Alternative Tastes Wine Festival returns to Atascadero March 28
27 wineries participate in third annual event at Pavilion on the Lake
– The 3rd Annual Alternative Tastes Wine Festival takes place Saturday, March 28, at the Pavilion on the Lake, 9315 Pismo Ave., featuring rare and hard-to-find grape varieties from California winemakers.
Organized this year by Scott and Denise Schramm of Crush Vineyard in Paso Robles, the festival focuses on wines produced from grape varieties with fewer than 1,000 acres planted in California. Founded in 2024 as a celebration of Albariño and Tannat, the event has expanded to feature a broader selection of uncommon white and red wines. Paso Robles is home to more than 65 grape varieties, and attendees will have the opportunity to taste 25 distinctive wine varieties during the Grand Tasting.
The day begins with a Blind Tasting Educational Seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring industry experts Hal Schmitt of Volatus, Carl Bowker of Caliza and End of the Day, and Brenna Pratt of Midnight Cellars. The seminar will be moderated by Schmitt and Mira Honeycutt, a wine author and journalist. The Grand Tasting follows from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Food will be available for purchase from Baby Bear Biscuits and Quesadilla Gorilla. A silent auction will also take place, with proceeds benefiting Flag Ranch, home to The Flag Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity that facilitates collaboration between horses and people. Charitable gifts fund the care of the herd and land.
Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $50, and seminar plus Grand Tasting tickets are $75. Designated drivers attend free. Tickets are available at my805tix.com/e/alternative-tastes-26/tickets. For more information, visit alternativetasteswinefestival.com.
Participating wineries include Alara Cellars, Allegretto Wines, B2B Wines, Brecon Estate, Boutz Cellars, Bushong Vintage Co., Crush Vineyard, Caliza Winery, End of the Day, Gali Vineyards, In Due Time, Loma Seca, Lone Madrone, MEA Wine, Midnight Cellars, Moose Mountain Vineyards, Optio Vineyards, Parr Collective, Stiekema Wine Co., Tablas Creek, Terranean, Thacher Winery, Tribeca Wine Co., Ulloa Cellars, Vinyl Vineyards, Volatus, and Witch and the Warlock.
