28th Annual Wine Festival Features All NEW Wine Country Auction & Dinner on Saturday, May 22

PASO ROBLES, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Paso Robles Wine Festival, the premier wine tasting event held along California’s Central Coast, incorporates an all new Wine Country Auction & Dinner during the 28^th Annual event, May 21 – 23, 2010. The Wine Country Auction & Dinner held Saturday, May 22 in a chic, temperature controlled tent in the Downtown Park will take place from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. directly after the Grand Tasting. Auction goers will experience the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country while dining with Paso Robles winemakers and proprietors and bidding on exclusive lifestyle items unavailable anywhere else. Wine Country Auction & Dinner tickets are currently on sale at www.pasowine.com.

“The Wine Country Auction & Dinner seats wine enthusiasts next to the area’s celebrity winemakers during a casual-chic evening in the Park”

“The Wine Country Auction & Dinner seats wine enthusiasts next to the area’s celebrity winemakers during a casual-chic evening in the Park,” said Stacie Jacob, executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “Attendees will dine with their favorite winemaker and enjoy a hand-picked selection of wines paired with a family-style dinner prepared by a stellar team of local chefs and lead by Chef Charles D. Paladin Wayne. With nearly 30 brands represented during the evening, guests are encouraged to mingle, swap wines and stories with the risings stars of Paso Robles Wine Country.”

Chef Charles D. Paladin Wayne (Chef Charlie) has more than 35 years experience in culinary arts and has travelled the world perfecting his diverse culinary style. Chef Charlie specializes in wine country cuisine and has a passion for pairing wine and food together. Dinner features fresh, local, farm to table ingredients including product from Hearst Ranch Beef, California Lamb and other local farms.

The evening culminates at the start of the live, Wine Country Auction. Guests raise their paddles to bid on lifestyle and wine country related items only available during this special Paso Robles Wine Country experience. Highest bidders may go home with signed large format and magnum bottles, exclusive wine country getaways featuring personalized tours, original Wine Festival artwork created by famed French artist, Erwin Dazelle and much more to fulfill each and every collector and traveler. A detailed list of auction items will be available on www.pasowine.com in early May. A portion of the proceeds raised through this auction will be gifted back into the local community through organizations that support healthcare, education and greater community service.

Wine Country Auction & Dinner tickets are available on www.pasowine.com for $250. Auction ticket holders are allowed entrance to the Saturday Grand Tasting from 3 – 7 p.m. featuring more than 90 wineries pouring over 400 wines. Auction goers are also encouraged to attend the Winemaker Seminar on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Downtown Park tent. The seminar features winemaker panelists, guest sommeliers and an in-depth look at Paso Robles wines. Seats are limited and are available on a first come first serve basis on the day of the event. Wine Country Auction & Dinner ticket holders may also upgrade to the Weekend Pass for an additional $75 allowing them entrance to the Friday RESERVE event from 4 - 6 p.m. RESERVE kicks off the weekend with over 70 wineries featuring reserve, library, barrel, power white and Rosé wines.

In addition to these marquee events, more than 140 area wineries host special activities throughout the weekend including winemaker dinners, food pairings, cooking classes, winery and vineyard tours to complete your Paso Robles Wine Festival Weekend. Events and times vary. Visit www.pasowine.com for more information and additional ticket levels available.

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance represents wineries, growers and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California’s fastest growing wine region. It encompasses more than 26,000 vineyard acres and more than 180 wineries. For more information, visit www.pasowine.com.