Los Angeles-based folk ballet troupe Grandeza Mexicana to perform

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! will present Grandeza Mexicana, an award-winning Los Angeles folk ballet company, in free concerts in March.

Performances are set for:

• 7 p.m. March 17 at Isla Vista Elementary School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Isla Vista.

• 7 p.m. March 18 at Guadalupe City Hall, 918

Continued from Page B1 barbecued sliders and woodfired pizzas prepared by a pizzatossing chef and exploring the beautiful pinnacle mountains in a virtual reality booth while discovering Chalone Estate.

All food will be curated and prepared by the Ritz Carlton Bacara culinary team with wines by Chalk Hill Estate, Chalone, The Four Graces, Lincourt, Foley Estates, Banshee, and El Pino Club.

Michael Accurso, winemaker for EnRoute Winery, the celebrated Russian River Pinot Noir label from Napa’s iconic Far Niente Wine Estates, will attend “World of Pinot Noir” on March 3 to speak about his

Obispo St., Guadalupe.

• 7 p.m. at The Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E, Cota St., Santa Barbara.

Grandeza Mexicana is a nonprofit performing arts organization founded by Jose Vences in September 2003. The company was formed to advance the field of Mexican folk ballet and to enhance the public’s appreciation for the diversity and depth of experience working in the cellars and vineyards throughout Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valleys, in addition to working with pinot noir in a variety of different regions, domestically and abroad.

Mexican culture. Grandeza Mexicana has performed at The Music Center for the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, the Terrace Theater, the Center for the Arts in Sacramento, the Ford Theater, the Alex Theatre, the Skirball Cultural Center and the Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts. The ensemble has also performed with acclaimed artists such as Jose Feliciano, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Sol De

FYI

For more information about all the events and ticket prices at “The World of Pinot Noir ‘’ from March 2 through 4 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, 8301 Hollister Ave., Goleta, visit worldofpinotnoir.com.

On March 3, he will host an intimate dinner focused on EnRoute’s single vineyard offerings.

Born and raised in the Napa Valley, Mr. Accurso has a passion for wine that came naturally as he obtained his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business with a minor in viticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He spent four years at Goldeneye Winery, first as the assistant winemaker before rising to the winemaker title. His experience working with pinot noir in the Anderson Valley to Paso Robles and even Argentina informs his skill for making the EnRoute pinot noirs in the Russian River Valley today.

Mr. Accurso holds the role of director of winemaking for Far Niente’s emerging brands, Bella Union, Post & Beam and

Mexico, Luis Miguel, Shaila Durcal and Lila Downs.

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is a collaboration among UCSB Arts & Lectures, The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, and the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe and New Cuyama.

— Dave Mason

EnRoute, where he oversees wine quality and production. The World of Pinot Noir, a nonprofit trade organization, was established in 2001 by a small, dedicated group of winemakers from California’s Central Coast. The group’s mission is to bring together the world’s foremost pinot noir producers and in a gorgeous setting, celebrate the delicious wine grape. Wineries, potential sponsors and wine enthusiasts interested in learning more can visit worldofpinotnoir.com or contact info@wopn.com. Follow and tag them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #wopn #wopn2023.

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com is taking a break this weekend. His column will resume next Saturday.