Wines and vines--they make for good times in Solvang, located on California's sunny Central Coast. Here are some 2013 calendar event items locals anticipate and prepare for, hoping you'll join them to celebrate one of California's mainstay wine regions. Did you know that many of the grapes grown on the Central Coast are used for making wines in Napa, Sonoma, and even Southern California's Temecula wine regions? It's true! See: solvangusa.com

February 14 Valley Wines & Valentines
Location: Elverhoj Museum of History & Art 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, CA 93463
elverhoj.org
Sweet and savory bites, wine sampling, music, friends and fun. Elverhoj Museum is located at 1624 Elverhoy Way in Solvang. For more information, phone the Museum at (805) 686-1211, elverhoj.org.

February 14-17, 2014 A Wine Fantasy in February
Tasting rooms, Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, CA
Website: www.santaynezwinecountry.com
Categories: Santa Ynez Valley
It's that time of year when we invite you to enjoy a holiday weekend of relaxation and wine tasting in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. With your passport, you may taste one time at each of 15 winery tasting rooms over the four-day weekend.

March 29-30, 2014 The Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure (Solvang)

The Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, which will feature 30 of Santa Ynez Valley's high-quality, small-production winemakers, all pouring under one roof in Solvang, CA. The new non-profit festival follows on the heels of 2012's sold out Paso Robles Garagiste Festival. garagistefestival.com Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Location: Veterans Memorial Hall – Solvang 1745 Mission Drive Solvang, CA 93463

Taste of Solvang Food & Wine Festival March 12 – 16, 2014
Saturday, 5 - 8 PM PM - Walking Wine Tasting Room Tour, stroll downtown Solvang and savour fabulous wine from participating wine tasting rooms. $35.00 per person. Purchase tickets at 1511-A Mission Drive until 5:30 PM. Sunday, March 17, 12 - 3 PM - BYO picnic in Solvang Park with live entertainment.

Sunday Mar 23, 2014 Noon-4 p.m. Buellton Wine & Chili Festival Location: Flying Flags RV Park 180 Avenue of Flags, Buellton, CA 93427 This will be a chili cook-off, wine tasting event and fun for the entire family. This event will be held at the Flying Flags Resort from noon to 4. buelltonwineandchilifestival.com Categories to be judged will be: Red Chili, Chili Verde, Salsa and Booth Showmanship.

April 10-13, 2014 Vintners' Festival
Phone: (805) 688-0881, (800) 218-0881
sbcountywines.com
Showcasing the Region's Diversity… Annual Festival to be held in Santa Ynez Valley
SANTA YNEZ, CA – The 100+ members of the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association will herald the rrival of spring and the beginning of the new vintage at their annual Vintners' Festival.

Solvang Third Wednesday Wine Walk

All around the Village, Solvang, CA 93463
solvang3rdwednesday.com
Each month on the Third Wednesday - enjoy wine tasting while strolling through the Village of Solvang. Most wine tasting rooms offer special discounts to Wine Walk participants on wine & merchandise. $20 per person (cash only please) includes a Solvang Third Wednesday logo glass, map and tasting at 5 places of your choice. Tickets available at The Olive House 1661 Mission Dr, Sort This Out Cellars 1636 Copenhagen Dr or Wandering Dog Wine Bar 1539 Mission Dr.

June 7, 2014 Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival
Downtown Los Olivos
losolivosrotary.org/olivefest.html

Annual Jazz & Olive Festival - food and wine tastings, vendor booths, cooking demonstrations, and an amateur chef cook-off. Tickets are available at the Book Loft in Solvang, or for by calling (805) 325-2345.

October 10-13, 2014 Celebration of Harvest

Celebration of Harvest he highlight of the weekend is the Festival itself, where 100+ wineries gather to present their wines, often poured by the winemakers themselves. The Festival also presents some of the best local food from restaurants, catering companies and gourmet food creators. 1-4pm. Purchase tickets in advance. sbcountywines.com Phone: 805-688-0881

Solvang isn't just a one holiday city. Though Julefest tends to be one of the biggest special events of the year, other great events include Taste of Solvang and Halloween Haunted House.