Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival 2018, courtesy photo.
A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg
One of the very best wine fests—the 31st Annual Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival—returns to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History on Saturday, June 30.
The Museum is a beautiful place to indulge in delicious wines paired with excellent bites along the shaded banks of Mission Creek. And you can feel good about going to this event because all net proceeds from the festival support the Museum’s nature and science education programs. I have fond memories of field trips to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History back when I was in elementary school, as well as many more recent trips with my son.
It’s definitely a festival with a LOCAL feeling. Perhaps because of that, the Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival is also one of the few events that the winemakers themselves attend and pour their favorite vintages. “This is one of the very best tastings that we attend throughout the year,” says Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa.
“This is the most beautiful tasting, the most beautiful setting that I do anywhere in the country.” says Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat.
Jamie Slone at Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival, courtesy photo.
More than 50 Central Coast wineries will be at the festival, including:
Marni Margerum at Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival, courtesy photo.
• Area 5.1
• Cambria
• Cebada
• CORE
• De Paola
• Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
Tim Snider and Brad Thomas at Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival, courtesy photo.
• Foxen
• Kalyra
Fred Brander at Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival, courtesy photo.
• Longoria
• Lumen
• Melville
• Nielson
• Oreana
• Palmina
• Potek
Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival 2018, courtesy photo.
• Qupé
• Rideau
• Tatomer
Courtesy Santa Barbara Wine and Food Festival.
Ian Cutler at Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival, courtesy photo.
Also available are sweet and savory delectable delights from more than 40 of Santa Barbara County’s finest eateries and caterers, including:
• Barbareño
• Benchmark
• Black Bow Sweets
• Blue Water Grill
• Bob’s Well Bread
Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival 2018, courtesy photo.
• Bottlest Bistro
• Brophy Bros.
• Ca’ Dario
• Corazon Cocina
• Country Catering
Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival 2018, courtesy photo.
Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival 2018, courtesy photo.
• Deux Bakery
• Enterprise Fish Company
• Farmer Boy
• Finch and Fork Restaurant
• Gelson’s Market – Santa Barbara
• Helena Avenue Bakery
• Hitching Post
• il Fustino
• Industrial Eats
• Jessica Foster Confections
• Loquita
• Michael’s Catering
• Oat Bakery
• Outpost at Goodland
• Pacific Pickle Works
• Pico
Guests enjoy Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival, courtesy photo.
• Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro
• Santa Barbara Popcorn Co.
• Savoy Cafe and Deli
• Scarlett Begonia
• Solvang Bakery
• The Bear and Star
• The Lark
• Tondi Gelato
• Via Maestra 42
Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival tickets cost $75 for Museum members and $100 for non-members. VIP tickets, including access to the VIP Lounge, early entry at 1 p.m. (the regular festival runs from 2–5 p.m.), six exclusive tastings and food pairings with winemakers, chair massages, and more are $125 for Museum members and $150 for non-members.
Designated drivers are free to enter as long as they accompany a paid guest. Designated drivers can sign up by emailing Sarah at sclement@sbnature2.org and giving the names of their passenger(s).
The Museum is located at 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara. For more information, please visit www.sbnature.org/winefestival.
I hope to see some of you there. Cheers! Click here for more Cocktail Corner columns.
When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie believes variety is the spice of life. Send your suggestions to Leslie@sbseasons.com.
Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on June 3, 2018.