A Day at the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival: Tastings & Highlights

Festival Details & Tickets

The festival takes place from 1 PM to 4 PM, giving visitors a full afternoon to explore, taste, and enjoy. The event is held outdoors, surrounded by vineyards and scenic views, making it feel like the perfect wine day.

There are two main ticket options:

• General Admission – includes unlimited wine and food tastings from all participating wineries and restaurants, plus access to live music and artisan booths.

• Early Entry – allows guests to enter one hour earlier, at 12 PM, for a more relaxed experience and the chance to talk with winemakers more privately (ask questions, hear their insights, stories, and the spirit behind each bottle) before the main crowd arrives.

I bought the early entry ticket, and I think it was the best decision ever. Unfortunately, I was a bit late for the 12 PM entry and arrived around 12:45, but I spent less than a minute getting in!

Right before the entrance, there are two lines — one for general admission and one for early entry. The general line was already packed with people, so even if you’re late, the early entry line is still a big advantage.

Tickets for early entry usually sell out quickly, so it’s best to plan ahead if you’re thinking of attending next year’s festival. However, general admission tickets can often be purchased even the evening before the event.

💡private cabana ticket

Includes 8 Early Entry tickets, 2 on-site parking spots,  2 bottles of wine and a charcuterie plate prepared by Vega Vineyard & Farm, and a 6 pack of assorted Santa Barbara County wine to take home!

Location

This year, just like the previous one, the festival took place at Vega Vineyard & Farm in Buellton. t’s about a 10-minute drive from Solvang, 12 from Los Olivos, or around 45 minutes from Santa Barbara, making it an easy and scenic trip through the valley.

If you plan to attend the event, I wouldn’t recommend driving afterward, you’ll want to taste plenty of wine, and it’s best to enjoy it responsibly. Staying nearby for the night is a great idea: Solvang or Los Olivos are both close and full of charming hotels.

Of course, if you’re going with someone who doesn’t drink ($25 tickets for non-drinkers, designated drivers, children 6+ years), you can also stay in Santa Barbara and make it an easy drive back after the festival.

💡good to know

All parking (except for ADA) off-site on Santa Rosa Rd, less than a mile past Vega Vineyard and Farm. On-site parking spots are available only for cabana tickets

What to Bring

Since the festival takes place outdoors, don’t forget your SPF and a hat. Even though there are plenty of shaded areas under the trees, it’s still easy to get a sunburn while walking between tasting tents.

You can also turn the day into a picnic by bringing a blanket or folding chairs to relax between tastings. Many people simply find a cozy spot under the trees, enjoy their food, and drink wine.

For water, it’s best to bring a reusable bottle — there are several refill stations throughout the festival, and you can pour as much water as you need. Staying hydrated is definitely key if you plan to try many wines! 🍷☀️

Food at the Festival

As I mentioned earlier, I honestly didn’t expect the food at the festival to be this good. The moment I stepped onto the festival grounds, the first thing I saw was a girl handing out duck tacos from a local gastropub — and oh my Lord, they were incredible! That was the moment I knew I wouldn’t stay hungry here.

Of course, there was pizza too (marinara and pepperoni), baked right on-site in a mobile wood-fired oven, disappearing the second they came out (and the smell was unreal). There was also a stand with freshly made quesadillas (yes, I went for duck again), and mini wagyu burgers with sun-dried vegetables from a steakhouse.

A local organic farm had a stand filled with fresh vegetables and fruits, and another offered olive oils and vinegars (I couldn’t resist and bought a tasting set with red wine vinegar).

There were plenty of other flavors too: Asian bites, Mexican, BBQ, Vegetarian, and even a creative spot serving potatoes with legumes in different styles.

And of course, you can’t end without something sweet. There were mini donuts with several dipping sauces, a bakery stand with amazing gingerbread and oatmeal cookies, spot with marshmallow sandwiches, Mexican bakery with a baked cheesecake. Also a chocolate truffles that were so good I had to take a box home.

Wine Tasting

Once you show your ticket at the entrance, you receive a wine glass — your essential companion for the day (you can take it home as a souvenir!). Along with it, you’ll get a festival guide listing all the participating wineries and where to find them, plus a raffle ticket for a chance to win a bottle of wine.

When it comes to wine, the festival is divided into two main zones:

• Bubble Lounge – dedicated entirely to sparkling wines.

• Other Tasting Areas – where you’ll find all the still wines.

Each winery usually offers at least three different wines to taste.

Considering there are 70+ wineries and only four hours, you quickly realize there’s no way to try them all. It’s best to plan and focus on the styles or grape varieties you enjoy the most.

Most wineries pour around 100–150 ml of wine per tasting, though some are more generous with their pours. After an hour or two of tasting like that, trust me, you’ll start feeling it! That’s why it’s a good idea to take breaks for food between tastings. It helps you reset your palate, enjoy the atmosphere, and keep the experience balanced (and fun!). 🍇

Almost every table has a spitoon, so if something isn’t quite to your taste, don’t hesitate to pour it out and move on to the next one.

The variety of wines is incredible — from crisp Sauvignon Blancs and elegant Chardonnays to rich Pinot Noirs, bold Syrahs, and blends. If you already know your preferences, it becomes much easier to navigate and get the most out of your tastings.

Some wineries also hand out cards or invitations for free tastings at their estate locations - another great reason to arrive early, and have those one-on-one chats with winemakers before the crowd arrives.

What to Do at the Festival

Of course, wine and food are the main stars of the day, but there’s much more to do at the festival than just tasting. Throughout the grounds, you’ll find several fun zones and activities, including a mini petting zoo.

But the most exciting part is the Wine Camp area, a space where you can test your wine skills and have a little fun with it.

For example: Blind Tasting Challenge to test your palate, play the Grape Game, or visit the Sensory Station to explore wine aromas and textures like a true sommelier.

In the Blind Tasting Challenge, you get to taste six wines: three white and three red. Each comes with tasting cards that include clues about aromas and flavors, but one of the wines remains a mystery. It’s a great way to test your senses, and it can easily keep you busy (and focused!) for a good twenty minutes.

There is also the chance to try sabrage, when you slice open a bottle of sparkling wine with a sword! 🥂⚔️

Final Thoughts

I wish I had more time to try everything... Between all the tastings, conversations, and photos, four hours passed way too fast, but that just means I have a reason to come back next year.

What truly surprised me was how happy, open, and relaxed everyone was. It feels like everyone isn’t just a wine lover; they’re all about enjoying life and stress-free weekends. That kind of atmosphere makes the whole experience even more amazing!

If you love wine, good food, and the relaxed California vibe, the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival is definitely worth adding to your list.

It’s not just about tasting wine, it’s about spending a sunny afternoon surrounded by people who share the same passion for it.

More info about upcoming events in Santa Barbara on instagram or SB wines