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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.

THURSDAY TRIVIA WITH MICHAEL GAITHER

EVERY THURSDAY

7:00 PM

THURSDAY TRIVIA WITH MICHAEL GAITHER

TRIVIA, NO COVER

Trivia

Please join us for a fun Thursday Evening of Trivia, Pizza, Wine and good friends. KPIG DJ and Americana Songwriter/Musician hosts this weekly event starting at 7 PM each Thursday evening. Typically 60-80 regulars and newcomers join us for the fun and chance to win one of 3 bottles of wine. There’s no cost to play and no need to make a reservation,

The topic and associated hints are posted each week on the Instagram and Facebook accounts of El Vaquero Winery and Michael Gaither. The game consists of 20 questions associated with the topic for the week. Five are video questions and five are audio questions. If you are confident of your answers for the video and/or audio questions you can play Double or Nothing. Michael may even perform a couple of live songs!

Pizza can be ordered by texting Corralitos pizza and delivered to your table about 40 minutes later. The winery hours Thursday are 5-9 pm.

Food by:

Corralitos Pizza

JEFFERSON'S REVIVAL

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9TH

5-8 PM

JEFFERSON'S REVIVAL

ROCK, $10 COVER

Jefferson’s Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute and more – a rocking good time.

Jefferson's Revival is comin' up around the bend with a heavy dose of CCR and John Fogerty hits and rarities. Jefferson's Revival is a Creedence tribute band composed of three veteran musicians who perform regularly in the Santa Cruz area. If you like CCR and want a rocking good time, come catch Jefferson's Revival. They sound just like the real thing.

You’ve likely seen Jefferson before as part of the Big Bad Wolf, a popular band that plays regularly at El Vaquero Winery. Jefferson’s Revival is a 3 piece band

Food by:

Tacos El Jesse

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH PRESENT: "CHRISTMAS IN PRISON"

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10TH

4-7 PM

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH PRESENT: "CHRISTMAS IN PRISON"

AMERICANA, $10 COVER

Presenting… “Diamonds in the Rough” A Tribute to the Music of John Prine

As the “Mark Twain of American songwriting,” John Prine was one of the most celebrated singer/songwriters of his generation. A master storyteller, his work is often witty and always heartfelt, frequently offering a sly but sincere reflection of his Midwestern roots, writing about the lives of ordinary people in a remarkable and perceptive way.

You are invited to spend an intimate evening with the acoustic duo “Diamonds in the Rough” featuring Jim Rosenberg and Paul Logan as they perform a sweeping assortment of John’s many masterpieces. From “Sam Stone” and “Illegal Smile” to “Summer’s End” and “When I Get to Heaven” as well as the in-between, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and most likely even reconsider just how you view this goofy ‘ol world we live in.

From Bob Prikazsky of El Vaquero Winery: If you are familiar with John Prine, you probably love his songwriting. I do. I’m just sorry I didn’t become familiar with John Prine till after he passed away during COVID. Otherwise unquestionably I would have seen him live. “Angel From Montgomery”, “In Spite of Ourselves”, “When I get to Heaven” and some of my favorites. This evening with Jim Rosebnerg is the show I’ve been looking forward to the most this year. A nice collection of favorite great songs by John Prine are available at: https://www.audacy.com/national/music/gallery/the-top-7-songs-written-by-john-prine#that-s-the-way-the-world-goes-round-ck8ript9u005j3b62dre41qxm

Food by:

Ate3One

ALEX LUCEREO BAND

FRIDAY DECEMBER 15TH

6-9 PM

ALEX LUCEREO BAND

AMERICANA, FUNK & SOUL, $10 COVER

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.

We’ll have award winning wines by Alex and the Off-The Hook Sushi Food Truck with a Sushi Chef who also works at Akira Sushi! Cover is $10, reservations are highly recommended at bit.ly/evwevents.

Food by:

Ate3One

10 O'CLOCK LUNCH

SATURDAY DECEMBER 16TH

5-8 PM

10 O'CLOCK LUNCH

BLUES, ROCK, MOTOWN, $10 COVER

Catch Ten O'Clock Lunch Band at El Vaquero Winery Saturday December 16th, 5:00-8:00 pm.

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. They are one of our favorite and most danceable bands.

$10 Cover charge. Food to be announced, award winning wines by Alex. Reservations recommended at bit.ly/evwevents

Food by:

Ate3One

FUSE

SUNDAY DECEMBER 17TH

4-7PM

FUSE

ROCK, $10 COVER

Don’t miss Fuse at El Vaquero Winery this Sunday December 17th from 4-7 pm.

