Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
The unofficial creed of the U.S. Post Office heralds its unwavering commitment to duty despite punishing elements. I recently proved that the same can now be said of beer and wine enthusiasts like myself, and all it took was a trip to Solvang’s Wine and Beer Walk.
Solvang’s Wine and Beer Walk is part of the town’s monthly Third Wednesday event, which offers discounts from more than sixty local vendors throughout the community. The event, which recently added beer to its scope, takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. during each third Wednesday and features an opportunity to get to know more about the local wines and beers the region is famous for.
Last week, I finally decided to check this event out, despite having lived on the Central Coast for several years. Unfortunately, I did this on what turned out to be one of the coldest, rainiest days of the year. As I drove down Highway 246, watching the rain through my windshield wipers, I wondered if I’d made a ridiculous mistake. What kind of person in her right mind heads out for a “walk” of any kind in weather like this? I could have turned around and headed back to the sanctuary of my warm pajamas and hot cocoa, but that’s defeatist and I’m not about that. After all, it’s this very rain (as miserable and freezing as it is sometimes) that is exactly what we count on to help provide the rich bounty of delicious offerings we so frequently enjoy as food and wine lovers.
The weather outside might have been cold and gloomy, but inside Solvang’s Wandering Dog Winery, the mood was inviting and cozy. Owners Jody and Charles Williams were busy doing what they do most days, pouring wine and making small talk with the trickle of guests who weren’t about to let the wet weather keep them away from wine and good company.
For $20, participants in the walk get a souvenir wine glass and five tickets which are good for two complimentary tastings each. (Keep in mind, the website says to bring cash if you plan on purchasing your ticket on the day of the event.) The tickets allow guests to sample two wines or beers at up to five different locations, which are all in fairly close walking distance from one another.
“It gets you walking around town, it gets you trying a couple of different samples in each place. It’s good exposure for the business but it’s also good for the consumer,” Jody Williams said. “They can discover a place they might not have normally popped into.’’
“It’s a great introduction to the wineries and places here,” Charles Williams said. “After a couple of times, you’re going to find your favorites and end up going back there.”
Charles Williams, whose mother, Susan, helped launch the event, said it showcases the town, not just for tourists, but for locals looking to explore and discover things they might have missed.
“In summer, you have the farmers’ market as well, so you get people who incorporate that whole experience in with the wine tasting,” he said. “But the tourists come in more because they’ve randomly heard about it while they’re in town visiting.”
For my tasting at Wandering Dog, I opted for the 2015 Wandering Dog sauvignon blanc, a fruit-driven and easy drinking wine that makes for a good start to a day of wine sampling. While I’m not a particular fan of moscato, a popular wine that I find way too sweet even for my sugar tooth, I gave in and tried the 2015 La Caudrina moscato, which I found to be more crisp and less cloying than I expected.
As I stepped back out into the rain, I zipped up my sweatshirt and pulled my hoodie over my wet hair, determined to not let the soggy ambience dampen my enjoyment. This proved to be a near Sisyphean task, but when good wine and beer is involved, practically nothing can hold me back.
Inside Solvang Brewing Company, I found brewmaster Logan Preston and manager Kane Ramirez ready and eager to talk about beers. My ticket allowed me to sample two of their long list of popular brews. Ramirez said the event is a big hit, especially for those who may not be aware of beers the region now has to offer.
“We’ve participated in this event for a few years now,” Ramirez said. “It’s a great way to get people out and about in town. We’re usually pretty busy. We get a good size crowd throughout that day.”
“We can spot them right away with their brochures and lists as they check off each venue,” Preston said. “People come with their [souvenir] glasses in hand and we point right to the bar.”
For my visit, I first sampled the Hoppy Ending Extra IPA, a new beer recently added to the venue’s roster, which really lives up to its name with a fresh burst of hoppiness.
Next, I tried the Blue Eyed Blonde, described on the brewery’s website as “medium body, low hop bitterness … balanced with a nice crisp and clean malt flavor.” Preston said the beer is easily their most popular and sells out pretty regularly.
“We stick to our flagships mostly,” Preston said. “We’ll rotate them out occasionally, depending on what’s good for the season. When it’s a lot hotter out, you want a lighter beer. When it’s cold you want a stout, a double IPA, something to warm you up a bit.”
Over at my next stop, Sevtap, where I probably could have used a cup of hot tea, I opted for a tasting of the 2015 Golden Horn sauvignon blanc, a buttery and not too sweet wine. Despite the dreary weather and gray skies, the tone inside was upbeat and charming. “What rain?” the bottles on the wall seemed to shout out. All in all, it managed to feel like a fun day. Even when business isn’t booming, area vendors treat each customer with the same enthusiasm they would on the busiest of days.
While the weather may not have been ideal, the day was a good preview for another big upcoming event in the area, the Seventh Annual Santa Ynez Restaurant Week. Taking place Jan. 22 through 28, the event features more 30 restaurants and local wineries from Buellton, Los Alamos, Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez. For $20.17, participants can indulge in a three-course meal specially prepared for the event. Local wineries and breweries are also participating in the event, including Wandering Dog and Solvang Brewing Company.
Rebecca Rose can be found drinking wine at home in her warm pajamas for the rest of the week. She can be reached through Interim Managing Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2017.