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Santa Barbara, CA (June 3, 2025) — The California Wine Festival returns to its coastal hometown of Santa Barbara for two unforgettable days of wine, gourmet bites and seaside celebration on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19, 2025. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, this hallmark summer experience brings together wine lovers and epicureans for a sun-soaked weekend of elevated tastings, local flavor and laid-back luxury.
“Santa Barbara holds a special place in our hearts — it’s where this entire festival began,” said Emily Kaufmann, Executive Director of California Wine Festival. “There’s nothing quite like sipping California’s finest wines just steps from the ocean.”
Plaza del Sol, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
633 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA
The weekend opens with the exclusive Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, hosted at Hilton Santa Barbara’s stunning Plaza del Sol. Guests will be welcomed with a sparkling wine reception under the stars before sampling rare and reserve-level wines from premier California regions including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. Each pour is thoughtfully paired with gourmet bites from top local chefs, artisan cheeses, fresh fruits, olive oils and more. Experience a silent auction benefiting the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and live music, adding to the ambiance of the elegant evening.
The signature Beachside Wine Festival transforms Santa Barbara’s stunning waterfront park into a bustling tasting experience. Guests will enjoy hundreds of fine California wines, regional craft brews, and a dizzying array of gourmet food — from artisan cheeses and chocolates to fresh seafood and olive oils. The event also features the popular “Best Tri-Tip in the 805” BBQ Competition, where guests can sample and vote for their favorite tri-tip. Each guest receives a voting wristband tab upon entry; voting closes at 3 p.m.
This year, Sommsation is powering the VIP Pavilion and providing wines from the world’s best independent wineries and gourmet bites from top chefs. VIP ticket holders can enjoy curated food and wine pairings, blind tastings and unique giveaways, and special seating in the Pavilion tent.
Festival Highlights & Sponsors
California Wine Festival is a 21+ event. Tickets for California Wine Festival Carlsbad are available for pre-sale here and include all wine and food samples, plus an 18-oz keepsake wine glass. For more information, please visit CaliforniaWineFestival.com.
About California Wine Festival
California Wine Festival celebrates the fine wines and culinary offerings of California. A nationally recognized event series, it aims to showcase the beautiful wines, foods and landscapes of California. Founded in 2004 in Santa Barbara, California Wine Festival has grown to become one of the largest outdoor wine festivals in the state. Committed to sustainability, 90% of the waste from the festivals was diverted from the landfill in 2024. The festival has also raised funds for local charities across California, including the Foodbank of Santa Barbara, Surfrider Foundation and more. Join upcoming festivals in Carlsbad, Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach.
Read more on The Santa Barbara Independent
