NEWSGreg Brewer is back on the winemaking team at Santa Barbara Winery with Bruce McGuire after a brief foray out into the boonies of the Santa Ynez Valley as Sunstone's winemaker. And Greg will be doing a summer series wine course July 18 through August 22 down at the winery. $60 for the series or $12 for individual sessions. Call Santa Barbara Winery at 963-3633.
More really exciting news from Santa Barbara Winery to report.! Publicist Laila Rashid tells me the winery just purchased part of the old Rancho Santa Rosa property in the Santa Ynez Valley. The property is directly accross the river from Lafond Vineyard. The plan, according to Laila, is to plant roughly 30 acres of pinot noir and 5 acres of syrah.
Yet more great news to report! Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars recently put together a deal to purchase 133 acres out on Santa Rosa Road in the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley. And she will be planting--you guessed it--pinot noir in her new vineyard across the road from the fabled Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. Congratulations, Kathy!
Carol Botwright has been named the new winemaker at Rancho Sisquoc. A Florida native, Carol has lived in Santa Barbara County for 11 years. Her background is art and botany--two endeavors which make for solid winemaking. She apprenticed under Gainey's winemaker Rick Longoria, working there since 1990. Good luck Carol.
And Stephen Bedford, Rancho Sisquoc's old winemaker for about a dozen years is now at the helm at Santa Ynez Winery.
Firestone has just launched its Double Barrel Ale--this time a real beer, not an non-alcoholic beer--and it's terrific. This is Santa Barbara County's first beer, and its a delicious amber ale. You'll no doubt be seeing it all around soon and you can taste it at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
Carey Cellars will become Curtis Winery, an appropriate change since the winery has a new winemaker, John Kerr, and since the Carey family has not owned the winery for close to a decade. Kate Firestone tells me the name Curtis was chosen since it was Brooks's mother's maiden name.
Coup de Qupé! Bob Lindquist, owner-winemaker at Qupé has accepted the position of consulting winemaker for Chateau Routas, in Provençe, France. Routas produces about 20,000 cases of chardonnay and Rhône varietals--Qupé's forte on this continent. New releases: Dave Guffy, winemaker at Cambria, and his wife Julie are happy to announce their latest release, Jennifer Elise, born in March. And Craig Jaffurs of Jaffurs Wine Cellars and his wife Lee Wardlaw announce their first release Patterson Wardlaw Jaffurs born May 30.
EVENTS:
Bob Senn writes The Independent's monthly wine column, "Grapevine," and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
- Thursday, June 27, 6:30 p.m., Bistro 1111 hosts a winemaker dinner with Bruce McGuire of Santa Barbara Winery. $50. Reservations required.730-1111.
- Saturday, June 29, 6-9 p.m., the eight wineries along the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Trail present a "Summer Showcase" evening of wine sampling, haute cuisine buffet and live music on the newly expanded deck of Santa Ynez Winery, located at 343 North Refugio Road. $40. Reservations required. 688-9665.
- Saturday, June 29. 7 p.m., the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium hosts an evening of "Pinot Noir and Mushroom Magic," spotlighting the cutting edge pinot noirs from the likes of Bonny Doon, Fiddlehead Cellars and Whitcraft. Food prepared by Chef Rick of Chef Rick's Ultimately Fine Foods. Coordinated by Janet Pearce. $32. Reservations a must! 688-4409.
- Thursday, July 4, watch the Sparkle Independence Day Fireworks from the Stearns Wharf tasting room. Space is limited. Call 966-6624.
- Friday, July 5, 1-4 p.m., and then each consecutive Saturday afternoon, July 14, 21, and 28, 1-4 p.m., Beckmen Vineyards presents its "Afternoon at the Pond Music Series." These afternoons will feature wine tasting and music, with light hors d'oeuvres featuring fresh bread from local bakeries. Call the winery for more details. 688-8664.
- Saturday, July 6, 3-7 p.m., Buttonwood Farm Winery presents "Red, White and Blues," an afternoon of music at the Buttonwood Farm pond with the Bernie Pearl Blues Band featuring Harmonica Fats. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair. $20 in advance; $25 at the gate. 688-3032.
- Saturday, July 6, 4-7 p.m., Santa Ynez Winery presents its annual Independence Day Barbecue. Reservations suggested. $20. 688-8381.
- Saturday, July 6, 5:30-10 p.m., Fess Parker Winery presents its 4th annual Independence Day Celebration--a big band gourmet picnic and dance featuring Les Brown and his Band of Renown. $55 for reserved seating and picnic; $40 for lawn seating and show only. Gates open at 4 p.m.Reservations required. 688-1545.
- Sunday, July 7, 9 a.m., Chuck's of Hawaii holds its 17th annual Beach Run. It's free. 687-4417. for more information.
- Sunday, July 7, noon to 3 p.m., Sunstone Vineyards presents "Jazz & Jambalaya. Reservations required. $15. 688-9463.
- Tuesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 14, join the festivities in Avila Beach for the 1996 KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic, a benefit for our local National Public Radio member station. Highlights include the grand barrel tasting on Thursday, July 11, 3 p.m., the vintage dinner and dance on Friday, July 12, 6:30 p.m., with food prepared by Honoree Michel Richard and his team of extraordinary chefs from Citrus, Citronelle and Bistro M Restaurants, the wine auction Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m., and the grand winetasting, Sunday, July 14, 1-4 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 781-3026.
- Friday, July 12, 7:30 p.m., Gainey presents Melissa Manchester in the beautiful winery courtyard. Gates open at 5:30. Bring a picnic. Reservations are a must. $32. 688-0558.
- Saturday, July 13, 7:30 p.m., Gainey presents the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in concert. Gates open at 5:30. Bring a picnic. Reservations are a must. $28. 688-0558.
- Saturday and Sunday, July 13 & 14, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the 9th annual French Festival takes place at Santa Barbara's beautiful Oak Park. This is the largest celebration of French culture, food and wine in the western United States. Courvoisier will be on hand offering fine French cognac at the festival. Free admission to the festival. 564-PARIS.
- Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m., Gainey presents the Juice Newton Band in concert. Gates open at 5:30. Bring a picnic. Reservations are a must. $28. 688-0558.
- Saturday, July 27, 7:30 p.m., Gainey presents Stanley Clarke in concert at the courtyard. Gates open at 5:30. Bring a picnic. Reservations are a must. $31. 688-0558.
- Saturday, July 27 & August 24, 6:30 p.m., Santa Ynez Winery presents a Twilight Dinner overlooking the vineyards. For menu, price and reservations, call 688-8381.
Saturday, July 27, August 31 & September 28, 6:30 p.m., Sunstone Vineyards presents a Dance by the Light of the Moon. Catering by New West. Reservations required. $65. 688-9463.
