Downtown Live Art and Wine Tour Showcases Local Artists

Scroll through the slideshow photos by Fritz Olenberger

The Downtown Art and Wine Tour came back this year with live artistic performances from painting to dancing and even an interactive electronic music display.

On Thursday evening local art and wine lovers gathered at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum on E. De La Guerra Street where they were handed a wine glass and a map. Eight locations within a three-block downtown radius hosted food samples from local restaurants, tastings of local vineyards, and a unique artistic experience.

The self-guided tour sent everyone on a scavenger hunt for the most unique experience at The Bobcat Room, Casa de la Guerra, COUCH Santa Barbara, Grassini Family Vineyards, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Plum Goods, Salt Cave Santa Barbara, and The Shade Store.

Food samplings were available from Bouchon Santa Barbara, Brasil Arts Cafe,  Little Kitchen, Loquita Santa Barbara, Los Agaves Restaurant, Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant, Oat Bakery, Opal Restaurant and Bar, Paradise Cafe, Pascucci Restaurant, Patxi’s Santa Barbara, SOhO  Restaurant and Music Venue, The Honey B, and Wine Cask.

Local libations were poured from Au Bon Climat Winery, August Ridge Vineyards, Grassini Family Vineyards, Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, Margerum Tasting Room, Rincon Brewery-Carpinteria, Sanford Winery Tasting Room, Standing Sun Wines, and Windrun Wine.

The evening ended in the courtyard of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum with more food and beverages, a raffle, and a large silent auction benefitting the Downtown Public Art Fund. Local band ECHO played the rest of the night where people danced under bistro lights and took photobooth pictures with local celebrity John Palminteri.