Sunday, June 6, 2010

OJAI WINE FESTIVAL 2010


Ojai Wine Festival

A trip to Ojai is always a good thing, but it's that much better this coming weekend.  The Ojai Wine Festival takes place Sunday June 13, 2010 from noon to 5:00 p.m.  The pouring will actually stop at 4:00, so get there as early as you can.

More than 40 wineries and breweries will pour their wares in the great outdoors of the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, on the northern shore of the lake.  The wineries are mostly Central Coast producers, but there is a smattering of wineries representing Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Lodi.  You will also be able to visit a "by-the-glass" section, where you can sit and relax with a six-dollar glass of wine.

Some Central Coast favorites will be pouring, like Alma Rosa, Brander, Bridlewood, Curtis, Core Wine, Cottonwood Canyon, Daniel Gehrs, Dragonette, Lincourt, Foley, Hitching Post, Mosby, Ritual, Santa Barbara Winery and Summerland.

Entertainment will be provided by by a pair of bands, 11-piece rock'n'soul band Tom Thumb and the Hitchikers and a tribute band named Sgt. Pepper.  You'll also be able to take a 20-minute boat ride around the lake for free.

Tickets are a pretty reasonable $30 in advance, $40 at the gate.  Parking is $5 on site.  A ticket buys ten tastes of wine or beer and a souvenir wine glass.   The proceeds from the festival benefit the Rotary Club of Ojai-West and the countless organizations they help.

Directions:

From the 101 Freeway exit north onto State Route 33. Five miles north of the 101 (at the Foster Park Exit) the speed limit drops to 35 mph and the four lanes become two. At this point, North Ventura Avenue merges with Highway 33. From this point on, street signs refer to it as either North Ventura Avenue or Highway 33. Proceed north on Highway 33 to Baldwin Road and turn left.

There is a scenic route given on their website as well. Feeling adventurous?

Where Highway 33 narrows to two lanes, exit at Casitas Vista Road. Loop around to the right, go under the freeway, over the dry Ventura River bed and turn right onto Casitas Vista Road. In a short while, turn right again onto Santa Ana Road. Go over the bridge toward the Casitas Lake entrance. In about ten miles, the Recreational Area will be on your left.

All this information, and more, is available on the Ojai Wine Festival website.

Feel free to leave comments on this blog, or you can always email Randy Fuller at nowandzin@gmail.com.

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