Santa Ynez: Wine Tasting

This first image is misleading as it’s not in Santa Ynez. The Oceana tasting room was only a bike ride away from our hotel in Santa Barbara, The Presidio. They had a great port.

Day1Oceana

Hey Wisconsinites! Did you know Carhartt’s—the maker of rugged-wear clothing—has their own tasting room in California? They are such a small outfit (400 cases/year) you won’t be finding this in any stores or restaurants. But if you make it Los Olivos, CA, you won’t regret a stop here! They had a great little patio area shaded by HUGE red peppercorn trees.

Day2BCarharttDoor Day2BCarharttTasting

Day2BCarharttPatio    Day2BCarharttJodyAlex

Above are Laurie & Alex relaxing on the Carhartt patio, and Alex and myself outside a deli in Los Olivos.

Next up, the Fess Parker Winery. Remember Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone? Did you know those parts were played by the same actor, Fess Parker? Here I am sporting my Daniel Boone look. The baby coon cap on the wine bottle was available for sale too.

Day2BFPJodyHat   Day2BFPTinyCoonHat

Day2BFPShelves   Day2BFPVineyard

The photo (above) shows a picture of Fess Parker, and the other is of the FP vineyard. Laurie said she & Alex were there several years ago when Fess Parker was there signing bottles of wine.

Third on the list: Babcock Winery. Wines were good, but what caught my eye the most were these PENCILS – how fun! I bought some for my trip, now I just need a pencil sharpener. I also enjoyed this energetic, colorful painting on the wall.

Day2BBabcockPencils   Day2BBabcockPainting

Last, but not least, was Curtis Winery. Their tasting room was in high ceilinged warehouse/garage space. Laurie pointed out that it was set up like an Anthropologie store: candles, cards, unbleached dishtowels, fun sayings on things, old cool wooden furniture. Wine tasting and shopping!

Day2BCurtisTasting

Arrival: L.A.

What is it?

I wasn’t the only one I saw in the airport that looked like this!

DAY 1:  Santa Barbara Marina, tile on a State Street restaurant –

Day1SBMarina   Day2TileWall 

coin belt on a mannequin, passing a window full of cool wigs…

Day2Belt   Day2SBWigs

the cutest tricked-out trailer with fins, and a sculptural bush trying to be an octopus.
Day2Trailer Day2OctopusBush

 

Stick around for Day 2 – wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley.