Santa Barbara Special Wine Tastings Dinners Winemaker Events Gayot

Through May 28
Los Olivos Café's themed wine-tasting events continue on Wednesday evenings in May, featuring: May 7, Michael Grace Wines; May 14, Ross Jay Rankin, Imagine Winery; May 21, Martin & Weyrich Winery; May 28, Cottonwood Canyon Winery. Meet the winemakers and enjoy five of their wines complemented with hors d'oeuvres by chef Nat Ely. 5 p.m.-6 p.m., $15 per person. Los Olivos Café, 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA 93411, 805-688-7265.

May 13
Brooks in Ventura is hosting a five-course winemaker dinner featuring selections from Rosenthal Winery. Chef Andy Brooks' menu will include vanilla scented ahi with spring vegetable ragout and pickled ginger cream sauce paired with Chardonnay, Malibu Estate, Newton Canyon, 2006; smoked and grilled California ostrich loin with udon noodle cake and crispy red table grapes paired with Surfrider, Malibu, Newton Canyon, Red Wine 2004; seared escolar with spicy red chili masa sope, charred pico de gallo and roasted red pepper ketchup paired with Merlot, Malibu Estate, Newton Canyon, 2001; Salmon Creek pork tenderloin paired with Cabernet Sauvignon, Founders Reserve, 2001; and a ginger chocolate cupcake with cinnamon anglaise paired with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malibu Estate, Newton Canyon, 2004. The dinner is $125 per person including tip and tax. Space is limited for this event and reservations are required. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Brooks, 545 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001, 805-652-7070.

May 30
Visit East Beach Wines in Santa Barbara from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and meet owner-winemaker Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars, who will pour her current releases of Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Oregon Pinot Noir and Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. East Beach Wines, 201 S. Milpas St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103, 805-899-1535.

June 6
Beginning at 6 p.m. at the Los Olivos Café, enjoy wines from John Alan, a family-run Paso Robles winery that specializes in small production, hand-crafted wines. Winemaker Aaron Ryan Warren has selected five wines that will be paired with a five-course gourmet meal. Every guest will receive a signed wine bottle. Reservations required. Cost is $150 per person. Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café, 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA 93463, 805-688-7265.

June 7
Established to highlight the growing contributions of the Santa Ynez Valley’s olive producers to the olive industry, the Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival will feature wine tasting from 16 local vintners and up to 30 chefs competing in the “Accent on the O” cookoff. Enjoy continuous live jazz music and vendor booths offering olive-related products and cooking demonstrations. From 4:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m., Lavinia Campbell Park, Los Olivos. $35 for adults, $10 for children under 12. For more information, call 805-325-2310.

July 18-19
Santa Barbara will host the Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting & Auction on July 18, and the “Reds, Whites & Blues” at the Beach! – A California Wine Festival on July 19. At Friday’s event, which runs from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., guests will be able to sample dozens of rare and reserve wines. Along with live jazz, there will be a sparkling wine reception, dozens of local restaurants serving appetizers, and a live wine auction. Saturday’s event, which runs from 12 p.m.-4 p.m., will feature unlimited wine samplings from several hundred of California’s wineries, live blues music, a free 16 oz. wine glass, and unlimited food tastings. There will also be silent and live auctions of trips, wine and other unique items. Regular admission costs $100 in advance and $125 at the gate. VIP tickets cost $135. For more information and to order tickets, call 805-223-1180 or visit www.californiawinefestival.com. Chase Palm Park, 323 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara.

Ongoing
Every week, the wine attendant at the Wine Cottage Bistro will choose from several bottled wines and offer them by-the-glass. It's an opportunity to try high-end wines that are normally only offered by the bottle. Pricing varies. The wine-by-the-glass runs from Wednesday to Monday, 11:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. Wine Cottage Bistro, 285 S Broadway St., Santa Maria, 805-934-4546.

Tuesdays
Expanding upon a day-of-the-week theme, Los Olivos Café & Wine Merchant now offers an educational series of wine-tasting classes– “Understanding Your Palate: Tuesdays” –in addition to its popular “Wine Teaser Wednesdays.” No reservations are required; $15 per person includes all wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café, 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-7265.

Wednesdays
Los Olivos Café & Wine Merchant offers a continuing series called “Wine Teaser Wednesdays.” The event offers a chance to meet with local wine producers, taste five selected wines and enjoy hors d’oeuvres by Chef Nat Ely. The event runs from 5 p.m.-7 p.m, with live piano music starting at 6:30 p.m. No reservations are required. $15 per person includes wine tasting and food. Selected wines will be available for purchase at a discounted price during the evening. Los Olivos Café & Wine Merchant, 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. 805-688-7265, www.losolivoscafe.com.

Fridays
Epicurean Picnic, located in the heart of Solvang's Danish village, is a new gourmet cheese shop. Every Friday night, the fromagerie hosts a cheese and wine pairing event, with six different cheeses and a glass of local wine. The “happy hour” styled tasting runs from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Epicurean Picnic, 1582 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-693-9212.

Fridays
East Beach Wine Co. hosts an urban wine tasting and cheese pairing every Friday evening from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The wines poured are either from a specific winery or have a unique wine theme. Winemakers or qualified representatives are on hand each evening to help foster education. Local gourmet shop, C'est Cheese, supplies the fromage that pairs with the varietals being offered. $8-$10 admission fee. East Beach Wine Co., 201 S. Milpas St., 805-899-1537, Santa Barbara, www.eastbeachwine.com.