Plans for The Chardonnay Symposium 2011 weekend are well underway! Join us July 22-23 for an insightful weekend of education and exploration designed to enlighten wine consumers, industry professionals, and media on California’s various wine-producing regions and wine making styles and their effects on this versatile Burgundian varietal.
Friday, July 22
4-5:30 pm
SIERRA MADRE VINEYARD TOUR and CLONAL TASTING
Join winemaker Steve Rasmussen and proprietor Doug Circle on a tour of Sierra Madre Vineyard exploring their eight different clones of Chardonnay specifically matched to each block within the vineyard. Barrel samples and finished wines highlighting the diversity of Chardonnay selections and rootstock material will be presented and tasted with experts in Chardonnay growing and winemaking.
Friday, July 22
6:30-9 pm
SIERRA MADRE WELCOME BARBECUE
Sierra Madre Vineyards celebrates their 40th anniversary at the The Chardonnay Symposium welcome feast featuring Chef Rick’s Ultimately Fine Gourmet Barbecue paired with Sierra Madre’s award winning Chardonnays. And bring your favorite Chardonnay to share!
Limited tickets for both the clonal tasting and Sierra Madre Vineyards barbecue are $95, or join us later for the welcome barbecue for $50 per person.
Saturday, July 23
9:30-5 pm
THE CHARDONNAY SYMPOSIUM – FULL DAY EVENT
Saturday’s premier, full-day event begins with two morning informational sessions at Bien Nacido Vineyards and Tantara Winery, headlined by Wine Enthusiast’s Steve Heimoff and Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible. Full-day attendees are invited to a VIP lunch at Au Bon Climat Winery from 12:00pm to 1:30pm featuring Santa Maria Valley’s finest cuisine before they are transported to The Grand Chardonnay Tasting at Byron Winery.
Saturday, July 23
2-5 pm
THE GRAND CHARDONNAY TASTING
With 60 wineries from Washington, Oregon, Sonoma and California’s Central Coast participating in this expanded tasting at the beautiful Byron Vineyard and Winery, guests will sample hundreds of Chardonnays paired with gourmet foods provided by local restaurants and caterers.
Full-day tickets cost $125 and include your choice of morning panel discussions, lunch, transportation, admission to the Grand Chardonnay Tasting, a Riedel wine glass, and gift bag.
Tickets for the Grand Chardonnay Tasting Event at Byron may be purchased separately for $65.
For more information, including a detailed event schedule and tickets, visit www.thechardonnaysymposium.com or email info@thechardonnaysymposium.com.
smvwines
