Since Father Jun-pero Serra brought grapevine cuttings from Mexico to this area in 1782, it’s only fitting that Old Spanish Days makes room for some vino in its Fiesta, or at least a few days prior. On Saturday, July 28, there will be two opportunities to celebrate the grape and its S.B. (and some points north and south) heritage. From 2:30-4 p.m., Elements Restaurant & Bar (129 E. Anapamu St., 884-9218) will conduct a rare and reserve tasting especially matching food with wine and featuring wineries like Ampelos, Brander, Fiddlehead, Ken Brown, Justin, Flying Goat, Beckmen, Foxen, Dierberg, and Ojai. Then, from 4-7 p.m., a general tasting will go down across Anapamu Street in the S.B. Courthouse Sunken Gardens featuring a who’s who of who’s best: ABC, Qupe, Ethan, Kunin, Westerly, Alma Rosa, Rusack, Carhartt, Stolpman, Zaca Mesa, Consilience, Jaffurs, Carr, Babcock, Melville, Arcadian, Sunstone, Palmina, Summerland, Longoria, Whitcraft, and Star Lane. Tickets for both events are available at the Arlington’s ticket agency at 963-4408.
