Attendees enjoy great wine, chili, and music to herald the looming presence of spring

The calendar circled back to a mid-March weekend for 2025, and in Buellton that means just one thing: the arrival of the city’s Wine & Chili Festival on Sunday, March 16.

The Buellton Chamber of Commerce and En Fuego Events was again able to put on the event, again at Flying Flags RV Resort, which gave the attendees the chance to sample various wines, chilis, and salsas, from vendors both local and out-of-town, and vote for their favorites.

And to add to the atmosphere, live music was provided by Jared Nels, Sound Investment, and DJ FIU, with a dance floor that was packed for most of the four-hour-plus event.

The music group Sound Investment entertains the crowd during the Buellton Wine & Chili Festival on March 16. Photo by Mike Chaldu/SYVS

“We’ve been coming here for six or seven years, and it’s always a great time,” said Chris Lierman of Simi Valley, who was with a group of six enjoying the festivities. “With the wine, the food, and the music, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself.”

Lierman’s group was in the festive mood on the day before St. Patrick’s Day, decked out in all shades of green and outrageous hats. Another enjoying the festivities was Hector Snyder, banquet supervisor for the Flying Flags park, dressed in an inflatable leprechaun costume, while conversing with the food vendors.

“Things have been going really well here,” Snyder said. “The people running this event always make it fun and enjoyable.”

While the visitors lived it up on the resort grounds, the folks behind the tables and vendor areas were also happily meeting potential customers all over the area. Among those was the table for Firestone Walker Brewing Company, which finds itself and pretty much all Buellton happenings such as this.

Executive Chef Bryan Aceves, along with the establishment’s GM, Shelley McKinney, and employee Caitlin Jacksonwere handing out samples of their chili verde, and having high hopes for the voting results.

“When we first started this, we weren’t real successful, but then last year, we were ranked No. 1 by the judges and also won people’s choice for our salsa,” he said. “So this year, we’re really looking to do good.”

As it turned out, Firestone Walker was very successful in this year’s festival, winning People’s Choice for its chili verde, salsa, and brewery, and in judging a runner-up nod for the chili verde (see results of voting at the end of the story.

Another cook handing out chili samples was Gabe Solorio of Santa Maria, who was getting the word out on his Big Gabe’s brand of chili.

“It’s a family recipe and we’re trying to get it up and running as far as sales along with our salsa,” Solorio said as he manned his booth with his son Carsten. “And we’re lucky to be able to do this in the Wine & Chili Festival. They always do a great job with this event.”

Meanwhile, other vendors were all around with their products: Leander Coleman was aiming for dessert when the festival attendees were finished with tasting the chili. Coleman aimed for after that: The dessert and snack business, mainly cookies.

His business, Kies…LPM, stresses a brand of cookies that’s a manageable portion. The “Kies” is the last four letters of”cookies,” while “LPM” is an abbreviation for “Life’s Pleasures in Moderation,” according to Coleman.

“I’ve been getting this business going after I was sending my son, who was a scholarship player at the University of Washington, some cookies and his teammates loved them, so he started asking me when I was going to start selling them,” Coleman said. “So I’ve been doing this business now for three years, but I’ve been making cookies since I was 8.

“Famous Amos is no longer with us, and his company has been taken over by a Canadian company. So, I think I can become the new ‘Famous Amos.’”

Whether it’s vendors wanting to get the product in the marketplace or just wanting to interact with customers, or people just out for good weekend fun, the Wine & Chili Festival is a welcome event for Buellton and one that ushers in a new season, whether spring or the season in Santa Ynez Valley, or the ushering in the community events to come.

“It’s really fun,” said Sean McCotter of Goleta, who attended with his fiancé Rachel Palmer, his sister Carmen McCotter, and friend Chris Tonerdo. “They take a straightforward approach to have an enjoyable time.”

People’s Choice winners

Red chili – Flying Flags RV Resort

Chili Verde – Firestone Walker Brewing Co

Salsa – Firestone Walker Brewing Co

Red Wine – Sapien

White Wine – Brick Barn Winery

Alternative Alcohol – Rock 12 Distillery

Brewery – Firestone Walker Brewing Co

Booth Showmanship – Hoyt Family Vineyard

Judged winners

Chili Verde

Champion: Oak & Fire