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Events

This is for event reservations. To make a reservation for a tasting, please click here.

Tasting Room Hours

  • Thursdays from 5 - 9 pm with Trivia starting at 7:00 pm

  • Fridays from 3 - 6 pm, open till 9 pm when we have music

  • Saturdays from 12 - 5 pm, open till 9 pm when we have music

  • Sundays from 12 - 5 pm, open till 9 pm when we have music

Well-behaved dogs on leashes and children are welcome! You may also bring outside food or non-alcoholic drinks. Outside alcoholic drinks are not allowed. Whenever the tasting room is open food will be available from local food truck or pop up food vendors or pizza delivery to your table.

A note about events:

During events you may enjoy wine by the glass or by the bottle.  We're happy to recommend wines and provide a splash for you to taste to help you select a wine.

Please know that all tastings and music performances during the winter season are held with limited seating indoors with electric heaters and outdoors under our 20' x 30' tent with patio heaters.  So there's no need to be concerned about rain or cold weather cancellations.  Customers are encouraged to click the "Make a Reservation" button above to make reservations. El Vaquero values musicians. We give 100% of cover charges to the musicians and it's critical that you help us avoid allocating seats to customers that don't show up.  So please, please call us at (831) 607-8118 promptly if your reservation plans change.  Thank you. 

 

We advertise our events extensively on Instagram and Facebook so please like and follow us on those apps to stay up to date.  You may also sign up to receive our weekly email with a  description of events for the next 2 weeks. Just click on the "Home" menu item above.

Do you want to perform at El Vaquero's Tasting Room? Fill out this form to apply.

Trivia with Michael Gaither

Every Thursday

7 pm

Trivia with Michael Gaither

Trivia, No Cover

KPIG Radio DJ, Michael Gaither, brings JEOPARDY! level trivia entertainment to your favorite local winery. He always brings in thoughtful trivia prompts to give your brain muscles a work out. We'll be pouring our tasty wines, and Corralitos Pizza is on call for deliveries! Bring your team and win prizes!

TRIVIA IS NOW STARTING AT THE LATER TIME OF 7:00 PM

Food by:

Corralitos Pizza

Spun

Friday June 2nd

6-9 pm

Spun

Rock, $10 Cover

Catch the best 80s and 90s Rock Cover Band in the Santa Cruz Area - SPUN Saturday April 1st from 5-8 pm inside or under a tent toasty warm with fresh air and patio heaters. Spun spins a mix of great tunes covering rock, reggae, blues, dance, funk & punk. Hear the sound track of your life, including: Van Halen, Tom Petty, Sublime, CCR, T Rex, Jet, Rolling Stones, The Ramones, Marshall Tucker Band, Queen, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and many, many more. $10 Cover.

Food by:

Off The Hook Sushi

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers

Saturday June 3rd

5-8 pm

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers

Americana, Swamp Music, $10 Cover

El Vaquero presents our favorite Swamp Music/Blues/Americana Band - Jeffrey Halford & The Healers. Their albums are reviewed by Rolling Stone Magazine. Nashville Scene said "Halford, one of the best slide players on the planet". Last fall they played an 11 gig tour of Germany, The Netherlands and Berlin where there newest "Soul Crusader" release hit #1 on the EuroAmericana Charts. Their December 2023 Wine Club Pickup Party show was a big success with a hopping dance floor. Enjoy this great band covered extensively on KPIG radio.

Food by:

Sauceyz

SALSA NIGHT with Flor De Cana

Friday June 9th

6-9 pm

SALSA NIGHT with Flor De Cana

Salsa, $10 Cover

Flor de Cana, a septeto from Santa Cruz, CA plays high energy dance music, including Cuban Son, Colombian Cumbia and various other Caribbean styles. They blend the obscure with the known, old time with the new, keeping true to the roots while creating their own sound. The impressive rhythm section, composed of upright bass, guitar, cuban tres, button accordion, congas, bongo, timbales, maracas, guiro and bell, is sure to get you moving. On top of that impressive mix you have the high energy of the horn section w/ trumpet & saxophone. Last but not least is the lead vocal and choral harmonies. Add all that together and you have a sound that will inspire all audiences who want to see, hear and experience vibrant latin music. A Bailarrrrrrr!!!

