Santa Barbara Wine Tastings & Events
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 Also consult our listings of Santa Barbara Culinary Events
June 9
Held in the wine country hamlet's charming downtown, the Los Olivos Olive & Jazz Festival will feature topnotch jazz (including Grammy-nominated crooner Denise Donatelli), top-shelf wines and, of course, olives --- from local olive oils and olive products to olive-based cuisine from 30 chefs. The event takes place from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Lavinia Campbell Park, downtown Los Olivos.
July 19-21
The three-day California Wine Festival kicks off at the historic De La Guerra Adobe Courtyard with the Old Spanish Nights Tapas and Wine Tasting on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., showcasing some of the finest wines from Spain and Santa Barbara along with traditional live music by Luna Gitana, spicy tapas appetizers and flamenco dancing. Then, on Friday, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. the new Riedel Wine Glass Seminar & Tasting will allow participants to learn about the science of wine glasses, as well as take home their own four-piece boxed set of wine glasses. Later, from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., the Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting takes place at the charming carousel at Chase Palm Park Plaza, where there will be samplings of extremely limited reserve level wines matched with gourmet appetizers, artisan cheeses and fresh strawberries dipped in a chocolate fountain. The event ends with a beachside bash on Saturday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. with samplings of more than 350 fine wines from every region of California during the Beachside Food & Wine Fest. More than 40 wineries will offer selections paired with gourmet appetizers. Regional breweries and distilleries will also offer craft beer and spirits. Ticket proceeds will benefit the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Ticket prices vary for each event. For tickets and information, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.californiawinefestival.com.
Mondays
Monday nights at Coast Restaurant & Bar, diners can "fix a flat"---create their own flatbreads---for just $10 and enjoy discounted glasses of wine. Not a bad way to start the week. Coast Restaurant & Bar, Canary Hotel, 31 W. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101, 805-884-0300.
Wednesdays
Cafe Firenze presents Wednesday Night Wine Tastings every week from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Patrons can enjoy a different winery each time, including local favorites such as Opolo, Cantara Cellars, Rancho Ventavo and Carina Cellars. Italian wines from the restaurant's private wine list are featured on the last Wednesday of the month. Wine flights are $10, and a special "Taste of Firenze" wine bar menu is available in addition to the regular menu. Cafe Firenze, 563 W. Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021, 805-532-0048.
Wednesday
Every Wednesday at Root 246, guests can meet the winemakers and vintners behind some of the region's best and newest wines, and pair their products with fresh, simple dishes from chef Bradley Ogden. Featured wineries change every week. A recent menu, designed for Niner Wines, included an amuse of cocoa-dusted foie gras mousse, followed by a salad with sweet potato crisp, smoked brook trout and an apple-persimmon salad. The entrée featured Rosen Farms rack of lamb, ratatouille, merguez sausage and an olive tapenade. Dessert? A six-layer devil food chocolate cake with malt ice cream sundae. The cost is $45 per person. Root 246, Hotel Corque, 420 Alisal Rd., Solvang, CA 93463, 805-686-8681.
Saturdays & Sundays
Spend the day visiting tasting rooms and meeting local winemakers. Sounds like Napa or the Santa Ynez Valley, but now Ventura County has its own wine trail. Though most of the grapes are grown elsewhere, the region is home to a number of quality wineries, ranging from small-batch boutique operations to the kosher goliath Herzog Winery. The tour runs every weekend from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., shuttling passengers to four wineries and a farmers' market. Itineraries change depending on the day. The cost is $85 per person. Ventura Visitors Center, Ventura Visitors Center, 101 S. California St., Ventura, CA 93001, 805-648-2075.
Also consult our listings of Santa Barbara Culinary Events
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RECOMMENDED
WINE SHOP
For additional information
on wine events, please contact:
Renegade
Wines
417 Santa Barbara St., Ste. A-6
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-568-1961
www.renegadewines.com
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