Go Sideways at the First-Ever Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley Food, Beer and Wine Festival

The October event will showcase the best of the Central Coast wine region.

The Santa Ynez Valley celebrates the bounty of the region in a fresh, unique way with the inaugural Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley, a four-day experiential event scheduled for October 17 to 20. The event will be an immersive experience designed to serve as an introduction to the food, wine and beer that have made the Santa Ynez Valley the wine country jewel of California’s Central Coast.

Over four days, more than 100 restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms and breweries will come together for nine main events and dozens of ancillary events set in and around the distinct communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley—Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Solvang and Santa Ynez.

“Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley is meant to be a celebration of everything that has made this region such a world-renowned wine country and foodie destination,” said Shelby Sim, President/CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, which is overseeing the event’s production. “With four days of events incorporating the diverse and unique aspects of all six of our communities, Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley will offer a little bit of something for everyone, both visitors and locals alike. And it will ultimately put on full display the many reasons the Santa Ynez Valley has earned its reputation as a must-visit wine region.”

Each day of the Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley will focus on specific communities in the region, beginning on Thursday, October 17, with a day in the charming Old West town of Los Alamos, and ending on Sunday, October 20, with a celebration of the best of Buellton. The events will include wine tastings, special dinners, vineyard experiences, wine and cheese pairings, grape stomps, cooking classes hosted by local chefs and much more.

“One of the most appealing aspects of the The Santa Ynez Valley is that each
community has its own culture, offering its unique food and wine experiences.”

Along the way, Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley will incorporate longtime favorite events—such as the Solvang Grape Stomp (October 19) and the Los Olivos Day in the Country (October 19)—with an all-new lineup of experiences.

It’s also during Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley that the region will be marking the 15th anniversary of the release of Sideways—the movie that helped put the Santa Ynez Valley wine region on the map—with Sideways Fest. The celebration of the film will include a screening of the movie under the stars at Solvang Festival Theatre and a Sideways-themed Wine Festival.

“One of the most appealing aspects of the The Santa Ynez Valley is that each community has its own culture, offering its unique food and wine experiences,” Sim said. “Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley will give each attendee a feel for its diversity, while still enticing each to return for an even deeper exploration of the region.”

The event includes an array of single- and multi-day ticket packages to fit most any budget. For more information on ticket packages and a full list of Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley events, including dates and times, please visit www.tastesyv.com.