The Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association “In-focus” Tastings
These small, manageable tastings are designed to illustrate the region’s tremendous diversity of AVAs, or growing areas, through a very broad selection of varietals produced in Santa Barbara County. In addition to the tasting at a|k|a, An American Bistro, there will be two winemaker dinners following the tasting- one at a|k|a and one at sister restaurant Bistro 45.
“Come on down,” cries Lamont Lapin, chairman of the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association “underground” networking committee. Of course, he’s referring to coming down to Pasadena. The wine tasting, which runs from 3:30 to 6:00 pm, includes a cross section of wineries representing the four AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas) located within Santa Barbara County. The wines, served by winemakers or owners of Arthur Earl, Babcock, Bedford, Dragonette, Fess Parker, Hitching Post, Jaffurs, Kenneth Volk, Lafond, Melville, Mosby, Municipal Winemaking, Palmina, Qupé, Riverbench, Sanford, Santa Barbara Winery, tercero, Verdad, and Zaca Mesa exemplify the wide array of grape varieties that grow well thanks to the many distinct microclimates within the county. The tasting fee for consumers is $16 per person and reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (626) 564-8111 or email akabistro@sbcglobal.net.
Following this initial “In-Focus” tasting, the SBCVA will hold similar events throughout the state over the next year. “The best way to get Californians to appreciate the broad spectrum of wines produced in Santa Barbara County is to make a variety of wines available to taste at one time,” according to SBCVA board president, Michael Larner. “Although none of our members will be represented at all of the tastings, each of our members will have the opportunity to present their wine over the course of this program.” Future destinations under consideration include Santa Barbara, San Diego, Palm Desert, Newport Beach, Santa Monica, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Sacramento and Hilt.
About the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association:
The Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a premium wine producing and wine grape growing region. The Vintners’ Association produces festival, seminars and tastings and provides information to consumers and the wine and travel media. More information about the SBCVA and its members is available at www.sbcountywines.com or by calling 805.688.0881.
