Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance Wine and Fire

Greetings from the Sta. Rita Hills,

2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the Sta. Rita Hills receiving our AVA status and we are ready to celebrate with some Wine and Fire!

August 12th - 15th make plans to visit our wineries and tasting rooms for four days of festivities. All events have limited ticket sales to ensure an intimate food and wine experience.

Tickets are very limited and on sale now as individual events, or as a Wine and Fire Weekend package. Our Weekend package includes all three seminars, a complimentary weekend Passport, and our premier La Paulee Dinner honoring our Sta. Rita Hills pioneers.

Limited tickets to our Wine and Fire Grand Tasting at La Purisima Mission are on sale. These will sell out quickly so order now so you don't miss out on this very special event.

In the meantime, our tasting rooms, hotels, and restaurants are ready to welcome you and show you some Sta. Rita Hills hospitality!

WINE AND FIRE EVENTS:

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Tasting at Sanford & Benedict Barn

August 12th Thursday 5:00-7:00/ $90.00 includes shuttle transportation to the event.

Our first event focuses on the first vineyard planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict in what would eventually become the Sta. Rita Hills. Don’t miss this opportunity to taste wines of multiple vintages from multiple wineries that source fruit from this hallowed ground. Casual walk-around tasting with plenty of opportunities to chat with the winemakers that produce Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir.

Due to limited parking, shuttle busses will be leaving from 3 Lompoc Hotels to transport you to the Sanford & Benedict vineyard on Santa Rosa Road. The fee is included in the price of this ticket. There will also be a shuttle you can catch from the Sanford Tasting room to the vineyard event.

Full of Life Flatbread will be preparing fire-grilled flatbreads for your enjoyment.

Participating Wineries:

Barden

Dragonette

Hitching Post Wines

Ken Brown Wines

Liquid Farm

Longoria Wines

Sanford Winery

The History of Sparkling Wines in the Sta. Rita Hills

August 13th Friday morning 9:30 – 12:00 / $75.00 per person

Montemar Winery, 1501 E Chestnut Ct, Suite E, Lompoc

Moderator: Adam Lee

Is there a better way to start your morning off than with bubbles? A comprehensive look at how sparkling wines got their start in our region and their evolution over the years. Why is Sta. Rita Hills an obvious location to grow sparkling wines? How does it compare to other regions and why are so many producers adding sparklers to their line-up. A one-hour discussion with our winemakers followed by a table tasting where you can roam Montemar’s beautiful back garden tasting bubbles from our participating wineries.

Participating Wineries

Flying Goat Cellars, Norm Yost

Kessler-Haak, Dan Kessler

Pali Wine Co., Aaron Walker

Sanford Winery, Laura Roach

Spear Vineyards and Winery

Strange Family Vineyards

Dinner Honoring our Pioneers of the SRH, La Paulee Style

August 13th Friday Night 5:00 – 8:30 / $140.00 per person

Location: Alma Rosa Vineyard, 7250 Santa Rosa Road Buellton

For our Wine and Fire "Barn Party" we will gather at the Alma Rosa vineyard for a La Paulee style tasting and dinner. A sparkling reception will begin at 5:00 and then we will move into a program to honor our Pioneer winemakers who first envisioned the promise of our wine region and have dedicated their careers to the Sta. Rita Hills. After the program enjoy a delicious oak-grilled buffet dinner prepared by Anthony Endy and The Alisal Guest Ranch staff. Bring those SRH bottles you've been waiting to open, share wines with your tablemates and friends, and toast 20 years of the Sta. Rita Hills La Paulee style!

