John - I did include Story of Soil, Tercero and Stolpman!
And Ostrichland!
I said above that you’d suggested Stolpman.
I’d mentioned Tercero, and I only listed additional places you had mentioned. (You aren’t in favor of repetition, are you?)
Indeed, your e-mail did include Story of Soil. My bad!
I did Taste of Sta Rita Hills earlier this year…great place.
Ah, now I see what you were fretting about, Greg. When I said “the names above,” I meant in prior posts, not the other places I’d named.
OK. I have three wines for you. One from a wine maker you introduced me to and I bought it some time ago specifically planning to have with you next time I saw you. The others shall remain mysteries.
if you are going north up the 101, be sure to stop in los alamos for bob’s well bread.
Thanks all for the recommendations!
Spear on HWY 246 in the Sta. Rita Hills.
In Los Olivos, I would add the Refugio Ranch tasting room.
Agreed on Story of Soil. Jessica, the winemaker, is incredibly passionate about her wine and it’s delicious. Another to look for is Casa Dumetz. They have a very cool tasting room in Los Alamos. It’s attached to beer bar where you can find rare beers and the tiny taco shop is amazing too.
Agreed on Story of Soil. Jessica, the winemaker, is incredibly passionate about her wine and it’s delicious. Another to look for is Casa Dumetz. They have a very cool tasting room in Los Alamos. It’s attached to beer bar where you can find rare beers and the tiny taco shop is amazing too.
Don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, but Ballard Inn, a little south of Los Olivos, is excellent for dinner. And the Baker’s Table in Santa Ynez is a great spot for morning coffee, pastries, and other baked goods.
Keep me in suspense, will you!
Living in the area I will share my favorites:
Food:
Root 246 in Solvang. The Chef is “Chef Pink” from Top Chef and Bar Rescue fame, and she has done amazing things there.
Willows Restaurant in the Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez
S.Y. Kitchen - Santa Ynez
Industrial Eats - Buellton Alma Rosa Winery is right next door.
Firestone-Walker Barrelworks- Buellton. Awesome beer and good food. Be sure to go into the back room where they have beers aged in wine barrels.
Bob’s Well Bread - Los Alamos
Full of Life Flatbread - Los Alamos
Pico - Los Alamos
The taco shop next to the Casa Dumetz tasting room - Los Alamos
The Ballard Inn Restaurant
Wine:
Dometria
Foxen - Check out both tasting rooms. They are about 1/4 mike from each other
Go to Los Olivos and walk around to the numerous tasting rooms such as Tensley, Beckman, Brewer-Clifton, Larner, Liquid Farm, Solminer, Stoplman, Story of Soil
Casa Dumetz
Crown Point - winemaker came from Harlan and you’ll need a reservation but it’s an awesome experience.
Paul Lato - need appointment but if you can get in, Paul will blow you away with his wine and his stories.
Jonata - Need an appointment
Au Bon Climat
Presquile - Santa Maria
Alma Rosa - Richard Sanford’s wine
Star Lane
Many others and I didn’t mention the Paso wineries. Have a great time.
Definitely agree with both. I stop in to Baker’s Table in Santa Ynez every Saturday morning to chat with the owner. Best scones you will find.
Love Amy at Baker’s Table! And Budi at Ballard Inn is fun to talk with too. Of course both do a great job with their food.
SY Kitchen and Industrial eats are both fantastic. For something a little different, if you’re in the area during the weekend and want a fun, no frills lunch, you can head up to Cold Springs Tavern for a tri-tip sammy and a cold draft beer. Sit outside and listen to live music in a fun setting with a fun crowd of bikers, tourists, locals, etc.
There are so many good wineries with welcoming and entertaining people. It’s really just a matter of not ending up at the crappy or mediocre ones.
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I always recommend Casa Dumetz in Los Alamos. Woman winemaker and often overlooked. Fun tasting room as well. Surrounded by breweries.
I was in the Santa Ynez Valley in March. The wineries I went to in the Valley were:
Sanford
Alma Rosa
Foxen
Turiya
Firestone
Sunstone
Andrew Murray
E11even - Andrew Murray
Fess Parker
Restaurants for dinner
Hitching Post for dinner - Their Highliner is fantastic!
The Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn
Los Olivos Merchant Cafe
S Y Kitchen
Industrial Eats in Buellton (lunch and highly recommended)
I hope this helps. Enjoy your trip. The Valley is beautiful!