A good recipe for ever-lasting love: Take three cups romance, a heaping handful of trust, a pinch or two of humor, and the zest of as much passion as you can find. What do you get? The kind of love that can move mountains, fulfill lifelong dreams, and warm hearts even on the chilliest of winter nights. Everyone’s ideal love recipe is a tad different, but all could use a dash of Paso Robles wine to enliven the mix. With that in mind, cheers to you and your sweetheart during this Valentine’s Day weekend!
You Had Me at Zin
Ooh lala! This Valentine’s weekend, Poalillo Vineyards will serve up heart-shaped treats alongside tastes of their featured blend, Zinful Encounter. With 80% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, and 4% Zinfandel Port, this wine is romance in a bottle. Dark, ink purple color sparks an alluring fascination followed by an explosion of flavor that ignites the senses. Black plum, cigar smoke, hints of neutral oak and vanilla titillate the palate with sexiness to spare.
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/PoalilloVineyards
A Sweet Treat
Your sweetie deserves a sugar rush, and we’re not talking about those horrible chalky hearts that say “BE MINE.” Brecon Estates will be breaking out fancy cookie pairings this Valentine’s weekend so that you and your love can indulge your cravings to the fullest. Created by Alex from Crush Catering, these gourmet morsels will pair perfectly with Brecon’s award-winning boutique wines. What can I say…some things just truly go together.
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/BreconEstate
Get a Room
Is your PDA off the charts? Get a little privacy at La Bellasera Hotel & Suites which perfectly combines luxurious accoutrements with Paso’s relaxed charm. When you book a Valentine’s Day package, you’ll receive a romantic dinner for two at Enoteca Restaurant & Bar, breakfast in bed, and complimentary champagne (yes, please!) Packages start at $399.00. Call to book your stay and keep the romance burning. (For more info call 238-2834).
The chic Enoteca Restaurant & Bar serves up a sumptuous culinary experience inspired by returning Executive Chef, Brady Thomason. His gift for crafting delicious menus using fresh and sustainable ingredients perfectly paired with award-winning Central Coast wines, provides for a truly authentic, Paso Robles dining experience.
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/LaBellasera
Let Your Heart Sing
Love is like a song. Let it out! This Valentine’s Day, enjoy live music from 12:00 – 3:00pm at Lone Madrone’s scenic patio provided by real-life couple Jan and Ted of Jan and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. That’s not all! Enjoy complimentary tastings of Lone Madrone’s Sparkling Chenin Blanc all weekend long and ladies can look forward to a small token of love at the tasting room on the big day. That’s right—there’s a romantic present waiting just for you! Maybe it’s a mix tape?
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/LoneMadrone
Decadent Devotion
Sextant Wines knows how to keep the fire smoldering. This Valentine’s weekend, invite your love to nibble on a delightful chocolate truffle pairing served alongside favorite reserve and club-only wines. The fantastic truffles, crafted by Truffle Gateau, won’t be the only things getting a little action…I can promise you that! (Tasting fee: $15 per person).
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/SextantWines
Footloose and Fancy Free
Rotta Wine is all about a classic pairing this Valentine’s Day weekend. Why mess with the tried-and-true wine and chocolate flavor combo? Get in on complimentary tastings for couples and 10 percent off wine purchases through February. What could be more effortlessly romantic? If you’re thinking “artisan truffles paired with Zinfandel port,” you’re in luck! That is to say, you’ll be getting very lucky.
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/RottaWinery
The Art of Seduction
Named as one of the top 25 experiences in California by Hollywood Reporter’s Michael Cervin, the LXV Wine Lounge, in downtown Paso Robles, invites you to come explore what the KamaSutra is all about with Aphrodisiac Pairings. Venture into your sensory side with pairings we promise you’ve never tried before that will make your toes curl up, and your heart skip a beat. Pairings will be available all weekend in the lounge with a special evening interpretation presented by cheese affineurs, Sophie Boban-Doering and Paul Doering, Friday, Feb. 12 at 5:30. (Tickets: $25 per person – $18 for club/industry members)
You can also experience the aphrodisiac pairings at the LXV barn where you’re surrounded by nature, as it springs back after the beautiful showers, and take a romantic walk into the enchanted forest! (Tickets: $45 per person – $38 for club/industry members)
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/LXVWine
Fall in Love with Award-Winning Wines
Lusso Della Terra which means “Luxury of the Land” was created to express a true love and passion for the complexity of the grape and the art of the winemaking process. Grab your true love and embrace your passion for decadent chocolate and wine pairings that include Lusso Della Terra’s award-winning pinot, chardonnay, and petite verdot, Feb. 13th and 14th.
Mapping & Directions: speedfind.com/LDT
Isn’t it Romantic?
Envelope yourself in love and romance at HammerSky Vineyards, whose exquisitely restored 107 year old farmhouse was chosen as one of the top 10 romantic inns. The gorgeous 50 acre estate with alluring views and century oaks sets the perfect mood to enjoy their charismatic Estate wines. Come in to the tasting room, Feb. 13th and 14th, and say the words “We’re on a date” and get two for one glasses of HammerSky Vineyards’ Detained sparkling. Plus, take 15% off any purchase of three (3) bottles of HammerSky wine.
Mapping & Directions: speedfind.com/HammerSkyVineyards
The Rhone Rangers Ride into Paso Robles
Spend Valentine’s Day with Écluse Wines and 50 of their Rhone producing friends at the 2016 Paso Robles Rhone Rangers Experience! This fun-filled and information-rich day will include a “Rhone Essentials” seminar moderated by Esther Mobley, Wine Editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, a Vintners’ Lunch, and the Grand Tasting and Silent Auction. The day’s events will take place at Broken Earth Winery, conveniently located on Highway 46 just east of Paso Robles. Écluse Wines will be there pouring some of their newly released, award-winning Rhone wines including the Double Gold 2013 Rendition! Click here for tickets and more information.
Mapping & Directions to Ecluse: speedfind.com/EcluseWines
Mapping & Directions to Event: speedfind.com/BrokenEarthWinery
Happy Smooching…
This blog was written by Hayley Thomas, food and wine writer for New Times and PasoRoblesWineries.net. You can reach her at [email protected].
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