{"id":4169,"date":"2014-04-18T14:14:09","date_gmt":"2014-04-18T21:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hootnannieblog.com\/?p=4169"},"modified":"2014-04-18T14:14:09","modified_gmt":"2014-04-18T21:14:09","slug":"earth-day-food-wine-festival-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.threeadventure.com\/hootnannie\/2014\/04\/18\/earth-day-food-wine-festival-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Earth Day Food & Wine Festival 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u00a0I\u2019m starting to realize that Earth Day Food and Wine Festival<\/a> is the most important event that happens in the Paso Robles area. Sure, there are lots of great events in Paso and many of them have a cause but what better cause is there than taking care of the earth? I mean, an event that goes to helping dogs is fantastic but if the earth is dying does it really matter in the end?<\/div>\n

Exactly.<\/p>\n

So there we were last weekend at the new Earth Day venue, Castoro Cellars<\/a>. It had been at Pomar Junction the prior three years I believe and Santa Margarita Ranch prior to that. We attended those and they were awesome but I think Castoro really nailed it.<\/p>\n

They have this great meadow area back behind the tasting room that\u2019s surrounded by vineyards and oak trees (it doesn\u2019t get much more Paso than that). It\u2019s the same place they held their Beaverstock<\/a> event last year and they are doing it again this year.<\/p>\n

There were many of your usual suspects<\/a> involved this year. You know\u2026wineries, restaurants, caterers, and birds of prey (see photos below) all coming together in the name of sustainability. The folks behind Earth Day, the Vineyard Team<\/a>, are also behind the SIP Certification<\/a> (SIP = Sustainability in Practice) for vineyards and wineries that choose to go through the process.<\/p>\n

The Vineyard Team never ceases to amaze me. I\u2019ve seen their work from both sides; the consumer side as well as an independent contractor that worked with them for quite some time on their social media efforts. Inside and out they are a dedicated team of earth lovers who don\u2019t just hug trees, they know how to party too.<\/p>\n

With approximately 1,500 people at their Earth Day festivities this year they were able to recycle or compost all trash with the exception of one bag. If they can do that I know that we (you and me) can do far better in our own homes and businesses.<\/p>\n

Other than the wine the stand outs for me this year were the Damon Castillo Band<\/a> (they are awesome), the hawk that Sammy got his picture taken with, and the venue itself. I have said it every other year but Earth Day really feels like a get together with great friends in a cool backyard and this year the venue and the people absolutely made that true yet again.<\/p>\n

A very big thank you to Kris, Kyle, and Beth. You three do an amazing amount of work in what seems to be very little time. I know there are tons of others that help you do what you do but you three are the orchestrators and not only do you put on a great party but your dedication to sustainability is admirable.<\/p>\n

So that\u2019s it from me, another incredible Earth Day Food & Wine Festival. Hope to see you there next year!<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Cincopa<\/div>\n