Just in time for holiday planning and gift buying, local wineries open their doors for a gala passport weekend. Hosted by Santa Maria Valley Wine Country, the event features the wares of four different wineries paired with small bites prepared expressly to match each vintage.
This year’s event, called Flights and Bites, is slated for Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wine lovers can enjoy a wide variety of liquid treasures and edible treats, all while stocking up on ideal items for holiday giving, many offered at one-time-only discounts.
“It’s a progressive food and wine tasting that’s pure magic,” said Kady Fleckenstein, executive director of Santa Maria Valley Wine Country. “At points throughout the day you will travel to four different locations to sample hand-crafted wines and delicious food.
“Each location is open to attendees for two hours that overlap throughout the day,” she continued. “This allows people to savor the food and wine pairing without feeling rushed.
“It’s an affordable wine country experience,” she added, “that offers tremendous savings, especially when you’re not paying a tasting fee at each facility.”
The progressive tasting begins at Costa de Oro, in Santa Maria, where all attendees must pick up their glasses and passports between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Owner/winemaker Gary Burk plans to serve five of his favorite wines, “each paired with a bite of something tasty!”
According to Burk, the wines will include the Costa de Oro 2009 Pinot Noir Rosé, Santa Maria Valley; 2008 Estate Chardonnay, Gold Coast Vineyard; 2008 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County; 2007 Pinot Noir, Dijon Selection, Gold Coast Vineyard; and 2006 Syrah Dessert Wine, Santa Barbara County. Tasters will want to take advantage of the 10 percent discount Burk has promised to extend exclusively to all passport holders.
From 12:30 to 2 p.m., tasters will gather at Kenneth Volk Vineyards on Tepusquet Road, where they will receive a 15 percent discount on purchases. Those who are also wine club members, or who join the club that day, will get a full 30 percent off purchases made on Dec. 4 and 5.
At the next destination, Riverbench Vineyard, a select assortment of wines will meet their culinary match.
“For Flights and Bites, we’ll be offering yummy sliders from the Far Western Tavern,” explained Laura Mohseni, general manager of the winery division at Riverbench Vineyard. “And we’ve got some great deals on our 2007 Estate Chardonnay. It’s priced at $200 a case, instead of $312 a case!”
The last stop on Saturday will be the friendly tasting room of Core Wine Company in Orcutt. Here, owners Dave and Becky Corey will not only be reveling in meeting passport holders, but also in the birth of their baby, Kellen, who is not quite two months old.
Local vintners make a point of supporting local institutions, and a percentage of the proceeds garnered from sales of Flights and Bites passport will go to Santa Maria’s Blochman Union School District. The financially strapped district maintains a school that teaches kindergarteners through eighth graders, as well as the Family Partnership Home Study Charter School.
On Sunday, Dec. 5, passport holders can sample wine at five other participating wineries without incurring any additional charge. This will be a wine-only tasting, with no paired bites offered.
Wineries honoring the passports on Sunday include Cambria Winery, Byron Vineyard, Rancho Sisquoc Winery, and Tres Hermanas Winery, all located near Santa Maria. Also welcoming passport tasters is William James Cellars, a small producer operating out of Central Coast Wine Services.
“I am doing an open house on Sunday,” said Robin Bogue, owner of William James Cellars. “I will have with me Mark Robert Halper signing his book, Sunlight and Water, and I will have Klancy—a young musician with a voice to reckon with—performing, too. She’s awesome!
“I am not offering any bites,” Bogue added, “but I will be pouring wines that I believe will complement most any holiday dinner!”
Tasters in need of overnight lodging will find special rates in place at several area hotels, including the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Rodeway Inn, and Radisson Hotel. To receive the discount, simply mention the Flights and Bites event when booking a room.
“Santa Maria Valley wineries will be celebrating the holiday spirit with decorations, holiday discounts, and open houses,” Fleckenstein declared. “The Flights and Bites passport event is a terrific way to enjoy yourself while shopping for holiday gifts.
“Bring friends and family,” she added, “and make it a memorable weekend vacation. You sure can’t beat the price!”
K. Reka Badger will spend the weekend following Flights and Bites, sipping wine and wrapping gifts. Join her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Nov 25 – Dec 2, 2010.