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Lompoc Welcomes
25th Annual Vintner’s Festival at River Park

Free Tours of Lompoc’s Murals and La Purisima Mission offered

The 100-plus members of the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association will once again herald the arrival of the spring season and the beginnings of the new vintage at their annual Vintners’ Festival on April 21st.
  For the first time in its history, the Festival will be held on the outskirts of the westernmost appellation of Santa Barbara County–the Santa Rita Hills.
  “As the festival has grown over the years, we look for venues that not only are able to accommodate our 100-plus vintners, as well as our guests, but also that showcase the unique growing areas of Santa Barbara wine country,” states Jim Fiolek, Executive Director of the Association. “We like the juxtaposition of hosting our springtime celebration at a new location as we celebrate our 25th Annual Festival! Everything old is new again.”
  The Festival has grown in popularity and attendance over the years. The first festival was held on the grounds of Mission Santa Inés in Solvang and included 17 Vintners Association members pouring their wines. With the 2007 Silver Jubilee, over ninety wineries will be joined by grower members of the association and over two dozen local restaurants and caterers. Live bands, wine-related exhibitions and a silent auction to benefit local charities will round out the day.

“This closely coincides with the growth of the wine industry in Santa Barbara County over the years,” states Fiolek. “Back when we held that first festival, there were fewer than seven thousand acres of vineyards bearing fruit, and we were a relatively unknown wine region. Now, we have recognition for the quality of our wines worldwide, with over twenty thousand acres of vineyards planted within the County. But even as we grow in size and reputation, there is still a small town, country atmosphere here.

  In addition to the Festival itself, member wineries are planning open houses, winemaker dinners and special tastings throughout the weekend, and a “Vintners Visa” passport to 12 participating wineries is also being offered through the Association.
For complete details and tickets, visit www.SBCountyWines.com, or call the Association office at (805) 688-0881.
  Special tours of Lompoc’s prize-winning murals will be offered to Festival participants. Tours begin at the Chamber building, 111 South I Street, beginning at 10 and 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21. There is no charge for these walking tours and prior reservations are not necessary. They recommend that you arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour times.
  Special tours of La Purisisma Mission State Historic Park will be offered for festival participants as follows: Friday, April 20 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 at 11 a.m., with a 25 person maximum per tour. Reservations are required for these tours. The normal $4 parking fee will be waived for those with reservations. For Mission tour reservations, call the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce at (805) 736-4567 or (800) 240-0999 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., weekdays.