Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley returns to Central Coast wine country Oct. 2-5. with a six-town celebration exploring the region’s food and wine, and the people behind it all.

The festival highlights six communities — Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang — with curated experiences that bring out the unique character of each, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley said.

Organized by Visit the Santa Ynez Valley and Sunset Magazine, events will include communal dinners under the stars, outdoor adventures and wine tastings. 

On Saturday, Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley will host a dinner and grand tasting event in Solvang for the first time in the event’s history. Served on a long communal table on Copenhagen Drive, each course of the family-style dinner will be prepared by chefs from Peasants FEAST, Coast Range, First & Oak, and The Gathering Table.

Taste the Santa Ynez Valley will honor the region’s history and cultural heritage with the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center Dinner on Sunday.

Set against the backdrop of the recently opened 14,000-square-foot museum, the dinner will feature cuisine from Santa Ynez restaurants, including S.Y. Kitchen, Willows at Chumash Casino Resort, and Ellie’s Tap & Vine. The meal will be preceded by a welcome wine tasting and reception.

“Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley brings people closer to the essence of what makes our region special,” said Shelby Sim, president/CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, which organizes the event.

“It’s not just about world-class food and wine, though there’s plenty of that, it’s about the character of our towns, the warmth of our people, and the deep cultural history that runs through everything we do,” Sim said.

“With events like the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, we’re able to share stories and flavors that reflect the heritage and culture that is at the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley experience,” Sim said.

All official Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley events are ticketed and must be purchased in advance, ranging in price from $35 for a walk and wine-tasting experience through Zaca Mesa Vineyard to $180 for the communal dinners in Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Solvang, and the Chumash Museum.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from the Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley website.

As with every year, 5% of all ticket sales for every Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley event will benefit local charities.

For more on tickets and a full list of Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley events, dates and times, visit TasteSYV.com.