Archie McLaren Makes History With The Central Coast Wine Classic, 1985 To 2017
Archie McLaren co-founded the Central Coast Wine Classic in 1985. It became the most significant wine event in San Luis Obispo County history to date. Archie brought the greatest wines, winemakers, and chefs to San Luis Obispo County to introduce them to our vineyards and a new generation of local winemakers. He wanted to create events that would empower everyone. Archie believed that San Luis Obispo grapes and wines were equal to the great wines of the world. He brought winemakers, collectors, members of the wine trade, and the wine media to San Luis Obispo County to meet our growers and winemakers. Most importantly, he created a festival to celebrate our local food and wine to educate all who attended. It was an intimate setting where winemakers from around the world were paired with local winemakers to learn from one another. They bottled their Cuvees and auctioned them off the next day to raise money for local charities. Personal relationships were established that are critical in telling our story and shaping our history.
Archie was also a genius in marketing the Central Coast Wine Classic. He created a network of friends and acquaintances that he called upon for advice, expertise, and sharing pleasures. He used local radio, television, and journalism to tell the story of local San Luis Obispo food and wines for over thirty years. He developed his own radio show, The Winemakers Guide to Indulgence, that broadcast for 23 years. He starred in a television series teaching about local wines in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Archie wrote wine columns in local newspapers and magazines. KCBX, our local NPR station, was the earliest beneficiary of Archie’s efforts, supported by Larry Shupnick, the KCBX Board, and general manager Frank Lanzone from 1985 to 2003.
In late 2003, KCBX developed a new fundraising campaign strategy focused on a wide variety of fundraising events rather than the Wine Classic. The events of 9/11 in New York City and economic challenges profoundly affected the future planning of both businesses and non-profit organizations in the United States.
However, Archie continued to focus on supporting viticulture and winemaking in San Luis Obispo County. He developed five important strategies.
First, he began to build a winegrowers’ infrastructure for the county by supporting the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association to unite and support grape growers. He served as Director to develop membership, support, and marketing strategies for branding and distribution of local grapes and wines. It served as a model for other areas of the county. He built an infrastructure for wine and food education by reinventing the Wine Classic. He added new events focused on food and wine for the first time. Chefs and winemakers around the world were asked to lecture, demonstrate, and work with locals to educate everyone who attended the event. Local chefs also participated to showcase their talents. He encouraged the hotel and hospitality industry to upgrade their hotels, restaurants, and tasting rooms to develop tourism infrastructure.
Secondly, Archie founded his own nonprofit to continue the Central Coast Wine Classic in 2004, building international and national participation at the event. San Luis Obispo wines and winemakers increased their skills and the recognition of our fine wines.
His third contribution was to involve the residents of San Luis Obispo County in volunteer positions at the Wine Classic to develop local food and wine fundraising awareness to benefit local non-profit organizations. The new Central Coast Wine Classic was designed to benefit everyone who participated. Local chefs and winemakers developed outstanding events at local restaurants, wineries, and Hearst Castle, which drew thousands of people to the auction and special events. Hundreds of volunteers staffed the events. Archie involved the public by pairing food and wine in San Luis Obispo County with major charitable causes so that every event at the Wine Classic raised funds to strengthen the arts, educational, food security, the farmworkers fund, and health services in San Luis Obispo County.
His fourth contribution focused on the arts to elevate the Wine Classic. He asked artists to participate in designing the catalogs, wine bottles, and invitations, and to create gifts for each honoree. He invited musicians to perform at special events, including those at Hearst Castle.
His fifth contribution centered on education and featured wine and food. Archie wrote the large spiral-bound catalogs that were distributed to attendees. They provide the historic map of West Coast wineries. The events and symposia are listed each year. The organizers of the Wine Classics, the honorees in various categories such as winemaking, art, growers, auctioneers, painters, chefs, marketing, and food, are presented in detail. Each catalog has a painting on its cover by an artist, from winemaker Gary Conway painting the light and shadows in his vineyards to international artist Yuroz painting lovers with wine in hand; they are filled with treasures of wine, art, music, cuisine, and lifestyle. The donations featured in each auction are described in detail.
Local Volunteers And Fundraising
Local organizations applied to be recipients of annual grants funded by the activities, events, and wine auctions occurring in July or August each summer. They worked as volunteers both at the Classic and in the planning of the event. The Central Coast Wine Classic continued to grow in size and scope under his leadership as Executive Director. The Wine Classic ended in 2017.