Food by:

My Mom's Mole

Sasha's Money

Saturday June 10th

5-8 pm

Sasha's Money

Rock, Pop, $10 Cover

Sasha's Money is a hot, new covers band from Santa Cruz, CA. The band formed in 2014 when Sasha and the crew started playing an eclectic mix of great dance songs ranging across several decades (from The Police and Sublime to Elle King and No Doubt.) The band was joined by legendary local guitarist, Johnny McCullough, in 2016 and immediately solidified the band with his multi-band experience from the early 80’s (The Batteries) through the turn of the century (The Spell, Roomshakers.) In October 2016, Sasha’s Money had the honor of opening for James Durbin at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. Inspired by the music of Amy Winehouse, The Pretenders, and Blondie, Sasha’s Money will get everyone out to the dance floor and leave them wanting more.

Food by:

Ate3One

Carolyn Sills Combo Band with FREE Line Dancing Lesson at 3 PM

Sunday June 11th

4-7 pm

Carolyn Sills Combo Band with FREE Line Dancing Lesson at 3 PM

Country, $10 Cover

The Carolyn Sills Combo is an award winning five piece country & western band from Santa Cruz, CA. Lead singer and bassist, Carolyn Sills, writes songs with vivid lyrics, one moment sweet with nostalgia, the next playful humor, inspired by cowboy storytelling ballads, Cindy Walker’s heartfelt country and poetry from the likes of EE Cummings and Robert Service,.
With their many western swing awards and nominations, one would think they have The Carolyn Sills Combo pegged, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From their critically acclaimed Marty Robbins-inspired album ‘Return to El Paso’ to their spaghetti western anthems, country rock numbers or twin harmony instrumentals, The Combo has a large repertoire of music suitable for festival stages or intimate club/house concert dates.
The Carolyn Sills Combo is gearing up to release their fourth album in 2023, with new tales of the Yukon gold rush, baseball history, mustachioed Cowboy motorcyclists and #2 pencils, told by their dueling guitar and steel leads and three part vocal harmonies.
The nominations and awards include:

2023 Ameripolitan Award Nominee for Western Swing Female
2021 Academy of Western Artists Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year
2020 NEXTie Band of the Year
2018 Ameripolitan Western Swing Group of the Year
Three Inducted Members to the Sacramento Western Swing Society Hall of Fame

Food by:

Cuevas Express

Grateful Friday Matt Hartle with Jordan Feinstein, Murph Murphy and Anna

Friday June 16th

6-9 pm

Grateful Friday Matt Hartle with Jordan Feinstein, Murph Murphy and Anna

Grateful Dead, Phish & Talking Heads +, $20 Cover

For the past 4 years Matt has hosted the highly successful series “Grateful Sundays” at Michael’s on Main. He’s renowned as the lead guitarist of the China Cats, the highly respected Grateful Dead tribute act. “I’m thrilled to host this amazing talent that’ll bring back fond memories of Grateful Dead music and experiences to our Corralitos and surrounding community. Please join us. Cheers!” Join us in Welcoming Back this amazing Jam Band that lit it up here last October!

Food by:

Taco House

Locomotive Breath

Saturday June 17th

6-9 pm

Locomotive Breath

Rock (of the 70s), $10 Cover

A tribute to an era, 1967-1976, LOCOMOTIVE BREATH is a classic rock band covering some of the greatest iconic rock bands, including Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, The Who and more!

Food by:

Good Dogs

Tsunami

Friday June 23rd

6-9 pm

Tsunami

Rock, $10

"Tsunami is an “out-the-gate, on-your-feet”, rock-n-roll dance band! Comprised of 5 veteran musicians, they play high energy music with roots in 60’s to 90's Classic Rock and R&B. With many surprises! They won Best Local Band in the 2021 Santa Cruz Good Times poll.

Tsunami cuts a new edge performing the great songs everyone remembers and loves but few cover. The vocal mix features three dynamic lead singers. Each has made their mark on the local music scene with such bands as The White Album Ensemble, Aja Vu, 7th Wave, The Garage Band, and Cappuccino, to name a few.

This is an excellent band. We expect it to fully book and be an amazing show. Don't wait to make reservations. - Bob"

Food by:

Off The Hook Sushi

"Not so Young" Neil Young Tribute

Saturday June 24th

5-8 pm

"Not so Young" Neil Young Tribute

Neil Young Rock, $10 Cover

Not So Young, out of Santa Cruz Ca, is a dedicated group of musicians that capture the mood and raw energy of the classic Neil Young song book. Representing over 40 years of Neil Young music, Not So Young delivers a wide assortment from the Godfather of Grunge. Every time you see “Not So Young” perform, you will be glad you came out to “Feel the Neil”!

