Wine grapes in Santa Barbara County are ripening beautifully this year—a welcome change after low crop yields the last couple of years, brought on by unseasonable weather.
“The nearly perfect summer weather this year has resulted in an outstanding crop across the board,” said Chris Hammell, vineyard manager for Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Vineyards in Santa Maria.
“This is one climate change we appreciate,” said Jim Fiolek, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association. “It’s good to see the vines back on track.”
Growers are excited about the quality, too.
“Fruit development has been right on target this year, and weather conditions this summer have promoted the slow and even ripening we like to see,” said Jim Stollberg, owner of Maverick Farming Company in Santa Maria.
The first local grapes picked in August were Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two varietals that thrive in northern Santa Barbara County’s cooler microclimates.
Wine producers will take a short break from the vineyards, crush pads, and cellars, inviting wine enthusiasts to take in the excitement and beauty of harvest by joining them at this fall’s harvest wine weekends.
Santa Barbara County’s Celebration of Harvest is Saturday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rancho Sisquoc Winery in Santa Maria.
More than 100 wineries will present their wines, many newly bottled varietals. Tickets are $65 in advance. Many wineries also have special dinners, tours, and tastings planned throughout the weekend.
If you endeavor to seek out new tasting rooms or plan to revisit several tried and true favorites, consider buying the Vintners’ Visa: a four-day passport to 12 Santa Barbara County wine tasting rooms for $35. It’s a perfectly practical way to explore the scenic countryside and savor the fruits of the vine.
Harvest Celebration tickets are on sale at sbcountywines.com.
Party like a rock star at the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association’s 22nd annual Rockin’ Harvest Celebration, the first weekend of November.
The Grand Tasting and Wine Auction will take place on Saturday, Nov. 3, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. More than 60 wineries and restaurants will be featured in the scenic coastal setting.
“This is our biggest event of the year and our winemakers really put on a show for the live auction and put together some elaborate performances while helping sell live auction items,” said Heather Muran, executive director of the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association.
The Crushtones—a band appropriately made up of winemakers—will take the stage again this year.
General admission is $85. The day is a fundraiser for both SLO Wine Country and Hospice SLO.
Try something new by hopping aboard the SLO Vintners’ first ever Rockin’ Road Trip, set for Friday, Nov. 2. Take a tour bus from Pismo Beach to Chamisal, Tolosa, and Edna Valley wineries to experience harvest hands-on: learning, exploring, blending, trimming, and tasting the wines.
“Attendees will interact with winemakers and vineyard teams to complete various harvest activities, including working in the vineyards and participating in many aspects of wine production,” Muran said. “It’s all about getting people connected to wine and where it comes from.”
Tickets are $50 for the day long, wine country adventure. The road trip is limited to 50 people.
Friday evening, Nov. 2, Dolphin Bay Resort in Shell Beach is host to the Crafted on the Coast collaborative winemakers’ dinner at Lido Restaurant, featuring executive chefs Jacob Moss and Maegan Loring, at $90 per person.
Visit slowine.com for event information and tickets.
Paso Robles is another excellent wine region within driving distance—definitely worth a weekend getaway during the most colorful time of year.
The Harvest Wine Celebration weekend in Paso Robles is Oct. 19 to 21, three days of unique harvest events, winemaker dinners, wine tasting, and tours.
Plan a customized wine-tasting trip, choosing from more than 120 wine-related events at 200 wineries in the Paso Robles wine region, from San Miguel to Adelaida, from Templeton to Creston, and everywhere in between.
For example: Cass Winery invites you to “wine down” with a mimosa and waffle bar brunch on Sunday, Oct. 21, when it’s also offering complimentary massages.
Play such harvest games as cork toss, grape stomping, and guess the varietal at Calcareous Winery.
Eberle Winery is bringing in the executive chef from the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles for a winemaker dinner in the Eberle caves on Oct. 19.
Castoro Cellars holds an evening concert and grape stomp with the popular Damon Castillo Band on Friday, Oct. 19.
Or get educated at the Best of the West 2012. Join 17 “Far Out Wineries” on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Opolo Vineyards for a tasting seminar featuring 17 of the best wines from the west side of Paso Robles.
For details on so many more fun harvest events in Paso Robles, visit pasowine.com and faroutwineries.com.
No matter which wine region you travel to this fall, take time to raise a glass and toast the 330,000 California workers who labored in the state’s vineyards and wineries to create a product that brings such joy worldwide.
Sun wine and food writer Wendy Thies Sell recommends trying something new. Contact her at wthies@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 20-27, 2012.