Santa Barbara's Founding Fathers

In the spirit of the upcoming 4th of July holiday, we have dedicated this issue to a few special folks who make up the “founding fathers” of Santa Barbara County wine country.

Naturally, the featured wines this week also come from these local producers. If you feel like getting extra festive this holiday pickup one of these bottles and drop some new knowledge on your friends as you oooh and aaah at the fireworks.

The Mt. Rushmore of SB County Wines

Despite Santa Barbara County being considered one of the newer wine regions around the world, there’s still a considerable amount of influence the people that have shaped this region have imparted on the larger wine world. This week we’re going through just a few of the original names who made Santa Barbara wine what it is today.

Pierre Lafond - Santa Barbara Winery & Lafond Winery

Pierre Lafond was one of the earliest entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara County who started making wine in the region. He took over his father’s liquor store on the Mesa and opened many bistros across the town. Even his wife, Wendy Foster, had a keen business sense, opening clothing stores. In 1964, long before the funk zone was known as “the funk zone”, Pierre opened the first winery since Prohibition, Santa Barbara Winery.

At the start of his growing ventures in the Sta. Rita Hills, Pierre planted Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel until Pinot Noir ultimately proved to be the varietal to dominate the region. Pierre Lafond unfortunately passed away in 2022 at the age of 92 but his legacy and impact on the region lives on.

Ken Brown - Ken Brown Wines

Having won the 2023 Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance’s annual Vintner of the year award, it seems Ken Brown is still as determined as ever. Ken Brown originally founded Byron Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria Valley in 1984, where he was one of the first to set out making high quality and small production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He was also the first to plant and popularize Syrah within Santa Barbara County, seeing the potential in the cool coastal climate, and the founding winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery.

Throughout the years, Ken Brown has been a mentor to a large handful of other extremely successful winemakers in the region. Today his focus continues to be on small production Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah that expresses the unique climate of Santa Barbara County.

Richard Sanford - Sanford Wines, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, and Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

Richard Sanford and Sanford & Benedict Vineyard needs little introduction. With the first vines planted in 1971, this is the vineyard and winery that would ultimately create all the buzz in what would become the Sta. Rita Hills. It remains one of the most important vineyards in the state because of its impact in proving out the quality of Pinot Noir that could be grown in the region. Ken Brown would taste the first vintage of pinot noir in 1975 from the originally planted grapes by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict, ultimately inspiring him and a new generation of winemakers in Santa Barbara.

Richard Sanford is now in the Vintners Hall of Fame and his impact is still felt in the region. Sanford started Alma Rosa Winery in 2005 and also planted the La Rinconada and La Encantada Vineyards, both yielding world class grapes.

Rick Longoria - Longoria Wines

Moving to Los Olivos in 1976 having just accepted a job offer for Firestone Winery, Rick Longoria would begin his love affair with Santa Barbara County winemaking. After a brief stint moving back north to Napa, he ultimately settled down at Gainey as winemaker in 1985. Rick ended up focusing on Pinot Noir and was a pioneer in helping establish the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Him and his wife, Diana, were also the first to start the industrial winemaking trend in what is now the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Rick Longoria was named Vintner of the Year by the Sta. Rita Hill Wine Alliance in 2022.

Jim Clendenen - Au Bon Climat

Odds are you know the label and you’ve seen pictures the man before. Jim Clendenen was one of the biggest fans and promoters of Santa Barbara Wine before anyone would give it the time of day. His winemaking career would begin alongside Ken Brown at Zaca Mesa prior to founding Au Bon Climat in the 80’s. He’d eventually become renowned for his incredibly balanced wines regardless of what the new trend in public taste might have been.

Passing away unexpectedly in 2021, Jim was instrumental in putting Santa Barbara on the map as a premier wine destination. His legacy lives on by his children, Isabelle and Knox, who continue to be involved with Au Bon Climat.

Uncorked

Lafond Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

RED - How could we not feature a wine from one of the original pioneers from one of the most famous Pinot Noir regions? This particular bottle is sourced entirely from Lafond Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. Lafond winery was opened in 1972 and is known for elegant, well balanced wines. We think this is a great gateway into the wonderful world of Pinot Noir that the Sta. Rita Hills has to offer.

Nose: raspberries, cherry

Palette: cherry, light oak, lavender

Pairs well with: pomegranate glazed pork tenderloin

Available at: Bottle Shop in Montecito, most Vons/Pavilions on the central coast, Lafond Winery in Sta. Rita Hills

Au Bon Climat Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay

WHITE- A classic Santa Barbara chardonnay! Not only does this wine highlight the late Jim Clendenen, but also Richard Sanford as this chardonnay is sourced from the Sanford & Benedict vineyard. Not too oaked, with a bright minerality, this white is guaranteed to please chardonnay lovers of all types.

Nose: spiced citrus fruits, brioche, hints of nuttiness

Palette: stone fruits, fresh citrus

Pairs well with: Throw a splash in while steaming your next batch of clams, mussels, or oysters, then enjoy the rest of the bottle with your pot…don’t forget the garlic bread.

Available at: ABC’s tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara. You may be able to find a similar Au Bon Climat bottle at local grocery stores.

Longoria Matinee Rosé

& PINK- A rosé of grenache that is a delightfully dry summer box office hit! The label is designed by the new owners, Lindsey and Brooke Christian, but Rick Longoria remains involved in the winemaking process.

Nose: tangerine

Palette: light vanilla, red grapefruit

Pairs well with: sunset at the beach before fireworks? with popcorn. And lobster rolls

Available at: Either of Longoria’s tasting rooms…Lompoc or downtown Santa Barbara

What’s happening?

We have quite the list of events for you to attend for the long holiday weekend. Beach days, fireworks, and (hopefully) some nice wine. What else could you ask for?

• Buttonwood Winery’s Red, White, & Blues: Want to sip on some wine while listening to some live blues? Buttonwood is hosting Red, White, and Blues on July 1st from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tickets start at $65/person for members and $80 for non-members.

• 4th of July on the Rooftop: The Piccolo in Paso Robles is hosting an event on their rooftop with live music and BBQ. Taking place July 4th from 4PM - 11PM tickets start at $95/person.

• Nella and Presqu'ile Wine Dinner: “Join us at Nella Kitchen for dinner with Winemaker Dieter Cronje and Chef Marco Longinotti. We'll be pairing the fantastic Santa Maria Valley wines from Presqu'ile Winery with a unique, four-course dinner from Nella.” Tickets are $160 for Wednesday, July 5th at 6 p.m.

• Winemaker Hang with Kyle Knapp of Press Gang Cellars: Taste through the wines with the winemaker himself at Pico in Los Alamos. Tickets cost $20 and the event takes place on Thursday, July 6th at 5 p.m.

• Rosé by the Bay: Meet Tira Nanza at 13th Street of Carmel Beach on July 8th to sip on their 2022 Malbec Rosé. Party starts at 2 p.m.

• Tasting with Madson Wines: Join Cole of Madson Wines at Midtown Wines in Ventura on July 8th to taste through his spring releases. Starting at 5 p.m. for $30/ticket, it is sure to be a good hang!

• A Day at the Rancho: Head south to a historic ranch in Long Beach on Sunday, July 9th for a celebration of natural California wine. Accompany your wine with their picnic basket and live jazz until the intimate open-fire dinner. Tickets range from $45-$165.

Cheers!

Issue #8