Laurie Jervis: Santa Barbara Vintners Fest returns in October for 38th year | Homes and lifestyle

One of California’s most popular and enduring wine events, the Santa Barbara Winemakers Festivalwill return to Solvang on Saturday October 8th.

The festival will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mission Santa Ines and feature over 70 wineries and dining offerings from over 30 regional chefs, restaurants and food producers.

Visitors will be able to meet winemakers and vineyard owners to learn why Santa Barbara County was named Wine Region of the Year for 2021 by Wine lovers magazine in November 2021.

You can also sample samples of the region’s finest sparkling wines in the Sailor’s Bank-sponsored “Bubble Lounge”, with live music and food and wine demonstrations.

Those who want a boost at the festival — entry at noon instead of 1 p.m. — can purchase an early-entry ticket for $125.

Mission Santa Inés, ag 1760 Mission Drive, is located just outside of downtown Solvang, which means it is within walking distance of many local accommodations. While parking is available on mission property, attendees are encouraged to walk or carpool to ensure safe transportation to and from the event.

“Santa Barbara Wine Country has been internationally recognized as Wine Region of the Year for producing globally competitive wines from one of the most diverse growing regions in the world,” said Alison Laslett, CEO of Santa Barbara Vintners, formerly Santa Barbara. Association of Winegrowers.

“But the education, experience, passion and wisdom that winemakers pour into every bottle is what really sets us apart.”

Laslett added that “our wine region offers more varietals than any other wine region, so everyone from wine novices to seasoned collectors and connoisseurs will find cases to buy and enjoy at home.”

For visitors who wish to extend the wine tasting from one day to several, the Vintners visa, $50 per person, will be valid from Thursday October 6th to Monday October 10th.

The pass, which offers special tastings at more than 12 area wineries, can be purchased at any of the area’s seven tasting rooms. Although the visa can be purchased separately or bundled with festival tickets, it does not include entry to the festival itself.

General admission tickets cost $95 and give access to all the day’s tastings and festivities starting at 1 p.m. For those whose primary residence is in Santa Barbara County, Local’ Discount tickets are $75. Note: These discounted tickets are only available to the first 250 purchasers.

Tickets for non-drinking guests, such as designated drivers or children ages 6-20, are $25 per person. Children under 6 have free entry to the festival.

Click here for tickets and more information about the festival, which will take place rain or shine. All tickets are non-refundable.

Among the long-standing sponsors and partners of the event are the Banque du Marin, the Chumash Casinoand Visit the Santa Ynez Valley.

Santa Barbara Vintners is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to protect and promote Santa Barbara County as a world-class wine region. The association includes members from wineries whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County (or sub-AVA) labeled, as well as many industry-associated members.

The association produces festivals; educational seminars and tastings; provides information to consumers, trade and the media; and Santa Barbara County Wine and Grape Industry Advocates. Click here for more information.

Fess Parker Winery Named to Magazine’s “Top 100” List

Wines & Spirits Magazine recognized the family business Fess Parker Wine Estate as “Top 100 Winery of the Year” for 2022.

Each year, Wine & Spirits designates its Top 100 Wineries from various regions of the wine world. After reviewing thousands of producers in a two-step blind tasting process, the magazine’s editors compiled a list of the best of the best, each selected for their overall performance in showcasing regional distinctions.

For the first time, Fess Parker Winery is a recipient of this prestigious award, and. one of only nine Central Coast wineries to be recognized. The other three Santa Barbara County wineries also represented in the Top 100 list are At the Good Climate, Cie Chanin. and samsara.

“This is an amazing honor for our family and the entire vineyard and winemaking team at Fess Parker,” said Tim Snider, president of the winery.

“We continually strive to produce the highest quality and most expressive wines from our region, and being recognized by Wine & Spirits only confirms these efforts. We couldn’t be more proud of our team or more grateful to make wine here in Santa Barbara County, a region that continually inspires us. Sharing this award with other producers in Santa Barbara County is truly a testament to the quality of this region as a whole.

Fess Parker and his family have cultivated a world-class hotel portfolio in Santa Barbara County since the late 1980s. The winery focuses on the grape varieties best suited to the region’s unique growing conditions – pinot noir, chardonnay and Rhone wines.

Click here for the full list of the top 100 wineries available.

To have to! Charities raise $2.5 million at August event

The wine industry and business leaders from across the country came together again at Must! OBJECTIVE of the August 13 event charities with a shared passion to give back – and giving back they did.

In its second year alone, PURPOSE has raised $2.5 million, easily eclipsing the $1.3 million raised by the inaugural event in 2021. With this latest success, PURPOSE climbs to the top 15 auction of the most profitable wines in the United States.

The event took place at Booker Vineyard in Paso Robles, and was an ambition of Eric Jensen, farmer-winemaker at Booker and founding member of Must! Charities.

Having earned a reputation as “the best party in Paso Robles,” PURPOSE goes beyond fine dining, luxurious auctions and festive shows. It’s a party with a heart, dedicated to meeting critical needs in the greater San Luis Obispo County area.

This year’s theme was “Let’s Get Uncomfortable,” urging guests to dig deep on behalf of those in need.

“Our small community of Paso Robles continues to show why it’s the hottest and most special place in the world of wine,” Jensen said. “Local winemakers and those who love their wines are not there just for themselves. They put the profits back and build a stronger, healthier community that strives to leave no one behind.

The star of this year’s show was the ‘Finance a Need’ prize in aid of the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Fundwhich provides academic opportunities for the children of vineyard and vineyard workers.

A total of $1.3 million was raised for this prize, with more than $1 million going towards the scholarship fund and the rest being invested in upcoming projects at Must! Charities.

Main contributors “Financing a need” included contributors included JUSTIN Vineyard & Cellar, Constellation BrandsLisa and Eric Jensen, Sabrina and Doug Kruse, Estate Wine Law, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Saxum Vineyards and Southern Glazier. These high bidders set the tone and encouraged more than 100 other people to raise their paddles in the spirit of generosity.

“The hardest workers, those who work in the vineyards and in the ground, are the ones who built the Paso wine region,” said Becky Gray, executive director of Must! Charities. “But it is not always those who are recognized and glorified.

“It was incredibly moving to witness the camaraderie of the crowd to come alongside these families and create opportunities in education that they might not otherwise have.”

Click here for more informationor call 805.226.5788.

— Laurie Jervis tweets at @lauriejervis and can be reached via [email protected]. The opinions expressed are his own.

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