Once again, Central Coast vintners prepare to roll out the red carpet for wine lovers, especially those who favor Pinot Noir above all other varietals. On March 6 and 7, the World of Pinot Noir unfolds at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach and offers a dazzling array of tastings, seminars, winemaker dinners, and panel discussions.
This year marks the ninth annual staging of what has become an international affair, with participating wineries coming from as far away as Australia, France, New Zealand, Chile, and Switzerland. Representatives from outside the country join vintners and importers from California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as local Pinot Noir producers from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Launched in 2001 as a showcase for the many guises of Pinot Noir, the World of Pinot Noir (WOPN) has tripled in size from 60 winery participants to nearly 200. Tickets sold are held to a strict number, to ensure a quality experience for all who attend, and though they went on sale in October, many still remain for the various events.
WOPN opens on Friday morning as John Winthrop Haeger presents the Pinot Primer, an informative overview of the entire event. Attendees will receive a signed copy of Haeger’s latest book, Pacific Pinot Noir: A Comprehensive Winery Guide for Consumers and Connoisseurs.
Depending on areas of interest and the wines they want to taste, guests can choose between two seminar combinations that include lunch and round-trip transportation from the Cliffs Resort.
The first, Combination “A,” takes place at Tolosa Winery, in San Luis Obispo, where a panel that includes Richard Sanford, owner/winemaker of Alma Rosa Winery, explores the difference between organic, biodynamic, and sustainable vineyard practices. A tasting of cutting-edge Pinot Noir follows, highlighting the wares of six of Austria’s influential producers.
Alternatively, wine lovers can opt for Combination “B” and head to Domaine Alfred Winery for an in-depth look at the Pinot Noir of New Zealand. Afterward, they will explore the “Effect of Color on Perception,” with the help of experts such as Fiddlehead Cellars’ Kathy Joseph, to discover how the appearance of a wine can affect the way it tastes.
Those interested in learning more about regional production may want to stay at the Cliffs Resort for an examination of the wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains, moderated by Patrick Chomsky, West Coast correspondent for Wine and Spirits Magazine.
On Friday night, three tents erected on the Shell Beach bluffs host 95 Pinot Noir producers from around the world who will pour current and library wines. Gourmet appetizers and generous spreads of exotic cheeses help fortify tasters as they sample the wines and vie for rare bottlings at a concurrent silent auction.
On the heels of the tasting, those with stamina to spare can join fellow foodies at the Cliffs Resort for a Pinot Noir reception, featuring white “Pinot family” and sparkling wines, followed by a sumptuous dinner. Just up the road, at Lido at Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa, Chef Evan Treadwell presents his own gala reception and dinner, complete with passed hors d’oeuvres, sparkling wine, and more than 20 Pinot Noir producers on hand to help explain and celebrate the wines.
Saturday morning’s Burgundian tasting, featuring the wines of Domaine Henri Gouges, is sold out, but, as with other WOPN events, there’s a waiting list to cover cancellations, so there’s still a chance of getting a ticket. That same morning, the Iron Sommelier Challenge, held at Dolphin Bay Resort (and followed by a luscious lunch), lets oenophiles test their wine and food pairing skills against a formidable panel of sommeliers that includes, among others, Jim Clendenen (Au Bon Climat) and Dick Doré (Foxen).
The grand Pinot Noir by the Sea Tasting, slated for Saturday afternoon, is sold out—but again, hopefuls might want to put their names on the waiting list, just in case.
As a special addition this year, organizers offer a Sunday event in conjunction with Sycamore Mineral Springs and the SLO International Film Festival. Enjoy a screening of Mondovino—which explores the notion that the wines of Bordeaux have influenced winemakers to such a degree that regional vintages no longer reflect their origins—followed by a winemaker brunch and round-table discussion.
Hailed as the benchmark Pinot Noir festival in the United States, WOPN celebrates a finicky varietal renowned for its seductive nature. For those who’ve fallen under the spell of Pinot Noir, the World of Pinot Noir offers the perfect opportunity to spend an entire weekend indulging in the wonders of Burgundy’s famous grape. m
Fall under the spell of K. Reka Badger. Look into her eyes at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Feb 19-26, 2009.
