Monday, February 13, 2006
Come enjoy the Cal Poly Wine Festival Golf Classic on Friday, April 28th, 2006 at
Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande.
9:30AM Shotgun Start, Silent Auction and BBQ after Tournament, $135 Per Entry or Weekend Package with Wine Festival Tickets.
More information and online registration available at:
www.calpolywinefestival.comTags:
San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Wine
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Ideal growing conditions along the Central Coast helped propel the state's wine grape production in 2005 to record highs.
The weather cooperated with vintners during the crucial growing season last year, said Bob Lilley, county agricultural commissioner. In the springtime, there were no late frosts which affect the flowering of the vines and reduce the quality of the grapes.
The summer saw temperatures gradually tapering off into fall. Abrupt temperature changes can affect production.
"We didn't have any rain in the early fall, which can create problems for the harvest because it creates rot in the bunches," Lilley said.
The 2005 crop was the first good yield after several years of poor crops because of drought conditions. However, those lean years had the effect of ending a grape glut that had plagued the industry, said Mark Battany, a farm adviser with the UC Cooperative Extension in San Luis Obispo.
"We are on the road to recovery from the glut years," he said. "It will be interesting to see how this year's crop affects that."
Growers were encouraged by the fact that the weather produced a uniformly good crop, said Nathan Carlson, a winemaker with Courtside Cellars and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo.
"It looks like quality is going to be good overall, which is not always the case when you have a large crop," he said.
Wine is the leading cash crop in San Luis Obispo County and other regions of the state. In 2004, California wineries sold 428 million gallons of wine with a retail value of $15.2 billion in U.S. markets, plus an additional 94 million gallons abroad, according to the Wine Institute.
The county's 2004 grape harvest was worth $127.4 million — nearly one-quarter of all crops put together, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Source:
The Tribune, Julie LynemTags:
San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine
Saturday, February 11, 2006
The proposed 147-home Cypress Ridge expansion, which includes a 9-hole golf course, was derailed by the Board of Supervisors.
The board denied an application for a zoning change on 147 acres of land next to the current Cypress Ridge on Nipomo Mesa. Current zoning allows about 29 homes - one for every five acres - and developer Denis Sullivan wanted zoning changed to allow for one home per acre.
Water supplies and traffic problems won't allow more homes, supervisors said, adding sprawl and loss of agricultural land were also concerns.
"At this time, it's too premature," Supervisor Jim Patterson said Tuesday. "There are too many issues that need to be addressed. I couldn't vote for approval of this, so I can't say, 'Go ahead and start the process.'"
The land proposed for the expansion is now a strawberry field. Cypress Ridge currently has about 150 homes and an 18-hole golf course.
Sullivan will continue with subdividing the property into 5-acre parcels.
Tags:
San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf
Friday, February 10, 2006
Six holes in one have been made at area golf courses the past few weeks. Not only haven't I had one, I've never even seen one! Here's the lucky aces:
On Jan. 16, Arroyo Grande's Les Luby aced hole No. 7 at The Links at Vista Del Hombre in Paso Robles using a 4-rescue club. Paul Henlin and Ernie Brigham, both of Arroyo Grande, witnessed the shot.
On Jan. 25, Dale Kiker hit his third hole in one on the 147-yard No. 8 at San Luis Obispo Country Club using an 8-iron. Darrell Clendenen was the witness.
On Jan. 31, Morro Bay's Larry Rentler hit his second hole in one on the 175-yard No. 10 at Morro Bay Golf Course using a 4-iron. Debritz Downing was the witness.
Also on Jan. 31, Morro Bay's Kathy Fitzsimmons hit her first hole in one on the 98-yard No. 1 at Sea Pines Golf Resort using an 8-iron. Michael Fitzsimmons was the witness.
On Feb. 3, Ernie Webb of Palmdale aced the par 3, 148-yard No. 8 at the new Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo using an 8-iron. Dwayne Head, Robert Urmy and Gary Melland were witnesses.
