Solvang, California

“Wine, like Life, is meant to be enjoyed.” – Richard Branson

Filled with adorable Danish charm, Solvang is known as the Central Coast’s Christmas Town. Every year, all the shops put a live pine tree at the door of the store and cover it with lights and ornaments. Most stay with the theme of their store, in color or in selection of ornaments (A corner fudgery puts pretzels on their tree), and when the sun goes down, it transforms this cute little place into a magical Christmas village.

Solvang also sponsors a Julefest skøl stroll (nordic for wine and beer walk) throughout the downtown area. This year, there was 18 participating locations.

• The Solvang Brewing Company – Obviously, this is a beer location, housed by one of the 5 windmills in Solvang, right next door to Wandering Dog on the main street (Mission Drive). More pub like than brewery, but has a decent selection of local craft beer.
• The Wandering Dog – All labels are dog themed, and the atmosphere boasts a relaxing wine bar with locally brewed shrubs and wine cocktails worthy of your time.
• The Lucky Dogg – In Atterdag Square, this a neat little location with a variety of wines.
• Lions Peak – A glassware shop masquerading as a tasting room, yet has a delicoius selection of wines. Watch where you walk though, you don’t want to be the Bull in the China Shop.
• Lucas & Lewellen – Large selections of wine and always a good deal on random bottles ($7 a bottle is a GREAT price!). This tasting room has more of the french style wines, So see it’s sister tasting room for the Spanish varietals.
• Toccata – The sister tasting room to Lucas & Lewellen, showcases the same copper bar, and the Spanish varietals of their supply winery. Swing by both for a large selction of wines!
• Sort This Out Cellars – Now featuring a tiki bar! This pinup themed location has a great atmosphere a delicious wines. Swing by for a Rock N’ Roll style bar and Betty Page pinups.
• Cali Love – Reminiscent of an 8 year-old girl’s beadroom, this location is unicorn themed. Pastels dorn everything, including their mimosa flight! Swing by for a fun vibe and those adult beverages.
• Dascomb Cellars – Definitely worth the price to pop in for a wine and chees pairing. This location is larger than it’s neighbors, and holds plenty of seating and wine!
• Copenhagen Sausage Garden – Not the best spot for a wine and beer walk, but definitely a GREAT place for craft beer and sausage. Get a curryworst and smother that sucker in their homemade curry ketchup.
• Feliz Noche – Understated decor and a hefty variety of wines. The Reisling is to-die-for!
• Royal Oaks – Does a great fruit wine, but balances the selections with some damn good dry reds. Definitely a favorite. She also has a large selection of chocolate truffles that are sure to catch your eye! Pull up a zebra striped chair and enjoy some vino!
• The Good Life – A couple of steps down from the sidewalk, this bar has a speakeasy vibe with a great selection of craft beer and wine from around the region (California as a whole). Stop in after the wine walk for live music or a beer not offered throughout the day.
• Casa Cassara – Worth astop when you’re sufficiently buzzed and need a chill location to take a load off. The best part is this place has more port and port-style wine than any other location in the wine walk. Swing by for a brandy-fortified beverage!
• D. Volk – A fan of Shabby Chic! Swing in, enjoy some wine, and take in this clean, chic spot next to a bakery and small courtyard on Mission Drive. Great little spot for family photos with the tiny sleigh and reindeer just outside!
• Sanger Family of Wines – 2 full menus of Spanish varietals and French Rhone wines will have you singing this locations praises. Perfect for large crouds with it’s wrap-around bar and seating, this tasting room will capture your heart. Right next o the same courtyard as D. Volk!
• Twenty Mile Winery – Just around the corner from The Good Life, the new open floor plan is much more conducive to these events. This location also house sLos Olivos olive oil and balsamic vinegar tastings! Stop in for a variety of mouthfeels and flavors (between wine and olive oils, you’re sure to get the fats and carbs needed to continue your adventures).
• The Landsby – A hotel in the middle of Mission Drive, this location houses the bar for Mad & Vin, a delightful restaurant that serves quite the fare. The bartender was rather heavy handed, and the whole group was feeling this tasting afterwards. Worth a trip for their whiskey flights alone! Not to mention, they make some beautiful cocktails…

While you’re drinking and being merry, participate in the Nisse Challenge. These little Nordic gnomes (AKA Tomte) are protectors of the house and expect Christmas porriage for their efforts. Mostly only seen by the family cat, these little, mischievious elves are a little bitter if you forget the butter on Christmas morning… You’ve been warned. Follow the collages below to see where these little creatures reside, and where to find them in the Danish Villiage of Solvang, CA.

After finding Noah, the hidden #13 in the scavenger hunt, return to the Visitor’s Center to claim your treat! If you’re parents, this is a great way to distract your children while you spilit the parenting duties and attend both of these grand events in Solvang!

Remember to drink responsibly.

–@leaderofnerds

Cheers!

Jessica