The California Wine Festival celebrates 20 years in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - One of the largest waterfront wine festivals in the state is celebrating 20 years in Santa Barbara.

The California Wine festival takes place Friday night and Saturday afternoon at Chase Palm Park.

The lawn area has been cordoned off for multiple vendors of wine, craft beers, and foods including artisan breads, olive oil and cheese.

A VIP area is also available with special seating and gathering spaces.

Thee festival has grown to a limit of 2400 guests.

The Executive Director Emily Kaufmann says it is a popular event for wine lovers to meet wine makers, owners and also learn about wine grape regions throughout California

"That's a key component of the event we want to give the individual attendees. A chance to learn about new wine regions, new wine owners  and come away with a few favorites," said Kaufmann. "And having an idea of what their wine is, in that area and hopefully go and visit and join their wine club afterwards."    

The festival is also a big economic stimulus for the area.

After it ends attendees often go to area restaurants and stores which benefit from the foot traffic. In past events there's been a spike in business in the Funk Zone, the wharf and downtown.

Several attendees stay overnight at area hotels.

Friday night the festival has a smaller sold out private reserve and rare wine event in the Carousel House building across from the main festival site, prior to the main event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

For more information go to: California Wine Festival