It's an excellent way to see what the rugged middle coast is all about. Hearst Castle and Estate air tours are also available. The extra advantage is the style and detail that Jill Tweedie takes with the tours. She offers wine tours from Paso Robles down to Santa Ynez. They are small, tasting rooms are modest or less, the wine is great and the winemaker is there.
Prices vary widely depending on time and number of people in the group.
Master chef Kathleen deChandenedes puts together day and evening classes, often with chefs from around the area. The location is a renovated riverside building that's part of a neighborhood resurgence. Hospice du Rhone, the annual international celebration of Rhone wines. This is the place to taste the wines everyone is talking about from France to Australia to California. Held at the California Mid-State Fairgrounds in Paso Robles.