Zinfusion Has Done It Again!

June 11, 2014

Zinfusion has done it yet again and we couldn’t be more excited! Last week we found out our 2012 Zinfandel Zinfusion Reserve had won “Best of Class” along with Gold Medal honors at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. As if that wasn’t enough, a few days later we were informed it also took Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful winemaking staff that continues to produce amazing wines year after year. The Zinfusion is one of our most awarded wines and one of our most consistent.

The blend in this years’ Zinfusion is comprised of 86% Zinfandel from our Cobble Creek and Whale Rock Vineyards and 14% Petite Sirah giving it a wonderfully round, smooth and fruit driven body. This wine has always been one of my favorites and this vintage does not disappoint. More than anything, I love how smooth and balanced this wine is. You can pair it with food or drink it all on its own. Mmmmm

Now that summer is upon us there is definitely no shortage of entertainment and good times at Castoro. We’ve got Lazy Local concerts, SLO Folks Concerts, Beaverstock, Hot Summer Soul Night, a 46 West Winery Block Party and much more! Even with so much going on, you can always find a nice tranquil spot at the tasting room to relax, picnic and enjoy the beauty of Paso Robles wine country. One of my favorite new additions to the tasting room is a beautiful set of outdoor wicker furniture that provides such a comfortable and inviting experience amongst the vines. My brother Max has been busy making custom wine barrel side tables and coffee tables to accompany the furniture and he has really done a great job.

Next time you are in the area, stop on by, get comfortable and treat yourself to a true Paso Wine Experience. For upcoming events: http://www.castorocellars.com/events

Cheers,

Luke

Wine Fest 2014 Recap!

May 26, 2014

Another year, another Wine Festival weekend in the bag! Although we’ve done this many many times, it’s always fun to try new things and bring new people out for a weekend of Dam Fine Wine, music and food! This year there was definitely no shortage of activities at Castoro and it all began with our Friday night kick-off concert, featuring the Bobby Santa Cruz Band.

With perfect weather and a great band I had a feeling it was going to be a kick-off to remember and it definitely was. Bobby Santa Cruz and his band were playing a great selection of soul covers and had everyone on their feet by the end of the night. We were dancing like crazy, singing along and begging for more. When the music finally came to an end, everyone was in such high spirits and it was one of those moments that can only be achieved through live music.

On Saturday, a large group of us were in the park in downtown Paso for the annual grand tasting event, which hosts over a thousand people and numerous wine and food vendors. Luckily, unlike last year, the weather was very mild and pleasant which made for a great day in the park. At the tasting room we featured barrel tastings, live music by Back Bay Betty and great food. From what I heard (I was in the park) the crowd at the Tasting Room was great and the music was awesome. I’m a little bummed to have missed it but you just can’t be everywhere all the time!

To kick Sunday off, we hosted a first time event for Castoro with “Yoga in the Vines” followed by an organic brunch and Methode Champenoise. Over 30 yogis came out to enjoy this lovely event, along with some of our lovely staff. The class was all levels and taught by my girlfriend and local instructor Lauren Harvey who did a fantastic job. Yoga is always a great way to start the day and when you throw in brunch and bubbles you can’t go wrong!

Sunday afternoon was a classic day at Castoro with live music by ZZAH who has played our wine fest Sunday for 18 years! These guys are such great people and amazing musicians. They blend funk, jazz, blues and more into a wonderful musical landscape that couldn’t be a better fit for a beautiful Sunday afternoon amongst the gardens. Sunday is typically a bit slower than Saturday but the vibe is always a bit more relaxed and there is something special about that. Sundays should be spent relaxing, rejuvenating and mingling with friends and family, and that is exactly what was going on at Castoro.

You may not have made it this year or last but fear not, there will be many more opportunities to soak in the fun of Wine Fest weekend. For those of you who did make it out, we can’t thank you enough for keeping this wonderful festival weekend alive; we truly couldn’t do it without you!

Cheers,

Luke

Full Beaverstock Line Up is here!

May 19, 2014

The time we have all been waiting for is finally here! We couldn’t be more proud to announce the final line up for the 2014 Beaverstock Festival. After last year’s event we learned a lot and with that knowledge and experience are looking to put on another special event. This year’s event will feature up and coming artists, established Grammy Award winners, multiple genres and great local talent. Without further ado, I will proceed to the Sunday line up! (For the previous blog featuring Saturday’s line up click HERE.)

