Festival Fun

News

While the prosecution argued for a maximum sentence of 17 years, superior court judge, Richard St. John, last week sentenced veteran local winemaker, Tony Austin, to seven years in state prison for permitting a methamphetamine lab to operate on a vineyard property he managed near the town of Los Alamos. This was Tony's first offense.

I have known Tony Austin for close to 20 years, and I am saddened to see this turn of events in his life.

A graduate of UC Davis, Tony has produced a number of stellar wines from this part of California--most notably some late harvest sauvignon blancs and pinot noirs--especially from the 1981 and 1982 vintages. These wines will remain legendary in the history of winemaking in Santa Barbara County.

In other news--Jeffers Richardson, the man behind the brew at Firestone Walker Brewing Company, is leaving to become brewer at Sierra Nevada, and is turning production over to his capable assistant, Chris August. Also joining the staff is David Gatlin from Redwood Coast Brewing and the famous Tied House Brew Pub in Mountain View.

As long as we are on the subject of Firestone, I am told by very good sources that Brooks--when he isn't representing us in the state capitol--is busy planting and nurturing oak trees here, a most noble pastime I think. Needless to say, he is quite annoyed with the California Republican Party (and in my humble opinion, has every right to be!)

The face of politics certainly seems to be changing--last week former governor, Jerry Brown, broke with the Democratic Party, and not that Brooks should break with the Republican Party, but it would be great if voices of reason like his could take back the Grand Old Party.

Congratulations are in order for Andres Ibarra who has left LinCourt Vineyards and is now the new assistant winemaker at Fess Parker Winery. Andy had started at LinCourt years ago when it was Santa Ynez Winery and he was mentored by Mike Brown who was the winemaker there when the venerable label was owned by the Davidge and Bettencourt families.

Festival Time

The Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival is set for Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, from 1-4 p.m. at the Firestone Meadow near Los Olivos. The Saturday date is already sold out. Tickets are $60 each. To order tickets, call the Vintners' Association at 688-0881.

Events

• Friday, April 3, 6:30 p.m., the Wine Cask at the University Club presents a winemaker dinner with Lane Tanner. $95. 966-9463
• Saturday, April 4, Santa Barbara Winery presents its 10K Run. Reservations are required. For details call the winery at 963-3633.

A number of tasty dinners and special events are scheduled in conjunction with the April Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival:

• Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m., A special reception for Gary and Patrice Mosby of Chimere Winery and Bill and Jeri Mosby of Mosby Winery--"Two Generations... Two Styles" at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium. $20. 688-4409. For more events information start here!

 
• Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m., the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium hosts a special reception with Lane Tanner, Chris Whitcraft and Joe Kalina of JK Vineyard. $20. 688-4409. For more events information start here!

 
• Thursday, April 16

 
• 7 p.m., Andrew Murray Vineyards, Jaffurs Wine Cellars, Qupe, and Alban Vineyards in the Edna Valley present a "Rhone Rangers Dinner" catered by the Casmalia Hitching Post at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium. $65. 688-4409. For more events information start here!
• 6:30 p.m., Brander Vineyard and Richard Longoria Winery do a dinner at the San Ysidro Ranch. $75. 969-5046.

• Friday, April 17

• 7 p.m., Morgan Toral of Cold Heaven, Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars, Alison Green Doran of Firestone, Lane Tanner of Lane Tanner Winery and Carol Botright of Rancho Sisquoc offer a joint winemakers' dinner, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium, catered by Chef Rick Manson of Chef Rick's. $80. 688-4409. For more events information start here!
• 8 p.m., Fess Parker Winery offers a winemaker dinner with Eli Parker, catered by chef Lee Schlossberg. $85. 688-1545.
• 7 p.m., Foley Estates Vineyard holds a winemaker dinner with new winemaker Alan Phillips at the Ballard Store Restaurant & Bar. $65.50. 688-5319.
• 6:30 p.m., Gainey holds a winemaker dinner with their new winemaker, Kirby Anderson, at Trattoria Grappolo. $80. 688-0558.
• 6:30 p.m., Jaffurs hosts a winemaker dinner at Meritage Restaurant. $60. 882-1200.
• 7 p.m., McKeon-Phillips Winery hosts a winemaker dinner at Remington's in the Los Olivos Grand Hotel. $45. 489-5519.
• 6:30 p.m., Qupe/Au Bon Climat present a winemaker dinner "Under One Roof with Cool Jazz" at the University Club catered by the Wine Cask. $100. 966-9463.
• 7:30 p.m., Sanford Winery winemaker dinner at the world renowned Alisal Guest Ranch. $85. 688-6411.
• 6-9 p.m., Santa Ynez Valley Wine Trail member wineries present a barrel tasting and a barbecue at Flag Is Up Farms. $25. 1-800-563-3183.

6:30 p.m., Sunstone presents a winemaker dinner catered by Chef Lee Schlossberg. $85. 688-9463.
 
 
• Saturday, April 18
 
• 6 p.m., Brander and Domaine Santa Barbara offer a Springtime Barbecue and Dance. $35. 688-2455.
• 6:30 p.m., Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard presents a winemaker dinner catered by the chefs Derek Harrah and Carmen Rodriguez of Andria's Harborside Restaurant. $70. 937-9063.
• 9 a.m., Foxen Vineyard presents the second annual Foxen/Chef Rick Cross Country 5K challenge. $15. 937-4251.
  
  
• Sunday, April 19

• 11 a.m., Byron presents is 11th annual winemaker brunch, catered by chef Kirsten Pedersen. $60. 937-7288.
• 12 noon, Sunstone presents a winemaker brunch prepared by the Palace Cafe. $35. 688-9463.

Bon appetit!
 

Bob Senn writes The Independent's monthly wine column, "Grapevine," lives in the Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.

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