Rhônely Fun Facts about Hospice du Rhône

Founded: 1991
 
Enthusiasts: Each year over 1,200 Rhône lovers converge in Paso Robles, California USA for the annual Hospice du Rhône celebration. The group is a mix of Rhône producers and importers, wine industry representatives, restaurateurs, Sommeliers and enthusiasts who possess an unwavering passion for the 22 Rhône varieties.
 
Producers:

The 2011 event hosted 157 Rhône wine producers and importers at the Friday Rhône Rendezvous and the Saturday Grand Tasting. Of the 157, 89 producers/importers poured wines at both tastings.

These worldly Rhône wine producers and imports gathered from France, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Chile and the USA. The states represented from the USA are Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.
Wines: Each tasting showeased an astounding collection of wines. The Friday Rhône Rendezvous offered 393 Rhône wine selections. At this tasting producers and importers are only allowed to pour three Rhône wines. The selection of wines at the Saturday Grand tasting almost doubled as producers and importers were able to pour up to 10 wines a piece. This year, the Saturday Grand Tasting offered 613 wines from the 130 producers and importers. These numbers go to show there will always be something for everyone.
 
Volunteers: Over 136 volunteers worked at the 2011 celebration to ensure the event ran smoothly.
 
Sommeliers: At the 2011 event, Hospice du Rhône will hosted 22 Sommeliers from around the United States. This lively group ensured that there was not one corked wine poured at the seminars and meals.
 
Stemware:

Hospice du Rhône utilizes 10,000 pieces of Riedel stemware for every two of the four seminars. That means after the two seminars are finished on Friday the organization has to send out the 10,000 stems to be washed and buffed for use at the Saturday seminars.

Over 2,500 Riedel stems are provided for the two daily tastings and 1,600 plus are utilized for meals and those impromptu after parties. Grand Total of Riedel stems for the entire event is 14,100. That is quite a bit of buffing for our staff and volunteers.
Tables: 376 6 and 8 foot banquet tables were rented for the 2011 event. These tables found homes in the seminar rooms, tasting pavilion and the lunch patio.