Super Bowl Travel to Las Vegas Means Big Spends + 'Excessive Celebration'

If you're headed to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVII, the first the iconic destination has hosted the biggest game in professional sports, then you're not really looking for bargains. You're ready to invest big. And you're ready to party big.

Let's talk partying big, first. Las Vegas has launched a global campaign -- Excessive Celebration Encouraged -- that leans big into this simple fact: when one of the biggest event in pro sports meets the ultimate destination for over-the-top revelry, only excessive celebration will do. To promote it, they've released a music video -- check it out here -- featuring NFL all-pro wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and Grammy-nominated artist Tobe Nwigwe. Celebrators around the world can join Las Vegas in encouraging excessive celebration at Super Bowl LVIII by signing a special change.org petition.

If you head to Las Vegas to catch the battle between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. you won't be alone. Las Vegas is already the biggest destination in the world for Super Bowl, with crowds historically topping 300,000. The fact the game's in-town this year is expected to see that incoming crowd surge by 50% to 450,000! Many will be taking in the action live at Allegient Stadium, the state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2020 and houses more than 65,000 fans. The rest will be descending on parties, activations and events spread throughout the city across several days.

Ticket prices continue to fluctuate, through they're being gobble up via third-party sites from $6000 a pop, with a pair of seats at the 50-yard line going for more than $100,000 and those fancy suites commanding, in some cases, in excess of $2 million!

Tobe Nwigwe and Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson 

Despite the fact that airlines like United have added flights into Las Vegas form the Bay Area and Kansas City, flight prices are soaring. And although the city boasts more than 150,000 hotel rooms, the price to stay is ballooning, too.

Most football revelers, though, will avoid the sticker shock to watch the gam in person by taking advantage of a ton of activities that the city is hosting over the five-day period culminating with the big game on February 11th. The Super Bowl Experience at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center -- think of it as an interactive theme park of football-inspired experiences, complete with chances to mingle with NFL icons -- happens February 7-10, with tickets at $50 a day. There are plenty of watch parties at resorts like MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Resorts World and The LINQ. And among the cool activations throughout the city: the Giant Chocolate Egg created by the pastry team at The Aria -- at 10 feet by 5-1/2 feet, and made with 1000 pounds of milk and dark chocolate and 50 pounds of fondant, it took 230 to complete! There's also the Frito-Lay immersive experience at the New York-New York, a foodie experience from Pepsi at the Delano and celeb appearances by stars like former quarterback star Doug Flutie at the MGM Sportsbook at Mandala Bay.

The Aria pastry team's Chocolate Football

For music fans, several big names are taking to the stage during Super Bowl weekend, including Chrstina Aguilera at the Voltaire Theater inside the Venetian, Kelly Clarkson at Planet Hollywood and Bruno Mars at Park MGM's Dolby Live Theater.

Click here for a thorough roundup of activities and events around Super Bowl LVIII from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

If you're heading to Las Vegas for the big game, here are a few reality check tips from me!

• Especially for those of you flying out of the Bay Area, shop for one-way fares from multiple airports and multiple airlines -- it could be cheaper than committing to one roundtrip flight
• Stay longer -- flight and hotel prices will drop big time over the days following Super Bowl Sunday, so consider flying back home, say, Wednesday
• If you're driving in and/or out, prepare for congestion on the highways leading to Las Vegas, especially on I-15 -- pack snacks, have your kids' devices charged and make sure your tank (or battery) is full
•  Consider alternate ways to get around -- with rideshare and cabs in high demand, and with plenty of dependable congestion, ride the Monorail, which features several stops and is clean and accessible, and the trams, like the one at the Aria and the one that whisks you between the Excalibur, the Luxor and Mandalay Bay
• Book your restaurant reservations and entertainment tickets in advance ASAP to ensure access 

For most of us, of course, the best seat in the house will be at home, in front of our favorite TV! Either way, enjoy Super Bowl LVIII!

###

How to Make the Most of National Plan for Vacation Day

Did you take all your paid time off last year? If you're like most Americans, you didn't! Data from the U.S. Travel Association over the last few years show that only 25%v of us tap all of our PTO before year's end. The rest of us leave an average of 4-1/2 vacation days on the docket and, depending on which state you call home, they don't always roll over into the new year.

