The Return of the Alternative Tastes Wine Festival to Atascadero on March 28th!

The 3rd Annual Alternative Tastes Wine Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at the Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero, showcasing rare and hard-to-find grape varieties from California winemakers. This year’s event is organized by Scott and Denise Schramm from Crush Vineyard in Paso Robles, focusing on wines made from grape varieties with less than 1,000 acres planted in the state. Originally celebrating Albariño and Tannat, the festival has since expanded to include a wider selection of uncommon white and red wines.

Attendees will have the chance to taste 25 unique wine varieties, with Paso Robles being home to over 65 different grape types. The festival kicks off with a Blind Tasting Educational Seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring industry experts Hel Schmitt of Volatus, Carl Bowker of Caliza and End of the Day, and Brenna Pratt of Midnight Cellars, moderated by Schmitt and Mira Honeycutt, a noted wine author and journalist. The Grand Tasting will follow from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Festival-goers can purchase food from vendors like Baby Bear Biscuits and Quesadilla Gorilla. There will also be a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting Flag Ranch, which supports The Flag Foundation, a charitable organization promoting the collaboration between horses and people by funding the care of the herd and land.

Tickets are priced at $50 for the Grand Tasting and $75 for those wanting to attend both the seminar and the Grand Tasting. Designated drivers can enter for free. Tickets can be purchased at my805tix.com/e/alternative-tastes-26/tickets, and further information is available at alternativetasteswinefestival.com.

Participating wineries include Alara Cellars, Allegretto Wines, B2B Wines, Brecon Estate, and many others, providing a rich tasting experience for all attendees.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!