A Californian summer between the mountains and the water would feel incomplete without a glass of wine, or two, or five. Grab your designated driver or keep an Uber on reserve as you sip through local Chardonnays and Syrahs at The Ojai Wine Festival in Ventura, Calif. A full list of participating wineries has yet to be released, but some of the wines you can expect to taste come from wineries such as Mizel Estate Vineyard from Hidden Valley, Thousand Oaks in the Santa Monica Mountains; Bolt To wines from the central coast of California; the small family-run, female-owned Amber Rose Wines from Santa Barbara County; and Brick Barn Wine Estate, whose owners started an Arabian horse farm on their vineyard after rescuing a stallion named Fortel from a circus in the 1970s.
There are expected to be around 250 wines for you to taste, but if you want a break or simply prefer other drinks, there’ll be several breweries participating as well. On top of the beer options, last year’s festival hosted vendors selling hard seltzer, hard kombucha and spirits. With such a selection and unlimited tastings, you’ll want to hydrate, and a few non-alcoholic beverages and food from local restaurants will also be available.
Whatever you drink at the Ojai Wine Festival, the eight-piece Santa Barbara dance band Area 51 will be on the stage all afternoon to pull you onto the dance floor. With the festival taking place at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, you also have the chance to hop on a free trip on the Rotary Boat. The boat is otherwise used as a floating classroom for students to learn about ecology and biology, and a portion of the festival’s proceeds go towards supporting the Rotary Club of Ojai West Foundation that runs the boat. The remaining proceeds are allotted to other projects and initiatives that support the community, so you can drink on in good conscience from the keepsake crystal wine glass you’ll receive upon entry.
The Specs
- Nearly 4,000 people are expected to attend.
- Day-of tickets cost $105 but may be sold out by then. Early bird pricing tiers are $85 when purchased by May 31, and $95 by June 14th. Day-of non-drinking tickets are $25.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to Ojai here.
FAQs
Are children allowed?
Yes. Kids aged 12 and under can enter for free, while those 13-20 must have a ticket.
What is the closest airport to the festival?
The Santa Barbara Airport is 30 miles north of Ventura, while the Los Angeles International Airport is nearly 80 miles, or 2 hours away.
Is the festival ADA-accessible?
There are no specific accommodations at the festival, though organizers note that there are paved areas allowing for easier mobility. However, a lot of sections, including seating areas, are on the grass, which may create difficulty for some people.
Poster
