Presented by the
Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau since 1993 with sponsorship support from the
Santa Ynez Valley Hotel Association, Taste of Solvang features locally grown foods, wines and diverse cuisine to celebrate the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the area. Following the success of the expanded 20th annual festival in 2012, the 2013 Taste of Solvang will offer five days of savory flavors and sensory explorations.
Events begin on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at the
Solvang Village Farmers Market (First Street between Mission & Copenhagen Drive) with
the Chef Walk & Demos series between 2:00-6:00pm (final schedule and any fees will be announced). Featured chefs will include
Chef David Cecchini, Cecco Ristorante; Master Chef Norbert Schulz, Mirabelle Restaurant and Chef Heather Rae Hovey, Hadsten House Restaurant. Meet these Chefs at the corner of First Street and Copenhagen Drive for a personalized tour through Solvang’s Farmers Market as they source ingredients and dish up tips on farm fresh inspiration. RSVPs are requested by registering at
www.SolvangUSA.com.
From Wednesday, March 13 through Friday, March 15, 2013, Taste of Solvang
Luxury Santa Ynez Valley Wine Tours will be offered including taste stops at four wineries, gourmet picnic lunch and souvenir wine glass. Special pricing and itineraries will be offered by
Grapeline Wine Tours; Serenity Limousine & Sedans; and
Stagecoach Tours.
The three, traditional popular
“Taste of Solvang Passport” events return starting on Friday, March 15, 2013 from 7:00-9:00pm with a scrumptious
Dessert Reception and live jazz music at the
Veterans Memorial Hall, 1765 Mission Drive in downtown Solvang. On Saturday, March 16, 2013, from 11:00 am-4:00pm, the
Walking Smorgaasbord features 40 taste stops around the village featuring delicious bites of Danish, American, Latin, Japanese and Italian cuisines offered by restaurants, bakeries as well as retailers. On Saturday evening, March 16 from 5:00-8:00pm plus on Sunday, March 17, 2013, from Noon-4:00pm, enjoy the
Solvang Wine & Beer Walk offering a dozen downtown tasting rooms pouring their vintages into the prized souvenir Taste of Solvang etched glass.
During Taste of Solvang and year-round, visitors are encouraged to BYOP — Bring Your Own Picnic — to one of many free public parks such as
Solvang Park (corner of Mission Drive & First Street);
Hans Christian Anderson Park (633 Chalk Hill Road) or
Sunny Fields Park (900 Alamo Pintado Road). Taste of Solvang is a rain or shine event but since Solvang means “sunny field” in Danish, chances of rain are marginal.
Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended. A Weekend Passport including logo wine glass, wine charm & souvenir canvas tote bag is $75 per person or individual event tickets (ala carte) may be purchased — (Dessert Reception $25; Walking Smorgaasbord $30; Wine & Beer Walk $40). To purchase tickets by phone call (800) 719-9106 or online at
www.SolvangUSA.com.