The grants awarded from 2004 through 2017 totaled $ 3.2 million. Archie also served on the boards of many non-profits, and among his other contributions, developed an awareness that the wine industry in San Luis Obispo County has developed a model pairing fundraising to support local community needs. This started in 1971 with the first fundraiser for the Mozart Festival (now known as the Festival Mozaic) hosted by Stanley Hoffman at the Hoffman Mountain Ranch Winery (HMR). This unique and remarkable role of the wine industry supporting local charities in San Luis Obispo County is also part of the unique wine history of San Luis Obispo County.
Archie McLaren Changed Wine History In San Luis County
Archie’s major contribution was his focus that San Luis Obispo County wines belong on the table with the great wines of the world. He focused on the unique wines of San Luis Obispo County. In addition to founding the Central Coast Wine Classic, Archie focused on grape varieties that flourish in San Luis Obispo County. He founded the annual event, The World of Pinot, in 2000 with Brian Talley. They invited Pinot Noir winemakers around the world to attend. This event continues to draw hundreds of Pinot lovers each year to immerse themselves in Pinot Noir. Archie’s focus created a remarkable shift in our local wine history and culture; to date, no one person has been a greater influence than Archie McLaren.
TIMELINE- Archie McLaren And The Wine Classic
1942: Archie Campbell McLaren is born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Archibald and Virginia Lynn McLaren.
1945: The family settles in Memphis. Archie describes his childhood as one of poverty and misery. He attended local public schools in Memphis.
1955-1960: Archie attended a well-known, prestigious private Memphis University School for boys as a scholarship student from 8th to 12th grade. He had an extraordinary record in athletics, leadership, and academics.
1956: Archie chooses tennis as his favorite sport. He focuses on being the best in his field. He ranked first in the state in tennis for three consecutive years (1958 – 1960).
1956: Archie developed a love of African American culture, especially music. He described his favorites as Blues songs that bring joy to those who sang them in spite of mistreatment and disrespect.” He remained concerned about racial equality for the rest of his life.
1956: Archie wins the God and Country Award in Boy Scouts. He became an Eagle Scout (only 4% of the scouts achieve this honor).
1958: Archie ranked first in the state in tennis in the up to 18 years division and fourteenth in the south. He was named United Press International’s Tennessee Athlete of the Month.
1959: The Memphis Press-Scimitar named Archie McLaren the teenager of the week.
June 5, 1960: Diploma from Memphis University School
This Certifies That Arch Campbell McLaren has satisfactorily completed The Course of Study for Graduation from this School and is therefore awarded this Diploma Given at Memphis, Tennessee, this fifth day of June, A.D. 1960. When asked what his ambitions were, Archie declared: “…to be myself.”
Fall 1960: Archie received a full scholarship to attend Vanderbilt University. He was more interested in his social life than academics and lost his scholarship for not maintaining his grade average.
1964: Archie graduates from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s degree in June.
1965 -1966: Works as a clerk at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Memphis, Tennessee.
1965: Archie enrolls in the night program to study law at Memphis State University and earns his Juris Doctorate in January 1968.
1966: Archie is hired to teach English and Tennis at his Alma Mater, Memphis University High School (1966-69). The MUS tennis team won the Tennessee State Championship, a first at MUS. Archie coached them for the following two years, clinching three consecutive State Championships. Archie also taught Modern American Drama in 1967-68.
1968: Archie is not interested in practicing law. He moved to Mississippi to coach at Mississippi State University (1968-69). He also teaches in an all-black segregated school at R.E. Hunt High School in Mississippi.
1969: Archie married Georgia Mae, daughter of African American and Choctaw parents. The newlyweds were forced to leave Mississippi by the Ku Klux Klan within 48 hours. They moved to New Orleans, but the marriage did not survive the discrimination and fear they experienced as an interracial couple. They have one daughter.
1970: Archie did not want to practice law. He returned to Memphis and developed a close friendship with Russell Sugarmon, an African American lawyer, judge, and Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Sugarmon recommended him to the West Publishing Company to sell legal libraries to law firms. Sugarmon’s wife introduces Archie to European wines, and David Porter, Stax record producer and songwriter, introduces him to European wine.
1970: New career – Archie is hired as a Sales Representative at the West Publishing Company (1970 – 1984). Archie traveled in the United States and abroad for his work. During the first year, Archie became one of the top 10 representatives in the county. He was a natural marketing genius. His compensation included an expense account for entertaining clients, so he wined and dined them at the finest restaurants around the world. Archie sold legal libraries while he developed a fine palate and the skills to become a wine consultant.
