Most years I do an article on my favorite wines and spirits from the past year. This year, as 2023 came to a close, I also asked Facebook friends what were theirs, to change it up a bit. So I will share their picks first, followed by mine: Steven W: Tequila: Fortaleza, G4, Tequila Ocho,…
The tiny town of Los Alamos, just north of Los Olivos on Highway 101, has surprisingly good stuff going on. If you didn’t already know to look, you might just pass by this small town with the decidedly old western feel to it and continue your journey, wherever you were going. But then, you wouldn’t…
With the refrain of 1970s Peter Allen song “Everything Old Is New Again” seemingly ringing in our ears, we were looking forward to visiting some of our old favorites in Santa Barbara County from the 1980s and 1990s while also exploring some new-to-us wineries. It turned out that our first stop was a little bit…
Jessica Gasca’s journey to winemaker started out in unfamiliar territory. She is a native Californian but had ventured out to New York to explore her options. She worked in a French restaurant there and learned from their onsite sommelier who offered regular classes on wine. Jessica fell in love with everything about wine but she…
When you talk to Jamie about wine, his passion for wine and his community shine through! He loves the Santa Barbara region and the wine community there. Jamie, like many wine makers did not start out his adult life as a winemaker. He was an entrepreneur. Up until the early 2000s he ran five radio…
After months of no winery visits, we finally got out and about. But, something about us had changed. While we still love red wine A LOT, we have been drinking mostly whites during our stay at home and espousing our newfound “healthier diet and lighter wine to go with it” lifestyle to anyone who will…
Ian Blackburn of WineLA (formerly Learn About Wine) has done it again – rallied a stellar list of wineries to offer samples of their latest vintages at this year’s Stars of Santa Barbara event, once again held at the prestigious Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel. (Watch the event in a slide show here.) STARS also included…
Several factors should go into play when creating a wine list. As a consumer we may not be aware of all of them. As a wine writer I get to learn some of them. Here’s what I learned and what you can now expect from the new Reserve Wine List at Newhall Refinery. Simon and…
BUELLTON, California – Frank Ostini, owner/chef of the Hitching Post 2 in Buellton, California, announces he has acquired the lease for 420 East Highway 246, also in Buellton, a property adjacent to the restaurant. Hitching Post Wines is expected to open its first- ever wine tasting room at the location in July 2018. Hitching Post 2…
In association with Santa Barbara Tourism, Peter and Rebecca Work and their renowned Ampelos Winery created a memorable Pinot Noir for the red carpet “Secret Room” event and gifting suite. It is always a surprise when these promotional wines are made with such care and attention. Really a hit of the entire event and Rebecca…
