Wineries' Roster Set for May 16 Santa Lucia Highlands Gala

MONTEREY, Calif., April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Santa Lucia Highlands is home to some of California's top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay estates. And on Saturday, May 16, the SLH will host its once-a-year public tasting at Mer Soleil Winery.

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Guests on May 16 will have the opportunity to sample award-winning, limited vintages from some of the country's best known producers. Wineries scheduled to pour include: August West, Belle Glos, Bernardus, Black Kite, Boekenoogen, Cattleya, Estancia, Hahn Family Wines, Hawks View, Hope & Grace, J. Lohr Highlands Bench, Joyce, Kosta Browne, La Rochelle, Loring, Mansfield - Dunne, Manzoni, McFarland, McIntyre, Mer Soleil, Miner, Miura, Mooney, Morgan, Novy, Paraiso, Pelerin, Pessagno, Pisoni / Lucia, Prim, Puma Road, Roar, Sarah's Vineyard, Saxon Brown, Scheid, Siduri, Tantara, Testarossa, Tondre, Tudor, and Wrath. 

The food this year will have a distinct, Monterey County flavor with gourmet bites from several of the region's best chefs, including Dyon Foster from Hahn, Todd Fisher from Tarpy's, Tim Wood from Carmel Valley Ranch, Cal Stamenov from Bernardus Lodge, James Waller from the Monterey Plaza Hotel, Brad Briske from La Balena and many more. There will be a rare, "big bottle" silent auction benefiting Rancho Cielo Youth Campus. Live music will be provided by the popular Mario Flores Sontet.

Also available for VIP ticket holders will be two pre-Gala seminars:  "Artisan Cheese Summit" and "Beyond Pinot..."

Mer Soleil Winery, the northernmost vineyard estate in the Highlands, is owned by the Wagner family, of Caymus, Belle Glos, Meiomi, and Conundrum fame. This will be the fourth year the SLH event has been held at this beautiful site. Mer Soleil is located at 1290 River Road, Salinas, California.  

SLH Gala General Admission tickets are $85.00 per person and can be purchased online at www.santaluciahighlands.com

About the Santa Lucia Highlands...

The Santa Lucia Highlands is one of the crown jewels of California viticulture, growing and producing some of the state's best cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. The appellation encompasses more than 6,000 acres of prime vineyards, planted on the elevated terraces of the Santa Lucia mountain range in close proximity to nearby Monterey Bay. The region's unique winegrowing character was recognized with official A.V.A. status in 1991.

Formed in 2005, the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans is an association of vineyards and wineries that grow grapes in the S.L.H. or use the appellation's fruit to craft their vintage releases. The group's online home is SantaLuciaHighlands.com

Contact:Dave Muret.  Email  408.205.1516

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SOURCE The Wine Artisans of Santa Lucia Highlands