August 12, 1999
NewsJoe Carrari, Los Alamos resident, vineyard owner, and longtime friend, sold his vineyard on the east side of Los Alamos to grape grower, Louis Lucas, who planted the famous Tepusquet Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, and to Royce Lewellen, a judge in Santa Maria for an undisclosed amount, and turned right around and bought the 3,472 acre Ferrero Ranch on Highway 135 on the west side of Los Alamos. The property has been on the market for years and had fallen out of escrow countless times. Carrari plans to plant the vineyard to chardonnay and pinot noir. Escrow was a slam-dunk--two days and recorded in the County Clerk's office!
Joe, with his wife, Phyllis, has farmed vineyards here since 1973. From 1957 to 1964, Joe managed his father's vineyards in Cucamunga. From 1965 to 1968, he planted the world famous Winery Lake Vineyard in the Napa Valley with owner Rene Di Rosa. That vineyard is now owned by Sterling Vineyards. From 1968 to 1972 Joe was the vineyard manager for Paul Masson and planted in excess of 3,000 acres around Soledad and Greenfield. The 1999 vintage will be Joe's sixtieth harvest.
Other News
Settlement has been reached in the Foxen/Parker dispute.
I received a succinct one line fax from both parties on July 23: "The difference of opinion between FOXEN and FESS PARKER has been resolved. Now both parties intend to get on with the business of making wine."
Neither party in the dispute is able to talk about the resolution.
That's fact. But I have an opinion though. With an election in Santa Barbara looming over Fess Parker's proposed 225 room waterfront hotel, I imagine he is hell bent on minimizing any negative fallout over his attempt to rip off the Foxen trademark. So the case has been sealed.
And More News
- Record dollars into the KCBX Public Radio coffers. The San Luis Obispo radio station raised an astounding $753,000 from a silent auction, a barrel auction, and two live auctions last month.
- Vintners' Association elects board and officers. Tom Beckmen, owner of Beckmen Vineyards has been elected president of the association. Kristen Battaglia Murray was elected vice president. Kate Firestone of Curtis Winery was elected secretary, and Becky Barieau, CFO for Qupe/Au Bon Climat was elected treasurer.
The vintners' association now has 84 members including 49 wineries, 30 independent vineyards and five vineyard management companies.Heartfelt congratulations! Winemaker Steve Beckmen and Susan Beckmen (Lane Tanner's sister, and manager of the Buellton Hitching Post) have their first new release-a bouncing baby boy, Jasper Lane Beckmen, born June 24, 1999.
Events
- Saturday, August 14, 7 p.m., the "Rhone Rangers Ride Again" as the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium hosts a winemaker dinner with John Alban, Bob Lindquist of Qupe, and Neil Collins, of Tablas Creek near Paso Robles, a property owned by the Perrin Family of Beaucastel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and Robert Z. Haas, the U.S. importer of the Beaucastel and Perrin brands. The dinner is catered by Frank Ostini of the Buellton Hitching Post. $89 plus tax. Reservations are a must. (805) 688-4409. See events.
- Friday, August 20, 7:30 p.m., Gainey presents Christopher Cross in concert in its beautiful courtyard. Gates open at 5:30; bring a picnic. The winery is simply a breathtaking venue for music. I had the privilege of seeing Christoher Cross in concert there some years ago and it was one of the best concerts I've ever attended. Don't miss this one. $33. Order tickets by phone at (805) 688-0558.
- Saturday, August 21, 3-6 p.m., the 18th annual Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Wine Festival takes place in the magnificent outdoor venue there in Mission Canyon. One of my favorite wine events! $45 for non-members of the museum. (805) 682-4711.
Bob Senn writes The Independent's monthly wine column, "Grapevine," lives in the Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
