Upcoming Events:
Wine Makers Invitational Cook-Off
Saturday, August 12 is one of the fun events for wine in the Paso area.  It's the Annual Wine Makers Invitational Cook-off and Benefit.  Wine makers will be pouring freely some of their best wines paired with some of the best that can be grilled  ( the food must be grilled to qualify for competition).  Since it's good hearted competition among people who love to eat and drink, there is always fun times and tricks to win the roving trophy and bragging rights.

Olive Festival in the Park
Paso is not only about wine, it's also becoming a respected producer of premium Olive Oil.  The climate that makes Paso Wines so good is also great for growing olives.  On Saturday, August 22 City Park in Paso will host the second annual Olive Oil Festival. The Festival brings together olive oil producers from California to show off their product, give demonstrations of  production and just enjoy.  Olive Oil Ice Cream is one of the unique pleasures of the event.

There is a lot happening in Paso in August.  Please check out the Events Page. and bookmark my web site to keep track of local events.

- Best of Show,  Class, and White 
     Robert Hall Viongier 2005
- Best of Class and Best Red
     River Star, Syrah 2003
- Best of Class, Cabernet
     Meridian 2003
- Best of Class, Blended Red
     Justin  Isosceles 2003
- Best of Class, Chardonnay
     Baileyana 2004
 
After reading that Riverstar had won Best Red, I  had to try a bottle.  I was not familiar with Riverstar and wanted to know more about them.  Riverstar has been operating as a vineyard grower for many years,  but like many producers of excellent fruit they now have their own label.  I purchased a bottle of Riverstar Syrah 2001, and found the wine to be very good.  It has the Paso characteristic flavor (hints of pepper),  but maintaining varietal character. 

Cooking Corner:  (Personal recipes and views on Cooking Paso Style)

Wine Barrel Smoker
My secret for cooking Paso Style is a custom designed Wine Barrel Smoker which can be built out of commonly available parts in an afternoon. It makes a wonderful cooking method and center piece for entertaining.   

Here's what you will need:

- 1 used wine barrel - 1 Cast Iron Dutch Oven - 1 sheet expended steel - Garage Door angle steel - Single burner hot plate - box of # 8 Pan head screws,        3/4 Inch

Drill holes into and screw each barrel stave to all barrel hoops of the barrel.  Wine barrels rely upon moisture to keep the barrel together, as it dries out it will fall apart, unless fastened.
Using a Jig Saw or reciprocating saw carefully cut the top from the barrel below the second hoop.  Drill a hole in the barrel near the bottom for the power cord to exit.  Place the hot plate in bottom of barrel with switch in ON position. Place Dutch oven on the hot plate.  Cut the expanded steel in a circle that will just pass though the barrel opening. Bend the angle steel into 2 U shape pieces that will form the legs of a platform supporting the circular expanded steel grill.

I use a combination of charcoal and wood chips in the Dutch oven to get the cooking process started and let the hotplate continue the cooking process for the long slow cooking that makes great Barbeque.
As always, with fire and electricity either, be careful.

Ron Johnson
Broker Associate, Realtor
(805) 423-1902
www.pasostyleliving.com