Sunset Savor the Central Coast, in Pictures

About 1,000 people gathered around the Neptune Pool and the grounds of California’s iconic castle for the kick-off party for our annual Sunset Savor the Central Coast four-day wine and food festival.

Sunset (meaning the time of day and the magazine), Hearst Castle, September 26: Not a bad day at the office! About 1,000 people gathered around the Neptune Pool and the grounds of California’s iconic castle for the kick-off party for our annu…

More Videos From Sunset

Before even getting to the main tasting event over the weekend, guests had a chance to take deep dives into the incredible food and wine culture on the coast—to the abalone farm in Morro Bay, for instance. Here, we’re learning how to plant vi…

Blending our own wine in Ancient Peak’s Santa Margarita Vineyard. Four winemakers brought wines they had made from that very vineyard—four different varieties—and guests learned what character each would bring to the mix, to create a balanced…

On to the main tasting Saturday and Sunday on the gorgeous Santa Margarita Ranch between Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. More than 100 wineries pouring, all the notable area restaurants serving, celebrity chef demonstrations (Michael Voltagg…

Not to mention wine-tasting seminars! This was my world for two days—Winemaker Central, the only air-conditioned spot at the festival, where we could pour Interesting Alternative Whites from the Central Coast, Discoveries from the Great Wine …

The exhale moment at the end of the immensely satisfying (and equally draining) weekend—the view down Pismo Beach from my hotel balcony … and a glass of Beckmen dry rosé from the Sant Ynez Valley. I highly recommend it!