EVENTS
This is for event reservations. To make a reservation for a tasting, please click here.
EVENT RESERVATION & Attendance Policy
1. Ticketing & Seating Guests must purchase one ticket per seat needed. Seats are allocated based on earliest reservations.
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Early reservations will be close to the stage, and later reservations will likely be farther away, unless a specific request is made. Earlier requests receive priority, we may not be able to fill all seating requests.
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12 and under are free, but must be included in the notes so that we know to provide a seat for them. Meaning if you have a group of 3 and 1 child, please pay for 3 and in the notes write (One child under 12). Additionally, children may not be left unattended.
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All ticketed guests (including children) must be listed to ensure accurate seating.
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Typical Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, Special Event Tickets will have varied rates and will be published online
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2. Cancellations & Refunds made 48 hours or more before the event will receive a full refund.
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Example: For a Saturday event, cancellations must be made on Thursday.
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No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.. Refunds can be issued via our online site using your confirmation link.
3. Day-Of Reservations are not accepted through the online system. A timer or lock will restrict online booking on the day of the event.
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Guests who still wish to attend may do so by paying the applicable cover at the door (subject to availability).
4. Reservation Changes
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No additional seats may be added to a reservation on the day of the event without prior approval. Same-day additions require contacting us directly (via text).
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Same-day reductions to party size (e.g., "We now have 3 instead of 8") are not eligible for refunds. The reservation holder is responsible for filling their reserved seats.
5. Reservation Notes and Seating Requests
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Reservation notes are the best way to communicate preferences with us, where we may not always be able to meet your preferences, adding notes can enhance your experience
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Reservation notes can be used for:
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Identifying any children in your party
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Requesting a specific area in the winery (Close to stage/ far away)
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Requesting ADA accessibility
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If you are coming with a group but have separate reservations, you MUST put the name of the reservation you wish to sit with in the notes OR WE WILL NOT KNOW TO SIT YOU TOGETHER!
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6. Confirmations
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Please check if your email is correct! Please check your phone number!
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If you do not have an email confirmation at the door, and we do not have your payment confirmed, your reservation will not be honored.
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Please contact us if you do not receive a confirmation within 20 minutes of booking!
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Email: Elvaquerowinery@gmail.com Text: 831-607-8118
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We advertise our events extensively on Instagram and Facebook so 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 here!
Every Thursday
Trivia Night!
Free to Play
Every Thursday we play trivia at El Vaquero Winery! No reservations are required to play and it's free! Teams can be groups of 2-6 and have the opportunity to win a free bottle of wine. We kick things off at around 7 PM and the game runs until about 8:30 or 9 PM. Wine is always available by the glass or bottle and we have the local favorite food truck, Chubby's Tacos, providing amazing Quesabirria, burritos, tacos, and more!
Food by:
Chubby's Tacos
Friday, July 17th 6-9pm
Alex LuceroBand
Americana
Make your reservations for the Alex Lucero Band at El Vaquero Winery starring the winner of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 Good Times Best Local Band Award.
Alex Lucero might have grown up in “The Cowboy Capital 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 in his musical influences and overall feel. The Alex Lucero Band has 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.
Prepaid reservations are $10 (goes 100% to the band) via the El Vaquero ticketing system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com seats, if available, day of the show are $15 at the door. We’ll have award winning wines and food by a quality local food truck.
$10 Cover (goes 100% to the band), reservations are required at http://reservations.elvaquerowinery.com We’ll have award winning wines and a quality local food truck.
Food by:
Pana Food Truck
Saturday, July 18th 12-9pm
Closed for a Private Event
We are closed for a Private event on July 18th 2026, see you tomorrow!
Food by:
Friday, July 24th 6-9pm
Big Bad Wolf
Rock
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 Don’t Fogerty, The Hollies, and many more. A party with The Big Bad Wolf is always a high octane, rip-roaring good time.
From Bob: Jefferson's John Fogerty vocals are spot on! Big Bad Wolf’s “One Headlight” rendition is as good as the Wallflowers! They are one of the most popular rock cover dance bands at El Vaquiero Winery.
Prepaid reservations are $10 (via El Vaquero ticketing system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com). Seats, if available, day of the show are $15. We’ll have award winning wine and food from a quality local food truck.
Food by:
SC Eatery
Saturday , July 25th, Special Time 4-7 PM
El Bricks
Rockabilly
Note from Bob: With a growing local following and a reputation for electrifying live performances, El Brick is the most requested band at El Vaquero recently. They are "on a mission to bring the rockabilly revival to new heights, one dive bar at a time” (Ya gotta love that tag line…I do!) This show is a request by our Gentleman Dance Man, Mark, to celebrate his 88th birthday. Please note the special time, 4-7 pm Join us!
