Grab your favorite reusable spork, a travel-size bottle of Wine Away, and plenty of SPF, people! Summer can only mean one thing in Paso Robles Wine Country: The arrival of wine, beer, and food festivals galore! This week, we show you how to enjoy the munchies, remember your favorite wines for later, and avoid the pitfalls (like trying to eat every single sample that comes your way). Breathe easy. We leave no food foodie behind!
What was that wine again?!
Perhaps you fell in love with Brecon Estate’s wonderfully crisp and aromatic 2014 Albarino at the winery’s recent Albarino Summit, but somewhere between the panel discussion and lunch, you plumb forgot the vintage. Don’t beat yourself up; it 
what wines you adore, or you will find yourself scratching your head and kicking yourself at a later date. A quick, easy way is to snap and save a pic of the wine’s label on your smartphone. But for serious note taking, unlocking your screen, opening the notes app and typing on those teeny tiny keys (especially in full sunlight and with a full tray of food) can be more than a hassle. Instead, invest in a quality notebook and commit to writing down your favorite wines immediately after sipping. Date each notebook, so you know just when and where you tried that unforgettable bottle. The next time you’re hosting a dinner party or get together, you’ll be glad you did!
Cleanliness is key!
Go ahead and connect
That’s the point, isn’t it? So, you thought you’d stop by the Écluse Wines booth and you ended up never leaving. You were just enjoying yourself too
Take stock
The very nature of food festivals is all about variety and abundance right? There’s so much to do see, eat, drink, smell, and…well…digest. Do yourself a favor and set your iPhone alarm for a consecutive alarm every 45 minutes to an hour. When the alarm buzzes, that means it’s time to re-set and rejuvenate. Grab a bottle of water, plop down in a shady spot and take in what you’ve just experienced. It can feel a bit like a whirlwind, right? Soak in the scenery and take stock of how you’re feeling (stuffed? Bloated? Energized? Buzzed? Dehydrated?) Now is the time to jot down a few notes in your notebook, mist your face with some invigorating elixir, and rub your hands with a bit of hand sanitizer or a wet nap. Other essentials include: A lightweight blanket for sitting on, Band-Aids for pesky blisters that can arise with lots of walking, a small tube of sunscreen for reapplication, compact mirror to check for food in your teeth, chapstick, floss, and breath mints. Sorry to be harsh, but your breath is probably really something else right about now!
Let someone else do the driving!
You’ve heard it before, but I will say it till the cows come home. Plan to make a plan. That means designating a driver before you even purchase your tickets to that upcoming festival. Maybe your friend is more into the food and not the wine aspect? Or perhaps your teenage nephew is dying to take advantage of his new driving privileges? Does your husband love beer, but you could take it or leave it? Maybe you’re the best candidate! Be creative, and don’t forget you can simply hire a driver to keep things ultra simple. Don’t get stuck with pricy Uber or Lyft fees during a popular event (rates increase as demand does). Tip: Call on Drive 805—they’re happy to pick you up!
This blog was written by Hayley Thomas, food and wine writer for New Times and PasoRoblesWineries.net. You can reach her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com.
Get home safe from your winery visits and parties with some of the best and most knowledgable drivers in the business! Drive805 is your best choice for winery transportation on the Central Coast. Find out more at Drive805.com
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