Santa Barbara WINE aficionadO : May 9, 2025

[Santa-Barbara-Wine-Events]

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Happenings
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Rhone Rangers in Santa Barbara

When: Tue May 13, 2025 at 05:00 PM to Tue May 13, 2025 at 07:00 PM
Where: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State St STE 205, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Why:

Join the Rhone Rangers for a regional event in Santa Barbara, CA!
The evening event will highlight the versatility of Rhone wines and include a selection of 100+ wines representing esoteric varietals such as Clairette Blanche, Picpoul Blanc, Cinsault, and Counoise to the more well-known Rhone varietals Viognier, Grenache, and Syrah, in addition to both white and red-Rhone blends.

Featuring 24 Rhone Ranger wineries from Santa Barbara County, Ojai, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles, including:

Santa Barbara County:
Clementine Carter
Dusty Nabor Wines
Foxen Vineyard & Winery
Jaffurs Wine Cellars
Ken Brown Wines
La Lieff Wines
Lindquist Family Wines
Peake Ranch Winery
Rancho Sisquoc
Rideau Vineyard
SAMsARA
Slouch Hat Wines
Tercero Wines
Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards

Ojai:
Doctor's Orders Natural Wine Co.
The Ojai Vineyard

San Luis Obispo:
Center of Effort

Paso Robles:
Alta Colina
Brecon Estate
Caelesta
Hawks Hill Ranch
Songs/Bodega de Edgar
Thacher Winery
Vigo Cellars

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhone-rangers-soho-club-santa-barbara-tickets-1324790817999

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Cheese The Day!

When: Wed May 14, 2025 at 06:00 PM to Wed May 14, 2025 at 08:00 PM
Where: Kimpton Canary Hotel, 31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Why:

Come enjoy The Vanguards on May 14 at the Kimpton Canary Rooftop Hotel. Enjoy scenic views, delicious sips and bites, and learn from experts about the perfect pairings.

https://www.sbindytickets.com/events/166588904/cheese-the-day

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Santa Barbara LIVE Art & Wine

When: Thu May 15, 2025 at 05:30 PM to Thu May 15, 2025 at 09:30 PM
Where: Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Why:

Guests will receive a wine glass, plate, wristband, and a map highlighting 8 venues showcasing an extensive range of delicious food and drink, and of course live art (tour from 5:30 to 8:00 pm). After experiencing the culinary delights, head over to the Arlington Theatre for the Final Party from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. This event features even more local delectables, specialty drinks, and a silent auction.

With over 30 top-notch restaurants, wineries, and breweries, this is the premier Downtown Santa Barbara event you do not want to miss! Enjoy the best bites, sips, and entertainment that downtown has to offer. Join us for a delightful evening of culinary indulgence, culture, fine wines, and an unforgettable experience.

The Downtown LIVE Art & Wine Tour is The Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara's biggest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds from the event will be benefiting the Downtown Public Art, Activations and Events Fund that helps support programs such as Pianos on State, 1st Thursday, Concerts on State Street, and upcoming community activations.

https://www.downtownsb.org/events/art-and-wine-tour

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Peace of Mind Fundraising Walk for Mental Health

When: Sat May 17, 2025 at 09:00 AM
Where: 7250 Santa Rosa Rd, Buellton, CA 93427, USA
Why:

Mental health challenges are becoming more common and touch many of our lives, whether personally or through someone we love.

We invite you to take a step toward making a difference by joining our Peace of Mind Walk. The walk benefits One Mind and Mental Wellness Center, two incredible organizations dedicated to raising awareness, providing vital support, and advancing innovative research in the field of mental health.

Your participation and donation can help bring lasting change to our community. Together, we can support those affected by mental illness and work toward a brighter, healthier future.

https://www.almarosawinery.com/peace-of-mind

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Grand Wine Tasting

When: Sat May 17, 2025 at 02:00 PM to Sat May 17, 2025 at 05:00 PM
Where: El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, 123 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Why:

SOLD OUT VIP Admission: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (includes early access)

General Admission: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Event Highlights:

A walk-around tasting event showcasing the bounty of Santa Barbara County
40+ wineries representing all 7 AVAs in Santa Barbara County
Delicious food vendors featuring local chefs and artisans
Live music and local artisan showcases
Panel discussion(s) led by Matt Kettmann, featuring regional winemakers
Ticket Pricing (All-Inclusive):

SOLD OUT VIP Admission – $125 (includes early access, reserved panel seating, VIP table seating.)
General Admission – $95

https://independent.boldtypetickets.com/events/165402459/grand-wine-tasting

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Visit http://livenotessb.com for a comprehensive listing of live music at wine bars, wineries, and other local venues.

