|
Helping People Live the Paso Style, Events, Wine,
Food, Living
October 2007 |
|
Events:
"Crush"
It's "Crush" time in September. Early grapes are already picked.
Many varieties will be harvested by the end of the Month. It's a time of hard
work and long hours for most wineries. Since it's Crush time major
local events are kept to a minimum, but there is still plenty to do in
Paso Wine Country.
Check out the variety of events this month: concerts,
dinners, Fiesta, Chalk Art, Flea Markets, Airport Day, Thrashing Bee, West
Fest, and even a Grape Stomp. You really appreciate the history of harvest
by stomping hand picked grapes
with our feet to extract the juice. Thank goodness for modernization.
|
|
Quick Real Estate Facts:
(Calif) |
Median home price -
$594,260 |
Highest median home price
Santa Barbara So. Coast $1,375,000 |
Lowest median home price
High Desert $306,310 |
Mortgage rates - week ending
7/12:
-30-yr. fixed: 6.73%; Fees/points: 0.4%
-15-yr. fixed: 6.39%; Fees/points: 0.4%
-1-yr. adj: 5.71%; Fees/points: 0.5% |
|
|
Wine
Notes:
(Local RE and Wine News)
Caparone:
The minimalist approach to vineyard management and wine
making.
Caparone is one of the oldest wineries in the
Paso area. Dave Caparone started making wine
commercially in 1978. He is also responsible for
planting some of the first Nebbiolo Italian varietal in
California. Dave and his son Marc operate Caparone
with an old world view to wine. They choose grape
varieties that fit the microclimate of the area with minimal
vineyard management. The philosophy is a grape growing
in it's ideal climate will need minimal additional
management including minimal water. The philosophy
transfers to their wine making style. The wines are
Unfined, Unfiltered, and single varietal.
Caparone is
responsible for Nebbiolo being one of my favorite wines.
Land
Use in San Luis Obispo County:
Wineries and Tasting room can be built in Agricultural areas
by approval
of a Minor Use Permit which can be approved by the Director
of the County Planning Department assuming all regulations
are met. Note: It is almost impossible to meet all
regulations so approval of the Planning Commission is most
often required. |
|
|
|
Cooking Corner:
(Personal recipes and views on Cooking Paso Style)
New York Strip
stuffed with Gorgonzola: Well, maybe it's
not Paso Style, but it goes great with Paso wine!
Start with think cut boneless New York Strip steaks (1 1/2 to 2 in).
Using a boning knife, carefully cut a small slit in the side of the steak and
then gradually open up a pocket in the entire steak. Season the meat
inside and out with salt and pepper. Finely chop 1 clove of garlic
combine with 2 ounces Gorgonzola per steak. Gently stuff the mixture
in the steak pocket. Coat in cracked peppercorns and grill briefly on each
side. Transfer to an oven safe skillet and finish in the oven for 10
minutes.
|
|
Wine
& Local Trivia:
Football season is quickly
approaching so a this question is very appropriate.
Remember, it's wine related. What is a Punt and a Kick?
| |
a) |
Wine Labels
sponsored by the NFL and Napa Growers to encourage
wine consumption |
| |
b) |
Punt is another
name for Must and Kick is another name for Lees |
| |
c) |
Dimple in Bottom
of Wine Bottle |
| |
d) |
None of the Above. |
(Please visit
http://www.pasostyleliving.com for the
answer) |
|
Paso
Style Living Real Estate:
(Real
Estate market conditions in Paso Wine Country)
Everyone has read the "Doom of Gloom" of the Real Estate market, so
what
caused this mess and what's going to happen? The answer is anyone
guess, but here's my opinion. The RE boom we just experienced was
driven by over speculation. In hot markets many people purchased
homes with no intention of living in them, only reselling for a
profit. In some areas up to 30% of prime mortgages were for
speculation homes. The market became overbuilt, something had to
happen.
My opinion, the RE bust is nearing
the bottom, we are now seeing the Financial Impacts of the RE down
cycle play out. Since RE prices were going up so rapidly
there was no risk for lenders and they made a lot of bad loans. As
prices come down lenders are in trouble with those risky loans. We
will see a slow return of the RE as the financial markets stabilize.
With the announcements of Benanke and Bush of a willingness to support
the mortgage markets we should see some confidence re-established and the
financial markets stabilize.
Remember, Conforming loan rates are still low and
there are lots of deals available.
|
Area
(8/1/2007-8/31/2007) |
Avg Price |
Homes Available |
Sold/Pending |
|
Atascadero |
$549,936 |
257 |
29 |
|
Paso Robles |
$544,588 |
510 |
49 |
|
Templeton |
$706,167 |
109 |
12 |
|
All Paso Wine
Country |
$540,392 |
1036 |
102 |
|
Paso Wine Country
contains the following real estate areas (Paso Robles, Atascadero,
Templeton, San Miguel, Creston, Shandon, Santa Margarita, Bradley,
and Chalome)
(Single Family Homes, SFRSB) |
|
| |
|
Ron Johnson
Broker, RealtorŪ
(805) 423-1902
www.pasostyleliving.com |
 |
 |
|
