2011 27th Annual Central Coast Wine Classic Grantees Announced
The Central Coast Wine Classic Foundation is pleased to announce the grantees for funds from the 2011 Twenty-Seventh Annual Central Coast Wine Classic, to be held from July 7th through 10th, 2011, in Avila Beach, Shell Beach, San Simeon, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. From net proceeds from the Wine Classic, the Foundation funds specific projects for 501(c)3 non-profit corporations in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County whose missions are in the Healing, Performing or Studio Arts. Over the past seven years the Foundation has conferred grants totaling $1,615,943 to 76 such non-profits. Grants for 2011 will be conferred in early October in San Luis Obispo.
For 2011, the Wine Classic Foundation Board has chosen the following beneficiaries: Avila Beach Civic Association, The Center for Nanomedicine in Santa Barbara, Coast Caregiver Resource Center in Santa Barbara, Friends of Hapitok in San Luis Obispo, Friends of the Atascadero Martin Polin Library, Friends of the Visual Arts & Design Academy in Santa Barbara, The Link Teens at Work Program in Atascadero & San Miguel, Loaves & Fishes in Paso Robles, North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center in Lompoc & Santa Maria, Northern Chumash Cultural Preservation Kinship in San Luis Obispo, Poetic Justice Project in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Master Chorale, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, The Sexual Assault Recovery & Protection Program of SLO County in San Luis Obispo, United Cerebral Palsy in San Luis Obispo and Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara.
Over the Twenty-Six Year History of the Central Coast Wine Classic, it has been recognized as one of the top charity wine auctions in America and has been lauded by such eminent publications as Wine Spectator, which is one of the event’s annual sponsors, among others. A major benefit for San Luis Obispo County tourism, the Wine Classic hosted patrons from thirty states and almost two hundred California communities during the 2010 event. The Official Hotel venue of the 2011 Central Coast Wine Classic is now the Avila Lighthouse Suites, directly across the street from the beach and park in Downtown Avila Beach.
The theme for 2011 is “The rejuvenation of Avila Beach,” with many of the activities taking place in and around Avila Beach. Activities include a Barrel Tasting, a Reserve Tasting, various Symposia on specific wine types, such as Malbec, Special Wines from Around the World, and Chardonnay from throughout California, as well as a Cooking Demonstration hosted by San Francisco Bay Area Culinary Icon, Narsai David, Winery Dinners, including an Outdoor Winery Dinner Concert at the Avila Beach Resort featuring world-renowned percussionist Airto Moreira and his Group, a Black-Tie Dinner at Hearst Castle, featuring Chefs Roy Yamaguchi, D.K. Kodama and , George Mavrothalassitis from Hawaii, and the exciting Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction, featuring an array of fine wines and unique lifestyle excursions in California, the United States and around the world to countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
The full Schedule of Activities may be seen by visiting the Wine Classic website, www.centralcoastwineclassic.org. Information and reservations may be obtained by calling (805) 544-1285, or by emailing archie@slonet.org.
