{"id":6982,"date":"2015-03-06T19:19:06","date_gmt":"2015-03-07T03:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6982"},"modified":"2015-03-06T09:25:24","modified_gmt":"2015-03-06T17:25:24","slug":"cocktail-corner-lots-of-ways-to-eat-drink-and-make-merry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6982","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Lots of Ways to Eat, Drink and Make Merry"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kurt

Kurt Russell will take part in the annual Santa Barbara Food &amp;amp;amp;amp; Wine Weekend at the Bacara Resort. Photo by Isaac Hernandez<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

There’s no shortage of fun wine, beer and cocktail events in Santa Barbara County, but the next few weeks are particularly eventful.<\/p>\n

Here’s a look at\u00a0some of the toast-worthy happenings:<\/p>\n

March 6-7\u00a0World of Pinot Noir<\/a><\/p>\n

Indulge in the pleasures of Pinot Noir at the beautiful Bacara this spring, when the 15th Annual World of Pinot Noir unites producers from the most exceptional and unique regions in the world with Pinot Noir enthusiasts for a weekend of celebration and education. Last year\u2019s event set a high bar for wonderful wines. Sip and savor at the\u00a0Bacara Resort & Spa<\/a>, 8301 Hollister Ave., Goleta, 805\/489-1758,\u00a0worldofpinotnoir.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Courtesy

Courtesy World of Pinot Noir<\/p><\/div>\n

March 18-22 Taste of Solvang<\/a><\/p>\n

Celebrate the 23<\/span>rd<\/sup>\u00a0year of\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTaste of Solvang\u201d<\/a>\u00a0Food & Wine Destination Weekend with a five-day experience that encourages attendees to embark on \u201ca culinary journey through Solvang, where wine country meets \u2018dine country.” Highlights include the\u00a0<\/span>\u200btwo-day\u00a0Taste of Solvang Wine & Beer Walk, which allows guests to taste their pick from more than a dozen participating wine tasting rooms, wine bars and beer bars during the two-day stroll through Solvang Village. In addition, there’s\u00a0a\u00a0special Winemaker Dinner\u00a0in a greenhouse setting with local winemaker and vineyard owner, Michael Larner of\u00a0<\/span>Larner Vineyard & Winery<\/a>, and a carefully-curated pairing\u00a0menu by\u00a0<\/span>Bacon & Brine\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Chef Pink. New this year is\u00a0<\/span>Bubbles & Brunch, an exclusive brunch held at Solvang\u2019s Wildling Museum, featuring\u00a0three different sparkling wines from local label, Flying Goat Cellars\u2019 \u201cGoat Bubbles\u201d \u2013 a Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and a sparkling Ros\u00e9.\u00a0Flying Goat Cellars<\/a>\u00a0Winemaker, Norm Yost, is available to walk guests through each sparkling wine and the sparkling winemaking process. Various locations throughout Solvang. Tickets are available at\u00a0solvangusa.com\/tickets<\/a>, and for further information, visit \u00a0solvangusa.com\/tos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"GaragisteMarch 27-29 Southern Exposure Festival in Solvang<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This popular festival returns to Veterans\u2019 Hall in Solvang for what\u00a0Festival co-founder Stewart McLennan promises will be “our best Southern Exposure ever\u2014with many more exciting wine discoveries on tap from Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County.\u201d\u00a0The weekend of events will showcase the wines of over 60 artisan garagiste commercial winemakers who produce under 1,500 cases per year from the Santa Barbara region and the Central Coast. As an added benefit, the nonprofit Garagiste Festivals benefit the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture program.\u00a0For more information on The Garagiste Festivals, go to http:\/\/garagistefestival.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

April 16\u201419\u00a0Santa Barbara Food & Wine Weekend\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Now in its second year at the Bacara, the Santa Barbara Food & Wine Weekend showcases the distinct tastes, sights and sounds of Santa Barbara County while also bringing cutting-edge culinary talent from across the country to our region. This multi-faceted event, which includes cooking classes with famed chefs, local wine and food tastings, movie screenings, special presentations and much more, is a benefit for The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. Among the highlights this year is a special dinner with actor\/winemaker Kurt Russell on April 18.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0Bacara Resort & Spa, 8301 Hollister Ave., Goleta. BacaraCulinaryWeekend.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

April 18\u00a0Earth Day Pop-Up Farm-to-Table Dinner<\/a><\/p>\n

When the sun goes down on Saturday\u2019s Earth Day celebration, a large community table pops in front of the main stage immediately after the last band. The only activity in the park with an admission fee, this four-course locavore feast\u2014a benefit for Community Environmental Council\u2014features seasonal delights from New West Catering and Cultivate Events, as well as local wine pairings and live music. This limited-seating special event will sell out, so get your tickets early. | Alameda Park, 1400 Santa Barbara St., 7 p.m. For tickets contact Kathi King at 805\/963-0583 ext.108, or visit SBEarthDay.org festival-highlights\/farm-to-table-dinner<\/a>.<\/p>\n

April 19\u00a0Magic on the Urban Wine Trail III<\/a><\/p>\n

Join the Parks and Recreation Community Foundation (PARC) for its third annual fundraising bash, Magic on the Urban Wine Trail, where music, art and wine meet. \u00a0Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting featuring more than 12 wineries from the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, while you mingle with friends, enjoy local art and music and feel great about supporting Parks and Recreation programs for under-served youth. \u00a0There is also a silent auction, raffle and bottles of favorite wines for purchase. Carrillo Recreation Center Ballroom, 100 E. Carrillo St., 3-6 p.m. 805\/897-1946, parcsb.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hope to see some of you there. Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more cocktail corner columns.\u00a0Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on March 6, 2015.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a>When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0mag<\/i>azine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

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