1972: State of Tennessee By the Honorable James R. McKinney, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Greetings, Be it hereby known that Archie McLaren, Jr. in recognition of outstanding service to the state, and extra-ordinary service to the state and extra-ordinary interest in Governmental processes, has been appointed HONORARY SERGEANT-AT-ARMS of the TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and is hereby entitled to all of the honors and privileges of the office, and to the display of this certificate. Given under my hand, this 27th day of March 1972, James R. McKinney. Archie worked to help break the color barrier in Whitehaven, now famous for Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland. He was active from 1966 to 1969. This area was fully annexed by the city of Memphis in 1969. It was integrated in the late 1960s, which resulted in white families leaving the area. Archie received the honor for his work in the area. Archie was committed to social justice. Add Photo of Proclamation
1973: Archie traveled to Rome to purchase his first Ferrari Daytona in dazzling blue. He began to think about pursuing “the good life.” The car was his first indulgence. He was making a good living with the freedom to travel, enjoy fine food, and wines. He decided he wanted to move to California.
1974: Archie McLaren moves to California, driving his Ferrari from Memphis, wearing a beret over his long flowing hair.
1974: West Publishing Company had an opening for a California/Nevada representative. The office is in Las Vegas, but Archie chose to live in Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County.
On the weekends he travels to the Bay Area and Napa sampling food and wine on the weekend. He began to collect wine and make friends in the wine industry. He is invited to wine tastings with wine collectors from San Francisco to Beverly Hills.
1974: His sales territory expanded to Alaska, Hawaii, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, and Beijing. He continued to educate himself on international food and wines and made valuable friendships.
1974: Archie focused on his food and Rare Wine education. He joined organizations such as Confrérie des Chevaliers du Taste vin San Francisco Chapitre, Avila Bay Wine Society, International Wine and Food Society, and the Central Coast Wine Society.
1975: KCBX, a Public Radio Station, opens and broadcasts from San Luis Obispo. Betsy Camp is hired as the Development Director. She recognizes Archie’s potential as a fundraiser.
1978: Larry Shupnick purchases the San Luis Bay Inn in Avila Beach. He opens a restaurant at the Inn and serves gourmet food and fine wines to his guests. Larry meets Archie as a guest in his restaurant at the San Luis Bay Inn. This site will become the first official center of wine and food education in San Luis Obispo County. Larry’s experience in hospitality and restaurant ownership became legendary.
1979: Development Director of KCBX, Betsy Camp, hosts the first wine-related fundraiser for KCBX, the local NPR radio station. The event welcomed the new station manager, Frank Lanzone. It was held at the San Luis Bay Inn in Avila, owned by Larry Shupnick, food and wine connoisseur.
1980: Archie purchases a home in Avila Beach. He opens his office for Western Publishing in San Luis Obispo.
1980: Betsy Camp hosts the second KCBX Wine Tasting to raise funds for the station.
1981: Betsy Camp hosts the third KCBX Wine Tasting to raise funds for the station.
1982: Betsy Camp hosts the fourth KCBX Wine Tasting to raise funds for the station.
1983: Betsy Camp hosts the first KCBX Wine Auction Classic and Tasting. She works with Archie McLaren and Larry Shupnik to organize and publicize the event. The net income is $4,000.
1984: Larry and Archie work with Betsy on the second KCBX Wine Auction Classic and Tasting. Winemaker Gary Eberle is the auctioneer. The net income is $8,000.
1984: Archie recognizes the importance of wine education for average Californians. He develops a radio show called The Wine Drinker’s Guide to Indulgence. He shared his knowledge of the California Wine Revolution with the listeners. The title was inspired by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy broadcast on the BBC. He hosted the radio show for 23 years.
1985: Archie starts a second career as a Freelance Wine Consultant, 1985 – 2017.
1985: KCBX’s Frank Lanzone asks Archie and Larry Shupnick to organize the KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic. Archie becomes director of the KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic to raise funds to support the local NPR station, KCBX. They transform the Wine Classic from an afternoon tasting to a three-day event, including a Friday evening barrel tasting, Saturday afternoon wine tasting, Saturday evening Champagne extravaganza, followed by a Vintage Dinner and a Sunday auction.
The first Wine Classic, located at the San Luis Bay Inn, included 130 wineries ranging in location from San Diego, California, to Washington State. Only 18 wineries were located in San Luis Obispo County. The Wine Classic promoted the idea of pairing wine with food. The first two Vintage dinners were presented by chefs from top New York Restaurants. This event lost money, but it educated the audience and introduced them personally to winemakers and their wines. Larry and Archie contributed $1600 to break even. The KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic was held from 1985 to 2003.
