Just when area vintners find themselves knee deep in grape juice and slippery skins, the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association
(SBCVA) extends an invitation to join the messy fun. Over four days this October, wine lovers can get an eyeful of the action as winemakers, chefs, and tasting room staffers roll out the red carpet to celebrate harvest.
Organizers encourage locals and visitors alike to “Make a weekend of it!” by taking advantage of festivities running Oct. 10 through 13. Amid the arrival of ripe grapes and cascades of juice from all manner of presses, expect to find barrel tastings, food pairings, and the uncorking of library wines in full, glorious swing.
With a Vintners’ Visa in hand, tasters can choose from 40 participating wineries and sample at 12 of them fee-free during the four-day event. Facilities on the itinerary include, among others, D’Alfonso-Curran, ampelos cellars, Costa de Oro, Stolpman Vineyard, Palmina, Zaca Mesa Winery, Bedford Thompson Vineyard, Roblar Vineyard, Buttonwood Farm Winery, and Demetria (usually open by appointment only).
Visa holders not only enjoy special status at the tasting counters, they receive extra discounts on many wine purchases, too. And at $35, the Visa pays for itself after visits to just three or four wineries.
The festival weekend kicks off on Friday, with a winemaker dinner hosted by Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, extended hours at Foley Estates, and a Friday Nite Winedown, with music and nibbles, at Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard. The folks at Artiste salute the occasion by mounting a weekend-long exhibit of local artwork, while offering visitors a chance to create their own paintings as they sip current releases.
Saturday finds the schedule loaded with open houses, from The Brander Vineyard’s tri-tip and chicken barbecue to Bedford Thompson’s delicious spread of breads, cheeses, and heirloom tomatoes. As Consilience pulls rare vintages from its library racks and Melville showcases its 2007 Pinot Noir clonal series, winemaker Kenneth Volk hosts a five-course dinner at the Santa Ynez Inn.
Also on Saturday, Riverbench Vineyard presents an al fresco dinner at the winery, catered by Grappolo’s Leonardo Curti, while Lucas & Lewellen wows guests with a tasty line-up of live jazz paired with olives, cheese, and of course, wine.
At the heart of the long weekend, Saturday’s Celebration of Harvest festival unfolds at Rancho Sisquoc Winery, where dramatic chaparral-clad bluffs meet the cattle and wine country of North County. Here, on the vast lawn, vendors offer tempting tastes of the area’s finest foods, and winemakers pour their red, white, and pink wares.
Look for delectable treats from local restaurants, caterers, growers, and merchants, dished up in snack-sized servings to allow belly room for all. Chef Rick’s, Global Gardens, Babe; Farms, Far Western Tavern, Wine Cask, and New West Catering are just a few who weigh in with samples of signature goodies.
Two bands new to the Celebration of Harvest deliver lively tunes with just the right tempos for tasting wine and visiting with friends. The first, Topoganda, plays a mix of tropics-infused jazz and rock, while the Russ Gonzales Jazz Band offers a nice counterpoint of American cool.
This year’s silent auction, stocked with rare vintages, large format (and often beautifully etched) bottles of wine, and glamorous lifestyle lots, promises to stimulate lively bidding throughout the day. This year, the proceeds from the event will help support the vital efforts of the Santa Barbara FoodBank.
Stamina counts when the SBCVA throws a party, for Sunday brings another round of irresistible events. In the morning, join winemaker Karen Steinwachs at Buttonwood Farm as she leads an inspiring vineyard walk, followed by a harvest brunch beside the shady pond.
A little later, the Longoria Wines tasting room features the newly released 2006 Blues Cuve;e, along with artisan cheeses, while Rideau Vineyard stages its famous Creole Open House, complete with live music and generous helpings of owner Iris Rideau’s signature dishes.
In Santa Maria, the Costa de Oro tasting room uncorks current and library wines for sipping with juicy barbecued beef sandwiches hot off the grill. Across town, Michael Grace Wines hosts a Blending Party and Luncheon, where guests can personalize their own blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, before digging into a hearty repast.
This fall, head out to wine country, where grapes give up their juice in a sticky hail of pulp and seeds. For a bracing glimpse of agriculture in action, join fellow wine lovers for the countywide block-party known as Celebration of Harvest, and make a long weekend of it!
INFOBOX: You must sip it
Celebration of Harvest weekend takes place Oct. 10 through 13 at tasting rooms all over Santa Barbara County. Tickets for the Celebration of Harvest festival on Oct. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m., are $65 ($25 for a designated driver) in advance. No tickets will be sold at the gate.
The Vintners’ Visa is $35, or $25 if purchased with a festival ticket. For more information, winery contact information, and pricing details, call the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association at 688-0881, or visit www.sbcountywines.com.
K. Reka Badger enjoys long weekends, especially when wine is involved. E-mail comments or ideas to rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 2, 2008.