First-Ever Paso Garagiste Festival Draws Hundreds to Windfall Farms

Nov. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- Paso Robles, Calif.--The cool weather didn't discourage over  700 wine enthusiasts from attending the very first Paso Garagiste on November 12 at Windfall Farms in Paso Robles.

   Attendees to the sold out event were treated to seminars from some of the top winemakers of the world including Justin Smith of Saxum, Terry Culton from Adelaida Cellars, Neil Collins from Tablas Creek Winery and Christian Tietje of Cypher Winery.

   Attendees were then able to sample wines from over 40 up-and-coming wineries. Wrapping up the day was a winemaker party with more wine and beer (courtesy of Firestone Brewery) and music from Australian country rocker Stephen Rowe.

   All events were held in Windfall Farms' over 11,200 square-foot Stallion Barn where Windfall Farms holds dinners, gala events and wine tastings. "Windfall Farms and wine gatherings such as Paso Garagiste are a natural fit," says Meegan Huff, event manager of Windfall Farms.

   The event was dubbed Paso Garagiste (pronounced gar-uh-zhē-stuh) because the term (meaning "garage owner" in French) was originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers who didn't make their wines at established centuries-old wineries. The Garagiste movement has flourished and now some of the best wines come from these small, fledgling operations. Winemakers featured at the Paso Garagiste Festival produce fewer than 1,200 cases a year.
   
   Windfall Farms was a festival sponsor. "We hope Paso Garagiste becomes an annual event," says Greg Boyd, general manager of Windfall Investors LLC.  "The Paso Robles region boasts dozens of small wineries. Windfall Falls is happy to support them in celebrating their extraordinary vines."

   For information about events at Windfall Farms, contact Meegan Huff at 805-239-0711, meegan@windfallfarms.net.

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About Windfall Farms

Windfall Farms, with its 720-acres of rolling hills and agricultural land just outside of Paso Robles, is owned by Limoneira Company , a leading agribusiness with prime agricultural land and operations, real estate and water rights throughout California. Known for implementing successful, sustainable farming and business practices, Limoneira uses solar energy, water conservation and organics recycling to reduce its carbon footprint. In addition to Windfall Farms event facilities, the property features 10-acre or more homesites and includes paved roads, water wells, irrigation piping, stables, the main residence and a world-class racetrack. For information, go to www.windfallfarms.net.