The second annual Santa Ynez Valley Wine and Food Fest returned to the green grass and welcome shade of the Old Mission Santa Inés grounds Saturday.

Nine area wineries, and six of the valley's fine restaurants participated, including Roblar Winery, Kaena Wines, The Vineyard House and Cafe Angelica. The event is organized by the Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley.

In the words of spectator Craig Scott, “it's got a real Santa Ynez Valley feel to it.”

Scott, and his wife Linda Scott had come to the event to support their friends in the band La Viña, which provided live music for the festival.

“I think they're perfect for this setting. It's a real comfortable atmosphere,” Linda Scott said, sitting in the shade of the mission, listening to the band, as Craig Scott returned from fetching a flatbread pizza from the Trattoria Grappolo booth.

The $45 entry fee to the festival included a commemorative wine glass, and $30 of “Rotary money” that could be used to purchase wine or food from booths.

Designated drivers and minors could enter for a much reduced charge, and had water and soda options.

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One of the new faces at this year's festival was Blair Fox, the owner and winemaker of Blair Fox Cellars.

“It's local, and for a good cause,” Fox said. “I like this because it's a lot of the smaller guys, like me, who sell a lot locally.”

Another newcomer to the event was David Esdaile, the proprietor of the Rhythms, a coffee and smoothie shop in Solvang.

“It's always good to get your name out there,” he said.

For its second year, the festival suffered from hot August weather, though a westerly breeze cooled the crowd. The heat might have kept some away, leading Craig Scott and others to comment that the venue could accommodate a bigger crowd.

“It's building. It takes time,” Santa Ynez Valley Rotarian Ken Mills said as he filled the volunteer post at the A-Ru Sushi booth.

The Scotts, who live in Solvang, said they enjoyed the event, and planned to return next year, in part because it benefited the Santa Ynez Valley Rotary.

“When they raise money, they do good things with it,” he said.

The money raised will help the Rotary Club fund numerous charities and institutions, such as the high school's Grad Night program, college scholarships, international charities, the Friendship House and the community's YMCA.

Glenn Wallace can be reached at 737-1059 or gwallace@santamariatimes.com

August 31, 2008