1985: David Kreitzer, artist residing in Los Osos, creates the first commemorative Wine Classic poster. He was the first artist recruited. The Wine Classic continued to promote local artists through 2017 by sponsoring exhibitions, holding competitions for the best wine-label design, and commissioning artworks for presentation to honorees.
1985: Wine writer Nathan Chroman, Los Angeles Times, honored the 1985 Wine Auction Classic and Tasting with one of the year’s Grapes of Appreciation. The income was $47,000. The expenses were $49,000. Larry Shupnick and Archie McLaren contributed $1600 to cover the deficit.
1986: The KCBX Central Wine Classic, in its second year 2 had 1500 guests. The auction lasted almost 7 hours, and the net proceeds were $50,000. The Los Angeles Times wrote a long article – 1500 words. American Airlines was a major sponsor, so the auction included travel packages, including a trip to Paris. American Airlines remained a sponsor for the next 25 years.
1986: The Wine Classic Apron is designed and gifted to artists. Archie believed that artistic talents enhance wine and food in many ways. The Wine Classic promoted regional artists at local exhibitions and competitions. Artist Candice Norcross designed, etched, and painted the bottles filled with local wines that would be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Competitions for designing the new labels were held. Artists made sculptures and paintings for the Wine Classic Auction, displaying them at every event prior to bidding. Other artists were commissioned to create art to be given as gifts, awards, or presents to honorees. Tim Lloyd designed sculptures, and Crissa Hewitt, Cal Poly Professor, made decanters, goblets, and boxes for the Classic honorees. She is best known for making a silver-footed bowl to honor Chef Julia Child.
1986: Lecturer on Wine Appreciation at California Polytechnic University, Extended Education, San Luis Obispo. Archie starts with wine lovers to determine what they need to know to taste. Describe and evaluate wines. 1986-1990.
1986: Raffle Hotel Singapore 1886 to 1986
Let it be known that it has been our greatest pleasure to have Mr. Archie McLaren as our guest on our 100th Anniversary. Signed by The Manager Roberto Pregarz
1986: Historic Wine Tasting: George De Latour Private Reserve 50th Anniversary (1936 – 1986). Archie was invited to attend the Beaulieu Vineyard featuring Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This historic testing was held in San Francisco and New York. Archie McLaren attended and tasted the following Vintages: 1936,1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951 egg-fined, 1951 bentonite-fined, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1959.
1987-91: Consultant: California Central Coast Wine Growers Association in Santa Maria, California. Archie believes that wine begins in the vineyard and works to support and organize local growers.
1987: The KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic changes strategy to focus on local chefs such as Ian McPhee and Wilhelm “Bill” Hoppy to prepare the Vintage dinners. Ian, founder of Ian’s in Cambria and McPhee’s Grill in Templeton, continued cooking for the wine event for 23 years. European-trained Bill Hoppy transformed the Central Coast cuisine. He is remembered as the first great Central Coast chef. He died in November 2010.
1987: Attended Winesong, an annual charity auction and wine/food tasting event in Fort Bragg, California. 1987-1996
1987: Wine Consultant to the KHPR Wine Classic and Tasting in Honolulu, 1987-1991. Archie introduced the idea of creating a classic Cuvee to be blended with the genius of Bonny Doon’s Randall Grahm and Ridge’s Paul Draper. It was such a sensation that Archie made the winning bid and brought the bottle of Cuvee home to San Luis Obispo. This became a key part of the Wine Classic; local winemakers were paired with more sophisticated winemakers to blend their own Cuvee. The Blends were bottled in hand-etched bottles and placed in the auction the following day.
1988: San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival. 1992-1995. President 1992-1994. The Mozart Festival is supported by winery owners and winemakers throughout the county. Archie strengthened relationships with them as President of the Mozart Festival. Local wines were donated for every event.
1989: Attended WETA Washington Wine Classic, a historic annual wine tasting and auction event hosted by public television station WETA in Washington DC. It became a premier local event for wine enthusiasts. 1989-1990.
1990: Archie’s employer, Western Publishing, issues an ultimatum: focus all his attention on his career and stop spending most of his time with the KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic and local events, or resign. Archie decides to resign from marketing and sales and indulge in the world of wine.
1990: Archie is a man of indulgences and dreams. He focuses on Food and Wine in the next three decades. He builds his wine collection and focuses on talent by purchasing one-of-a-kind auction lots and befriending the people who are fellow collectors. He said. “The lifestyle I had was worth whatever I paid for it.”