Honorees include:

Master of Ceremonies: Wes Hagen

Bryan Babcock, Babcock Winery

Greg Brewer, Brewer-Clifton

Ken Brown, Ken Brown Wines

Kathy Joseph, Fiddlehead Cellars

Rick Longoria, Longoria Wines

Bruce McGuire, Lafond Winery

Richard Sanford, Alma Rosa

Time in a Bottle

August 14th Saturday 9:30 – 12:00 / $75.00 per person

Location: Spear Vineyards and Winery

6700 East Highway 246, Lompoc

Moderator: Wes Hagen

We now are at a point in time to see just how age-worthy wines from the Sta. Rita Hills can be. Join our panel of winemakers to taste older vintages and discover the aging attributes of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from our very cool AVA.

Participating Wineries to date:

Moderator: Wes Hagen

Brewer-Clifton, Gregory Brewer

Hitching Post Wines, Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini

Dragonette Cellars, Brandon Sparks Gillis

Longoria Wines, Rick Longoria

Seagrape, Karen Steinwachs

Grand Tasting at La Purisima Mission

August 14th 5:00 - 7:30 / $100.00 per person

2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc

Enjoy a magical evening under the oaks at La Purisima Mission sipping fine Sta. Rita Hills wines, snacking on tasty treats, and mingling with smiling faces! Our members and chefs are excited to welcome you to our favorite tasting event of the year. Tickets are very limited so order now so you don't miss out on the last event of our anniversary weekend.

Sunday Funday - Make it your own! Check with your favorite winery for special events or enjoy the benefits of our weekend passport.

Anniversary Passport -August 12th through the 15th / $40.00

Visit our participating tasting rooms and enjoy 2 for 1 tasting benefits.

Shuttle tickets $20.00: from 3 Lompoc Hotels are also available for the La Paulee Dinner on August 13th and for our Grand Tasting at La Purisima Mission.

Pick up at Lompoc Hotels, The Hilton Garden Inn, The Embassy Suites, and O’Cairns Inn & Suites. Pick up schedules will be sent out prior to the event.

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT IN LOMPOC

Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance Hospitality Sponsors " Be Our Guest!"

The Hilton Garden Inn

1201 North "H" Street Lompoc 93436

Lompoc's newest hospitality venue will be opening soon with spacious and elegantly appointed rooms, a full-service restaurant and bar, a Grand Ballroom as well as meeting rooms equipped with state of the art Audio Visual.

For information email [email protected].

The Holiday Inn Express

1417 North "H" Street Lompoc 93436

1 888 HOLIDAY

Nestled in the Santa Rita Hills of California's Central Coast, Lompoc is a place set apart by its flower fields, beautiful murals, a historic mission and thriving vineyards. Whether you're here for business or pleasure, you'll enjoy your stay.

WHERE TO EAT

Central Coast Specialty Foods

115 East College Ave, Lompoc

805-717-7675

PURVEYORS OF EUROPEAN & DOMESTIC CHEESES, CHARCUTERIE, AND SPECIALTY FOODS

When traveling along the Central Coast, compliment your experience at Central Coast Specialty Foods. Enjoy our delicious selections of gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, sandwiches, full-service deli, fresh & exotic meats, local wines & beers, gourmet pantry and so much more.

Valle Eatery + Bar

1201 N H Street, Lompoc, CA 93436

805-735-1880

Located inside the Hilton Garden Inn the restaurant features a California cuisine inspired menu by Chef Conrad, handcrafted cocktails, microbrew beers, and local wines. Featured items include beer battered brussel sprouts, braised pork belly tacos, wood-fired pizzas, rib eye steaks, mouth-watering burgers, and more using locally sourced ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also available for on-site catering.

Major Event Sponsor

Explore Lompoc

Thank you to Explore Lompoc for your support of Wine and Fire and our local wine industry.

While you're here, Explore Lompoc! Click here for more adventures and information.

Jump from a plane, enjoy a burger and walk at Jalama Beach or hike through La Purisima Mission. Check out our restaurants, Old Town, giant murals and more.

Thank you to our Wine and Fire Partners:

Visit Santa Ynez Valley

Lompoc Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau

Visit Buellton

Host or Publisher Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance