The Central Coast Wine Classic Rare & Fine Wine Lifestyle Auction in Avila Beach breaks previous record

For 26 years The Central Coast Wine Classic Foundation's Board members, Stephanie Harkness of Santa Cruz, James Hathaway of San Luis Obispo, Alfred Griffith of San Luis Obispo, Carissa Chappellet of Big Sur and Archie McLaren of Avila Beach have done a tremendous service to the people of the Central Coast of California.










The Foundation awards monies from the Central Coast Wine Classic to fund grants on specific projects for non-profits from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties whose purposes and missions involve the studio arts, the performing arts and the healing arts. Grants are awarded in the Fall following that year's Wine Classic. Beneficiaries are determined by early January preceding that year's Wine Classic.





From net proceeds from the Wine Classic, the Foundation funds specific projects for 501(c)3 non-profit corporations in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County whose missions are in the Healing, Performing or Studio Arts.





Over the past six years the Foundation has conferred grants totaling $1,370,025 to 62 such non-profits. Grants for 2010 will be conferred in early October in San Luis Obispo.

For 2010, the Board has chosen the following beneficiaries: Adelaida Historical Foundation, Paso Robles; Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo; Cognitive Fitness & Innovative Therapies, Santa Barbara; Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County Adult Day Services Program, San Luis Obispo; Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo; Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles; God's Haven for Children, San Luis Obispo;


Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter, San Luis Obispo; North County Dance & Performing Arts Foundation, Paso Robles; Pacific Wildlife Care, Morro Bay; San Luis Obispo County Historical Society, San Luis Obispo; Studios on the Park, Paso Robles; United Cerebral Palsy Work, Inc, Santa Barbara.


The Annual Fund-A-Need Auction Lot will inure to the benefit of the Senior Nutrition Program of San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo.



The fog was lifting away revealing a beautiful day in Avila Beach. As we walked down the hill from the Avila Beach Golf club to the bright yellow and white tents we could not help but wonder at the beauty of this section of California's Central Coast.






We found our table and proceeded to the Silent Auction area. As guests walked up and down aisle after aisle of vintage wines one could not help but be caught up in all of the action. Several lots of vintage Margeaux wines was sure to catch your eye as well as individual German and Austrian wines that dated back to vintages from the 1970's.





The Silent auction was not just about fine wines but also included Diamond bracelets , one of a kind art pieces of every discipline imaginable . If those were not of interest there were trips , cruises and dinners to almost any destination in the world you could imagine. The live auction was "lively" to say the least with large winning bids for art , trips , wine and dinners which proceeds went to the very worthy causes chosen this year.





Guests would not go hungry as they were bidding on many magnificent lots of fine art , wine , world wide travel and even a Lexus. Chef Ian Mc Phee of Mc Phee's Grill at The Avila Beach Golf Resort created and presented us with a magnificent luncheon.

San Luis Opispo Antipasto :

Happy Acres Family Farm Warm Goat Chesse
Fresh Mozzarella
Grilled Peppers & Onion Agrodolce
Grilled Artichokes
Assorted Olives and Breads



Salmon Cake & Butter Lettuce Salad

Heirloom Tomatoes & Lemon Tarragon Dressing







Oak Grilled New York Steak

Italian Salsa Verde & White Bean Salad

Profiterole with Fresh Berries

Junes Honey & Ricotta Cheese












The Central Coast Rare and Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction really impressed us in many ways. This auction really showed what the "food and wine lifestyle " is. It is about enjoying and sharing fine wines and food in wonderful venues as you make new acquaintances. In addition , by attending and bidding , you give back. And in our opinion that is the MOST important aspect of the whole "food and wine lifestyle".