Our Sunday headliner is a band I couldn’t be more excited to see, they have won multiple Grammies, influenced an entire genre of music and have been on the scene for over 40 years! They go by the name of Los Lobos and they rock! These guys are true pros and their live energy is going to be something to remember at Beaverstock. Without a doubt, Los Lobos will have the crowd cheering, dancing and singing along.

Another Sunday act we are excited to host is a blue grass band out of San Francisco by the name of Hot Buttered Rum. These guys have played a SLO Folks outdoor concert at Castoro in the past and always bring a great energy. Their sound is focused around traditional string instruments but don’t be fooled, they are no sleepy act! I have seen them play many times and I always end up dancing like crazy.

One of the most unique artists we will feature at Beaverstock this year is a singer-songwriter from San Francisco by the name of Sean Hayes. Sean has been on the scene in San Francisco for over 20 years and has toured the country and world relentlessly over the years. His sound is raw, pure and most of all poetic. This will be a set you won’t want to miss. I was fortunate enough to see Sean play in San Francisco last year and was blow away by his presence, voice and command of the crowd.

For local talent we’ve got two of the best acts around with the Zongo All-Stars (voted best local band in 2013) and Jill Knight who will be performing with her band. Zongo brings an energy you must experience live and their sound is described as fun, hot, Afro-Caribbean dance music. It doesn’t get more fun than these guys…. trust me! To kick off Sunday Jill Knight will bring powerful songwriting to the stage and a voice that will mesmerize, captivate and sooth the audience.

The Full Beaverstock Line Up is as follows:

Saturday September 13th

Allen Stone
The Band of Heathens
Eric Bibb
The Moonshiner Collective
Pròxima Parada

Sunday September 14th

Los Lobos
Hot Buttered Rum
Sean Hayes
Zongo All-Stars
Jill Knight

Eager Beaver discounted tickets are on sale now for a limited time and will expire at which point ticket prices will go up by $10. Be an Eager Beaver and save!

Stay Tuned,

Luke

Beaverstock Line Up So Far…

April 25, 2014

The fun and excitement never stops here at Castoro Cellars and this week in particular has been very exciting! After a lot of anticipation we started rolling out our Saturday Line Up so far for Beaverstock. You never know how people are going to react or even what they expect but we couldn’t be happier with the line up of musicians we’ve got on the bill.

Our Saturday headliner, Allen Stone, is an artist I am particularly excited about and feel very fortunate to have gotten. Although you may not have heard of Allen, his talent is once in a generation and because of that he has been featured on David Letterman, Conan O’brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Live at Daryl’s House, Ellen Degeneres and more. He is often compared to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield and many other great soul singers from the 60s and 70s. Growing up in Eastern Washington, Allen is the son of a minister and began singing in the church at a young age. Now 27 years old, he tours worldwide and his live version of his song “Unaware” has been viewed over 3,000,000 times on YouTube! After performing on the Conan O’brien show, Conan exclaimed, “That was phenomenal, good God! Really that was just crazy…” In short, we are in for a treat as this young man is on his way to the top.

Another band I am very excited about on Saturday is a band from Austin Texas by the name of the Band of Heathens. I was fortunate enough to open for them at SLO Brew a couple years ago and was blown away by their blend of Americana, classic rock, folk and blues. With two lead singers and great harmony vocals it’s tough to not fall for these guys. The band also features keyboards/organ, drums, bass and great guitar playing. Their sound is authentic and their live show is not to be missed!

Now on to Eric Bibb, a tasting room/SLO Folks favorite, blues legend and powerful troubadour with one of the most touching stage presences I have ever experienced. Eric has played Castoro many times over the years and I have been fortunate enough to see him play at Live Oak, Laxson Auditorium in Chico amongst other great venues. Not only is his music wonderful, his presence will make the hairs on the back of your neck tingle. Some people have this gift and Eric is one of those people.

