Updated for 2023
Founded in 2000, the annual Pinot Noir Festival in Santa Barbara, CA gathers together the leading Pinot Noir wineries, winemakers, sommeliers, chefs, and wine scholars to celebrate and share this delicious wine. In 2023, the World of Pinot Noir event takes place in the Ritz Carlton Bacara on March 2-4.
Book your stay now at The Eagle Inn in Santa Barbara for convenient and peaceful accommodations. Our Spanish-Colonial beachside inn is within close proximity to downtown Santa Barbara, the harbor, and the Ritz-Carlton Bacara.
World of Pinot Noir Event Details
No matter your level of wine expertise, you will find something at the World of Pinot Noir to educate and excite you about the Pinot Noir grape. The three days are filled with dinners, tastings, and seminars with more than 115 wineries represented. Although tickets are available at the event, some seminars and dinners sell out, so it would be wise to purchase tickets in advance.
- Thursday, March 2: The event begins in the evening with an Opening Night Party at 7pm. Mingle with famous winemakers tasting Pinot and bubbly. The venue is both the outside Terrace and the airy ballroom.
- Friday, March 3: A full day of events starts at 9:30 am. There are several choices of tastings in the morning, followed by lunch with additional tastings. The day’s highlight is the Grand Tasting (with optional VIP access) from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. Meet the winemakers, bid on a virtual silent auction, and nibble on seasonal wine country bites. The day concludes with several dinner choices with (you guessed it) more wine!
- Saturday, March 4:Prepare for another full day of tastings and seminars, culminating in a second Grand Tasting. Choose between two dinner/tasting options: one highlighting wines from the Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard and the other featuring exquisite wines from the Burgundy region of France. Make sure you also check out the speakers at the events.
What Does Pinot Noir Taste Like?
Pinot Noir is the second most popular red wine in the world (after Cabernet Sauvignon). It is a light-bodied red known for its red fruit flavors (cherry or raspberry) and spice accents (clove and vanilla). Pinot Noir is known as a good choice for red wine beginners because of the lighter tannins, making it smoother and easier to drink. It is versatile for pairing with foods because of the higher acidity and lower tannins.
Pinot Noir gained U.S. popularity especially after its prominence in the film Sideways. The year after the film opened, sales increased by 16%, while sales of Merlot (which was denigrated in the film) decreased.
Pinot Noir Notable Regions
Pinot Noir grapes require a cool climate for growth and are considered difficult to grow because the grape bunches are tight (shaped like pine cones). This shape makes the grape susceptible to fungus and rot. The thin skins do not protect the fruit from disease.
The largest region to grow pinot noir grapes in the world is in France; specifically Burgundy and Champagne. Only pinot noir grapes grown in Burgundy may use the appellation Burgundy. The second-largest region is on the Central Coast of California. Here the fog layers in the morning keep the area cool enough to allow the vines to flourish.
Santa Barbara Accommodations
Whether you choose to attend all the dates of the Pinot Noir Festival in Santa Barbara or just a few, your stay at The Eagle Inn will provide you with a complimentary, freshly-cooked hot breakfast to start your day and luxurious guest rooms and amenities for relaxing at the end of your day. Our Deluxe Rooms and Casitas will spoil you with fireplaces, oversized two person tubs, and balconies or verandas, plus luxurious amenities for relaxing at the end of the day. Book direct with us or contact us with questions about your Santa Barbara getaway.