El Brick is a rockabilly band based in Santa Cruz, California. This energetic group is dedicated to reviving the classic sounds with a sharp edge.
The band was founded by Tim Knapp and Pat (Patio) Golliher in 2024. Mariah Martel captivates audiences with her powerhouse vocals and retro charm, blending classic rockabilly rhythms with a modern twist. Donny Campion shines on lead guitar, his sick riffs and vibrant solos captures the spirit of rockabilly legends.
Patio Golliher on bass, whose rhythmic lines lay a solid foundation for the band's infectious energy, and Zack Olsen on drums, whose driving beats are reminiscent of rockabilly greats.
We’ll have award winning wines and delicious food by a local quality food truck. Tickets are $10 prepaid (via El Vaquero reservation system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com). Day of the show seats (if available) are $15.
From Bob: We’ve had El Brick once before and the reviews were Excellent! I’m super excited to get to see them (we booked them based on rave reviews from patrons and I was stuck in Nashville - boo hoo - I know).
El Brick is a rockabilly band based in Santa Cruz, California. This energetic group is dedicated to reviving the classic sounds with a sharp edge. The band was founded by Tim Knapp and Pat (Patio) Golliher in 2024.
Mariah Martel captivates audiences with her powerhouse vocals and retro charm, blending classic rockabilly rhythms with a modern twist.
Donny Campion shines on lead guitar, his sick riffs and vibrant solos captures the spirit of rockabilly legends.
Patio Golliher on bass, whose rhythmic lines lay a solid foundation for the band's infectious energy.
Kyle Talty on drums, whose driving beats are reminiscent of rockabilly greats.
Note from Bob: With a growing local following and a reputation for electrifying live performances and are the most requested band at El Vaquero recently. “Brick is on a mission to bring the rockabilly revival to new heights, one dive bar at a time” (Ya gotta love that tag line…I do!)
We’ll have award winning wines and delicious food by a quality local food truck. Reservations are $10 prepaid (via El Vaquero reservation system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com). Day of the show seats (if available) are $15.
Food by:
TBD
Sunday, July 26th 4-7pm
Triana Feruza & the Heavy Hitters
Rock
Blending deep-pocket grooves, rich R&B soul, and fearless lyrical storytelling, Triana Feruza & the Heavy Hitters sound has been described as “Amy Winehouse meets Anderson Paak. jammin' at a Sly and the Family Stone party.” Their live shows are a full-body experience—soulful, high-energy, and deeply interactive.
We’ll have award winning wines and delicious food by a quality local food truck. Tickets are $10 prepaid (via El Vaquero reservation system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com). Tickets day of the show (if available) are $15.
Food by:
Taco House
Thursday, July 30th 7-9pm
Teen Kitchen Project Trivia Night!
Trivia Night
No Reservations Required!
We're hosting a very special trivia night on July 30th! We will be hosting a fundraiser event for Teen Kitchen Project, a locally ran non profit working to support our community.
If you've never heard of Teen Kitchen Project, here's a little background:
"With the help of teen chefs, volunteers, and generous donors, we deliver medically tailored meals to Santa Cruz County neighbors living with serious illness.
From our kitchen in Santa Cruz, teens learn to cook nourishing food and experience the impact of showing up for others. Together with volunteers and supporters, we make sure families facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses receive meals cooked with care and delivered to their door."
Our Food Theme trivia night will collect donations, emails for those interested in volunteering, and may even feature home cooked treats from the TKP!
So come down and enjoy fun for a good cause! Top 3 teams receive a free bottle of wine!
Food by:
Chubby's Tacos
Friday, July 31st 6-9pm
Vinny Johnson Band with Special Guest Mick Adams
Rhythm& Blues
Ladies and gentlemen,we are stoked to have the Vinny Johnson Band back at El Vaquero Winery Friday! Spencer Ellison will be Rockin the Drums, Les Blues Buddha Rosenthal on Harmonica and Leroy on the Bass! and oh yeah, Vinny Johnson on guitar! Join us for an evening of Rockin Rhythm and Blues playing hits from Otis Redding, BB King, Ben Harper, Al Green and more.
Vinny will have Mick Adams of the Alex Lucero Band as his SPECIAL GUEST.
Gonna be a Funky good time! tickets are $10 in advance at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com (100% to the band) and $15 at the Door. We’ll have award winning wines and food from a quality local food truck.
Food by:
Corralitos Pizza Company
Saturday, August 1st 5-8pm
Lacy J Dalton
American country
**Lounge seating is SOLD OUT for this show**
Get ready for the return of Lacy J Dalton at El Vaquero Winery!
