Believe it or not, summer has slipped into history and the mid-winter holidays loom just around the corner. Rather than resist the inevitable flipping of the calendar pages, why not grab a wine glass and get a head start on the celebration?
Aiming to ease oenophiles into the next round of festivities, the members of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association (SYVWCA) have planned a lively passport event on Saturday, Nov. 6. Called Autumn on the Trail, it offers an ideal opportunity to visit both the larger, well-known producers and the smaller vintners located off the beaten track.
This wine lovers’ bonanza features an abundance of rare tastings of hard-to-find vintages and a chance to sample new and unusual wines, as well as a few gems from the wineries’ private libraries. It invites visitors to explore the region’s scenic terrain and is an economical way to experience the diverse wine production programs in the Santa Ynez Valley.
“The mission of the SYVWCA,” said Chris Bashforth, executive director of the association, “is to help bring in new audiences to its member wine tasting rooms. We typically have three to four passport events per year, and they are quite successful in bringing folks into the valley to taste at wineries that they may not have experienced before.”
Autumn on the Trail passport holders will enjoy a self-guided tour that takes them along the byways of Santa Barbara County wine country. They choose their own itinerary from among 14 member wineries throughout Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, and Buellton, and can travel to each one as personal preference dictates.
“Passport attendees are treated to a wonderful day of wine tasting in the valley,” Bashforth said. “Their starting winery is designated on the passport. When participants arrive in the valley on Saturday, they go to their designated check-in winery, pick up a SYVWCA logo glass, and begin their self-guided wine tasting tour.”
On Saturday, expect to find the valley’s tasting rooms bursting with an array of reserve wines, barrel samples, and/or pre-released wines for tasting, as well as complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and sweet treats. Some tasting rooms will present special food and wine pairings, while others plan to showcase gourmet cheeses or chocolates with wines to match.
Several wineries have deemed the weekend an ideal time to debut new releases, and most will offer tempting discounts on cases of wine and related goodies, making this the perfect time to do some early shopping for holiday gifts. Browse among cookbooks, stemware, packaged gourmet food, original art, and a host of wine-themed accessories to find just the right items for friends and family.
Wineries participating in Autumn on the Trail include Alexander and Wayne, Arthur Earl, Scott Cellars, and Daniel Gehrs Wines in Los Olivos. Near the small town of Santa Ynez, plan to visit elegant Sunstone Vineyards and Bridlewood Estate Winery; while in and around Solvang, expect a warm welcome at Lincourt Vineyards, Rideau Vineyard, Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards, and Mandolina. And in Buellton, Casa Cassara rolls out the red carpet for passport travelers.
At Presidio Winery and Vineyard in Solvang, visitors can nibble savory snacks while sipping wines made from certified organically and biodynamically farmed grapes grown just west of Santa Rita Hills in Presidio’s own vineyard. Located on a scenic corner in the heart of Solvang, the tasting room is airy, welcoming, and always a fun place to linger.
Amid the fragrant gardens at Buttonwood Farm Winery, guests will be invited to do some comparison sipping. According to Sherrill Duggan O’Neill, the winery’s marketing manager, varietals made famous by vintners in southern France will rule the day and will be available in a variety of vintages.
“Buttonwood will be showing off our Rhône side for Autumn on the Trail,” Duggan O’Neill said, “by featuring a vertical tasting of Syrah, as well as Marsannes. We’ll also be pouring our very first vintage of Grenache Blanc.
“Among other harvest treats from the Buttonwood kitchen,” she added, “Chef Kurt Kummerfeldt will make his popular blue cheese and Sauvignon Blanc jelly hors d’oeuvres.”
A number of tasting rooms will have live musicians on hand to ramp up the festive atmosphere. In some cases, even the winemaker will be on hand to discuss the tricks of the trade and the specific fruits of his or her labor.
On Sunday, passport holders are welcome to bring their passport or event logo glass to any of the member wineries for another round of complimentary tasting.
“Participants can receive complimentary wine tasting at the wineries they did not get to the day before,” Bashforth explained. “This is a superb deal for only $45, since it now costs $10 to $15 to taste at many wineries.”
Revelers will want to take advantage of this early bird chance to buy some wines and gifts for the holidays, all while enjoying the autumn beauty and seasonal pleasures of Santa Barbara County wine country. Besides, it’s a great way to get a head start on the seasonal fun ahead.
K. Reka Badger is ready to hit the trail. Join her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Nov 4-10, 2010.