On Feb. 5, Morro Bay resident Ralph Wilson used a 3-wood on No. 17 to record his first career hole in one at the Morro Bay Golf Course. Don and Susan Parker were witnesses.
Tags:
San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Pebble Beach, CA Originally uploaded by
Mike Menelli.
This week, just north of San Luis Obispo County, the AT&T; National Pro-Am golf tournament is being held at Pebble Beach. This PGA Tour tournament is typically held during the month of February on three different Central Coast courses, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Poppy Hills Golf Course and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
In 1937, Bing Crosby hosts the first National Pro-Amateur Golf Championship in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Sam Snead won the first tournament, in which the first place check was for $500. Ten years later the first Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur Golf Championship was held in Pebble Beach on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Cypress Point and Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Sam Snead and Roger Kelly won the pro-am portion.
In 1968 Spyglass Hill replaced MPCC as the third course and in 1986 AT&T; became the title sponsor, after Crosby died in 1977.
Notable professionals in recent years have included Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara, Davis Love III, and Vijay Singh. Notable celebrities have included fan favorite Bill Murray, Kevin Costner, Steve Young, and Carson Daly.
The tournament continues to be a success every year despite the rain fall that sometimes slows down play. No rain is predicted this week!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Linwood Slayton
shares his experience tasting Paso Robles wines at a gala tasting event in Atlanta, sponsored by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. There were 25 wineries present and pouring their wares for the 200 or so trade types invited for the press/media tasting. Below is an exceprt about the experience.
"Paso Robles is a Central Coast California region in northern San Luis Obispo County, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Pacific Ocean is a mere six miles to the west. Admittedly, I was not too familiar with many of the wineries other than J Lohr which has had a presence here in the Atlanta area for some time. The area is characterized as enjoying hot days and cool nights which facilitates a diversity of wines depending upon their location and soil within the region."
"The red wines from this area are known for the following qualities: soft tannins, deep and intense color, a scent and taste of dark chocolate, smooth velvety feel in the mouth and rich fruitiness."
"Armed with the essential information provided, I waded into the tasting area and did my thing. Experience has taight me to limit myself to a small selection of wines and I opted to taste only one wine from each presenter. Given my decision last year to taste only the "best" wines at this stage of my wine journey, I found these five wines to be my 'favorites' of all that I tasted:"
J. Lohr 2000 Cuvee POM, Bordeaux Blend ( retail $59.99)
Jack Creek Cellars 2003 Pinot Noir Reserve (retail $42)
Midnight Cellars 2004 Estate Zinfandel (retail $28)
Nadeau Family Vintners 2003 Critical Mass Zinfandel (retail $28)
Opolo Vineyards 2004 Reserve Zinfandel (retail $38)
"Each of then had a distinct uniqueness that I enjoyed. I especially enjoyed the rich and smooth texture and feel of the J. Lohr Bordeaux blend which was one of the finest Pinot Noirs I have had in a good while. The Nadeau Family Critical Mass Zinfandel was my next favorite selection as the fruit and color were powerful. I daresay that others found different favorites as each of the tasting stations were crowded and the folks in attendance were having a great time. I stayed within my predetermined parameters this time and did not overdo myself and limited my choices significantly."
Source:
Linwood Slayton, wineloverspage.comTags:
San Luis Obispo Central Coast Paso Robles Wine
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Arnold Palmer Wines presents The St. Patrick's Day Clover Classic. Join us for a competitive day of golf on March 17th at Cypress Ridge - 12:00 noon Shotgun Start. Each golfer is entitled to 18 holes of golf, on-course competitions, wine tasting and Firestone ' green beers' served all day. The Three available flights are: Championship (5.5 or less), A (6-12), and B (12.5+). Cost is $70, open to the first 44 players.
Contact Joe Kolina, jkolina@cypressridge.com or 805-489-2781 for more details.
Tags:
San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf
