Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Events Calendar Special Winemaker Dinners California Gayot

November 14
Touch down for Wine & Wings 2009, a unique aviation-themed wine tasting to be held at Camarillo Airport. Chef Tim Kilcoyne of The SideCar Restaurant will prepare the appetizers and five of Ventura County's best wineries will provide the wine at this fundraiser for the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), one of the area's best-kept secrets. Surrounded by CAF's collection of vintage WWII planes, guests will enjoy a wine tasting event unlike any other. Tickets are $59.95 with advance reservation, $69.95 at the door. For more information, call 805-273-1077 or log on to www.cafsocal.com. Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Dr., Camarillo, CA 93010, 805-482-0064.

November 15
Celebrate the harvest season November 15 with a buffet lunch on the terrace at Herzog Winery. The cost is $35 per person and includes a glass of wine. A seated three-course lunch inside Tierra Sur Restaurant is available for VIP members of the wine club. Chef Todd Aarons will pair dishes with special wines from the cellar. That cost is $50. Space is limited; call for reservations. Herzog Winery, Herzog Wine Cellars, 3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030, 805-983-1560.

November 19
On November 19, Jonathan's at Peirano's restaurant in downtown Ventura will host a tasting of Port wines and champagnes. Chef-owner Jason Collis's multi-course menu, each dish paired with a different Port or champagne, has yet to be determined. Jonathan's at Peirano's, Peirano Grocery, 204 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001, 805-648-4853.

Monday through Thursday
After work, unwind in the Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore Santa Barbara's luxe Ty Lounge, and enjoy a revolving selection of red, white and sparkling wines for just $5. Affordably priced samplers of Point Reyes blue, Monterey dry Jack and Humboldt Fog goat cheeses will be available as well. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore Santa Barbara, 1260 Channel Dr., Montecito, CA 93108, 805-969-2261.

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, CA 93463, 805-688-7265.

Wednesday
Every Wednesday at Root 246, guests can meet the winemakers and vintners behind some of the region's best and newest wines, and pair their products with fresh, simple dishes from chef Bradley Ogden. Featured wineries change every week. Root 246, Hotel Corque, 420 Alisal Rd., Solvang, CA 93463, 805-686-8681.

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. For more information, visit www.eastbeachwine.com. East Beach Wine Co., 201 S. Milpas St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103, 805-899-1537.

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, CA 93463, 805-693-9212.

Saturdays & Sundays
Spend the day visiting tasting rooms and meeting local winemakers. Sounds like Napa or the Santa Ynez Valley, but now Ventura County has its own wine trail. Though most of the grapes are grown elsewhere, the region is home to a number of quality wineries, ranging from small-batch boutique operations to the kosher goliath Herzog Winery. The tour runs every weekend from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., shuttling passengers to four wineries and a farmers' market. Itineraries change depending on the day. The cost is $75 per person. Ventura Visitors Center, Ventura Visitors Center, 101 S. California St., Ventura, CA 93001, 805-648-2075.

Santa Barbara Wine Tastings & Events