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News and other Nonsense
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Wines by the Glass: How Some Restaurants Do It Right, and Why

For many restaurants, the wine list is a lost opportunity. But here is how a good one can help wine appeal to new audiences.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/dining/drinks/wines-by-the-glass.html

The Surprising Impact Music Has On Wine Tasting

The idea that playing Bach or Brahms to the barrel improves its contents was up there with the best of it.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulcaputo/2025/04/30/the-surprising-impact-music-has-on-wine/

Who’s Pouring at Natural Coast Wine Festival 2025?

Here are a few of the nearly 60 natural wine brands coming to Santa Barbara on April 26.
https://www.independent.com/2025/04/18/whos-pouring-at-natural-coast-wine-festival-2025/

Raisin prices: Tariffs suck the juice out of California's wine industry

Even the most celebrated local wineries face an unprecedented challenge from President Donald Trump’s will-they-or-won’t-they taxes.
https://sfstandard.com/2025/04/12/sonoma-county-wine-cork-bottle-barrel/

Birth of Cabernet: fine wine tells ‘the coolest story nobody knows’

Catena Zapata’s latest fine wine, Birth of Cabernet, examines the noble grape’s heritage with an early modern twist.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/birth-of-cabernet-fine-wine-telling-the-coolest-story-nobody-knows/

Expert Tips for Finding High-Quality Wine on a Budget

We got advice from a professional sommelier on finding a great bottle of wine on a budget.
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/expert-tips-for-finding-high-quality-wine-on-a-budget/

Wine words: Are they useful or just a load of old nonsense?

Yes, it helps to swirl, sniff, and swoosh it around your mouth, writes Rosamund Hall – but beyond that, it should be a free-for-all of vinous pleasure
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/wine-flavour-body-descriptions-vocabulary-meanings-b2727499.html

Why Winemakers Are Trading Their Wood Vats for Glass Globes

A French company has created a new way to vinify and age wine with glass orbs. We talk to winemakers around the world about their effect.
https://robbreport.com/food-drink/wine/wineglobes-glass-wine-fermentation-aging-1236444163/

How looming tariffs are hurting California's wine and liquor industry

Bars, wine shops and importers are anxious about Trump's proposed tariffs, which they say will imperil an industry already facing serious challenges.
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-03-25/trump-wine-champagne-spirits-tariffs

These Two Words Are Key to Understanding Why Your Wine Tastes Buttery

Malolactic fermentation is a naturally occurring process in wine. It helps to tame astringency in red wines and can offer stability and a creamier texture to whites. Here's how to understand exactly what "malo" is and how it can affect the wines you love and loathe.
https://www.foodandwine.com/malolactic-fermentation-wine-explainer-11699822

Here's the Real Reason You Taste Wine Before the Waiter Pours

Want to impress your friends at a fancy restaurant? Here's what you're looking for when a server offers a taste of that newly opened wine.
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/heres-the-real-reason-you-taste-wine-before-a-waiter-pours/

Trump threatens 200% tariff on European wine

President Donald Trump is threatening a 200% tariff on European wine, Champagne and spirits if the European Union goes forward with a planned tariff on American whiskey. The European import tax, which was unveiled in response to steel and aluminum tariffs by the U.S. administration, is expected to go into effect April 1, just ahead of separate reciprocal tariffs that Trump plans to place on the EU. Trump on Thursday called the EU among “the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities," complaining about the lack of U.S. auto sales in Europe and about lawsuits and fines against U.S. tech companies there. The European Commission says Europe wants to “negotiate to avoid tariffs.”
https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b

AI Made Its Way to Vineyards. Here’s How the Technology Is Helping Make Your Wine

Experts say the wine industry is proof that businesses can integrate the technology efficiently to supplement labor without job losses.
https://time.com/7266310/ai-vineyards-wine/

Is red wine a healthier choice than white wine? Uncorking the cancer risks

Researchers have conducted a study that scours 'the vast and often contradictory literature on the carcinogenicity of red and white wine' to assess whether this assumption holds up, and to compare the cancer risks associated with wine type.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310131644.htm

Are California wines really full of scary additives?

For the last few years, ads on social media have been telling consumers that there’s a lot more than just grapes in the average bottle of California wine.
https://norcalpublicmedia.org/2025031197656/news-feed/are-california-wines-really-full-of-scary-additives

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All love at first, like generous wine, Ferments and frets until 'tis fine; But when 'tis settled on the lee, And from th' impurer matter free, Becomes the richer still the older, And proves the pleasanter the colder.
- Samuel Butler (1612-1680)
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this newsletter is provided as a public service, for informational purposes only.  All information in this newsletter is presented without any representation, guaranty, or warranty whatsoever regarding the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of the information.

The information contained in in this newsletter is provided only as general information, which may be incomplete or outdated. Please note that readers of this newsletter are responsible for independently verifying any and all information.  The inclusion of links in this newsletter does not imply endorsement or support of any of the linked information, services, products, or providers.
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Live event and news updates can be found at www.sbwino.org. Please send corrections to in...@sbwino.org