Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/961311
68 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2018 { industry events } A heavy rain clapped onto the tin roof of Oyster Ridge at Ancient Peaks Winery, the events venue where winemakers and a few guests of Wine Speak Paso Robles—warmed by wine and company—gathered in anticipation of the inaugural event. Inside the barn centered in the lush Santa Margarita Ranch AVA of Paso Robles, the enthusi- asm behind Ancient Peaks Vice President of Operations Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins' voice over- powered the relentless pummeling of the downpour as she discussed the event's origins. "I asked Chuck [Fur uya, MS, of DK Restaurants in Oahu, Hawaii] if he would come and teach a class to a few of us here in Paso, and he asked if we could expand on that a bit," she told the guests. STORY! by Jessie Birschbach and Meridith May / photos by Cameron Ingalls Let's U Talk A RECOUNT OF THE VERY FIRST WINE SPEAK PASO ROBLES The seminars for Wine Speak Paso Robles took place in the stately Atascadero City Hall in Atascadero, CA.