National Plan for Vacation Day launched in 2017, and it falls on January 30 -- the last #travelTuesday of the month -- in 2024. The idea is simple: carve out time that day to map out your vacations for the year. Even if things change down the road, earmarking getaways while tapping all of your PTO puts trips on your horizon and adventures to look forward to! 

Here are five quick tips to maximize your vacation planning on this year's National Plan for Vacation Day!

• Take time off around holiday weekends: Working with time off that's already on the calendar will give you several 4- or 5-day vacations that only cost you one or 2 days off. For example, think about taking Feb. 16 and 20 off, the Friday and Tuesday around President's Day weekend; that Monday Feb. 19 is a national holiday, and tapping two of your paid days off suddenly gives you a five-day getaway!
• Traveling during a holiday? Book now! Use National Plan for Vacation Day to lock down vacation time now around popular holiday weeks or weekends, since popular spots will sell-out early and overall costs won't come down. Want to take the kids away for spring break? Book now! Want to visit your favorite beach during 4th of July weekend? Book now! You know you want to get away over Thanksgiving? Book now!
• Go off-season: I think we'll see a big push this year to visit your favorite destinations, but without the crowds. There's a sustainability argument here: going off-season helps manage the impact on the places we visit. What's more, fewer people and lower prices are always a plus. Book travel to popular summer spots in the spring or fall, instead, and winter havens during the summer.
• Watch the fine print: Whenever you see a really hot travel deal -- and we're likely to see various travel brands doling out promos on National Plan for Vacation Day -- make sure you read the fine print. Even the totally legit bargains are likely to come with strict change or cancelation policies.
• Use your miles: I'm one of those travelers who loves to see their airline mileage account grow. Bottom line, though, is that your miles are only as valuable as where they'll take you. Use National Plan for Vacation Day to tap your miles to book your next few flights!

On Discovery Princess Sep. 2023 -- our first Alaska cruise!

One last note: look for some of the best bargains coming from the cruise industry. No less than eight new high-profile ships are slated to hit the water in 2024, including Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, which set sail on Caribbean itineraries this past weekend, the Sun Princess, which launches next month, and the Disney Treasure, which will be introduced in December. More cabins, more deals for you and me!

Safe travels!

###

2024 Travel: My Top 5 Destinations

12/30/23

American travelers proved they are hungry for travel in 2023, setting multiple records. At the same time, airlines did a better job -- cancelation rates down about 50% year over year. So, with all signs pointing to more robust travel volume in 2024, here are my top 5 destinations to consider in the new year!

The Wailea sunset, Dec '23

Maui

I visited this beautiful Hawaiian island earlier this month -- my first visit since the Lahaina firestorm. (Read my Maui travel update here.) And while that historic town will remain off limits for awhile, as the healing continues, the rest of Maui is wide open and needy of travel dollars. Keep in mind: most Maui jobs are linked to tourism, so respectful, mindful visitation will go a long way to help Maui rebound. Hotel rates have not necessarily dropped, as they continue to house displaced residents and groups like FEMA, the Navy and the Red Cross. But airfare and rental car rates will remain competitive. And, thanks to a ton of reinvestment in resort communities like Wailea, there's plenty that's new to experience. Visit the Maui Visitors Bureau for updates and trip ideas.

Las Vegas

I'm hearing that 2024 is being touted as the official post-pandemic bounce-back year for Las Vegas -- and there's plenty that's new. For one, that famous skyline has a whole new look, thanks to the opening of eye-popping landmark attractions like The Sphere and the brand-new Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel. The new year will also help establish Las Vegas as a legit sports town! The Super Bowl in February will only be the beginning, as the town formerly defined by gaming and shows will draw football and hockey fans in earnest. Check out Visit Las Vegas for events calendars and inspiration.

• Watch my "Top 5 Destinations for 2024" segment on KTVU Fox 2!