The lineup is officially Jim Rosenberg lead vocals/guitar, Dylan Rose lead guitar/vocals, Alisha Ripatti vocals, Keith Wieland drums, David Handloff bass, and Jocelyn Olson keys/vocals. It really gets rocking at times with Rockin In The Free World, Southern Man, Hey Hey My My, Ohio, Down BY The River, etc. but also has the tender stuff like Harvest Moon, Heart of Gold, Old Man, Long May You Run, Needle and the Damage Done and so on. Dylan Rose, Alisha Ripatti and Jocelyn Olson have been very popular at El Vaquero playing as "Ripatti and Rose" and the "Dylan Rose Band".Hearing Jim Rosenberg's Neil Young vocals backed up by two great female vocals, Alisha Ripatti and Jocelyn Olson, promises to be a real treat!

Their show at El Vaquero Winery Feb 25th of this year sold out quickly and was nothing shy of fabulous!

Food by:

My Mom's Mole

Arte Esther

Sunday, June 25th

1-4 pm

Arte Esther

Painting Class, $45 - materials included

Join us for a unique and fun painting experience with Arte Esther! We'll be painting beautiful wild California poppies (California's Gold) on wood slabs ranging from 10" to 12". Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, you'll have a blast creating your own masterpiece while enjoying your favorite wine. Wine can be purchased by the glass or bottle. All materials and instructions will be provided, so just bring your creativity!

For only $45 per person, this is the perfect way to spend an unforgettable afternoon with friends or family. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind painting event-reserve your spot today!

Food by:

TBD

Big Bad Wolf

Friday June 30th

6-9 pm

Big Bad Wolf

Rock, $10

Hailing from Aptos, in Santa Cruz County, California, Big Bad Wolf howls with a special off-the-beaten-path brand of tasty and danceable blues-based classic rock from groups and artists like Creedence, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Jon Hiatt, John Fogerty, The Hollies, and many more. A party with The Big Bad Wolf is always a high octane, rip-roaring good time. Jefferson's John Fogerty vocals are spot on!

Food by:

TBD

Alex Lucero & Live Again and Dylan Rose Band

Saturday July 1st

5-8 pm

Alex Lucero & Live Again and Dylan Rose Band

Soul, Funk, Rock, $20

Alex Lucero might have grown up in “The Cowboy Capitol of The World”, but don’t let that fool you. Despite being brought up in a very “country” esque environment in small town Oakdale, Ca, Alex actually grew up listening almost exclusively to the soulful music of the 60’s & 70’s. Artists such as, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Van Morrison and Stevie Wonder have played a huge part of his musical influences and overall feel. Alex Lucero & The Live Again Band have received incredible response across Northern California being played regularly on multiple radio stations and on permanent rotation on the well known KPIG 107 “oink” 5. With the steamrolling effect of success in late 2019 and 2020 (pre-pandemic), Alex and Band plan to continue their touring across California promoting their brand new album entitled “Opportunity”.

Food by:

Ate3One

Hall Pass

Saturday July 15th

5-8 pm

Hall Pass

Rock, $10

Hall Pass is a four piece band that strives to bring rock and roll back to the forefront. A blend of hard charging guitars, grooving bass lines, smooth vocals, and classic songs all create a fun experience for all. Drawing from a wide variety of song choices that will keep you on your toes, Hall Pass promises to turn the volume up and help you turn back the clock once more and remember the simpler times in your life. Bands they cover include Food Fighters, Sublime, Cheap Trick, Green Day, AC/DC, Van Halen, Johnny Cash, The Ramones, The Clash R.E.M., Stone Temple Pilots, UB40 and many more.

Food by:

TBD

Hall Pass

Saturday July 15th

5-8 pm

Hall Pass

Rock, $10 Cover

Hall Pass is a four piece band that strives to bring rock and roll back to the forefront. A blend of hard charging guitars, grooving bass lines, smooth vocals, and classic songs all create a fun experience for all. Drawing from a wide variety of song choices that will keep you on your toes, Hall Pass promises to turn the volume up and help you turn back the clock once more and remember the simpler times in your life. Bands they cover include Food Fighters, Sublime, Cheap Trick, Green Day, AC/DC, Van Halen, Johnny Cash, The Ramones, The Clash R.E.M., Stone Temple Pilots, UB40 and many more.