Like last year, the two opening acts will feature some of the best local talent, something I feel very proud of. We have great musicians in our local community and it is important to support and encourage their journeys. A band by the name of Próxima Parada out of San Luis Obispo is one of these bands and I’m very excited about the path they are on. Currently recording their debut album, Próxima Parada has taken the local scene by storm and will definitely put on a great show at Beaverstock. Blending funk, soul, folk and rock you will have a hard time staying off the dance floor for these guys.

Eager Beaver discounted tickets are on sale now for a limited time and more bands are TBA with our Sunday line up to be released soon. I hate to keep you waiting, but trust me, Sunday is looking really good! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

Luke

Castoro Rocks the Big Apple!

April 21, 2014

As some of you may have heard, Castoro Cellars wines were featured at the Rock and Roll Hall of fame induction ceremony this year (along with other great central coast wines) and our very own Greg Phifer and his wife Marsha attended the event. Below is Greg’s first hand rendition of the experience. Enjoy!

Last Thursday evening my lovely wife Marsha and I attended the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame Induction Awards in Brooklyn, N.Y. It was an honor to go there and represent Castoro Cellars Winery and their sponsorship of the ceremonies. It was also an evening of musical performances that I will never forget. Peter Gabriel opened up with “Diggin in the Dirt” and then killed it with “In Your Eyes”. Cat Stevens’ voice sounded as youthful as ever as he nailed “Wild World” and “Father and Son”. Hall ‘n Oates rocked out with “I Can’t Go For That”, “She’s Gone” and “You Make My Dreams Come True”.

Bruce Springsteen inducted the E Street Band and performed a soulful “The River” and then tore up the place with “Kitty’s Back in Town”. The survivors of Nirvana (the band that single handedly ended the Metal Glam Band run in the late 80’s and started the grunge/ garage band era) honored the late Kurt Cobain with great renditions of “Smells Like Team Spirit” and “All Apologies”. But I think for both my wife and myself we enjoyed the Linda Ronstandt tribute the most. Glen Frey ( whose band The Eagles were Linda’s first backing band) along with Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris put together five part harmonies on “You’re No Good”, “Blue Bayou”, “It’s So Easy”,”Different Drum”, and “When Will I Be Loved”. That was chilling. Linda did not attend because of her battle with Parkinson’s.

Thank you Niels and Bimmer for making this dream trip come true. Castoro Cellar’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 was front and center at all the artist and VIP’s tables. And according to Joel Peresman,(President and CEO of the HOF Foundation) our wines were the favorites of the night.
This show will be broadcast on Saturday May 31 on HBO. Do not miss it.

Cheers,

Greg

Earth Day Food and Wine Fest!

March 28, 2014

April is right around the corner and that means it’s almost time for the Earth Day Food and Wine Festival! As you may have heard, we are hosting the festival this year in the Beaverstock Meadow and we couldn’t be more excited! This is one of the premier food and wine events on the Central Coast and the entire event is based on promoting local, sustainable businesses while raising money for farmworker education and sustainable Ag research conducted by the Vineyard Team . Luckily, there are many wineries and restaurants that fall into that category on the Central Coast, making this festival an absolute must.

If you weren’t able to make Beaverstock last year and experience the meadow, it is truly an amazing spot. Tucked away in our Whale Rock Vineyard, the venue is only a couple hundred yards from our Tasting Room and is just off Highway 46 West. With views of rolling hills and shade provided by giant oaks, you really couldn’t ask for a better spot.

(Photo of the Meadow from Beaverstock)

This year there will be over 200 food producers, an abundance of award-winning wineries, and local area chefs will be cultivating an array of tempting tastes made with seasonal produce, grass-fed meats, artisanal cheeses, local olive oils, and even some Central Coast Chocolate. There will be a food pairing to go with every winery and we are very honored to be paired with Paso favorite Thomas Hill Organics! I can’t wait to see what they have in store this year. (Last year their food was unbelievable and at the top of my favorites list.)

(Castoro’s own Max Udsen – Male Model)

There will also be live music performed by local favorites (and former Beaverstock performers) the Damon Castillo Band. I know I’m a bit biased but I really can’t think of a better way to spend a spring day on the Central Coast. Maybe if you don’t like great food, delicious wine and wonderful music but something tells me you do!

Tickets are still available but they WILL sell out so you’ll want to get them quick if you’re planning on attending. We will be featuring a wide array of our SIP and CCOF Certified wines along side Thomas Hill Organics wonderful food so please stop by and say hi.

