cab ride away from the hotel.
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Our Wine Country Experiences always begin and end in the same location. For this trip, it will be most efficient to fly in and out of LAX airport in Los Angeles (if you are flying).
Our program begins at 5:30pm on Friday, August 16 in Santa Monica. If you plan to fly in to California before August 16, we have a special rate for The Ambrose (our hotel for Friday, August 16) that you can use. We will be getting that information in the next couple weeks and will send that in an email to all attendees.
On the morning of Friday, August 23, our bus will take us back as a group LAX, arriving back around 10:30am. Please plan your flights accordingly. If you plan to continue your stay in California, you can rent cars from LAX, or get the appropriate transportation from there.
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Absolutely! Since you are handling your own travel arrangements, you are welcome to arrive as far in advance as you like, or extend your stay after our trip has ended. The Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica (where we will be spending our first night) has extended our group pricing to anyone that would like to book an additional night for Thursday, August 15. Registrants will be given information on how to redeem that if they are interested.
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If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Director of Marketing, Angelica (blickenderfera@gmail.com). She will be able to assist you with anything you need!Item description
Payment Conditions
A deposit of $3,500 per person for The Educated Grape Wine Country Experience is required upon registrations on or after Thursday, March 21, 2024 (while spots remain available), via our website, to secure your spot on this trip.
Deposit Refund Policy - Your $3,500 deposit, minus a 3% cancellation fee, is refundable until March 28, 2024 (or 7 days after purchase) should you need to withdrawal your participation from this trip. After this time, your deposit is non-refundable.
The remaining balance of $3,450 (double occupant) or $5,250 (single occupant) per person is due by April 21, 2024 (or one month after deposit is paid). This can be paid by check or online. Failure to pay the balance one month after your deposit is paid will result in a loss of your reserved place on our trip, and loss of your initial deposit.
Balance Refund Policy - Balance Refund Policy - Your $3,450 or $5,250 balance payment, minus a 3% cancellation fee, is refundable until May 21, 2024 should you need.
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