1991: David Breitstein begins his tenure as co-chair of the Wine Classic’s steering committee and continues to work in the position until 2017. David focuses on bringing his customers on group tours to wine events in California and Europe. He educates customers and friends on food and wine through his newsletters, seminars, and tasting events at his Wine Shop. He works with top-quality producers to create private-label wine, The Duke of Bourbon, in Southern California. David encourages wine shop owners to join him in his marketing efforts, and they do.
1992: The Central Coast wine dinners at Hearst Castle became signature events, the most significant wine and food event in the world to attend. The idea of having the dinner at Hearst Castle was Archie’s idea; he convinced the director of Hearst Castle to allow dinner to be served on a small terrace. 40 guests attended the first dinner. David and Judy Breitstein, owners of the Duke of Bourbon in Canoga Park, donated the wines, and top local chefs prepared the food with the help of many volunteers.
1992: Director, International Festival Champagne and Sparkling Wine. 1992-1998. Archie attends many events and broadens his network of wine producers and wine lovers.
1992: Archie McLaren serves as President of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival.
Archie is presented with a wood plaque stating In Appreciation of 4 Years Dedicated to Board Service to the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival.
1992: Archie becomes active in his hometown, Avila Beach, located just south of San Luis Obispo. He serves on the Avila County Water District. 1992-1995. President 1992-1994.
1993: Member of the Avila Valley Advisory Council. 1993-1995.
1993: Archie enters the annual Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off on Garden Street in San Luis Obispo. He wins first place for his Gumbo.
1994: Auction Consultant, American Institute of Wine and Food. 1994-2004.
1996: The Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo presents A Star to Archie McLaren in honor of his contributions to the arts.
1997: Archie attends the American Institute of Wine and Food’s Rare Wine Auction with Julia Child. Julia Child was a Co-Founder of this organization.
1997: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION, Southern California Chapter.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD for outstanding leadership and dedication in the fight against arthritis and related diseases, presented to Archie McLaren.
1999: Archie is a member and becomes Chairman of the Edna Valley Arroyo Grande Valley Vintners Association. 1999-2001.
1999: The Wine Classic raises $300,000 for KCBX. It was the second-highest fundraising auction in California that year. 1999 was the best fundraising year for the KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic.
2000: SLO County Visitors’ Bureau Tourism Award. Archie continues to support the hospitality and wine industry of San Luis Obispo County as a self-appointed local Ambassador. He focuses on building support for the arts and the local artists in the county.
2000: Serves on the City of San Luis Obispo Tourism Council. 2000-2004.
2000: Founder of Avila Drum Day. This event recognizes the musical and healing talents of the local Chumash Indians.
2000: Chairman Avila Beach Community Arts Council. 2000-2003.
2000: Member of the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council. 2000-2002.
2001: Member of the Avila Valley Advisory Council. 2001-2008.
2002: Member of the San Luis Obispo Vintners and Growers Association. 2002-2004.
2002: Served on the American Institute of Wine and Food Board of Directors, 2002-2005.
2003: The Central Coast Wine Classic lost money for the first time in 18 years. There are a variety of reasons, including the bursting of the dot-com bubble in March 2000, the 9/11 Terrorism Attack in 2001, and the stock market decline in 2002.
2003: In December, the KCBX Board notifies Archie and Larry Shupnick that they were no longer interested in hosting the Central Coast Wine Classic. KCBX decides to try a variety of fundraising events in light of economic challenges.
2004: Archie quickly develops a plan of action; Archie funds a new non-profit 501(C)(3) and establishes a new Central Coast Wine Classic, supporting multiple charities with an annual event staffed by volunteers. Archie designs a new fundraising structure. He builds a new business model for Central Coast Wine Classic events by selecting a Grand Sponsor, followed by specific groups with leaders, including Major Patron Sponsors, Corporate Sponsors, Supporting Patrons, and Businesses, to provide the initial funding for each event.
Archie knew that the key to his success would be to involve people in the wine world to advise him personally, so they would have a stake in the outcome and success of the Wine Classic. He also knew that he had to make the event less complicated in the early years. He decides to raise funds for multiple charities and engage their volunteers. He reduces the Wine Classic from six days with 18 events to four days with 12 events. In spite of the withdrawal of KCBX and Archie’s reorganization of the event, the new Wine Classic Event was reorganized and operating within 6 months, and raised $126,000 for multiple charities. Archie selected The Aids Support Network, Special Olympics, Music Academy of the West, and the Rhythm in Art Project to receive grants. Each organization had submitted an application and committed volunteers to work on the event. Archie also initiated a grant to KCBX to buy a new RADIO STATION.
