The Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival was yet another amazing success to benefit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Held in the beautiful backyard of the historic museum, guests and sponsors gathered to taste samples from the best chefs in Santa Barbara and savor sips from the best vintners in the area.

Sparkling Way for Bubbly

The fundraiser hosted over 100 different wine and food vendors, including sparkling wine vendors like Alma Rose who were giving tastes in the new venue called Sparkling Way. The event is highly anticipated each year by food and wine lovers, and it did not disappoint. The VIP Redwood Lounge granted guests early admission and a private tasting area to enjoy wines from fine wine makers like Doug Margerum. Fess Parker, Brander, Buttonwood, Zaca Mesa, Qupe, Au Bon Climat and so many more were serving sips under the trees in the backyard.

Wine Sampling in the Backyard

Chef Michael Hutchings and a bevy of culinary stars from renowned venues such as Finch and Fork, Brophy Bros, Ca’ Dario, Loquita, Slate Catering, Solvang Bakery, The Bear and Star, Via Maestra 42, Farmer Boy, Country Catering, Whole Foods, and Gelson’s Market shared tastes of their delicious dishes, and desserts from Renaud’s and Helena Avenue Bakery were so sweet. The Berry Man offered bushels of divine fresh berries to pair with wine and cheese. I especially appreciated the delicious green tea being served by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
The Museum ‘every cork wins raffle’ attracted a crowd of participants who pulled a cork for $40 and had the opportunity to go home with some amazing wines or food vendor gifts, and someone got two tickets to next year’s event.

Alma Rosa Bubbly on the Menu

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History was founded in 1916. It is a cherished venue of locals who have spent years enjoying exhibitions on the beautiful and educational venue with their children and grandchildren. SBMNH has one of the finest exhibitions on the Chumash Indians anywhere in California, a nature trail, and clubhouse, a Butterfly Pavilion, and a real 74-foot Blue Whale skeleton. The Museum’s outdoor nature experience can be enjoyed at The Sea Center on Stearns Wharf. Nearly 100,000 visitors enjoy the ocean life in the Santa Barbara Channel through its interactive exhibits and close-up, hands-on encounters with sea creatures. The Museum’s mission is to inspire a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world. The Museum is located at 2449 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.
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About Bonnie Carroll

Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News (www.lifebitesnews.com), does travel, entertainment and food reporting on local Radio/TV, and contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications. She is a member of IFWTWA and NATJA. Contact her at writebc@aol.com.