Lacy J. Dalton, born Jill Lynne Byrem, is an American country singer-songwriter famed for her gritty, soulful voice dubbed “Country’s Bonnie Raitt.” Rising to prominence with 1979’s “Crazy Blue Eyes,” she scored 16 Top 20 hits including “16th Avenue,” “Takin’ It Easy,” and “Black Coffee,” earning the ACM Top New Female Vocalist award. A Hall of Fame inductee, she remains active recording, touring, and advocating for wild horse preservation.
By special request from Lacy, Michael Gaither & His New Best Friends will open the show. A south county native and award-winning songwriter, Michael's songs are more than a little influenced by growing up here on the Central Coast ("Highway 17," "Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night.") They'll kick off the afternoon with a good dose of humor and nostalgia, and likely a song or two by some of the artists who've influenced them.
From Bob: We’re thrilled to have Lacy return after her 1st show at El Vaquero last year. Previously a long time resident of Santa Cruz area, we find her super talented, creative, generous, genuine and a total sweet heart!
Tickets are $25 in advance $30 (if available) at the door.
This show will sell out, so book ASAP! We will have food from local vendor Chubby's Tacos, as well as wine by the glass.
No outside beverages allowed.
Food by:
Chubbys
Sunday, August 2nd 4-7pm
Rivets and Rust
Americana
Rivets and Rust are a Rock-Folk-Americana band from Santa Cruz that play singer-songwriter originals and classic covers. The band includes Tim Bennett (guitar, vocals), Angela Bennett (keys, harmony vocals)and Glenn MacPherson (lead guitar, harmony vocals), Mark Hull (guitar, back up vocals).
A couple of the players are familiar to the El Vaquero Winery crowd. Mark Hull is one of the lead singers and guitar players from Big Bad Wolf and Glenn MacPherson who has played multiple times at El Vaquero with Patti Maxine.
Note from Bob: I’ve been listening to their music for the past few weeks. They do a great New Orleans style version of “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” with Tim’s lead vocals and Glenn MacPherson’s lead guitar accents. They also play a really nice version of Booker T and the MG’s “Green Onions” with Angela Bennett on the keys. I think they’ll be a great match for the El Vaquero Winery audience and I’m looking forward to some originals. They did a really good show here at one of our Pickup Parties last year.
We’ll have award winning wines and delicious food by a quality local food truck. Reservations are $10 prepaid (via El Vaquero reservation system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com). Tickets day of the show (if available) are $15.
Food by:
Friday, August 7th 6-9pm
Ten O'Clock Lunch
Food by:
Friday, August 7th 6-9pm
Ten O'Clock Lunch
Motown, Soul, Rock
Get tickets at http://reservations.elvaquerowinery.com for Ten O'Clock Lunch Band celebrating Bill Heiss’s 93rd Birthday at El Vaquero Winery.
See a special show of Ten O'Clock Lunch Band playing Old and New School Blues, Rock Classics and Motown Gems to get you moving on the dance floor. They're fun to watch, fun to listen to, and one of our most fun and danceable bands. They have a great sense of humor and for them its all about the groove and the songs they love to share.
We’ll have award winning wines and delicious food by a quality local food truck. Tickets are $10 prepaid (via El Vaquero reservation system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com). Day of the show seats (if available) are $15.
Food by:
Friday, August 14th 6-9pm
Flor De Cana
Food by:
Saturday, August 15th 5-8pm
Carolyn Stills
Country
The Carolyn Sills Birthday Bash!
Santa Cruz local Carolyn Sills wants to celebrate her birthday with you! Join us on Saturday, August 15th to hear some award winning Americana, western swing and more with Carolyn Sills and Gerard Egan, aka Poi Rogers. They'll have David Roda joining them on drums, plus other special guests and the dance floor will be open!
Carolyn Sills booked her first show in Santa Cruz in the winter of 2010 and has been playing throughout the county ever since, from Don Quixote’s and Joe’s Bar to The Crepe Place, Moe’s Alley, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Monterey Jazz Festival and beyond. She won both the 2018 and 2024 Ameripolitan Award for Western Swing Group with The Carolyn Sills Combo and was inducted into the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame. Recently she's been touring the country with her longtime guitarist and songwriting partner, Gerard Egan, as the duo Poi Rogers. Their second album, Whirligig, was just released in May of 2026. www.carolynsills.com
We’ll have award winning wines and delicious food by a quality local food truck. Tickets are $10 prepaid (via El Vaquero reservation system at reservations.elvaquerowinery.com). Tickets day of the show (if available) are $15.
Food by:
TBD