Wine Collectors Week is September 8-16, 2012

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- September is California Wine Month and the Santa Ynez Valley is celebrating with the first-ever Wine Collectors Week from September 8-16 in 2012.  Intimate, high-end wine events will be offered for the seasoned wine collector as well as the new wine drinker.

The week starts off on Saturday, September 8^th with a blending seminar from the winemaker at Artiste Winery as well as a reserve tasting seminar at Willows Restaurant featuring wines from Bridlewood Winery, live music by Owen Plant and expert wine-and-food pairing demonstrations. 

Winery and winemaker dinners will be offered by Bell Street Farms featuring Buttonwood Farm Winery on September 13^th and Jalama Wines' intimate winemaker dinner in the vineyard on September 15^th.  Special wine pairing menus will be offered by the Los Olivos Cafe & Wine Merchant in Los Olivos and Fresco Valley Cafe in Solvang.  Vertical and Library Tasting flights can be enjoyed all week at six valley tasting rooms.  Indulge with the self-proclaimed "World's Coolest Wine Flight" at Wandering Dog Wine Bar featuring the top names in domestic and international wines.  Valley Vino Wine Bar & Merchant will be hosting a small release wine party with D'Alfonso-Curran wines on September 12^th at 6 p.m.

For an up-close view of the wine country, take a tour through the vineyards or a behind-the-scenes tour of a winery.  Avant in Buellton will be offering winery tours and tastings with a winemaker throughout the week.  Stagecoach Wine Tours will be offering a special daily tour of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation and on September 9^th, Grapeline Wine Tours will offer the "You Deserve Reserves" wine tour featuring prized wines not offered on standard tasting lists.

Become an expert with wine classes offered by Wandering Dog Wine Bar and Bin 2860 International Wine Shop focusing on high end tasting seminars.  Then, once you've mastered a full week of tastings, classes, and delicious dinners, finish the week by celebrating at Franc Fest, a festival celebrating over a dozen Cabernet Franc producers.

Visitors can take advantage of terrific packages offered by boutique hotels such as the Wine Valley Inn, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Ballard Inn.  For a full listing of events visit www.winecollectorsweek.com or www.visitthesantaynezvalley.com for information about the Santa Ynez Valley.

PUBLIC INFO: 805-686-0053 or 1-800-742-2843; www.VisitTheSantaYnezValley.com

SOURCE Visit the Santa Ynez Valley