Lifestyle

Item Description

LIFESTYLE, CA- Dine under the stars at Hearst Castle, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Santa Lucia Mountains at San Simeon, while enjoying an inspired meal created by a world-renowned chef. The 2006 Dinner was presented by chefs from Relais & Chateaux Relais Gourmands, Charley Palmer, Michel Richard & Christophe Bellanca; the 2007 Dinner was presented by Chef Cat Cora. The 2008 Culinary Team will be equally remarkable, pairing a multi-course dinner with exceptional wines from both Old and New Worlds. The magical black-tie affair at the Castle hilltop, the featured event of the annual Central Coast Wine Classic, also includes a special, guided tour of the 165-room Castle with 127 acres of gardens, terraces and walkways. A Sunset Champagne reception around the spectacular Neptune Pool precedes the dinner. This event, one of the most sought-after dinners in America, is always sold out and is generally available only to Sponsors and Wine Classic dignitaries.

The 2008 Central Coast Wine Classic, founded by Archie McLaren, will be the 24th year of the event, scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, July 10 - 13. The annual food and wine extravaganza, among the top charity wine auctions in America, features a broad spectrum of activities: in addition to Dinner at Hearst Castle, there are multiple fine wine-oriented educational symposia, luncheons and winery dinners, barrel tastings, winery tours and more. The Silent and Live Auctions offer an eclectic array of fine wines and wine and food-oriented lifestyle packages that range from the Central Coast to Europe. The majority of the event's activities take place at the beautiful oceanfront Dolphin Bay Hotel & Residences in Shell Beach, the Auction is held at Tolosa Winery in Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo County. Each year famous vintners and celebrity chefs from throughout the world journey to the exquisitely beautiful Central Coast of California to participate in the various upscale food and wine presentations.

In addition to Thursday evening's Dinner at Hearst Castle, following will be your agenda for this exhilarating, action-packed week:

* Thursday afternoon Barrel Tasting sampling new releases from 75 wineries.

* Friday Varietal Symposium

* Friday Winery/Winemaker Dinner at a Central Coast winery or restaurant.

* Saturday Rare and Fine Wine and Lifestyle Auction, often ranked among the tops in the nation (2008 Auction Proceeds $1,000,000+). Enjoy the dynamic energy of auctioneers David Reynolds and compatriots, as they auction 100 rare and unique lots. Bid on the 150 eclectic items presented in the Super Silent Auction.

*Saturday Multi-Course Auction Luncheon with an array of California wines.

* Sunday Varietal Symposium

* Sunday Reserve Wine Tasting, presenting the two most special of each of 75 fine wine producers, with cuisine from Central Coast chefs.

The full schedule will be available in October at www.centralcoastwineclassic.org.

Item Special Note

Accommodations and Transportation are not included.