While our membership thrives on growing great
grapes and making superb wines, we are happiest when we are sharing
our wines and stories with friends new and old. There is always
something going on here in Wine Country – a festival, vineyard
tour, winemaker dinner, special tasting, barn dance, grape stomping
contest, live theatre…you name it. The following is a calendar
of events held by member wineries. But check back often, as this
calendar is constantly being updated!
| February 6 |
several member wineries |
A Wine Fantasy in February
Come and spend a romantic weekend of relaxation and wine tasting
at the thirteen members of the Santa Ynez
Valley Wine Country Association. Call 800.563.3183 for information
and reservations. |
| February 13 |
Carina
Cellars |
Valentine’s Day Cheese
and Chocolate Celebration
An evening of perfect matches: specialty cheese from Santa Barbara’s C’est Cheese and chocolates created by local chocolatiers
are perfectly paired with 6 of Carina Cellars most decadent wines. |
| February 13 |
Mandolina |
New Release Party
Come in and taste those fabulous white wines that were born
of the 2009 harvest; Malvasia Bianca, our Moscato made from
Orange Muscat, and the lightly sweet Muscat Canelli! Look for
one-night-only pricing on the new releases. |
| February 13 |
Rideau |
A Valentine Celebration
Rideau
Vineyard invites you and your sweetheart to a Valentines Celebration
with live Jazz and Dancing. The night will be begin with a
Wine and Cheese Pairing which will move into a southern feast
of Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffee, Fried Chicken, Creole-Style
Green Beans, and Hush Puppies. The featured wines of the night
will be 2008 Estate Viognier and 2006 Tempranillo. The night
will end with Dark Chocolate Brownies paired with our 2006
Petit Sirah. You will not want to miss this event! |
| February 14 |
Buttonwood
Farm |
Valentines Day Winemaker Dinner
What’s more sensual than celebrating the day for lovers
with great food and wine at The Chef’s Touch Café?
Join Winemaker Karen Steinwachs and Chef Kurt Alldredge for
four courses, each paired with wine.
Call The Chef’s
Touch for reservations at 805 686-1040. |
| February 14 |
Lucas & Lewellen |
A Valentine Wine Dinner
Treat your valentine to a romantic wine dinner featuring Lucas & Lewellen
wines at the charming Jockey Club at the Santa Ynez Valley
Marriott.
For dinner reservations and more information,
contact Susie Harrison at the Marriott at 805.325.2000. |
| February 20 |
all member wineries |
6th American Riviera Wine
Auction & Dinner “ The
Vintners Express”
benefitting Direct Relief International.
Visit the Auction page for more information. |
| February 27 |
Carhartt
Vineyard |
Winemaker Dinner at the Ballard
Inn
The Ballard Inn & Restaurant is pleased
to announce a winemaker dinner featuring the fine wines of Carhartt
Vineyard
paired with the exceptional cuisine of Chef Budi Kazali. Join
us at 6:30pm for this incredible evening. Seating is limited,
call today for reservations 800-638-2466. |
| March 5 & 6 |
several member wineries |
World of Pinot Noir, Shell Beach
This annual event "brings extraordinary Pinot Noir producers
from around the globe together with Pinot Noir enthusiasts
for a weekend celebration and education about our collective
passion". For more information, please visit the WOPN
website. |
| March 6 |
Carina
Cellars |
New Release Tasting Party!
Carina Cellars will be tasting threir new 2008 releases before
they’re
officially on sale. Enjoy some tasty treats made by Natasha
and Carolyn! |
| Maarch 19 - 21 |
Melville |
Small Lot Collection Pinot
Noir Release
The debut of
the 2008 estate small lot collection pinot noirs: Indigène,
Terraces and Carrie's. All three wines will be featured in
the tasting room while Brent Melville barbecues complimentary
tri-tip sandwiches for all in attendance on Saturday and Sunday. |
| March 27 - 28 |
several member wineries |
Rhône Rangers Tasting,
San Francisco
The thirteenth annual event
includes seminars on Saturday & Sunday, a winemaker dinner
on Saturday evening, and the grand tasting on Sunday afternoon.
For more details, visit their website. |
| April 16 |
Melville |
Inox 2009 and Viognier 2009 Release
With signs of spring all around, the first
whites from the 2009 harvest are released. Emphasizing
their freshness and vibrancy the stainless steel chardonnay
and the
opulently aromatic viognier will be showcased. |
| April 17 |
all member wineries |
Santa Barbara County Vintners'
Festival
A long weekend of celebration around the festival at River Park,
Lompoc.
Visit the Vintners' Festival page for more information and
to purchase tickets. |
| April 29 - May 1 |
several member wineries |
Hospice du Rhône,
Paso Robles
An
exceptional 3-day event globally
regarded as the single most essential and enjoyable gathering
of international Rhône wine producers and enthusiasts.
For more information and tickets, please visit the Hospice
du
Rhône website. |
| May 15 |
Buttonwood
Farm |
Crawfish Boil
It's back! |
| June 19 |
Fiddlehead
Cellars |
FiddleFest!
FiddleFest returns
this year! And as our “main event”, it’s
not to be missed! It’s an exploration and celebration
of our Fiddlestix Vineyard – the place, the people, the
wines and the feeling. All of our colleagues who craft a Fiddlestix
designated Pinot Noir will pour their wines at the famous Fiddlestix
Barn located at mile marker 7.28 on Santa Rosa Rd, smack dab
in the middle of the phenomenal Santa Rita Hills. There is
fantastic food a-plenty and, of course, a fiddlin’ good
time! Contact us to get on the list. |
| June 19 |
Lucas & Lewellen |
Annual Summer Barbecue in the Vineyard
Visit with Louis, Royce, Megan, and your Lucas & Lewellen
friends while savoring your favorite wines, a wine country
barbecue, live music by Mike Shelton, and the Dirtman’s
gorgeous view of the Valley View Vineyard. |
| December 4 & 5 |
Buttonwood
Farm |
Pomegranate Festival and Holiday
Open House
Who doesn't need some holiday cheer? Come on out and sample
fabulous pomegranate recipes, taste award winning wines
and take care of your holiday shopping in a fun and relaxed
atmosphere. |