Alternative Tastes Wine Fest: Celebrating Paso’s Unique Varieties, a two-day extravagant event makes celebrates it's second year this August 1st & 2nd, 2025 in Atascadero with the Grand Tasting Experience taking place at the Pavilion on the Lake.
Presented by Brecon Estate and CRUSH Vineyard, the event features an estimated 30 local boutique winemakers pouring wines produced from a short list of grape varietals with 1,000 acres or less planted in the United States.
The concept was born out of the highly popular Tannat & Albariño special interest group tastings hosted by Brecon Estate. CRUSH Vineyard, focused on estate-grown Tannat, approached Brecon Estate with a proposal to help combine the events and throw the doors wide open to the public. Hence “Alternative Tastes” was born.
“Folks just love these focused wine tasting. Nowhere else can you deep dive into the next potential big thing! In future years, we may focus on other up-and-coming varieties to keep the festival fresh and interesting” said Damian Grindley, Founding Winemaker of Brecon Estate and the festival’s Co-Chair.
The festival takes place across two days and kicks off with a sunset alfresco Dining Experience at Brecon Estate followed the next day by an in-depth educational seminar and a walkabout Grand Tasting at the Pavilion on the Lake.
Schedule of events:
Friday, August 1st
6:00-9:00 p.m. - Dinner Experience at Brecon Estate
Saturday, August 2nd
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Winemaker Seminar and lunch
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Grand Tasting & Charity Auction*, with food available for purchase
*A table of silent auction items includes exclusive wines and elevated wine country experience packages. 100% of auction proceeds and net proceeds from the event benefit the Libretto Conservatory. SENTENCE ABOUT LIBRETTO CONSERVATORY MISSION.
