Tag Archives: santa ynez valley

A Beautiful Life

If you’ve spent any time in Italy, you know that Italians know how to live a beautiful life.  Italians are easy-going and have a positive outlook on life.  Especially in their daily life.  Italians live “la vita bella”. However, the beautiful life does not mean the extravagant life. It means a relaxed, family-centric lifestyle, with focus on food and wine. Here, in the Santa Ynez Valley, you can find this “lifestyle” all around you.  We’ve put together an itinerary for you to experience this “Italian” way, right here on the Central Coast.  You will get to slow down, eat locally, taste some wine, and relax with your friends and families gathered together, outside in the glorious and beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.

people enjoying the Palmina Winery tasting room as an example of life in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Palmina Tasting Room

As you head out west from the valley to Lompoc, the quick and beautiful drive offers some great views of some very prestigious vineyards in Santa Rita Hills.  Once you’ve reached the Wine Ghetto, head on in to Palmina Wines.  Palmina’s passion is producing Italian varietal wines, and you can taste this passion in every sip.  While Palmina is crafting Italian varietals, they are not trying to imitate those wines.  Palmina’s wines truly highlight and capture the unique characteristics of Santa Barbara County, offering genuine wines that are intended to enhance your meal.  Like Palmina states, “We believe moments become memories with good food and wine”.  We couldn’t agree more!  We enjoy all of their wines, but don’t miss the Lumina (sparkling wine!!), the Pinot Grigio and the Stolpman Vineyard Nebbiolo.

 

Photo Compliments of CentralCoast.com

Photo Compliments of CentralCoast.com

Speaking of Stolpman Vineyard, that is our next stop… As you head back to the heart of the valley, drop in to Industrial Eats. This hip little joint is serving up super quality, local food that is creative and simply delicious.  They have their own butcher shop, and offer an amazing array of meats, cured meats, patés and handmade bacon.  Grab some goodies to go and continue making your way to the gorgeous, Italian influenced Villa at Stolpman Vineyards. (By appointment only, 805-688-0400).  Enjoy your picnic amongst the vines and taste some superior wines being hand crafted from one of the most meticulously farmed vineyards in all of California.

Stolpman Vineyards Villa and vineyard: a part of life in the Santa Ynez Valley

Stolpman Vineyards Villa

If you are looking for a home in the Santa Ynez Valley Mike and Micah Brady can provide excellent advice, as well as assistance in your search for property. Together, they have decades of residence in the Valley, and their experience and local market knowledge are invaluable to their clients. Contact Mike at 805.391.0587, or Micah at 805.331.3053.

Share

Happy Canyon AVA ~ Top Bordeaux Varietals

Happy Canyon AVA with a beautiful pond in the forground, and a vineyard and hills in the background

Beautiful Happy Canyon

Legend has it that during Prohibition alcohol was being produced in “Happy Canyon”.  People would take a drive to “Happy Canyon” to purchase it, and the name stuck.  The 23, 941 acres, that make up the area, achieved American Viticulture Area (AVA) Designation in November of 2009.  It is located in the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, just north and west of Lake Cachuma.

So, what is it about this area that makes it so unique and worthy of achieving this stature? Happy Canyon is one of the few places in the new world showing such a sense of place and typicality in the grapes grown there.  It is producing some top Bordeaux varietals.  Happy Canyon’s microclimate, combined with its unique marine soils featuring Serpentine (along with lesser amounts of Chert) is the main cause for this. These soil types have very little nutrients. This typically results in smaller vines, lower yields and high quality grapes with great flavors, as well as minerality.  Happy Canyon is the warmest microclimate in the Santa Ynez Valley and the massive diurnal swings play a large role in creating wines with richness and texture, but are balanced with refreshing acidity.

Happy Canyon is truly beautiful with its rolling hills, grasslands and oak trees.  It is home to six vineyards: Grassini Family Vineyards, Westerly, Happy Canyon Vineyard, McGinley, Star Lane and Vogelzang Vineyard.  When visiting, make sure to take a drive through the Canyon or visit one of these wineries (by appointment only).  You may also want to seek out wines being made from fruit from these vineyards. We guarantee you will not be disappointed.

If you are looking for a home in the Santa Ynez Valley, Mike and Micah Brady can provide excellent advice, as well as assistance in your search for property. Together, they have decades of residence in the Valley, and their experience and local market knowledge are invaluable to their clients. Contact Mike at 805.391.0587, or Micah at 805.331.3053.

Share