Talking wellness in Indian Wells, Nov '23

Greater Palm Springs

Want wellness? In 2024, the nine communities that make up Greater Palm Springs will be top of mind for travelers looking to recharge, reconnect and relax. The spa scene in places like Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells has been totally reinvented, with spa menus reflecting new, upgraded self-care options. The outdoor adventure scene is booming, with more than 100 trails throughout the area. And the regional airport in Palm Springs, with new direct flights from throughout the U.S., is making it that much easier the get there. Visit the Greater Palm Springs website for all the info.

Ireland

Ashford Castle, on the Wild Atlantic Way, July '23

The Emerald Isle is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the designation of The Wild Atlantic Way in 2024. One of the longest driving routes in the world, at 1500 miles, the west coast of Ireland is a road tripper's dream, offering spectacular vistas and amazing destinations like Ashford Castle and the Cliffs of Moher, and famous spots like Limerick, Galway and Donegal. Hospitality reigns supreme here, and with airlines like United and Aer Lingus ramping up flight offerings to the west's Shannon Airport from cities like Boston, New York and Chicago, getting to the Wild Atlantic Way will be easier and more affordable in 2024, especially off-season. Get updates and inspiration from Tourism Ireland.

Finding wellness in Los Cabos

Mexico

Some of our favorite south-of-the-border destinations are aiming to attract U.S. travelers in 2024 with two key hooks: wellness and luxury. Destinations like Los Cabos are focusing on natural attributes -- crystal clue water, sweeping desert landscapes -- to appeal to people seeking wide open spaces and ways to rejuvenate and relax; a slew of new luxury resorts are also enhancing the appeal of Los Cabos. In Nayarit, luxe brands like St. Regis and Rosewood are opening their doors in 2024, and the traveler focus will be on gastronomy and nature. And in Valle del Guadalupe, robust investments are creating a unique adventure and foodie destination. Look for continued airfare competition to Mexico in 2024.

Here's to new adventures in 2024 -- follow along with me at #gabethetravelguy!

###

Four Months After the Lahaina Fire, Maui is Calling All Travelers

It's been just over four months since the August firestorm that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, on Maui's northeastern shores. The Lahaina area, and the entire island, are healing. But as re-openings continue, and as other parts of the island still feel the pinch of the inevitable travel slowdown that followed, the call is out for visitors to come back.

Visiting just-reopened Leoda's

Lahaina accounted for 15% of Maui's travel-related economic activity. Tourism is also responsible for 40% of Maui's economy and jobs, though when you consider the ancillary industries that dovetail from the hospitality industry -- ranchers, farmers, fishermen, artists, cab drivers -- that figure is likely double that. The year-over-year inbound numbers show the fire's devastating impact: down 11% from the U.S. west coast, down 55% from Japan, down 24% from Canada.

While the downtown Lahaina core remains off-limits, except for local residents and businesses with limited day passes, the surrounding area, and the totality of Maui, is open for business. Artists and shopkeepers who lost their Lahaina storefronts are hosting street fairs, and the popular Leoda's Bakery and Pie Shop, a short drive south of downtown Lahaina, reopened just last week. 

In Wailea, the luxe destination about 45 minutes south of Lahaina, resorts, restaurants and shops are hoping that brand new offerings and experiences will lure travelers in 2024. At the Fairmont Kea Lani, Hawaii's only all-suite resort, set on 22 oceanfront acres, all 413 rooms and 37 two-story oceanfront villas have been totally renovated. A new 2000-sq.ft. cultural center, which will be open to the public, will premiere on Dec. 21. And a new bar, Pilina, featuring 100% sustainably- and locally-sourced cocktails and 52 ocean-facing seats, will open in January.

Enjoying the Wailea views from the Fairmont Kea Lani

At the AAA 5-Diamond Four Seasons Resort Maui next door, the popular Ferraro's Restaurant, totally reimagined, just reopened. The neighboring Grand Wailea has just reopened all its eateries after renovations. And the Wailea Beach Resort has launched a brand-new category of rooms at their ground floor tower building, focusing on outdoor living and featuring outdoor soaking tubs and fireplaces.

