Southern Exposure
12th Annual Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure
February 6–7, 2026 | Solvang, California
The Garagiste Festival returns to Solvang for its 12th Southern Exposure event. This celebrated wine festival offers rare access to California’s most exciting small-production winemakers. Discover bold, expressive wines from micro-production wineries across the Central Coast. Many of these winemakers do not have tasting rooms. Some sell out every vintage. This is your chance to taste their wines and meet them face to face.
Named the #1 Wine Festival in the Country by USA Today, Garagiste Festival is known for its intimate setting and unmatched access. The event takes place indoors at the Mission-style Solvang Veterans’ Memorial Hall. Tickets are limited. Lines are short. Conversations are personal. Early Access and Weekend Pass guests enjoy extended tasting time before the main crowd arrives.
Festival Highlights
- 30 winemakers
- 100+ wines
- 20+ varietals
- Rare, reserve, library, and pre-release bottles
- Artisan food and specialty vendors
- Silent auction benefiting the Garagiste Scholarship Fund at Cal Poly SLO
Ticket Options
- Weekend All Access Pass ($179) – Includes all festival events, Friday Rare & Reserve Tasting, Saturday Seminar with Greg Brewer, box lunch, and Early Access tasting
- Friday Rare & Reserve Tasting ($89) – Limited-production wines plus buffet
- Saturday VIP Seminar & Tasting ($139) – Seminar with Greg Brewer, lunch, and Early Access
- Early Access Grand Tasting ($99)
- Grand Tasting & Silent Auction ($79)
The featured Saturday seminar spotlights Greg Brewer, Wine Enthusiast’s 2020 Winemaker of the Year. Taste and learn from one of the pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
Plan your weekend. Book a local hotel. Come taste the wines you won’t find anywhere else.
Location:
Solvang Veterans’ Memorial Hall
1745 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA
Questions: [email protected]
