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Considered
the benchmark
in U.S. wine festivals, the Paso Robles-based Hospice
du Rhône takes place over a three-day period,
involving events like seminars, tastings, an auction, and
gourmet meals.
From its modest beginnings as The
Viognier Guild, Mat Garretson and John Alban debuted the event in 1993, envisioning it as a conference of sorts for winemakers and vintners
who were passionate about wine varietals originating from
the Rhône Valley in France. What has now become HdR is the work of local vintners John Alban and Vicki Carroll, as international
winemakers came to celebrate Rhône wines with other
enthusiasts.The photos on these five pages are from the 17th annual (2008)
event, and offer a look at just some of the sights from the
festival.
The
Syrah Shootout, is a closed event
held at Villa Creek restaurant, that pits winemaker against
winemaker in a blind tasting of each other's wines. |
