Tablas Creek/Windrose Farm event July 31, 2004 for Outstanding in the Field Dinner Series/Slow Foods


July 31, 2004

What a great day we had in the Paso Robles area. We were up in town working on the house project this weekend and heard about this dinner. The event was put on by Outstanding in the Field as part of the Slow Food movement. We had been interested in this movement toward heirloom food and read about this organization in Eating Well. When Tablas Creek sent out a message about the dinner, we were definitely up for it.

First we visited Windrose Farm. Barbara Spencer gave us a tour of her 70 acre organic farm on the eastside of Paso Robles. Beautiful location and wonderful philosophy. We munched on fabulous heirloom and spiced almonds and freshly dried apricots from the farm. The Tablas Creek Vermentino was a perfect start sitting under the large oak tree. The tour went through the farm included a large field of pozole corn and a variety of tomatoes, apples, stone fruit, and beans. For us it was the first time we ever saw black beans in the plants instead of dried in a bag or in a can.

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After the great afternoon at Windrose Farm, we all took a leisurely drive to Tablas Creek Vineyard. We started the evening down at the winery. Jason Haas lead us on a trip through the history and the fields of the Tablas vineyard. We ended up on a hill overlooking the vineyards. We had a wonderful dinner. Produce provided by Windrose. Starting with farm fresh gazpacho and a tomato sorbet with cilantro oil and the Tablas Creek Rose. Next came Scallop ceviche served with tortilla chips and the Esprit De Beaucastel Blanc. The bread provided by the amazingly enthusiastic Ciro Pasciuto. The main course was a delicious Rinconada lamb served with some incredible smoked heirloom beans and the Esprit Rouge 2002. Our always beloved cheese course followed with sheep milk cheese in a Manchego style from Rinconada Dairy in Santa Margarita. Villa Creek cooked and provided one course of wine (the High Road 2002 which we hadn't had before). Finished with a stone fruit tart with gelato and a wonderful new Tablas dessert wine (Vin de Paille). Great company around the table with folks from Tablas, Windrose, Rinconada and Willow Creek Ranch. With the full moon rising over the vineyard, we headed back to town filled with the spirit of the farm.

For those of you we mentioned this event to, next time you better listen because you missed out on a nice one....

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