Behind the Scenes: The 7 AVAs Wine Tasting May 19-21, 2023
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Fri, May 19 All day
Sat, May 20 All day
Sun, May 21 All day
Address (map)
3010 Roblar Avenue, Santa Ynez
This event will feature a walk-around tasting with wineries representing each of the 7 AVAs, including light bites provided by Roblar’s on-site restaurant.
Participating Wineries: Santa Ynez Valley AVA: Roblar Winery, Santa Maria: FOXEN, Alisos Canyon: Dovecote, Happy Canyon: Happy Canyon Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills: Gainey Vineyard, Los Olivos: TBD, Ballard Canyon: Saarloos & Sons
Fri May 19th 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Roblar Winery, 3010 Roblar Ave, Santa Ynez, CA 93460, USA
Ticket Price: $85
Location: Roblar Winery.
Join us for an evening among the vines at Roblar Winery, right in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. Sample wines from each of Santa Barbara County’s 7 unique American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), and taste why it is one of the most diverse grape growing regions in the world. Locally-sourced light bites will be provided by Roblar’s on-site restaurant.
Expand Your Palate; how Santa Barbara is leading the charge experimenting with new varietals and making fun, funky and fresh wines
Sat May 20th 10:00am – 11:30am
Story of Soil Winery, 100 Los Padres Way, Buellton, CA 93427, USA
Ticket Price: $100
Location: Story of Soil Winery
Though perhaps most well known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah, Santa Barbara County is home to over 70 unique grape varieties. Join us at Story of Soil’s Winery in Buellton for a lively discussion and exciting tasting of some of Santa Barbara County’s most interesting new wines. The panel will be moderated by Jessica Gasca, owner and winemaker at Story of Soil, and panelists include: Chase Carhartt, Wine Grape Grower at Carhartt Family Wines, Eric Carucci, owner of Carucci Family Wines, Karen Steinwachs, owner and winemaker at Seagrape Wine Co., Peter Stolpman, owner of Stolpman Vineyards, and Larry Schaffer, owner and winemaker at Tercero Wines.
Lunch & Wine Tasting: Sustainable, Organic, Biodynamic – What’s the Difference?
Sat May 20th 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Fess Parker Winery, 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441
Ticket Price: $150
Location: Fess Parker Winery
Join us for lunch, wine tasting and a panel discussion about the farming philosophies behind sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming. Moderated by Tim Snider of Fess Parker, in this session we will define what each of these practices entails and dive deep into the complexities of farming a healthy vineyard in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Panelists will include Samantha Aguilar, Laboratory Manager at Cambria Winery, Blair Fox, Head Winemaker at Fess Parker Winery, Gretchen Voelcker, Winemaker at Piazza Family Wines, and Brook Williams, Owner and Winegrower, Duvarita. Valley Piggery will treat attendees to a lunch reflecting the bounty and terroir of the Central Coast. With both meat and vegetarian options, there will be something for everyone!
World Class Cabernet in Santa Barbara County
Sat May 20th 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Brave & Maiden Estate, 649 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460, USA
Ticket Price: $200
Location: Brave & Maiden Estate
Some of the finest producers of Cabernet Sauvignon will come together to share their favorite wines with their fellow winemakers and guests. This event will feature a tasting of 5 different wines, each bottle priced above $100. The event will be moderated by Amy Christine, MW and Owner/Winemaker at Holus Bolus & The Joy Fantastic, and the panelists will include Bradley Long, Winemaker at Grassini Family Vineyards, Ernst Storm, Winemaker at Grimm’s Bluff, Joshua Klapper, Director of Winemaking at Brave & Maiden Estate, Simon Faury, Winemaker at Crown Point Vineyards, and Tyler Thomas, President and Winemaker at Star Lane and Dierberg Vineyards. Join us for this one of a kind opportunity to taste exclusive bottlings side by side from some of the top Cabernet producing estates in Santa Barbara County.
The Evolution of the Sta. Rita Hills: Pinot Noir and Beyond
Sat May 20th 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Babcock Winery & Vineyards, 5175 CA-246, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA
Ticket Price: $100
Location: Babcock Winery & Vineyards
Sta. Rita Hills winemakers discuss their AVA’s success with Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, and how the addition of new varieties, like Syrah and Grenache, could take the Sta. Rita Hills to a whole new institutional level.
Sparkling Everything and Pizza
Sat May 20th 4:30pm – 6:30pm
The Hilt Estate, 2240 Santa Rosa Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA
Ticket Price: $125
Location: The Hilt
This is an evening you don’t want to miss! Come and taste the wide variety of sparkling wines made in Santa Barbara County, paired with local pizza and the stunning view from the Barn at The Hilt Estate in the Sta. Rita Hills.
Lunch & Wine Tasting: The Next Generation of Winemaking in Santa Barbara County
Sun May 21st 11:30am – 1:30pm
The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido, 3503 Rancho Tepusquet Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA
Ticket Price: $150
Location: The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido
Their families helped establish winemaking in Santa Barbara County, and now the next generation is taking over. The panel will be moderated by Nicholas Miller, Miller Family Wines, and panelists include: Chase Carhartt, Carhartt Family Wines, Peter Stolpman, Stolpman Vineyards, Greer Shull, Fess Parker Winery, and Bingo Wathen, FOXEN Vineyard & Winery. This discussion will take place in the new tasting room at Bien Nacido Vineyard, one of the oldest cool climate vineyards in California, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. Tastings and lunch are included.
Tickets: https://sbcountywines.com/behind-the-scenes/