By Connie Pendleton
Wine tasting, a seminar on the art of blending wines and art demonstrations are a few of the featured events planned for the 2025 Cambria Art and Wine Festival. There will be 35 participating area wineries participating in the annual celebration, sponsored by the town’s Chamber of Commerce, held Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 23-26.
Three local wineries are hosting an educational seminar on the philosophy and art of blending wines on Thursday, Jan. 23, at Harmony Cellars, 3255 Harmony Valley Road. Appetizers from the Sea Chest Oyster Bar will follow. The other two participating wineries are Moonstone Cellars and Cayucos Cellars. Tickets are $60.
In Cambria, the following evening, Jan. 24, a dinner party is planned for 5:30 p.m. Appetizers, an elegant five-course meal and wine pairing will be provided by local restaurants and wineries. Olive oil manufacturer, Pasolivo, will provide bread and olive oil while Red Moose Cookie Company supplies treats.
The Friday gathering includes a poster signing by feature artist Holly McCain, entertainment and a special raffle drawing at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall, 1000 Main Street.
Slated for Saturday, Jan. 25, are art shows and wine tasting. The Cambria Historical Museum, 2251 Center Street, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Center for the Arts, 1350 Main Street, will have its doors open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. These two venues are hosted by three wineries. Artists will demonstrate and sell their works at the Veteran’s Hall. The event, featuring 14 wineries, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wine tasting, raffle tickets, demonstrating artists and hands-on opportunities will be available at participating businesses throughout the village the same day. Fifteen wineries will serve as hosts.
The art show continues at the Veterans’ Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Final raffle tickets will be available. Complimentary mimosas will be served and breakfast by Cambria Coffee. A grand raffle is scheduled for noon. Passes for the events vary in price.
VIP tickets are available until Jan. 20 but are selling fast, according to Chamber board member Juli Amodei, General admission tickets are available on-line now and at the door. Further information and passes are available at cambriachamber.org. Additional events, described below, require separate tickets for entry.
A special screening of the award-winning documentary “Harvest Calls” presented by the Cambria Film Festival takes place at the Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 25. A wine reception, sponsored by the winery featured in the film, Claiborne and Churchill, begins at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Afterward, there will be a unique performance by local composer Brook Munro, the subject of the film, according to the film’s director Kyle Plummer. A Q&A will follow with Munro and Plummer. Tickets and more information are available at https://my805tix.com/e/harvestcalls.com
There will be two separate “Paint and Sip” classes given during the Festival. Coastal Wine & Paint Party presents a session from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Cambria’s Harmony Cafe. The class includes a glass of wine, paint, canvas, brush and easel. Tickets to this event are $60 and available on the website, coastalwineandpaint.com. Art Social 805 will host its class at Moonstone Cellars from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. All materials, a large glass of wine and nibbles will be included. Tickets, $50 for members and $55 for non-members, are available at moonstonecellars.com.
Readers interested in volunteering may sign up for a short shift and receive a free pass to the main event and 10 raffle tickets. Those interested should visit the ‘Registration Forms’ page at cambriachamber.org.