The Spectacular Summer Sipping Wine Passport is back. Thirteen wineries on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail are ready to show you what they’re all about June 23rd and 24th.
Their Summer Sipping Wine Passport event will be full of food, keepsakes, and of course, award-winning Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley wines.
Participating wineries are: Andrew Murray Vineyards, Cambria Winery, Cottonwood Canyon Winery, Fess Parker Winery, Firestone Vineyard, FOXEN, foxen 7200, Kenneth Volk Vineyards, Koehler Winery, Martian Ranch & Vineyard, Rancho Sisquoc Winery, Riverbench Vineyard Tasting Room, Tres Hermanas Winery, and Zaca Mesa Winery.
“It’s exciting to see our events develop and expand from year to year,” said Elizabeth Gunn-Bauman of FOXEN and foxen 7200, and the event’s organizer. “For example, this year, each winery is hosting a Sunday Funday activity. We’re encouraging visitors to spend Saturday and Sunday on the trail so they have time to explore and experience this incredible area.
The Sunday Funday activities will range from live music to barrel tastings to cave tours and more. We’ve partnered with a few local hotels who are offering discounted room rates for Summer Sipping passport holders to make this a little easier for our visitors. The $45 passport is packed with value – the main focus is the 20, one-ounce pours of wine that attendees get to spend at 13 different tasting rooms.”
The Summer Sipping Wine Passport includes 20, one-ounce pours of wine redeemable all weekend. On Saturday, each winery will serve treats like local chocolates, cheese and charcuterie. Return Sunday for live music, food trucks, barrel tastings and more. A logo glass, exclusive wine discounts, and an event keepsake are also included with your passport.
Here’s how it works: On the day of the event, check in at the winery you chose while purchasing your passport. Simply bring a valid ID. There, you will be given a bag with your passport, commemorative glass and special item. Also included in the bag will be a list of all wineries with their operating hours, what small bites they’re serving, their Sunday Funday activity, and their special Summer Sipping wine discount.
The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail connects Los Olivos and Santa Maria, a journey that gets you out of the city and into the country. Meandering roads, breathtaking views, and tucked-away vineyards can be found all along the valley trail. You’ll find the wineries treat visitors like family; welcoming, approachable, and focused on the enjoyment of wine. They aren’t just a name on a label – you may meet the winemakers themselves when you come by for a tasting. It doesn’t matter if you swirl ‘til you spill. The unpretentious nature of the region makes the experience authentic, educational and just plain fun.
The southern end of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is dominated by full-bodied Rhône varietals where Syrah, Grenache and Viognier thrive in the warmer inland climate. The northern end’s cooler maritime influence creates a climate perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A greater diversity of other varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Negrette, Sylvaner, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc can also be found on the tasting lists.
Summer Sipping is hosted by The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Association, a passionate group represented by wineries on the Trail. Knowledgeable staff in a relaxed, yet professional, atmosphere as well as stunning scenery adds to the complete trail experience. The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail holds two annual wine passport events: Summer Sipping in June and Christmas on the Trail in December.
Find out more about tickets, frequently asked questions and transportation options here. All attendees must be 21 or over. Passports sell out quickly, so reserve yours today.
Mention “Summer Sipping” for discounted room rates when booking at these hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites in Buellton at (805) 697-7721, Radisson Hotel Santa Maria at (805) 928-8000 and The Historic Santa Maria Inn at (805) 928-7777.
The Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys are part of the larger Santa Barbara County AVA, which is one of the most coveted grape growing regions in the world. Also included in the Santa Barbara County AVA is Sta. Rita Hills. Unlike the rest of the California coastline that runs north-south, this AVA boasts a rare “transverse” geography. This east-west orientation forms valleys that give the Pacific Ocean direct access to the vines, creating a cooler environment which is ideal for varietals like Pinot Noir. It’s said that for every mile driven away from the ocean, the temperature will rise one degree until you reach Los Olivos.
Santa Maria Valley is the perfect home base for California’s Central Coast, boasting 34 tasting rooms, 6 unique AVAs, 13 beaches, and a growing selection of local breweries, all within a beautiful 30-minute drive. There is no need to venture out if you are looking for sand dunes, hiking trails, horseback riding, cycling, and authentic Santa Maria Style dining – you’ll find all that right in our backyard. Check out this interactive map to plan your next visit. Santa Maria Valley is the perfect home base where you can eat, drink and do more for less.
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In Santa Maria Valley, there’s so much to do from here. Hit the road and explore it all with our 24 hiking trails, 34 tasting rooms, seven unique AVAs, 13 beaches, and a growing selection of local breweries, all within a beautiful 30-minute drive. There is no need to venture far if you are looking for sand dunes, cycling and authentic Santa Maria Style dining. You’ll find it’s the perfect home base, where you can eat, drink and do more for less.
