16th Anniversary

Garagiste Festival
Paso Robles

November 6-8, 2026

#1 Wine Festival in the Country by USA Today!

NEW FRIDAY LOCATION AT THE AVA HOTEL

UPGRADED VENUE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS / ALL INDOORS

We are thrilled to be coming back for the 16th Anniversary Garagiste Festival in downtown Paso Robles. Following is our official schedule of events that includes wine, wine and more wine. Some great nibbles, too. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to taste rare, hard-to-find, world-class wines and meet the artisans who create them. You are going to love what you taste!

Discover and taste amazing, cutting edge wines from over 50 high-quality, micro-production, commercial winemakers from Paso Robles.

Most of these excellent, but hard-to-find, artisans do not have tasting rooms, and can’t be found on “wine country” maps. Many sell out their wines quickly to their allocation lists. The Garagiste Festival gives you the opportunity to get in on the ground floor and meet these winemakers in person as they share their wines and their stories.

What’s the big deal about being small? These are artisans in the true sense of the word. Their wines are created from personal passion, not a marketing strategy. These are NOT supermarket wines, and the difference is astounding. Come taste for yourself!

We are currently finalizing all the details but following is our basic schedule of events that includes wine, wine and more wine. Some nibbles too.:) We hope you will come out and support these small, hard-working winemakers. We know you’re going to love what you taste.

FESTIVAL LOCATIONS

> FRIDAY <

The AVA Hotel
944 Pine Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Rare & Reserve Tasting & Buffet Dinner
Friday 6:30-9:00pm
$95

> SATURDAY <

Paso Event Center
2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles, CA 93446

VIP All-Day Access
Saturday 11:30am–8:30pm
$165

Early Access Grand Tasting
Saturday 1–5pm
$99

Grand Tasting
Saturday 2–5pm
$79

Rockin’ After-Party
Saturday 5:30-8:30pm
$29

WEEKEND PASS
All Events both Friday & Saturday
Including All Day VIP Access & After Party
$219

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th

Rare & Reserve Party

TIME: 6:30-9:00pm

The AVA Hotel
944 Pine Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Start the weekend off right by tasting the best of the best! Attendees will get to experience over 50 of the best wines our Garagistes have to offer - only available at this event! No Repeats! White and reds, library, sneak peeks, club only, vintage verticals and even a few barrel samples. These are top-of-the-line wines that rarely see the light of day and will surely impress your palate! Due to the rarity of these wines tickets are limited. The evening also includes a Mediterranean-inspired buffet created by Chef Julien Asseo. Designated driver/dinner tickets available.

An intimate party to energize and impress your palate — Only 150 Tickets Available.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7th

The Main Event at the Paso Fairgrounds

Paso Event Center / Estrella Hall
2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles, CA 93446

11:30am–9:00pm VIP All-Day — $165 - Check-in starts at 11:15am — Must be purchased in advance
1–5pm Early Access — $99
2–5pm Grand Tasting — $79
5:30-8:30pm Rockin’ After-Party — $29 — Must be purchased in advance

11:30am-12:30pm *VIP Ticket & Weekend Pass Only

The day begins by bringing back one of the most popular features of the Garagiste Festivals, it’s our engaging, educational and unique winemaker panel and tasting seminar. The seminar is only available as part of the VIP All-Day and Weekend Pass tickets, which also includes a Wine Country Box Lunch*, (4) hours at the Grand Tasting (with Early Access at 1pm), and entry into the Rockin’ After Party.

Let's Taste Italian: An Exploration of Italian Grape Varieties Grown in Paso

Moderated by Garagiste Co-Founder Stewart 

While the Rhone Revolution has taken California by storm over the last 30 years, the Italians have been making wine in the state since the Gold Rush, bringing clippings from their homeland of the vines they just could not live without. The diversity of the soils and climate in Paso Robles allows our vintners to produce just about any grape on the planet and Italian varieties are on the rise once again, especially with our Garagistes. We are excited to bring the focus back on these traditional wines and styles as they find renewed favor in the vineyard and the glass. A little taste of La Dolce Vita to start the day! Seminar panelists to be announced soon, and they'll be great, as always!!

Panelists: To Be Announced

Saturday Grand Tasting - 2:00-5:00pm

The festival’s Grand Tasting follows from 2-5pm with over 50 winemakers pouring 200+ wines and 20+ varietals. Complimentary cheese & charcuterie plates will be available by Vivant Cheese, along with free bottled water and a keepsake 16oz crystal souvenir glass. Take a minute to relax or shop and sample with local vendors in our Artisan Marketplace.

Our “All Wine” Silent Auction will be going from 1-4pm and is the ONLY way guests can take home these amazing wines. Don’t miss out on these unique bottles and special offerings from your favorite wineries! All proceeds from the auction support the Garagiste Scholarship Fund at Cal Poly SLO.

Rockin’ After-Party

5:30-8:30pm — $29

The day is capped with the festival’s traditional Rockin’ After-Party from 5:30-8:30pm, where VIP and Weekend Pass guests mingle with the winemakers, enjoy complimentary craft brews, share some more wine and listen to some live tunes to unwind and keep the good times rolling. Food will be available for extra purchase. Tickets must be purchased in advance.