FUSE is an excellent rock and blues band made up of key lead musicians from other great local bands. Fuse includes - Ted Welty (of SPUN, Locomotive Breath, etc.), Don Caruth (band lead of the Joint Chiefs), Rob Ouse (of Locomotive Breath, Acis Grass Boys) and Ryan Price (of Mokili Wa and solo looper extraordinaire). FUSE is a great vehicle for these guys to enjoy some of their favorite music outside of their standard gigs…and they do it so well!

We’ll have award winning wines by Alex and Food by Mattia Pizza Food Truck. Cover is $10, reservations are highly recommended at bit.ly/evwevents.

Food by:

Mattia Pizza

EXTRA LARGE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 22ND

6-9 PM

EXTRA LARGE

FUNK, $12 COVER

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - SORRY THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED, WE ARE TAKING WAITLIST REQUESTS ONLY AND WILL CONVERT FROM WAITLIST TO CONFIRMED IF POSSIBLE. ONLY CONFIRMED RESERVTIONS WILL GAIN ENTRY. THANKS.
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT - We had Extra Large play this summer and 4 times as many people as we can hold tried to make reservations. Our capacity is much smaller indoors for this show. Because of that we will first make reservations available to wine club members at an announced day and time, with no reservations available before that. Club members will be limited to reserve one table for a total of 4 people.

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:

S&B Food Truck

5 MILE MINX, VUVIAN CASTIANO,  SURF CREEPS

SATURDAY DECEMBER 23RD

DOORS OPEN AT 6 PM

5 MILE MINX, VUVIAN CASTIANO, SURF CREEPS

DANCE, COMEDY, SURF PUNK

The 5 Mile Minx are at it AGAIN! This Holiday Celebration will be the perfect kick off to your Christmas and New Year week. The Surf Creeps will close the show so 5 Mile Minx fans can join them on the dance floor after the dance show and dance the night away as we celebrate another year.

NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR! TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ON EVENTBRITE AND THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT!

Doors open at 6 pm. Open seating, no reservations and tickets must be purchased on eventbrite. No tickets will be available at the door.

Tickets available via EventBrite search “5 Mile Minx” and “Holiday Cabaret”.

Food by:

TBD

SPUN

FRIDAY DECEMBER 29TH

6-9 PM

SPUN

ROCK, $10 COVER

Don’t miss SPUN rocking El Vaquero Winery Friday December 29th from 6-9 pm.

Spun is the best 80s and 90s Rock Cover Band in the Santa Cruz Area. They are some of the best local musicians (including lead guitarist Ted Welty, bassist John Vee Lewis and drummer Rob Ouse), with fun front man (Patrick), add award winning wines and you have an EXCELLENT rocking Friday Night. They'll spin 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 Chili Peppers and many, many more.more.


SPUN is a regular band at El Vaquero Winery because they are great musicians, and always deliver a fun evening of great rock. They never disappoint. -Bob


$10 Cover, Reservations are recommended at bit.ly/evwevents, Food by TBD.

Food by:

Cuevas Express

JOINT CHIEFS

SATURDAY DECEMBER 30TH

5-8 PM

JOINT CHIEFS

FUNK, SOUL, $10 COVER

We’re super excited to welcome back the Joint Chiefs to El Vaquero Winery Saturday December 30th from 5-8 pm - the eve before New Year’s Eve.

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:

Tacos El Jesse

COMEDY WITH RICHARD STOCKTON,  FACO AND  VIVIEN CASTIANO

FRIDAY JANUARY 12TH

6-9 PM

COMEDY WITH RICHARD STOCKTON, FACO AND VIVIEN CASTIANO

COMEDY, $10 COVER

Food by:

TBD

NICK DANGER AND THE LAVA LOUNGE

SATURDAY JANUARY 13TH

5-8 PM

NICK DANGER AND THE LAVA LOUNGE

OLD SCHOOL ROCK, $10 COVER

Food by:

TBD

BIG BAD WOLF

SUNDAY JANUARY 14TH

4-7 PM

BIG BAD WOLF

ROCK, $10 COVER

Food by:

TBD

DYLAN ROSE BAND

SATURDAY JANUARY 2OTH

5-8 PM

DYLAN ROSE BAND

ROCK, $10 COVER

Food by:

TBD

DIRTY CELLO

SUNDAY JANUARY 21ST

4-7 PM

DIRTY CELLO

$10 COVER

Food by:

TBD

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