See you on April 12th! For more info visit http://earthdayfoodandwine.com/

Cheers,

Luke

Family, History, Quality

March 19, 2014

In the March issue of Wine Country This Month magazine, Castoro Cellars is featured on the cover and inside is an article I wrote about our story. Since many of you won’t have the opportunity to pick up a copy I thought I’d post it here and share the video we made to go along with it! The video outlines our story from the beginning to the present and truly captures what we are all about. Enjoy!

FAMILY. The cornerstone of Castoro Cellars and the thing that holds it all together is family. Not only has Castoro Cellars been a family owned and operated winery since its inception, it is a winery where everyone who steps through the door is embraced with warm family hospitality. Our employees, wine club members and customers are all part of the Castoro family and because of that we are the luckiest people around! The experience in our tasting room is warm, accepting and always fun. Our staff is highly trained and very passionate about the wines, making the experience very comfortable and refreshing.

HISTORY. Founded in 1983, the same year Paso Robles officially became an AVA, Castoro Cellars is one of the oldest wineries in the region. Owners Niels and Bimmer Udsen started the winery from scratch and over the course of 30 years have built what has become one of the premier wineries on the Central Coast. Our Winemaker Tom Myers, has been with Castoro for over 20 years and, in one way or another, has participated in every single vintage. Seeing Paso Robles grow and mature over the years has been an amazing experience and being a major contributor to that growth has been a blessing.

QUALITY. At Castoro Cellars we believe that all great wines start in the vineyard. Since day one Castoro wines have been focused on showcasing the qualities that make the Paso Robles AVA unique. With 10 Estate Vineyard locations, we are able to pull from a wide variety of climates and soil types giving our wines great balance and consistency. All of our vineyards are SIP Certified (Sustainability in Practice) and 350 acres are certified CCOF Organic. Our wines are 100% Estate Grown and this balance of control and sustainable farming give our wines the ability to showcase everything Paso Robles has to offer.

The original article also contained a blurb about Zinfest, but since that has passed I have taken it out. I would like to add that we had an amazing Vintage Paso (Zinfest) weekend and we thank all of you who came out and celebrated with us!

Cheers,

Luke

Zinfest/Vintage Paso is Almost Here!

March 5, 2014

It’s that time of year again and Zin Fest, or Vintage Paso as they now call it, is right around the corner! As many of you know, Zinfandel is a big part of our heritage and this annual celebration is something we have taken part in since the beginning. Even though the name has been changed (to be more inclusive) to “Vintage Paso: Zinfandel and other Wild Wines” we will be holding true to the traditions you have all grown to enjoy and love.

The fun will kick off at Castoro on Friday March 14th with a concert by Nataly Lola and Friends, who will be accompanied by Grammy nominated songwriter Randy Rigby! Doors will open at 6:15 and tickets are only $15/$10 for wine club members. Admission includes both the show and a glass of wine from our famous keg barrel. Chef Phil Lang of Bon Temps Creole Café will be preparing a delectable selection of culinary treats for $12-15 a plate! For tickets click HERE.

On Saturday and Sunday we will be hosting our traditional open house, which is something that always brings back childhood memories for me. I grew up with these festivals and I will never get tired of them because there is so much fun to be had! Sweetwater the Trio will be in the house both days, providing live music from 12-4pm and as always there will be barrel samples, local vendors, and food provided by Splash Café! In my opinion, the barrel samples alone are reason enough to come out because you get an insight into future vintages and get the opportunity to chat with our winemakers about the wines and where they are heading.

Tickets are only $5/day and free for wine club members (we love our members dearly) so you really can’t lose on this one! The Udsen family along with our wonderful staff will be in attendance so please come on out and hang with us, we love getting to know you!

For more info on Vintage Paso Weekend click HERE!

Cheers,

Luke

Three Peaks Grill; Steamboat Springs Co!

February 25, 2014

On a recent trip to Steamboat Springs Colorado, Niels and Bimmer had a pleasant surprise while dining out on the town. Normally this time of year you can find the Udsens up in Kirkwood, but due to the lack of precipitation in California this year my folks had to get creative which is how they ended up in Steamboat Springs Colorado. On their first night out, they really didn’t know where to go and some local advice pointed them in the direction of Three Peaks Grill.

