February 2, 2005
Festival Time!The Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival is set for Saturday, April 9, 2005 at the Firestone Meadow from noon to 4 p.m.
Tickets will be $65 before the event and $75 at the door.
The Vintners’ Association is looking to get participation from 40 to 50 local restaurants and caterers and over 70 local wineries.
There will be live entertainment and a silent auction with proceeds going to the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Foundation that earmarks how the proceeds will be distributed.
Events and winemaker dinners will be scheduled in conjunction with the festival. I’ll keep you updated on details as they break.
The Association is offering a “vintners visa” to get free samples at selected member wineries. Cost is $25 or $15 if bought in conjunction with a festival ticket.
Other Vintner's News
The Vintners’ Association is actively looking for a new executive director. The association is also planning on publishing a new winery map in early spring.
Upcoming Events
- Saturday, February 12, 6:30 p.m., Gainey hosts a “sweethearts dinner.” It will be hosted by winemaker Kirby Anderson and prepared by chef Budi Kazali of the Ballard Inn Restaurant. Call (805) 688-0558 for reservations or more information. The price is $95 per person.
- Monday, February 14, 6:30 p.m. Buttonwood Farm Winery presents a Valentine’s Day at Nuuva in Ballard. The dinner will be hosted by winemaker Mike Brown and owner Bret Davenport. Menu highlights include a seared diver scallop and a beef filet. You can view the menu at Buttonwood’s website, www.buttonwoodwinery.com. For reservations, phone the winery at (805) 688-3032. Price is $85 and includes all the food, wine, tax and gratuity.
Times wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
