Although wine may rest in French oak and age quietly in bottles, activity within the wine world never really ceases. The growing season requires constant vigilance in the vineyard, harvest brings a flurry of labor, and winter entails racking, blending, and endless peeks into aromatic barrels.
In early spring, just as the next vintage emerges as green buds on gnarled vines, a sense of play seems to ripple among area vintners. This year is no different, as wine tastings, food pairings, and gala festivals crowd the wine country calendar.
A local hotbed of wine-related events, Los Olivos Café offers a wonderful opportunity to discover how Santa Barbara County wines compare with vintages from benchmark regions across the globe. On Thursday, March 24, Jon McDaniel, the café’s wine director, hosts a tasting of Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as other select varietals.
McDaniel explained he’ll pour the wines in pairs for side-by-side sampling and discuss some of the obvious—and not so obvious—differences between the members of each pair. Chef Shaun King will prepare small nibbles designed to bring out the best in each match-up.
Every Sunday, the staff at Los Olivos Café serves a Chef’s Table special developed by King. The chef presents three-course meals family style, meaning diners serve themselves from platters of tempting food.
“We’ll be doing Chef’s Table for at least six months, depending on its success,” King said. “I’m foreseeing a very favorable response.
“I plate up the food, family-style,” he continued. “It’s served by us, tableside, and we leave the platter with a big spoon. We’ll do the same with the second course and dessert.”
On March 27, the menu will feature roasted beets and burrata, a salad of wild arugula with sherry vinaigrette spiced with Spanish anchovies and horseradish, and an entrée of braised short ribs. Sides include tempura cauliflower and coffee whipped potatoes, with cookies and malted milk for dessert.
The menu changes every week and opens with an amuse-bouche (French for “mouth amuser”) to whet appetites. According to King, these bite-sized appetizers may consist of mini tuna tartar tacos, oyster on the half shell, a spoonful of mac and cheese, or even blini and caviar.
“Whatever I decide,” King said, “it’ll be a little taste from the kitchen.”
Chef King encourages area residents to bring the family for a fun night out. He adds that the entire table must participate, and although not required, reservations are recommended.
On March 22, Los Olivos Café began offering special meals prepared strictly for locals. Chef King, who will serve his In the Valley Menu every Tuesday, explained that the series is intended to show café regulars appreciation for their support.
The three-course meals ($30) revolve around a variety of Santa Ynez Valley resources, including its farmers, wines, and unique cuisine.
Menus include your choice of arugula salad with shallots, almonds, Parmesan, and blueberries in red wine vinaigrette, or housemade soup. Entrée selections range from braised short ribs and grilled chicken breast to albacore tuna and spinach gnocchi, all accompanied by tasty sides and followed by cookies and malted milk.
Chef King advises diners to mention the In the Valley Menu when they’re seated, for it’s available only to friends of the café.
Help yourself to another serving of fun in wine country on April 2, when Zaca Mesa Winery goes to the dogs. Hike the vineyard with your pet pooch, and then enjoy a picnic and wine tasting with winemaker Eric Mosheni. The winery will provide water and doggie treats for this unusual event, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit SoCal Bulldog Rescue.
The following Tuesday, Zaca Mesa teams up with Los Olivos Café to be host to a festive winemaker dinner. The chef will prepare a five-course meal to pair with Zaca Mesa’s wines, including the popular Z Cuvee and a number of other Rhône-style offerings.
Riverbench Vineyard, located a few miles north of Zaca Mesa, marks its third birthday on April 2 with a gala celebration. To boost the fun factor, the staff will also release the 2010 Pinot Noir Rosé and the 2009 Cork Jumper Blanc de Blanc, treating visitors to samples of the bubbly treat.
The long weekend of April 15 through 18 finds all the members of the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association gathered for the Vintners Festival. This annual expo of wine and food unfolds in Lompoc’s River Park and showcases the best that area chefs and winemakers have to offer, so make plans to attend and drink in the action during spring on the wine trail.
K. Reka Badger is toasting to spring. Join her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Mar 24-31, 2011.