After a slow drive through the icy and very chilly streets the group found Three Peaks and rushed in to warm up. After hanging up their coats (something we don’t do often on the Central Coast) they were escorted to a table in the main dining area. The restaurant is quite large with a beautiful fireplace in the middle giving it a very cozy and elegant feel. There is also a beautiful bar surrounded by more casual seating.

As expected, the first order of business is browsing the wine list and finding the perfect glass for the occasion. As Niels was looking over the menu a big grin crossed his face and he exclaimed, “They have our cab by the glass!” It’s not every day you find your wine on the menu 1,000 miles from the winery and when you do it feels great. After this discovery Niels notified the server and asked if the owner or manager was in. Moments later, owner, Michael Fragola strolled over and introduced himself.

Michael was thrilled to meet my parents and said he had been doing very well with our wine. Not only was the wine a perfect fit for the list, but also Michael was very familiar with Paso Robles and enjoyed wines from the region. Like Castoro Cellars, Three Peaks has been around for a long time and was founded by Michael and has become his passion and life’s work. An avid skier himself, Michael came to Steamboat as a young man chasing the legendary powder and never left. Now his restaurant is one of the hottest spots in town and he still manages to hit slopes on a regular basis!

To get things started in the food department, Niels ordered a round of fresh oysters on the half shell and shrimp spring rolls. As the night went on Niels continued to order a wide array of appetizers to share and everyone enjoyed a wonderful main from Twice Roasted “Peking” Duck to Rancher’s Ridgeline Filet Mignon. The variety of the foods offered was fantastic and everything was very good. They also offer a wide array of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

If you love seafood, steaks and great wine this is the place for you and if you love skiing in one of the most beautiful parts of the country you will be hard pressed to beat this spot! With that said, next time you find yourself in Steamboat Springs, give Three Peaks a try and tell Michael hi from the Udsen family.

Cheers,

Luke

Splash Café: Fresh, Local and Delicious!

February 13, 2014

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of having lunch at Splash Café with owner Joanne Currie and manager Heather Berkowitz at their downtown San Luis Obispo location. Both SLO locations have been carrying Castoro wines for quite some time and I have been so excited to get in there and learn more about Splash, the food and how the wines fit into the equation!

Right off the bat I was fascinated with Joanne’s story as there is so much in common with us here at Castoro Cellars. Joanne and her husband Ross got their start at Splash Café in Pismo Beach 22 years ago and through their focus on family, quality and consistency have expanded Splash Café to three locations. Not only do they use local produce and seafood, when possible, they make everything from scratch. Originally known for their (now world famous clam chowder), it’s Splash Café’s customer loyalty and their insistence on using the highest quality ingredients that has caused chowder sales to grow from 5,000 gallons a year in 1991 to over 40,000 gallons a year between the three restaurants!

At Castoro Cellars we have always focused on diversity in our wines to make sure we have something for everyone who walks in our door and Splash Café is no different with their restaurants. All three locations have a different focus and the chefs at all three locations are more than flexible with any needs a customer may have. The Pismo Beach location focuses on seafood with a fun “beachy” theme, the downtown location is focused on fresh seafood from the grill and the Monterey street location is focused around the Bakery that is located at the restaurant. All three locations receive fresh bread daily from their bakery and all offer gluten free selections.

After hearing Joanne’s story and sharing some of ours I was ready for a glass of Castoro Sauvignon Blanc and their recommended Salmon BLAT, that of course came with a cup of some of the best clam chowder I have had! The Salmon BLAT came wrapped in my choice of a spinach tortilla and was fresh, nutritious and incredibly tasty. The crisp and refreshing acidity in the Sauvignon Blanc was a great fit for the meal and I was one happy camper! I have always loved our Sauvignon Blanc with food, especially seafood so this meal was tugging at my heartstrings from the beginning.

From one family owned business to another it is a wonderful experience to help each other out and work in unison. When you have the chance, stop in at one of the Splash locations and support local, fresh food. The service is great, the wine is Dam Fine and food is made with love daily. Splash will also be providing lunch at Castoro both days of our Vintage Paso Zinfest weekend on March 15th and 16th.

Till Next Time,

Cheers,

Luke