Food by:

TBD

Sweet Voodoo

Saturday July 22nd

5-8 pm

Sweet Voodoo

Rock, $10 Cover

Sweet Voodoo is a solid band of talented players bringing super danceable rockin' jams to the party!

Food by:

Adobo2Go

Cancer Benefit with The Joint Chiefs

Sunday July 23rd

5-8 pm

Cancer Benefit with The Joint Chiefs

Funk, R&B, TBD Cover

The Joint Chiefs are one of the most versatile and exciting dance bands currently performing on the Northern California music scene. Since their inception in 1990, The Joint Chiefs have built a loyal following based on their live performances as well as their wide range of styles and influences.

Their sound fuses elements of funk, acid jazz and classic R&B with their own signature groove. The result is a dance party of infectious grooves.

Since members of the band were raised on 70’s funk, the band is able to capture the real funk feel that all other bands try to imitate.

With a repertoire of over 200 songs and a history of 100s of performances in the Bay Area’s most popular venues, The Joint Chiefs play everything from low volume instrumental jazz to full blown dance crazed funk.

Food by:

TBD

SPUN

Friday July 28th

6-9 pm

SPUN

Rock, $10

SPUN spins a mix of cover tunes: rock, reggae, blues, dance, funk & punk.
Spun plays Great Music From Bands Including: Van Halen, Tom Petty, Sublime, CCR, T Rex, Jet, Rolling Stones, The Ramones, Marshall Tucker Band, Queen, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Robin Trower, U2, INXS, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Sugar Ray, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, James Gang, KC &The Sunshine Band, Daft Punk, John Cougar, Modern English, The Beatles, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Allman Brothers, English Beat, Dick Dale, Alice In Chains, Bob Marley, Eric Clapton. Neil Young, Montrose, Everclear. James Brown. Green Day, The Clash, ACDC. Eric Burdon, Ben E King, Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Rick James, Billy Idol

Food by:

Off The Hook Sushi

Hank & Ella with The Fine Country Band

Sunday July 30th

4-7 pm

Hank & Ella with The Fine Country Band

Country, $10 Cover

A husband and wife duo who are well versed in vintage country, traditional Americana and all sorts of variations of roots music, Hank and Ella bring The Fine Country Band along with them for a retro and modern approach to California country music. Reaching Top 3 on the Roots Music Report in 2021, Hank Warde’s original song, Good at Being Lonely evokes feelings of old honky tonk bars, juke box radios and sawdust dance floors. At live shows people always leave feeling uplifted by their high energy performances, their great stage presence and the band is known for making a dance party happen wherever they play!

Food by:

Cuevas Express

10 O'Clock Lunch Band

Sunday August 6th

4-7 pm

10 O'Clock Lunch Band

Motown, Rock, $10

Ten O'Clock Lunch Band plays Old and New School Blues, Rock Classics and Motown Gems to get you moving on the dance floor. They're a fun to watch, fun to listen to dance band with a sense of humor, all about the groove and the songs they love to share.

Food by:

TBD

Hall Pass

Saturday August 26th

5-8 pm

Hall Pass

Rock, $10 Cover

Hall Pass is a four piece band that strives to bring rock and roll back to the forefront. A blend of hard charging guitars, grooving bass lines, smooth vocals, and classic songs all create a fun experience for all. Drawing from a wide variety of song choices that will keep you on your toes, Hall Pass promises to turn the volume up and help you turn back the clock once more and remember the simpler times in your life. Bands they cover include Food Fighters, Sublime, Cheap Trick, Green Day, AC/DC, Van Halen, Johnny Cash, The Ramones, The Clash R.E.M., Stone Temple Pilots, UB40 and many more.

