Posted on August 13, 2022
| 5:38 p.m.
The Santa Barbara Vintners Festival returns for its 38th year, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang. The first wine festival ever held in Santa Barbara County, the Vintners Festival will feature more than 70 wineries and gourmet offerings from 30 regional chefs, restaurants, and food producers.
Visitors can meet winemakers and winery owners to learn first-hand why Santa Barbara County was named 2021 Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Guests can enjoy samples of the region’s best sparkling wine in the Bank of Marin Bubble Lounge, along with live music, and culinary and viticulture demonstrations.
An early entry admission ticket at $125 grants access to the festival at noon – one hour before general admission ($95) – allowing for more personal interaction with winemakers, owners, and chefs.
Located in downtown Solvang, the festival offers onsite parking, although attendees are urged to walk, carpool, use local rideshare options, or take the train.
“Santa Barbara Wine Country has been internationally recognized as the Wine Region of the Year because it produces globally competitive wines from one of the most diverse growing regions in the world. But education, experience, passion, and wisdom the winemakers pour into every bottle is what really sets us apart,” said Alison Laslett, CEO of the Santa Barbara Vintners Association, which has organized the Vintners Festival since its inception.
“Our wine country offers more varietals than any other wine region so everyone from wine novices to experienced collectors and connoisseurs will find cases to buy and enjoy at home,” she said.
Locals discount tickets are $75 and for people whose primary residence is in Santa Barbara County, who live and work in the wine region. These tickets are available to the first 250 buyers. Non-drinking tickets are $25 and are intended for those not drinking, designated drivers, and/or children ages 6-20. Children under age 6 enter for free.
All tickets can be purchased at www.sbvintnersweekend.com. The festival will take place rain or shine, and all tickets are non-refundable.
Santa Barbara Vintners thanks its long-standing sponsors and partners who make this event possible, including Bank of Marin, the Chumash Casino Resort, and Visit the Santa Ynez Valley.