The Wailea Golf Club, home to three ocean view, award-winning courses, just took delivery of a new fleet of energy efficient golf carts that lower electricity needs and reduce wear on the natural turf.

The west-facing positioning of Wailea makes it an idyllic sport for sunset-viewing and for enjoying whale-watching season, which runs from Dec. 15 through May 15.

Find out more at wailearesortassociation.com.

The call for tourists comes with a clear caveat: visit Maui mindfully and carefully and with respect for the local culture and population. The payback will be a relaxing, enriching travel experience in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. Airfare deals, especially from the west coast, will offer plenty of incentive over the next several months.

For visitors who want to take their giving back further, there's a slew of volunteer opportunities, from food and donation sorting and distribution with services like the Maui Humane Society to coastal cleanup and shoreline restoration projects through various groups. Donations can also have a significant impact. Find out more at mauinuistrong.com.

Aloha, and see you on Maui!

###

Santa Barbara Wine Legend Jim Clendenen, of Au Bon Climat, Passes Away

story to be published in The Montecito Journal on 5/20/21

The Santa Barbara wine industry – and the wine world as a whole – lost one of its superstars when Jim Clendenen died over the weekend. He passed away at his home in Buellton, in his sleep. He was 68 years old.

Jim Clendenen (credit: Bob Dickey)

Wine aficionados who did not know him personally certainly knew his wine, especially his flagship brand, Au Bon Climat. Loosely translated to “a well exposed vineyard,” the label was the prime vehicle for his unapologetic approach to winemaking, especially to making pinot noir and chardonnay. His wines were influenced by his admiration of Burgundian techniques and were consistently fresh, balanced and restrained.

Those who did know him, though, would say that the man behind the wines – or “The Mind Behind” as he dubbed himself – was anything but restrained. When Jim Clendenen walked into a room, people noticed. He was ebullient and exuberant, enthusiastic and energetic. His loud shirts and flowing hair, in fact, were extensions of a wonderfully dynamic personality.

“It’s funny, I always think that winemakers are their wine,” says fellow winemaker Doug Margerum. “But Jim wasn’t. If his wines were more reserved, he was certainly larger than life.” He calls Mr. Clendenen, who was godfather to his son Evan, a mentor. The two men were also business partners in the wine project, Vita Nova.

That was one of Mr. Clendenen’s trademarks, actually – his imaginative approach expanded his creative horizons, and he pushed out various boutique endeavors, like Barham Mendelsohn, under which he crafted pinot noirs from Sonoma’s Anderson Valley, and Clendenen Family Vineyards, for which he made artisan-style versions of varieties like gewurztraminer, chenin blanc and petit verdot; his nebbiolo was barrel aged for five years.

But it was Au Bon Climat, or ABC, that became his most famous calling card. It made him – and by extension, his home base of Santa Maria Valley and all of Santa Barbara County – recognizable in wine drinking circles both domestically and around the world. The various “Winemaker of the Year”-type accolades he won over the years came from publications like The LA Times, Food & Wine Magazine and Germany’s Wein Gourmet. The latter, actually, called him “Winemaker of the World.”

“He did a magnificent job at spreading our message,” says winemaker Fred Brander, who became fast friends with Mr. Clendenen in 1978, before either became a torch bearer for Santa Barbara County wines. “If Robert Mondavi can be credited with championing Napa, then Jim was his counterpart down here in Santa Barbara.”

photo credit: Bob Dickey

It was Mr. Clendenen’s friend and fellow culinarian Frank Ostini, of Hitching Post II fame, who discovered Mr. Clendenen Saturday night, after several calls to Mr. Clendenen from family had gone unanswered. “We were so blessed to have him a part of our lives,” says Mr. Ostini, who enjoyed a 40-year friendship with Mr. Clendenen. “I will dearly, dearly miss him.

When Mr. Ostini moved the Hitching Post wine production to the Au Bon Climat facility in 2019, it was “a homecoming,” he says, since the HP label produced wines there back in the 1990s and moved out only when space became tight. (Mr. Clendenen’s good friend Bob Lindquist also made wine at ABC for many years, until he sold his Qupé wine brand in 2018.) What’s remained the same at Au Bon Climat, says Mr. Ostini, are the faces of the employees – a team of close to 30 people, many of whom have worked at ABC for decades. That’s a testament to Mr. Clendenen’s professional generosity.

