Time to spring forward this weekend for Daylight Savings. Longer days, warmer weather, barbeques, sunshine, and festivals. For us wine lovers the countdown begins to the 27th Annual Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival. This is one of the two main festivals of the year organized by our very own Vintners’ Association, the heart of what keeps our industry a family.
The Association has over 100 winery members, and the event provides the opportunity to selectively taste the wines of every single one of them in one Lompoc venue. Meet member vintners and friends, enjoy the music, nibble on food from some of the county’s favorite restaurants, and try your hand at the silent auction – all while toting around sips of the best wine that our region offers.
This year the Festival will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 1-4pm. It will be held again on the grounds of River Park in Lompoc, where Hwy 246 meets Sweeney Rd. Be sure to bring a jacket as last year was unseasonably very cold (I “mysteriously” came down with Bronchitis last year because I only wore a thin long sleeve shirt!). This was around the time that we received the late spring frost that damaged some of the vines in the 2008 vintage. I still remember my wine highlights from last year, and it was very helpful in pointing me in the direction of new wineries as well as establishing my affinity for favorites.
Wineries are providing and taking advantage of the opportunity to make a long weekend out of the Festival, with participating venues being on board for the Vintners’ Visa. This 4-day pass allows you free tastings and special treatment at 12 participating wineries from Friday-Monday. Lafond, Santa Barbara Winery, Foxen, Sanford, and Dierberg are just a few of the select participants. Check the Vintners’ Association website for the remaining participants and special events such as winemaker dinners and special tastings over the weekend.
Vintners’ Festival Tickets: $75 in advance; $85 at the gate
Vintners’ Festival and Visa Combo Pack: $100 (but you get your tastings for free!)
Buses to and from Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Solvang are available: $25 round trip
Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery
Grab your favorite wine tasting partner and make a note in your calendar to stop by Lafond Winery’s New Release Open House on Saturday, January 24. The excitement of a new release always has us eagerly popping the cork in the tasting room to welcome the new kid on the block. How does it compare to the previous vintage? Will I like it as much? These questions can be answered on your first sip of your winter wine tasting day at Lafond.
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