Event Details
Date & Time
Saturday, August 7, 2010
6 – 9 p.m.
Venue
River Oaks Hot Springs
800 Clubhouse Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Judges
Presided over by a cadre of respected Food & Wine Judges.
Tickets
Tickets: $75/person
Reserved table for 8: $650
Designated Driver discount: $40/person
Entertainment
Back by popular demand: Julie Beaver & the Bad Dogs!
The talented Julie Beaver has been making audiences smile since she picked up her violin/fiddle at the age of five. Julie plays it all—from Bach to Blues to Bluegrass—and she sings with power and sensitivity. If you've never heard the Rolling Stones or Aretha Franklin on a violin, you'll wonder why no one thought of it before. www.juliebeavermusic.com
Hotel Packages
Shuttle Services
Do’s & Don’ts
Must be 21 to attend
Blankets & beach chairs are welcomed
Ice chests & dogs are not allowed
Free parking is available on-site
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy tickets?
See our Tickets page.
Do you accept credit cards for ticket purchases?
Yes. We accept Visa and MasterCard.
Do I receive a paper ticket when I purchase a ticket on line?
No. Tickets purchased on line can be picked up at Will Call on the day of the event.
Can we buy tickets at the event?
We always recommend buying your tickets in advance, but yes, barring a sellout tickets will be available at the gate. If you feel like living dangerously, check the website on the day of the event to see if tickets will be available.
I'd like a receipt for my ticket as a tax-deductible deduction. How can I get a receipt?
Simply request a receipt upon entry to the Cookoff. We'll happy to provide one.
Do you have senior citizen or group discounts?
No. Sorry, the Rotary Winemakers' Cookoff is a charity fundraiser to provide college and vocational scholarships to local high-school seniors.
Are ticket packages available?
We really want you to be able to ‘Make it a Winemakers' Weekend' and have an enjoyable and affordable stay in our beautiful Paso Robles area. The Winemakers' Cookoff will be partnering with several hotels to create affordable weekend Accommodation & Cookoff ticket packages, including shuttle service from the hotels to the event. Ticket packages and participating hotels for the 2010 event will be announced shortly.
May I refund my ticket?Sorry, no. We're a volunteer organization and just not set up to handle refunds.
What should I wear?
The dress code is casual. However, evenings can get chilly and sometimes breezy, even during the summer. So, having a jacket handy would be wise.
What is the event address and how do I get there?
The Winemakers' Cookoff will again be held at River Oaks. The address is:
River Oaks Hot Springs
800 Clubhouse Drive
Paso Robles, Ca. 93446
You can get to River Oaks Hot Springs by turning from Hwy. 46 East (1 mile east of Hwy. 101 or 1 mile west of Golden Hill Drive) to Buena Vista Drive (the La Quinta Inn and the Martin & Weyrich tasting room are on each corner); turn north on Buena Vista for ¼-mile to Dallons Drive turn left and head northwest (Dallons Drive becomes River Oaks Drive) and follow the signs for about ¾ mile to River Oaks Hot Springs. For a map, go to the site's homepage.
Where do I park?
Free parking is provided onsite at River Oaks Hot Springs. Also, ‘for-a-fee' shuttles will run to and from participating hotels to the Cookoff (for more information, check our website for a list of participating shuttle services).
Do you have room for my RV?
Sorry, we just don't have room at our event site for RVs.
I'm worried about drinking & driving. Any suggestions? Will there be shuttles to and from the event?
Bring a designated driver with you. Designated driver tickets are available for $40 and designated drivers can still enjoy the great food and live music.
We have also arranged to have ‘for-a-fee' shuttle companies pick up and deliver at several of the larger hotels. Check with the shuttle companies listed on our site for stops, cost and schedules. Round trip shuttle tickets may also be included with hotel accommodation. Cookoff ticket packages available for the first time this year.
Can I bring my children or my dog?
We're serving alcohol. So, all attendees must be at least 21 years of age. If your children are 21 or older, they're welcome to attend, too. No dogs or coolers are allowed.
Is there handicapped parking?
Handicapped parking will be available at the event and parking attendants will direct you.
Are there ATMs at the event?
No, but your ticket should take care of all of your food and wine requirements
Can I bring my own wine?
No. Outside alcoholic beverages and coolers are not allowed at the event.
I'm with the media. Who should I contact about publicizing your event or have an interest in attending?
Please contact 2009's Cookoff Publicity and Marketing Chair, Don Davis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 805 239-1230, at least, two weeks prior to the event.
Where can I find out more information about the wineries?
Participating wineries are listed on our Wineries page. Click on their name or logo to visit their websites.
Who runs the cookoff?
The Paso Robles Rotary Club. The Club was chartered in 1924 and is part of Rotary International. Rotary Clubs focus on professional networking and local as well as global community service and education.
I heard this is a fundraiser, who is the beneficiary?
All net proceeds from the Winemakers' Cookoff are deposited into the Paso Robles Rotary's Harlow Ford Scholarship Foundation. College & vocational scholarships of about $30,000 are distributed annually from the Foundation to deserving local high school students. Cookoff scholarships totaling around $230,000 have been distributed to date.
How do you select the winners of the Cookoff?
This event is somewhat unique in that winemakers are judged on their culinary talents and not just their wines. There are two food award categories at the Cookoff.
Judges' Choice first-, second- and third-place awards are selected by qualified independent judges chosen from the culinary and wine industries. Judges sample the food and wine pairings prepared by the winemakers and make their choices.
People's Choice first-, second- and third-place awards are chosen by event attendees who each receive three votes with their admission to cast for their favorite culinary creations. It is customary that some participating wineries will even try to "buy" attendee's votes with some type of "bribe." This feature is encouraged by Cookoff organizers and is always done in good-natured fun. It adds to the entertainment and unique character of the Cookoff.
Will there be entertainment at the Cookoff?
Yes. This year's live music act will be announced soon. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and grab a spot on the River Oaks Hot Springs' natural amphitheater.
Can I bring a camera to the festival and take pictures?
Yes. Attendees with cameras are encouraged. Come on and have fun.
Can I use video or audio recording devices?Generally, home video recoding is not discouraged. Come on and have fun. For commercial and media applications, advance permission is required, Please submit your request, at least, two weeks in advance at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Are Cookoff Sponsorships available?
There are many sponsor opportunities. See our Sponsorship page.