With great fanfare every autumn, the acting state governor proclaims September to be California Wine Month. Whether prompted by a drive to boost late-season tourism, highlight the riotous spectacle of harvest, or simply celebrate the love of fine vintages, the move serves to showcase the state’s vinous bounty.
For the past seven years, just as the labor of crush shifts into high gear, promoters have aimed a spotlight on the people and products of California’s $18.4 billion wine industry. With 3,400 bonded wineries doing business in the state, that means dozens of grower and vintner associations have planned a generous slate of events for everyone to enjoy.
In Santa Maria, Don and Sherrill O’Neill, co-owners of Wine Country Orcutt, have announced that all month long, they will offer a 10 percent discount on wine produced in California. This presents a prime opportunity for avid sippers to try some new vintages, while supporting small business and homegrown products.
And since it’s true that it takes a lot of beer (drinking) to make fine wine, Wine Country Orcutt plans to share some local suds, too. On Sept. 23 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.), Brian Thompson, brewmaster at Telegraph Brewing Company, in Santa Barbara, will pour a special flight of ales at the wine and bottle shop.
“I’ve known Don for long time,” Brian Thompson said. “He was an early supporter of ours at his old location in Los Olivos, so we’re happy to get up there and promote the beers.”
Thompson plans to pour the limited Reserve Wheat Ale—a rustic-style quaff brewed with the addition of lemon verbena—as well as Telegraph’s flagship California Ale, a faithful interpretation of the ales brewed on the West Coast during the 19th century.
“I may also pour our Rhinoceros Rye,” Thompson revealed. “It has 10 percent alcohol and is made with rye, so it’s a big, full-bodied, and well balanced brew. Think of rye bread; it kind of has that spicy, earthy character, and that comes through in
the beer.”
A few miles south of Santa Maria, the inaugural Santa Ynez Valley Vintages Week takes place Sept. 17 through 25. Among the highlights are the Danish Days festival (Sept. 16 to 18) and Los Alamos Old Days (Sept. 23 to 25), as well as a variety of special events and flight tastings at area wine tasting rooms.
On Sept. 24, Buttonwood Farm Winery, in Solvang, plays host to FrancFest, a gala sampling of Cabernet Franc from 14 area wineries. Participants include Longoria Wines, Bedford Winery, The Brander Vineyard, Carr Vineyard, and Foxen 7200, to name a few, and proceeds from the event go to benefit the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County.
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Those who want to delve more deeply into the arcana of Cabernet Franc can attend a seminar presented by Patrick Will, who explores the many styles of wine made from this classic Bordeaux grape. Will serves as an affable guide on this lively armchair journey from rosés to robust reds, and from the Loire to Tuscany and South Africa—all noted producers of this noble grape.
At the end of the month (Sept. 29 to Oct. 2), Savor the Central Coast returns for its second annual celebration of regional wines and cuisine. Presented by Sunset Magazine and the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau, this extravagant series of events includes wine seminars, winemaker dinners, a grand tasting at Santa Margarita Ranch featuring more than 200 wineries, and a host of culinary adventures right here on the Central Coast.
And since September just isn’t long enough, on the evening of Oct. 8, the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association (SYVWCA) holds its popular Harvest Moon Roundup. The dinner and dance features wines from member wineries, the irresistible tunes of Territorial Law, and a gourmet barbecued feast prepared by Epicurean Cowboy.
Also on Oct. 8, the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association (SBCVA) invites wine lovers to the Celebration of Harvest, an exposition of local food and wine at Rancho Sisquoc Winery. In addition to Saturday’s celebration, look for creative events, winemaker dinners, and vineyard tours taking place all over wine country throughout the entire long weekend.
“Harvest is such an exciting time for everyone working here in the Valley,” said Michael Larner, president of the SBCVA. “Not just for the winegrape harvest, but also for apples, pears, and other fruits, as well as pumpkins, tomatoes, squash, greens—you name it. We thought it would be enjoyable for our visitors to experience the harvest as a whole.”
Indeed, humanity has celebrated the pleasures of harvest since early gatherers first raided fruit-laden shrubs on the savannah. Carrying on the venerable traditions of feasting and imbibing during this bountiful season, Santa Barbara County wine lovers savor the foods, fruits, and fermented beverages of yet another glorious autumn.
If you have an idea for Eats, contact Arts Editor Shelly Cone at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 15-22, 2011.
