Although wine country fun prevails in all seasons, it seems to gain momentum when summer rolls around. With school out and the sixth month well underway, Santa Barbara County wineries offer a creative roster of gala events and mini-vacations.
Getting the jump on summer haps in May, Firestone Vineyard initiated its First Friday program, a series of free, live concerts at the winery. The shows are open to the whole family—pets included—and take place on the first Friday of each month.
During the concerts, enjoy Firestone wines by the glass or bottle and take advantage of tasting room specials, offered all evening. To stave off hunger, bring a picnic from home or nibble on tri-tip sandwiches hot off the grill of the Flavors food truck (6 to 9 p.m., 688-3940, firestonewine.com).
On June 11, drink in the glory of wine country from a comfortable perch on the patio at Riverbench Vineyard, located just a few miles south of Santa Maria. Pack a picnic lunch, buy a bottle of wine, and tap your toes to the music of Sean Wiggins, a hard-working country rock duo noted for delivering dynamic vocals and guitar licks reminiscent of the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn ($10, 1 to 4 p.m., 937-8340 riverbench.com).
Wine-loving duffers will want to join members of the Central Coast Wine Growers’ Association (CCWGA) as they tee off on Friday, June 17, at the organization’s annual golf tournament. Held at Avila Beach Golf Resort, the tournament features contests ranging from longest drive to closest to the hole, as well as a chance to win a car from Bob Brown Auto of Paso Robles.
The cost of the tournament ($150 per person) includes greens fees, cart, shirt, hat, continental breakfast, lunch, and assorted beverages. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the Cal Poly Vines to Wines Club.
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“One of the missions of the Central Coast Wine Growers’ Association,” said Dan Rodrigues, president of the CCWGA, “is to promote agricultural education, and this is one of the ways the association can assist viticulture students.”
The next day, June 18, head out to Santa Rita Hills, where FiddleFest kicks off in the famous Fiddlestix Barn on Santa Rosa Road. This singular event marks the fifth annual celebration of Fiddlestix Vineyard, a coveted, 96-acre parcel planted entirely to Pinot Noir.
FiddleFest offers a rare opportunity to sample Pinot Noir from the 14 winemakers lucky enough to get fruit from the vineyard. They include Bonaccorsi, Fiddlehead Cellars, Hitching Post, Pali, Rusack Vineyards, and Vogelzang Vineyard, to name a few.
Food purveyors Avant, Chef Rick’s, Fresco Valley Café, and Starting Gate will dish up delightful hors d’oeuvres, while Peter Feldmann and The Very Lonesome Boys fill the air with their irresistible tunes. Net proceeds from the event and its associated silent auction will go to People Helping People (PHP), a local nonprofit that aids farm and vineyard workers and their families.
“The financial support of our local winemakers,” said Dean Palius, executive director at PHP, “is a key to our ability to continue to furnish services to strengthen the families of farm workers. This year we are particularly gratified that four restaurants and chefs have donated their talents and food, and that Rabobank and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians have underwritten this event as gold sponsors.”
According to Kathy Joseph, proprietor of Fiddlestix Vineyard and Fiddlehead Cellars, this tasting illuminates the importance of place when growing Pinot Noir. Indeed, the wines demonstrate distinct individuality, while showcasing each winemaker’s finesse, as well as the wondrous nature of Pinot Noir sourced from the Santa Rita Hills.
On Father’s Day, celebrate at Bridlewood Estate Winery, where a tasting of exclusive wines takes place lakeside. Sample vintages from a variety of Santa Ynez Valley producers—including Lincourt, Casa Cassara, Imagine Wine, and Arthur Earl—while chatting with the vintners and gleaning valuable tips from food and wine demonstrations.
Wine and fabulous blues music meet once again at Buttonwood Farm Winery with the 16th annual staging of Red, White and Blues, on June 25. Hosted by Buttonwood Farm and Longoria Wines, this year’s concert boasts headliners Theresa James and the Rhythm Traps.
Bring a picnic and a lawn chair, and settle in with some fine wine around Buttonwood Farm’s sparkling pond for a day of low-down blues and pure pleasure.
Rounding out June’s offerings, Zaca Mesa Winery hosts its annual summer movie series. On June 25, park a chair or blanket in the winery’s lovely courtyard and relive the wonder of the landmark film, The Big Chill ($35, 8:30-11:30 p.m. RSVP to kori@zacamesa.com, 1-800-350-7972, Ext. 314).
With any luck, the weather will warm up and it will actually feel like summer. In the meantime, get started on seasonal activities by checking out the haps at Santa Barbara County’s fun-loving wineries.
K. Reka Badger’s summer calendar is filling up quickly. Contact her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Jun 9-16, 2011.