Best Western Plus Black Oak Blog

Rhône lovers rejoice! The Hospice du Rhône is hosting its bi-annual Paso Robles Conference on April 26 to 28.
 

Uniting the Global Rhône Community

Taking place at the Paso Robles Event Center, it aims to unite the worldwide Rhône wine community with three days of in-depth educational seminars, tastings exploring global Rhône wines and carefully-curated meals.
 
The Hospice du Rhone event never fails to attract an international group of winemakers, importers, enthusiasts, sommeliers and members of the media who all share a passion for the twenty-two Rhône varieties. In fact there will be more than 130 global Rhône wine producers sharing their wines at both the Opening and the Closing tastings.
 

Sensational Seminars

The conference’s 2018 Seminar Series once again reads like a who’s-who in the world of wine. Featuring Rhône winemakers and winegrowers alike, the series kicks off with a lively look at the South African Cinsault renaissance. Presenting a collection of wines that will deliciously illustrate this Cinsault phenomenon will be: Ryan Mostert of Silwervis, Andrea Mullineux of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, Tremayne Smith of The Blacksmith and Danie Steytler of Kaapzicht Wine Estate. It will be moderated by Lauren Buzzeo of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
 
Digging deep into the historic soils of the Hoffmann Vineyard, planted back in the 1880s in Australia’s Barossa Valley will be four dynamic winemakers and one sixth generation farmer. Examining cultural history and how winemakers interpret fruit from the same vines will be Adrian Hoffmann of Hoffman Vineyard, Paul Heinecke of Soul Growers, Russell Johnstone of RBJ Vintners, Chris Ringland of North Barossa Vintners Collaboration and Michael Twelftree of Two Hands Winery & Twelftree, along with moderator Chuck Hayward of Vinroads.
 
Adding to the docket will be an in-depth look into the fascinating history of the California Rhône vineyards that date back to the 1880s. Sharing Rhône wines from a variety of historic California vineyards, insight and stories of the past will be presenters Morgan Twain-Peterson, MW of Bedrock Wine Company and Tegan Passalacqua of Sandlands and Turley Wine Cellars. Moderating this look at the past will be John Alban, Founder of Hospice du Rhône and Alban Vineyards.
 

Fine Pairings

There will also be cuisine from Chef John Toulze of the girl & the fig of Sonoma at an invite-only welcome reception, the refreshing fare of Chef Nick Nolan of Society Cuisine of Paso Robles for the Rosé Lunch, and the talented Chef Spencer Johnston of Danior Kitchen Catering from San Luis Obispo at the Saturday Farewell Dinner. 
 
There really is no better way to indulge your love for Rhône. If you’re looking for a stylish accommodation option while you’re attending the conference, check out the family-run BEST WESTERN PLUS Black Oak Hotel. The Black Oak features a variety of well-appointed rooms and suites, along with an onsite restaurant, heated pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness center.