Food by:

TBD

Sharon Allen and Dusty Boots

Saturday September 2nd

5-8 pm

Sharon Allen and Dusty Boots

Country, $10 Cover

Sharon Allen loves to sing. And people love to hear her songs. Having previously played with The Firebirds from 1979-2002 she was known as the “Little Lady with the Big Voice” and graced many a stage singing blues and working with the likes of B.B. King, Boz Scaggs, Robben Ford, Johnny Winter and Elvin Bishop. In 2002, Sharon found her writer’s voice and an ongoing collaboration with Sherry Austin, known as Sherry Austin with Henhouse. Working on songwriting and harmonies with Sherry gave her a renewed appreciation of acoustic music from her early years back east. She found her natural home in the folk music family of California’s central coast. In 2010, Sharon formed The Dusty Boots playing country and folk music with Charlie Joe Wallace; guitar, Jerry Bradley; bass and Jimmy Norris; drums. Bringing together musicians from her past and present for an evening of country and blues she brings to the stage a talented group of players. Joining The Dusty Boots for the evening, Mike Mongielo; guitar, Jim Hannibal; saxophone and Kenny Karst; trombone will add their flavor to the mix and get you dancing and your toes tapping.

Food by:

TBD

FishHook

Saturday September 16th

5-8 pm

FishHook

Rock, $10 Cover

Fishhook is a high-energy classic rock dance band based out of Santa Cruz, California. They are one of the most entertaining bands in the area that includes the Central Coast and the greater SF Bay area.

Some local bands are lucky enough to have a person in front that can turn a show into a collective experience with the audience. Many have a vocalist that can hit just the right notes, and most have a soloist to further wow the crowd.
But none of them have two. Of each.
Stage right is Chris Marlowe. His fine tenor cleanly weaves in and out of melodies, while his intricate and tuneful solos (inspired by such players as Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of Steely Dan ) keep audiences enthralled. A natural frontman, Chris’ onstage banter keeps smiles on everyone’s faces. In short, think Paul.
Stage left is taken over by Jeff Ebbage. A perfect foil to Chris, Jeff’s gritty baritone can jump from a croon to a howl in the finest rock and roll fashion while soloing in the gut-bucket style of Keith Richards and Jimmy Page. Jeff’s patter is often spiced with double entendre and served up with a sly wink. Think John.
But all this front-loaded talent would be for naught without a foundation to build upon. The heartbeat of the band is Josh Glidden on drums along with the very low down-solid tones of bassist Karl Thomas.
Collectively, these men churn out the highest quality renditions of classic rock hits from the ’60s, ’70s, '80s, and beyond. Audience favorites include tunes by The Beatles, The Stones, The Cure, Tom Petty, The Cars, Cheap Trick, CCR, Aerosmith, The Clash, Queen, Sublime, Green Day, and much, much more.
(Of course, comparison to the lads from Liverpool is a stretch. John didn’t play lead guitar)

Food by:

TBD

Extra Large

Saturday September 23rd

5-8 pm

Extra Large

$10 Cover

HEY NOW...Because your booty was meant to bounce, Extra Large is the perfect soundtrack for ‘throw your hands in the air’ fun. Voted Best Local Band in Santa Cruz County nine times running, Extra Large splices together funk gyrations, Latin spice, fun-in-the-sun reggae, and classic California rock vigor. This veteran six-piece ensemble has become a California coast staple adept at heating up dance floors, concert stages, and festivals. What sets Extra Large apart from the ‘dance band’ pack is that their dance music is original, upbeat, positive and fun! Bursting with screaming horns and steaming strings, with drums and bass bulldozing any listener’s attempt to stand still, this band continues to reign as the ultimate party starter for any upbeat occasion. Sometimes size does matter, and Extra Large dutifully fills every musical gap.​​

At the end of a long, tough day, all we want to do is blow off some steam, and get reacquainted with the things in life that really matter to us-that's where EL comes in. Like a six-piece pressure release valve, EL is there with a cool blend of the funk, reggae riffs, latin beats, essence of jazz and soul that rejuvenates. Proclaiming their role as "fiesta facilitators", they dare us to dance (it's their motto), and we obey. Their lyrics hear our strife and speak of love, optimism and fulfillment. Frontman Russ Leal steps up to the mic. The consumate showman- generous, confident and full of energy- he is plainspoken and charismatic. "It's our goal to make you whole, by doing what we do with unadulterated soul," he sings. Why do we love you Extra Large? Because you know what we mean when we say we're tired, but you're not jaded. You give us permission to forget ourselves and relax, to rediscover fun and lightness of spirit, and as such, we are restored in the funky earnestness of your unfalteringly well-adjusted worldview.

Food by:

TBD

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