Cocktail Corner: Bubblyfest

Bubblyfest takes place Oct. 5-8 in Avila Beach, courtesy photo.

Bubblyfest takes place Oct. 5-8 in Avila Beach, courtesy photo.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic!  By Leslie Dinaberg

Courtesy Bubblyfest.

Courtesy Bubblyfest.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway, check out this weekend’s Bubblyfest in Avila Beach Oct. 5-8.

BUBBLYFEST 2017 is the fourth annual event featuring more than 60 sparkling wine and champagne producers from around the world there to top off glasses and share insights on the fine world of bubbles. Taking place at the Avila Beach Golf Resort, the weekend’s events include: 

Thursday Night: Dinner is slated to be a Fried Chicken & Champagne Dinner with Master Somm Chris Blanchard, one of the Top 200 Somms. Dinner includes four different Champagnes.

Friday Day: Early afternoon includes industry and connoisseur focused seminars with panelists such as Chris Blanchard, Clarissa Nagy of Riverbench, Tawnya Falkner of Le Grand Courtage and Sylvie Tannhauser of Domaine Carneros.

Friday Evening: The very popular “Corks and Cocktails” cocktail party at the Central Coast Aquarium. Attendees come ‘dressed to the nines’ in 1920’s attire, listen to jazz and sip cocktails made with sparkling wines.

Saturday: Grand Tasting will include tasting from 70 labels both international and domestic, as well as more educational panels that are consumer focused. Enjoy light appetizers with Sparkling Wine and Champagne tasting where over 60 wineries invite you to fall in love with their bubbly.  Learn from the experts in the Seminar Series, indulge in a Champagne Toast, and relax on one of the sun bed loungers and sofas.

Bubblyfest takes place Oct. 5-8 in Avila Beach, courtesy photo.

Bubblyfest takes place Oct. 5-8 in Avila Beach, courtesy photo.

The 2017 festival will feature wines of Alsace, J Vineyards, Gloria Ferrar, Voveti and 60 other top sparkling wine and champagne producers from around the world together in one place to mingle with “lovers of the bubbly.”

Tickets for BUBBLYFEST By The Sea include a souvenir glass for each participant, unlimited bubbly tastings, seminars and a variety of light hors d’oeuvres. VIP events will be available on a first come, first served basis. Avila Beach Golf Resort is located at 6464 Ana Bay Rd, Avila Beach.

For more information, visit: bubblyfest.com. Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

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 considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 4, 2017.