California Wine Festival Brings Three Days of Vino to Santa Barbara

The top wine regions in the state will be in the spotlight side by side this weekend in Santa Barbara. The California Wine Festival takes place over three days with special events and tastings.

Festival Director Don Fritzen started the food and wine event 11 years ago. Fritzen has a Thursday “Old Spanish Nights” event downtown in the Casa De La Guerra Adobe courtyard to kick things off. That will be followed by a Friday night reserve tasting near the carousel on the north side of Chase Palm Park.

Saturday is the showcase event on the ocean side of Chase Palm Park. It will feature wine makers from Napa, Sonoma, Temecula, the Santa Ynez Valley, the Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles, among others. Several vintners will be attending for the first time. Many award winning wine makers will be at the event and available to meet with wine lovers. Over 2000 are expected and tickets are still available.

Also offering samples will be several local breweries, restaurants, and vendors.

A live band will perform.

Proceeds from a silent auction will help the Santa Barbara County Food Bank.