“These are such great people who’ve now lost their leader,” says Mr. Ostini. “We’re here to hug them and hold them, and to be a part of keeping the whole thing going.”

Mr. Clendenen’s daughter, Isabelle, who works in sales at ABC, confirms that the world of Au Bon Climat will live on. It is, after all, “a family business through and through,” she says. “Even if you’re not related by blood, you’re still a member of our family.”

Isabelle, 26, shared personal insights into the man so many consider a superstar:

“A lot of people are focusing on what he did for the wine industry, but he was also devoted to charity work. He supported charities in places as far away as Atlanta and North Carolina and Alabama. He was really focused on children, because children were the most important thing to him.

“People say he was loud and strong, but he was also a very sensitive person. He cried as easily as anyone.

“And he had a hatred for social media. Especially Facebook -- that one was the worst. He was such an emotional person that all he wanted was a physical connection with people.”

Isabelle’s brother Knox, 21, resides in Japan. Jim Clendenen married and divorced twice, most recently to Morgan Clendenen, a winemaker of viognier for many years under the Cold Heaven label.

“I know how Isabelle and Knox feel,” says Drake Whitcraft, who took over Whitcraft Winery when his father, the legend Chris Whitcraft, passed away in 2014. Drake, too, was in his 20s. “It’s indescribable how deep a void is created, losing your dad. You only get one.”

On Mr. Clendenen, Drake Whitcraft adds, “Jim is a force to be reckoned with in the wine industry – not was -- is, even posthumously. Jim was not only a great winemaker… he had the business savvy, too. And anyone who met him knows how he could captivate a room with stories told with precise details, as if he were experiencing them right then.”

For a story I wrote in 2015, Jim Clendenen, center, met with fellow winemakers to reminisce about the Santa Barbara Wine Festival at the SB Museum of Natural History. Also pictured, from left: Bob Lindquist, Ken Brown, Richard Sanford, Doug Margerum, Drake Whitcraft and Fred Brander.

Jim Clendenen was born in Ohio and graduated with high honors in pre-law from UCSB in 1976. He’d already been to Burgundy and Champagne, though – he turned 21 in France, in fact -- and the allure of pinot noir and chardonnay would eventually win out. A stint at Zaca Mesa Winery in 1978, under the tutelage of winemaker Ken Brown, led to Mr. Clendenen working three global harvests, an amazing feat, in 1981 – Santa Barbara, Australia and France. He founded Au Bon Climat in 1982 with friend Adam Tolmach, who’d leave in 1990 to launch Ojai Vineyard. Mr. Clendenen would go on to grow Au Bon Climat by using European-inspired, Old World techniques, a course to which he stayed true even when California winemaking, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s, leaned toward bigger, richer wines.

“That’s to be admired,” adds Mr. Brander. “He didn’t get caught up in fads or styles. He kept true to Burgundy, to winemaking that was not modern or popular. He let the vineyards do the talking.”

Mr. Clendenen took his winery, which has a tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara, to a yearly production of some 50,000 cases. He sourced grapes from a variety of vineyards, including Sanford & Benedict and his own sustainably farmed Le Bon Climat. He was one of the biggest fruit purchasers at the famous Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, which is owned by Santa Barbara’s Miller family.

“I’ll remember him for always sticking to his guns,” says Nicholas Miller, who runs sales and marketing for the family’s wine enterprises. While Bien Nacido is best known for its pinot noir and chardonnay, “we were growing things like merlot and nebbiolo for Jim – he definitely pushed the limits at Bien Nacido.”

Mr. Clendenen was also known for his hospitality. Lunches he hosted regularly at ABC, in fact, became legendary. “You never knew who’d show up or which wines would be poured,” recalls Mr. Miller. Actually, Mr. Clendenen was known for one of the most extensive library of older vintages on the Central Coast, many of which would get poured at his lunches. And the cooking – homegrown but always gourmet, and plentiful – was done by the Mind Behind himself.

