One of  my favorite wine events is The 5^th Annual Chardonnay Symposium (TCS).   This year, it will be held at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa in Pismo Beach, May 16-18, 2014.  It is the country’s premier event for education of Chardonnay wines.

 Beginning May16, 2014 Friday evening, Executive Chef Maegen Loring, the darling of the Central Coast Winemakers, and Executive Chef Jacob Moss will prepare a Wine-Country-Inspired multi-course dinner meticulously paired with both internationally and domestically produced world-class Chardonnay wines at Lido at Dolphin Bay in Pismo Beach.  Proceeds from the dinner will be donated to the Cal Poly Wine & Viticulture Program.

On May 17,2014, is the best event — the one that made me love this event —  the TCS Seminar & Panel Discussion  from 9:30am-12:30pm, that will be once again be moderated by Steve Heimoff, West Coast Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.   Lively debates on the role of oak, unoaked chardonnay, malolactic fermentation, clones, and the heavy manipulation of the chardonnay varietal have made past panel topics riveting.  I hope this year’s discussion includes more topics of great interest and of course, will highlight those wines and producers. To be announced are the panelists from both domestic and international producers and authorities. Immediately following from 1pm-4pm,  is The Grand Chardonnay Tasting & Silent Auction with proceeds from the Silent Auction going to the Cal Poly Wine & Viticulture Program.

Finally on Sunday, May 18, 2014, the local Edna Valley wineries will offer ancillary promotions and events in conjunction with TCS, and I plan on visiting the very best for Chardonnay like Center of Effort, Kynsi, and Tolosa.

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