(This article was written in March 2002 about the recently opened Agua Dulce Vineyards. It’s more of a tale of how excited we were to have a winery close by because we were missing Napa, and a babysitter.) I definitely gave Eddie fair warning in advance. He had a choice. He could either buy me…
50 Acclaimed Wineries from the California Central Coast and Tastings from Select Restaurants to Benefit the Michael Bonaccorsi Endowment at Hancock College Wally’s Wine & Spirits will host Wally’s 9th Central Coast Wine and Food Celebration (WCCWFC), benefiting the Michael Bonaccorsi Endowment Fund at Allan Hancock College Department of Viticulture and Enology on Sunday, July…
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how wine instills passion in people, from a lot of different angles. Consumers get the bug and turn into avid ambassadors and collectors of the brands they have chosen. Some of us start writing about wine, and devote countless hours to spreading the word, using time that could…
For our upcoming edition of our Local Treasures Dinner, our executive chef, Jason Paluska, and local winemaker, viticulturist and owner of Larner Vineyards and Winery, Michael Larner, have collaborated to create an amazing 5-course pairing dinner. Chef Paluska has carefully chosen local and seasonal ingredients to be specifically paired with Larner’s wines from Ballard Canyon. This event will be held…
Now and then I actually write about wine. Well, take that back, I go to a blind Syrah tasting, hosted by my friends in the Santa Clarita Vintners and Grower’s Association, ask them to take down notes and send them to me. So this really is a wine review column, but not just from a…
The Movie That Helped Put The Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country On The Map Celebrates A Decade Of Cult-Like Popularity In 2014 (SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif.)–In a single sentence, seven words to be exact, the character of Miles emphatically uttered the phrase, “I am not drinking any [EXPLETIVE] Merlot!” and in doing so immortalized the…
First Tasting of Cuvees before Public Release to be Held on April 19, 2014 in The Funk Zone Master Sommelier Brian McClintic and Sommelier Eric Railsback, partners of Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant, the award-winning wine bar and retail shop in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, announce the 2nd Annual 2014 Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting. On Saturday, April 19,…
There’s a new local flavor in town. You don’t have to leave your home to try it. Comes in many varieties and styles. And it involves wine, of course. Lisa Madison is a beautiful blond. I wished she wasn’t. When I met her at Lee’s Wine Bistro last week to discuss her wine knowledge, interests…
Tickets now on sale for two days of events and seminars featuring hard-to-find, high-quality, small-production winemakers from Santa Barbara County and Santa Ynez Valley; 50% are new festival discoveries; one in four pouring first vintage, 80% have no tasting room. Garagiste Event tickets are now on sale at http://californiagaragistes.com/buy-tickets/ for its expanded Santa Ynez Valley-based Garagiste…