2005: Archie is always experimenting. He invited Carissa Chappellet of the Napa winemaking family to introduce bicycle tours of the local wineries. Carissa had recently completed a round-the-world bicycling journey, celebrated by all who knew her. The tours were enjoyed by guests, but did not become a continuing addition to the Wine Classic Program.
2006: Archie introduces a new idea for raising money for the Central Coast Wine Classic. He established an event known as a Rare Wine dinner at a cost of $2,000 per person. The tastings, events, and auction raised over $315,000. The first Rare Wine Dinner seated 30 people; the highest count was 260 guests. As the economy weakened over the years, the price was lowered, and more guests were added each year.
2007: Beverly Aho is hired as Volunteer Coordinator for the Central Coast Wine Classic, organizing over 100 volunteers in 2007. She doubled the number of volunteers over the next 10 years.
2007: The La Pauléede Meursault is introduced in 2007. It is a Burgundian tradition that involves each person bringing a bottle of wine to share at lunch to celebrate the end of harvest.
2010: Gradually, the grants made by the Central Coast Wine Classic were focused on three categories: the performing arts, studio arts, and healing arts.
2012: Beverly Aho is promoted to Executive Assistant for Central Coast Wine Classic.
2012: The Wine Classic raised over $200,000 for charity over eight consecutive years. The most lavish and complicated Wine Classic covered eight days at two dozen venues and included a Marian McPartland concert, a Zinfandel and Zydeco feast, a wine label art competition, a cooking demonstration by Jacques Pépin, a golf tournament, a dinner dance, a beach party, and a symposium on the Adelaida terroir.
2015: Archie suffers a stroke; the Central Coast Wine Classic is canceled. He recovers and goes against doctors orders, to make the next Wine Classic bigger and better than ever.
2016: The Central Coast Wine Classic is organized and expanded to five days with 18 events in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County. Those events were held in a large area, ranging from San Simeon at Hearst Castle to Summerland in Santa Barbara County, from Gary Eberle’s Winery in Paso Robles to a yacht in Santa Barbara Harbor. Archie had been advised by his doctors and friends not to expand the event but to retire and take life easy. He refuses. He found it “exciting, nurturing, and edifying to do what people didn’t think was possible.”
2017: Archie is diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer. He decides to keep this diagnosis a secret from all but a few close friends. He decides to host and organize one more Wine Classic in San Luis Obispo and to honor his volunteers, some of whom have worked on the Wine Classic events for 32 years.
2017: On September 19, the Alzheimer’s Association makes a presentation:
A Certificate of Appreciation Awarded to Mr. Archie McLaren, ALOIS SOCIETY MEMBER, for the extraordinary leadership in support of the Alzheimer’s Association by Rhonda Spiegel, Executive Director of the California Central Chapter on 9/19/2017.
2017: The final Wine Classic is held in San Luis Obispo County. The final event on Saturday was the Wine Classic Fund-A-Need Auction for the Vineyard and Farm Workers Fund. Bidders offered specific amounts for donations rather than competing for lots. In 15 minutes, $145,700 was raised for the Vineyard and Farm Workers Fund.
2017: An exhibition honoring the Legend of Archie McLaren opens at the History Center of San Luis Obispo County. The title is Doing Good and Living Well – Archie McLaren and the Central Coast Wine Classic. It was funded by the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County in appreciation for Archie’s contributions to local Wine History, California Wine History, and the art of combining wine with fine food, and to raise funds for charitable purposes.
2018: Archie dies in February. He leaves a large percentage of his estate to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit organization he supported annually. It is based in Montgomery, Alabama, and is dedicated to fighting hate and seeking justice for marginalized communities.
2018: Archie McLaren is honored as San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Person of the Year, posthumously.
Archie’s Memberships:
- Confrérie des Chevaliers du Taste vin San Francisco Chapitre
- Founded the Central Coast Chapter Confrérie des Chaine des Rotisseurs SEE PHOTO
- Wine and Food Society in San Francisco
- Austrian Wine Brotherhood
- International Food, Wine and Travel Writers’ Association
- Marin County Food and Wine Association
- Central Coast Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
- Avila Bay Wine Society
- Vintners Club San Francisco
- German Wine Society in Honolulu
- American Society Wine Educators
- California Central Coast Wine Society
