Events
St. Patrick's Day
Green Wine & Pizza
Wednesday, March 17th, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
St. Patrick's Day is normally associated with beer, but we've got a great alternative for a wine lover's St. Paddy's celebration: green wine with corned beef and cabbage pizza - the ultimate Irish indulgence.
$15 for pizza and wine tasting. We'll be celebrating our Santa Barbara Green Business Certification as well!
Cookies and Wine
Saturday, March 20, 12:00-4:00 PM
We love holiday cookies and wine, so why not show a little love for the Girl Scouts and try some fun pairings with their cookies, too? Join us to eat some yummy treats and raise money for the Girl Scouts!
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 3rd at 11:00 AM
Hippity, hoppity, our Easter Egg Hunt is on its way. We are hosting a family friendly Easter Egg with prizes for everyone.
Kids who find eggs hidden outside on our grounds will be awarded candies including chocolate bunnies. Wine related prizes ranging from wine discounts to small gift packs and more will be awarded to entrants 21 years and older. We guarantee you'll have something fun to take home.
Cost: Included with tasting fee; free for children and Benchmark Members.
Lawyers who love to WINE
National Lawyer's Appreciation Day
Wednesday, April 14th, 5:30 PM
Since our tag line "Approach the Bench" seems to be a big hit with all of you lawyers, we decided to dedicate and entire day to you. Present your business card during business hours and receive a free tasting and special discounts on wine and merchandise. At 5:30, check in begins for our MCLE certified presentation on alcohol abuse, which will be followed by a wine reception.
Vintners' Festival
Saturday, April 17th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
River Park in Lompoc
The festival features the wines of our 100+ members of the Association, live and lively music, a silent auction and wine country cuisine by the area's finest chefs. For more information and tickets visit, www.sbcountywines.com. As a special treat, Riverbench will be including our 2008 Cork Jumper Sparkling Wine on our weekend tasting list. Don't miss this, paired with gourmet cheeses.
Earth Day Food and Wine Festival
Saturday, April 17, 1:00-4:00 PM
Santa Margarita Ranch
The Earth Day Food & Wine Festival is a weekend celebration of award-winning food and wine grown sustainably on California’s scenic Central Coast. For more information, please visit www.earthdayfoodandwine.com.
Benchmark Pickup Party - Rose Release
Saturday May 1st, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
*Benchmark Member Exclusive*
This event is open to Benchmark members and their guests; in fact, sign up a friend to our Club and receive a special gift! Please let us know if you plan to attend.
Four people per membership, so please RSVP immediately as it will fill up quickly! $15 per member. RSVP Required.
*Rose wine will not be part of the shipment, but will be available for purchase.
Vineyard Tour with Jim Stollberg
Saturday, May 8th, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
If you drive by our vineyard and wish you were able to jump out of your car and take a stroll through the lush rows of grapevine growth, now is your chance. The tour will provide a firsthand look at different viticulture techniques and stages of grapevine growth. The vineyard walk is free to the public; a great way to get some fresh air, excercise, and education without emptying the pocketbook. With money saved, why not treat yourself to a wine tasting or bottle of wine for a picnic on our patio? Take a break from the city and avor authentic wine country.
Cost: Free
Honey Tasting - David's Blue Ribbon Honey
Saturday, May 15th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Garlic flavored honey? Sounds strange? We thought so too until we tried it. Central Coast bee keeper and honey producer, David Maislen, will be onsite to share his unique honey and passion for producing the best quality honey. So buzz on out here to learn all you ever wanted to know about honey. David's Honey products will be available for purchase. Cost: Included with $10 tasting fee (free for Benchmark Members)
Casa Pacifica Angels Wine & Food Festival
CSU Channel Islands Campus in Camarillo
Sunday, June 6th, 1:00 - 5:00
This Festival showcases the culinary creations of the area's finest restaurants and caterers from Santa Barbara to the Conejo Valley and award-winning wineries and vineyards from throughout California's rich wine-producing regions as well as many marvelous micro-breweries.
Winemaker and Barrel Tasting
Saturday, June 26th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Come hangout and taste wine with our winemaker, Chuck Ortman. Ortman’s winemaking career extends over nearly 40 years, during which he cultivated his signature “Ortman style” of winemaking. This casual event will include wine and cheese pairing as well as a barrel tasting.
Cost: Free for Benchmark Wine Club Members,
Not-yet-members: $15
Santa Barbara Wine Festival
Natural History Museum
Saturday, June 26, 2010
For more information, please visit
Second Annual Riverbench Triathlon
Bocce, Croquet and Horseshoes
Saturday, July 31st, noon - 4:00 PM
It was such a hit last year, we'd be crazy not to do it again. Join us for what is sure to be a fun filled afternoon of croquet, horseshoes and bocce. Find your partner, name your team and get ready for an exciting competition. Sign up one team that can compete in all three categories. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams. Bring your friends and family, this will be a good time for all!! Sign up via email info@riverbench.com.
To sign up, please provide the following information: Players names (two people per team), each players e-mail address and one team name. Children over 10 years old are welcome to participate.
Riverbench's 2nd Annual Photo Contest
Saturday, September 4th, noon - 4:00 PM
We've noticed that the first thing most of you do when you drive into Riverbench is take out your cameras. And rightly so- the view is exquisite. Why not? Now through September 1, submit your own Riverbench photos for our annual Photo Contest! The winner will be revealed at our Photography Event on September 4 at the winery. The prize? A gourmet wine and food tasting for 10 at the winery! So don't hesitate to get out those cameras, then send your photos to us at info@riverbench.com. We're sorry, but photos cannot be returned. Winner will be notified by email.
Vino de Suenos Event
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Vino de Suenos consists of several high end producers in the area who make a special bottling of wine to be sold at this auction, benefitting farm workers throughout Santa Barbara County. For more information, please visit www.vinodesuenos.com.
For more information on any events, please contact us at info@riverbench.com or call 805.937.8340.