The Central Coast Wine Classic is coming up the second week in July in Avila Beach, CA. This annual charity food and wine spectacular raises money to help a number of non-profit organizations in and around the Central Coast of California. While there are several dinners, wine tastings, seminars and other events in addition to the day long wine auction, we will present here a few of the highlights. Additional details can be found at the Central Coast Wine Classic website (www.centralcoastwineclassic.org).
The Dinner at Hearst Castle in San Simeon
One of the most magical events of the CCWC is their gourmet dinner at Hearst Castle in San Simeon on Thursday evening. It is a black tie affair and it promises to give you an evening you will remember for a lifetime.
Understand that the Hearst Castle (now a property of the California State Park system) only allows two dinners of this kind every year. One is for the Central Coast Wine Classic and the other is for the Friends of the Hearst Castle, so it is an exceedingly rare and special event.
The event begins with a champagne reception around the famous outdoor Neptune Pool, which is one of the most well known icons of the castle grounds. Portrait photographers are on hand to take portraits with the Neptune Pool serving as a dramatic background.
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| Champagne Reception at the Neptune Pool |
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| Portrait of Jodie and I at Hearst Castle |
Those who wish to do so can take a very special tour that takes you into places that regular visitors to the Castle can hardly see.
The dinner is nothing short of a culinary extravaganza. Renowned Chefs from across California provide a six course dinner fit for a king with matching wines served by a small army of sommeliers.
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| Can anyone count the number of glasses on those tables? |
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| Dessert or Fine Art Sculpture? The entire piece is made of Chocolate. |
One never has to worry about driving after enjoying all of that wine. The entire party is delivered to the Castle on luxury bus liners and returned to the central hotel after the event is concluded.
VIP Outdoor Winery Dinner Dance
This outdoor dinner and dance, held on Friday evening at the Avila Beach Country Club features the wines of several central coast winemakers artfully paired with the culinary creations of one of the event’s celebrity Chefs.
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| Archie McLaren – Leader of the CCWC at the VIP Dinner |
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| Master Chef Frank Ostini with Ritchie and Jodie |
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| Can you feel the rhythm |
Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction
Silent Auction and Luncheon
Saturday brings the crowd back to the Avila Beach Country Club for the main event, the Auction. Silent auction lots and live auction lots keep patrons busy all day long. A gourmet luncheon is presented through much of the afternoon, again created by one of the visiting celebrity Chefs. Patrons are treated to a literal wall of wine, as pourers constantly mill about the room ( a bright yellow and white tent ) pouring from a wide selection of the Central Coast’s best wines.
Auction lots range from wines of all types, vintages and sizes (here you can even bid on rare huge 3L, 5L and 9L bottles ), lifestyle lots such as luncheons, dinners and international trips and many other things to amaze and amuse you. You can see the full range of auction lots online at the CCWC website.
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| Before the Auction gets underway |
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| Morning pastries for early arrivers |
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| Bid Spotters |
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| Jim Glines – Head of the spotters |
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| One of the Auction Lots |
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Many of the auction lots feature hand painted 9L bottles and are
accompanied by the artwork that is reproduced on the bottle
and yes, that bottle holds the equivalent of a full case of wine. |
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The very beloved and recently departed Auctioneer, David Reynolds
He will be deeply missed. |
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| Jodie & Ritchie with Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse |
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| Jodie and I with some Vineyard Art by Joanne Beaule Ruggles |
Reserve Wine Tasting
Sunday brings the event to a close with the Reserve Wine Tasting with 50 notable California wines complimented with music and hors d’oeuvres. All and all, the Central Coast Wine Classic is a wonderful way to spend a high-powered long weekend enjoying great wine, incredible food and wonderful friendships. Won’t you join us this year?
Central Coast Wine Classic
Thursday, July 10, 2014 – Sunday, July 13, 2014
Avila Beach, CA
