Hospice du Rhône, the world’s largest gathering of Rhône variety wines and Rhône producers invites all wine lovers to get their Rhône on at the 19th annual Hospice du Rhône celebration April 28-30, 2011 in the acclaimed wine region of Paso Robles, California USA.
For 19 years, Hospice du Rhône has hosted diverse Rhône personalities from the world over, tasted attendees on wines found only at the event and have been a platform for experiences that shall always be remembered. The mission of the organization is to continually find the new and old of the Rhône world and share those stories with the inspiring and spirited Rhône community.
“The 2011 theme, So You Think You Can Rhône, embraces the heartwarming and often hilarious stories from the community of Rhône producers and enthusiasts,” notes Vicki Carroll, Director of Hospice du Rhône. “Over the years, there have been partnerships formed at the event such as the collaboration between Miner Family Vineyards of Napa Valley and Domaine François Villard of France with their wine, La Diligence. We know there are so many additional stories and we are asking people to share them through our How Do You Rhône campaign.”
This year, the 2011 theme, So You Think You Can Rhône, will encompass the interactive element, How Do You Rhône? An online program, hosted on the Hospice du Rhône website, will encourage the greater wine loving community to share a picture, a short story, a haiku, a quote, tasting notes, a food and wine pairing or something else that reflects how they Rhône or want to Rhône. Together, the community will create the thickest “passport” for all things Rhône on the web.
Enthusiasts and producers alike can add to the story collection by clicking on the well-traveled passport located on the organizations website homepage. There is no limit to how many times someone may post to the How Do You Rhône campaign. The sharing of minds does not stop on the web. This program will be integrated into the 2011 event weekend and into the organizations iPhone application, iRhône.
In 2011, Hospice du Rhône will once again roll out the red carpet by hosting over 130 Rhône producers and importers from France, Australia, South Africa, Spain, Washington State, Oregon, Arizona. California and beyond. Attendees will taste Rhône wines from each of these regions throughout the event weekend by strolling the halls at the Friday Rhône Rendezvous and Saturday Grand Tasting. Guests will also have the opportunity to truly interact with like-minded Rhône lovers at the ever-popular Rhône ‘n Bowl and at each of the Rhône inspired meals including the brand-new Soirée.
To add to the serious fun at the 19th annual event, guests can partake in the 2011 Seminar Series with either a Weekend Pass or individual Seminar Passes. To date, the organization has announced Drew Noon of Noon Winery from Australia who will chronicle the 2011 growing season for his wine, Eclipse. Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co. hailing from Sonoma and Joey Tensley of Tensley from Santa Ynez will take the stage together to share the word of Syrah. Taking attendees on a journey through France’s Roussillon will be an ensemble of Roussillon producers including Hervé Bizeul from Clos des Fées, Pierre Gaillard from Domaine Madeloc, and Marjorie Gallett from Le Domaine Rocs des Anges.
Passes are currently on sale for the 19th annual Hospice du Rhône celebration taking place April 28 – 30, 2011 at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California. Event passes begin at $100.