Paso Robles Wine Festival Offers New ReCORK America Program
(GrapeVineTrail) - The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and the Central Coast Vineyard Team (CCVT) join forces for the 27th Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival, May 15 - 17, with a new program; ReCORK America - made local by Sip the Good Life.
Each year the Wine Festival recycles all glass, cardboard and plastic used during the main event making ReCORK America a natural progression to the festival's environmental practices. The Wine Festival estimates 10,000 natural corks to be donated to use at the Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery's, Vineyards Growing Veggies, a program which annually generates four tons of fresh, local produce donated to the San Luis Obispo County Food Bank.
"The Central Coast Vineyard Team has been a collection hub for ReCORK America for over a year now, collecting more than three pallets of natural corks," said Kris O'Connor, executive director of the Central Coast Vineyard Team. "Partnering with the Wine Country Alliance allows us to further this movement locally by recycling corks and using them in a way the community benefits. Wine Festival is the perfect outlet to launch the program and educate festival attendees on the green practices used daily throughout the wine community."
Paso Robles Wine Festival attendees are invited to bring their used corks to the Sip the Good Life booth during the Saturday Grand Tasting (1 - 5 p.m.) in the Paso Robles Downtown City Park. Representatives from Sip the Good Life will take used corks off your hands and deliver them to the community garden at Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery where they will be ground and used as mulch. All produce generated from this garden will go toward the Vineyards Growing Veggies program. In 2008, more than 8,000 meals were harvested, and distributed to families, individuals and volunteers who are in need of fresh, locally grown food. Sip the Good Life will offer tips on how to keep natural cork out of landfills and educate attendees on sustainably-produced wines.
"Reducing waste at our local festivals is an important parallel to the daily green practices exercised by the vineyard and winery community," said Stacie Jacob, executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. "Recycle receptacles are available throughout the park and all recyclable materials including glass, cardboard and water bottles are recycled by Paso Robles Waste Disposal, Inc. Recycling natural corks is another item to put back into the earth."
ReCORK America - made local by Sip the Good Life is a vital program, contributing to the production of Paso Robles products, including wine, that are environmentally responsible, economically viable and socially equitable. Begin collecting corks now for your chance to win an exclusive prize. Each individual who brings his/her corks to the Sip the Good Life booth will be entered to win a premium wine country package, courtesy of JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. Package will be on display. For more information and to learn how you can participate in ReCORK America - made local by Sip the Good Life call 805.369.2288.
The Wine Festival Grand Tasting takes place on Saturday, May 16 from 1 - 5 p.m. in the Paso Robles Downtown City Park. New in 2009, is the addition of the Silent Auction being held at Studios on the Park from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Many wineries pouring in the park have their best wines available on the auction block.
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance represents wineries, growers and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California's Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California's fastest growing wine region. It encompasses more than 26,000 vineyard acres and more than 180 wineries.
Information on various ticket levels and Festival information:
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