Those who knew him well will say that the pandemic took its toll on Jim Clendenen in various ways. The threat to his compromised health meant, by necessity, that he had to become more reclusive. And a lifestyle defined by endless wine dinners, meet-and-greets and journeys around the globe to promote wine coming to a sudden halt – that was not an easy new reality for someone who thrived on the human bond.

“Him passing away – that was something he was afraid was going to happen soon,” admits Isabelle.

A memorial for Jim Clendenen is being planned. 

###

Everything’s Coming Up Rosés: These Santa Barbara Pinks are Perfect for Spring

published in the Montecito Journal on 4/15/21

Timing has a lot to do with rosé. That pink color – an alluring hue that can range from salmon to blush – is the by-product of grape juice and grape skins coming in contact for a few hours, or for a day, maybe two or three, until just enough tint bleeds into the wine. The result, to the eye, can be spellbinding.

Then there’s the timing driven by the calendar. With spring comes sunshine and warmth, along with that nagging desire for an adult beverage that’s as quenching and refreshing as it is pretty, and one that’s apropos to sip any time of the day or night. No wine fits that bill better than rosé.

Winemakers push rosés out young to preserve their freshness and verve, so you’ve likely seen a lot of 2020 rosé promos lately. No need to go far: some of the best in the market hail from Santa Barbara County, and they represent some of the best wine values out there. Here are six worth seeking out (and buying by the case) right now.

Tercero 2020 Mourvedre Rosé ($30): Winemaker Larry Schaffer is already seeing this one fly out fast from his Los Olivos tasting room. He stomped the grapes himself, by foot, and the juice only saw skin contact for about an hour before going into a stainless steel tank for fermentation at cool temps over four weeks. The mourvedre grapes – sisters to syrah – came from Camp 4 Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. This wine is brilliant and delicious, and it’s brimming with tropical notes (although that could be because I enjoyed a bottle of this one on the shores of Maui last week). Nab some of the Tercero 2020 Cinsault Rosé ($30), too – probably the lightest colored rosé around! tercerowines.com.

Kimsey 2020 Grenache Rosé ($29): Montecito residents Nancy and Bill Kimsey hired right when they brought winemaker phenom Matt Dees on board right when they launched their eponymous brand in 2008. The grapes for this wine come from their lovely 22-acre estate vineyard in Ballard Canyon, a prime growing region just north of Buellton that’s prime for Rhone grapes, like grenache. Just over 30 hours of skin contact here, and a profusion of uplifting citrus notes. kimseyvineyard.com.

Epiphany 2020 Grenache Rosé ($25): The bright acidity in this wine is enhanced by red berry aromas and watermelon flavors. A very subtle suppleness on the palate makes it especially food-friendly and super tasty. As part of the Fess Parker portfolio of wines, these grenache grapes hail from the brand’s proprietary Rodney’s Vineyard along Foxen Canyon Road. Fermentation took four months – half of it in neutral oak barrels and half in stainless steel tanks. epiphanywineco.com.

Fess Parker 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé ($25): This rosé is elegant and polished. That may be the product of the fruit – pinot noir sourced from Rio Vista Vineyard in the coveted Sta. Rita Hills region, just west of Buellton. Kudos to winemaker Blair Fox and his team for another mouthwatering rosé that balances refined notes of strawberries and cherries with streaks of grapefruit and orange rind. Pop this one open at lunch and finish off throughout the afternoon. fessparker.com.

Zaca Mesa 2020 Rosé of Grenache ($25): Winemaker Kristin Bryden and her team have crafted a deliciously dry rosé from estate-grown grenache grapes. This one screams spring, with its tasty tartness and superfluity of stone fruit flavors – lychee, apricot, peach. The color is also especially eye-catching, leaning toward diluted scarlet, and the texture is lovely. This is the rosé you quaff at the beach, or poolside, at that exact moment when the work week comes to an end. zacamesa.com.  

