Solvang Summer Concert Series – These free, Wednesday evening concerts offer the opportunity to picnic in the park while enjoying great company, delicious food and live music. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and fully-outfitted picnics – including their favorite beverages (think local vintners!). Edible delights are available for purchase as is the nearby Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market for stocking up on perfect picnic provisions.
Soirée Thursdays at Refugio Ranch – Visit charming Los Olivos Thursday evenings for Refugio Ranch Tasting Room’s weekly celebration, featuring the best in local live music, food pairings, and wine by the glass specials.
Music on the Patio at Root 246 Solvang is the spot for your favorite songs on this covered patio every Friday evening from 6 – 9 p.m. Happy Hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m., a full menu of craft-based cuisine, one of the most extensive selections of local wines, whiskey and craft beer, and refreshing signature cocktails unlike anything you’ve tried before.
Standing Sun Live – Stop on by, grab glass of Syrah, check out the local food truck options, take a walk through The Gallery, and then take a seat and tap your toes to some great artists in a unique intimate setting. Bands from Seattle to Los Angeles, from Austin to Nashville – and everything in-between are featured at this unique industrial winery.
Sunday Concert Series at Zaca Mesa Winery – The last Sunday of every month features live local music out on their patio from 12-3 p.m. It is free for everyone, so bring your friends, pack a picnic, and enjoy a bottle of wine to enjoy for a great afternoon! Don’t miss the summer season wind down with live music by local artist Sean Wiggins on Labor Day, September 5, from 1-4 p.m.
Wine country ambiance under the oaks in the garden and delightfully diverse music ranging from a Grammy Award winner to the local best, may be just the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Wine, beer and snacks available for purchase. Tickets are $30 at the gate.
We can’t think of too many things that pair better with a notable glass of Santa Ynez Valley wine than great live music in a cozy, relaxing venue. Well, perhaps delicious craft food bites and a relaxing place to stay the night would complete the picture, but you can be sure Santa Ynez Valley had that covered too! Complete your perfect sounds of summer getaway with a perfect stay. The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is located just minutes from many of the SYV area wineries and Solvang, so don’t worry. Contact us to find out about our current specials and packages.
Beyond the rolling hills of California wine country, there’s a lot of happiness spreading thanks to artisan cheese farms and shops popping up across California. A perfect match to the region’s first love, wine, the specialty of craft of artisan cheese is entering a new era in Santa Ynez Valley.
So what exactly is “artisan” cheese?
Artisan cheese is made by hand, using the craftsmanship skills of traditional cheese makers. It is the old-school, slow, small-scale creation of cheese.
What makes artisan cheese special?
Each artisan cheese undergoes a specific aging and ripening process in order to achieve certain aesthetics including a more developed flavor and texture. As a result, the cheeses are more complex in their taste and variety, reflecting the environment they were produced in.
Where in Santa Ynez Valley can the trend be found?
If you’re not a cheese lover yet, owners Russ and Kristin Collins promise to make you one by the time you leave their newly opened shop! Located in downtown Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Ynez Valley Cheese Company is a new favorite among locals. Currently selling artisan cheese and cured meats, the Collins family has plans to one day produce and sell their own brand of artisan cheese thanks in large part to their own herd of sheep.
Follow SYV Cheese Company on Facebook and read more about their journey here.
The Los Olivos Grocery store is perhaps one of the best kept secrets when it comes to artisan cheese in Santa Ynez Valley. Offering an array of cheeses from around the world, the grocery store also has a cheese course available to teach you everything you need to know on how to become a connoisseur.
The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is thrilled to play host to your California foodie adventures. From wine to cheese, our staff is prepared to help you plan the perfect outings to experience the taste of Santa Ynez Valley. Book our Santa Ynez Valley Grapeline Wine Tour Package for a carefree day in the Santa Ynez Valley hosted by a wine country insider, room accommodations and lots of foodie extras upon arrival in your room.