'Tis the Season in Santa Barbara: Three Christmas Wine Happenings Not to Miss

by Gabe Saglie, Senior Editor, Travelzoo
story published in the Santa Barbara News-Press on 12/6/18

I’m like you – considering how fleeting they are, I want to maximize my experience of the holidays! The Santa Barbara wine industry is here to help, hosting a bevy of events sure to get you in the Christmas mood. Here are three holiday get-togethers for you and the ones you love. 

·         5th Annual Pop Clink Fizz, Saturday, Dec. 8th, 7-10pm
o   The effervescence of the holiday season may well begin here, where bubbles will rule the night. Wine + Beer, the impressive imbibers’ shop at the Santa Barbara Public Market, will feature nine high-end Champagnes, from favorites you know and love to rare, tough-to-find bottles.  This is the perfect way to taste through hand-selected bubblies before you pick the perfect ones for your holiday partying. The popular food outlets at the Market will offer gourmet pairings at this intimate event – space is limited. $95 includes tax and tip, and parking is free. For tickets, call 805-770-7701. Wine + Beer, 38 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara.
 
·         7th Annual Grassini Gives Back Wien Charity Event, Sunday, Dec. 9th, 12-6pm
o   Grassini Family Vineyards both donates and matches 100% of all revenues generated at this downtown Santa Barbara event, with funds earmarked this year for the Storyteller Children’s Center. Admission is free, but the $20 you splurge on the special wine tasting flight becomes $40 for Storyteller, the nonprofit that helps homeless and at-risk children achieve kindergarten readiness. All proceeds from the silent auction, raffle ticket sales and donations go straight to Storyteller, too. The all-afternoon affair takes place at Grassini’s El Paseo location. This event has raised $142,000 since it premiered in 2012. Grassini Family Vineyards, 24 El Paseo, Santa Barbara.
 
·         Solvang Julefest Wine & Beer Walk “Skål Stroll,” Dec. 15th-16th, 11am-4pm
o   Strolling Solvang, with its festive décor and pervasive charm, is a holiday no-brainer, especially when you get to sip along the way. Follow the map to 18 tasting rooms and breweries – Lucas & Lewellen, Sanger Family of Wines and Lucky Dogg Winery, among them. Seven of these locales are also participating in the second annual Gløgg Contest, pouring their own version of the popular Scandinavian mulled wine that’s often flavored with spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Shop for holiday gifts along the way and, on Saturday, stick around for the two free performances of the Live Nativity Pageant at 5pm and 7pm. Tickets usually sell out, so buy them in advance at solvangusa.com. $45.
Merry Christmas!

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