Carhartt 2020 Chase the Blues Away Rosé ($25): The Carhartt wine brand, with its popular cabin-style tasting room in Los Olivos, has been rebranded to drive the family angle home – welcome to Carhartt Family Wines. The “Chase” in the name of this grenache rosé is a loving tip-of-the-hat to Brooke and Mike’s son; the trio handles all grape growing and winemaker duties. This wine is big on minerality – most of the grapes were picked extra early to harness acidity -- and the red berry and red apple flavors make it utterly yummy. carharttfamilywines.com.

Cheers! 

###

Pinot Noir All Month Long: Famous Annual Wine Event Goes Virtual

published in the Montecito Journal on 3/4/21

Each year, pinot noir lovers have the first weekend in March highlighted on their calendars. It is, after all, a weekend usually dedicated to the World of Pinot Noir, the annual gathering of winemakers and wine consumers feting Burgundy’s most famous red grape. The event launched in 2001 and, since 2014, has been held at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta, drawing more than 3000 thirsty oenophiles from all over the world.

This year, of course, Covid-19 had different plans for WOPN (pronounced Whoppin’ by those in the know): no mingling with winemakers, no hands-on tastings, no sit-down dinners. Creativity prevails, though, And technology delivers.

This year, World of Pinot Noir is claiming the entire month of March, and it’s going entirely virtual. “Attendees often say they’d love even more content and more opportunities for intimate experiences with winemakers,” says Laura Booras, CEO of Riverbench Vineyards in Santa Maria and president of the WOPN Board of Directors. “This year, we actually have an opportunity to grow these opportunities.”

As WOPN goes from in-person to online, consumers will have several chances every week this month to get up close and personal with pinot noir – and all via live events broadcast across Zoom, Instagram and Facebook. Wednesdays, for example, are dedicated to the WOPN Wine Case Experience, where guests buy a case of rare, handpicked pinots and then join a 30-minute Zoom chat each week at 5pm for a guided tasting and discussion. The 12-bottle compilation ($600, with a retail value of $800) features tough-to-get-your-hands-on finds from regions all over the globe; some of the California standouts include Brewer-Clifton’s 2016 Machado Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, a 93-point winner from Wine Spectator, and Eden Rift’s 2018 Landsdale Cienega Valley Pinot Noir, christened with 94 points by Robert Parker. The series is hosted by Master Sommelier David Glancy, founder of the San Francisco Wine School.

Thursdays feature deep-dive tasting seminars that highlight the growing zones behind some of California’s best pinot noir wines, including famed Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley and vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands near Monterey. The March 18^th seminar spotlights Sonoma’s diverse sub-regions, like the Russian River Valley and the Petaluma Gap, through a winemaker panel and a tasting of wines that guests pre-order for home delivery, including Banshee, La Crema and EnRoute. Seminars range in price from $150 to $295, depending on the wine brands featured.

Free events include discussions and winemaker Happy Hours every Wednesday at noon via Facebook Live and every Friday at 5pm via Instagram Live. There’s an online charity auction, too, which gives consumers access to a remarkable selection of hard-to-access bottles; lots include bottles of prized pinots, including magnums, from labels like Paul Lato, Calera, Goldeneye, Kosta Browne and Ampelos. According to the WOPN website, part of the auction proceeds “will be donated to non-profit institutions and/or scholarships that help further educate and enlighten the world about the storied pinot noir grape.”

To register as a bidder, and for more information on WOPN 2021, check out worldofpinotnoir.com.

WOPN is an international affair to be sure, tapping into the unique allure of pinot noir, with its dependably eclectic aromatics, its complex flavor profile and awesome ability to match most any meal. It makes sense, though, that it would be hosted by Santa Barbara. The grape, native to Burgundy and with cultivation dating back to the 4^th century, is grown all over, most prominently in California, France and Germany. But Santa Barbara County enjoys a distinctive ability to produce pinots that stand out: the east-west traverse of the Santa Ynez Mountains, which funnel marine air and create enviably pronounced diurnal shifts in temperature, and special soils – all buoyed by a talented pool of winemakers drawn by the area’s potential and promise. May the stars align so that WOPN returns as an in-person experience in 2022.

Cheers! 

###