Alma Rosa Winery is looking for a few good recipes

Thekla and Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa Winery are looking for a few good "Green", sustainable recipes and are having a little contest. OK chefs...time to get your "green" on....and win an incredible foodie opportunity of lunching with the Sanfords at the vineyard!

Rules for the recipe contest are:

• Each variety of wine that Alma Rosa produces constitutes a category (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Vin Gris and Pinot Noir)
• One winner per category
• You can enter as many recipes for each category as you like
• Prepare a dish that pairs with any one of Alma Rosa's wines. Recipes should utilize sustainable products; including sustainable/organic produce, humanely-treated meats, and sustainably-caught or farmed seafood.
• Identify the purveyor of the ingredients you use, or the name of your local grocer or supplier(s) that supports sustainable, organic foods; and please note ingredients grown within a 100 mile radius of your home which will be given extra attention.
• Note into which category you are entering your recipe.
• Contest begins November 1st and will end January 31st

Recipes will be judged on taste and their compatibility with the selected wine, and the use and origins of the sustainable/organic ingredients.

Winning recipes will be posted on their website, and winners from each category and their guest will share a lunch together with Thekla and Richard.

Recipe entries can be sent by mail, fax (805-688-9001), or

email or even dropped off in person if you are visiting the tasting room.

SF Chronicle's Top 100 Wines for 2009 List is out

and Santa Barbara Wine Country is well represented. Congrats!

Chardonnay -

2007 Alma Rosa El Jabali Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills($28) Mouthwatering lemon confit, bright mineral, peach, cassia and watermelon intersect in this new, lean-lined release from Richard Sanford's stellar El Jabali site. A veteran Santa Rita hand again nails the area's potential.

Sauvignon Blanc -

2007 Brander Au Naturel Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley($32)
This Central Coast specialist in Sauvignon Blanc left juice on the skins for 24 hours and then aged it in stainless steel. That made this deliciously textural and reminiscent of grapefruit skin, with lean peach flavors.

Other Whites and Roses -

2006 Qupé Roussanne Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley($40)
Bob Lindquist's long-standing devotion to white Rhone varietals again paid off. This latest got the sort of barrel aging and lees usage that Chardonnay might see, giving it gravitas and a vibrant core of lemon oil, marjoram, golden apple and quince. Cellar time will make it even better.

2007 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, Paso Robles($40)
It's hard to think of anyone taking Rhone-style whites more seriously than Tablas. Waxy and luscious, layered with buoyant peach, hay, tangerine peel and freesia. Nervy mineral intensity cuts through it all. Predominantly Roussanne, with Grenache Blanc and Picpoul.

2008 Tercero Grenache Blanc Camp 4 Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ($18)
Larry Schaffer's knack with Rhone-style whites is underscored by this expression from Camp 4, part of the ranch at Fess Parker (where Schaffer also works). Its precise mineral edge underlines fresh-cut peach and apricot flavors, and its grip on the palate makes it food-friendly.

Pinot Noir -

2007 Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley($45)
One of Jim Clendenen's top two cuvees in a gorgeous year. Burnt orange, soy, creosote, clear raspberry and mineral grip across the baseline. A stoic, complex California Pinot that shows off the best of Clendenen's 58 estate acres in cooler sites.

Full lists...click HERE

The Santa Barbara Wine Festival was terrific

Under the canopies
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian

A lovely afternoon under the canopies of the trees and along side the creek.

Hope you made it!

See you at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Foxen Wine
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian

I'll be enjoying the Santa Barbara Wine Festival!

BELLA DOLCE BAKERY

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian

will be providing their amazing baked goods. Look for them at their new shop opening at 113 West de la Guerra Street!

View Larger Map

A Quintessential and Sustainable Santa Barbara Event

Forest PathwayOriginally uploaded by santa barbarian

George Yatchisin at the Santa Barbara Independent pens....

...But it’s not just insider baseball that draws more than 70 wineries and numerous food purveyors. “I think it is becoming the benchmark event of its kind in California,” explained (Chef Michael) Hutchings. “Meridith [Moore, the museum’s events manager] does a great job organizing and supporting the chefs and wineries. The setting remains as it has been—a quintessential Santa Barbara event.” Jason Haas, general manager at Paso Robles’ Tablas Creek Vineyard, agreed, elaborating, “One of the most compelling reasons is because of its setting, in the trees along the creek. The paths meandering from table to table are so different from the typical ‘everyone sets up in a big open city park’ feel of most outdoor festivals, and the sounds of the creek running and the birds chirping away make a much nicer backdrop than is possible to get inside.”

The festival doesn’t just survive from year to year; it aims to maintain the Earth itself. “Did you know it is a sustainable event?” proud organizer Moore said. “No plastic bottles; water stations where guests may fill their wine glasses with iced or room temp still water to keep hydrated. No plastic forks; two-pronged bamboo toothpicks to eat with. Paper plates made from 100 percent recycled product. Soufflé cups made from potatoes, for the pinot noir gelato and champagne granita.” - The Santa Barbara Independent

Some participating wineries are Facebook Fans

like, really, like who isn't these days!

• Foxen Winery.
• Rancho Sisquoc.
• Au Bon Climat.
• Riverbench Vineyard and Winery.
• Firestone.
• Tolosa Winery.
• Consilience.
• CORE Wines.
• Guy Riedel.
• Flying Goat Cellars.
• Municipal Wine Makers.
• Palmina Winery.
• and so does the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

After tasting their wines, you'll want to friend them...like, for sure.

Make sure you get to the Wine Festival early....and stay late!

Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 2:00–5:00 pm

Chillin'
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian

THE STONEHOUSE RESTAURANT at the SAN YSIDRO RANCH

will be at the Santa Barbara Wine Festival, showcasing their amazing offerings. If you have not visited the restaurant, you are missing something deliciously special. It's not just for visitors...we locals know this as "our little secret gem."

Located in a 19th-century citrus packing house, The Stonehouse features a relaxing lounge with full bar service and a separate dining room with crackling fireplace and creekside views. Weather permitting, dine under the stars on the ocean view deck– a wood-burning fireplace and heated stone flooring provide year-round comfort. Chef John Trotta's regional cuisine is prepared with a palate of herbs and vegetables harvested from the on-site chef's garden. - The Stonehouse

After sampling their culinary artistry, you will be inspired to make reservations...you can do so online at OpenTable. Some of the comments about The Stonehouse...

• "One of the best dining experiences ever. Incredible location with beautiful plantings. Fabulous wine list and even better food. Service delightful, not pretentious and quietly elegant. Can't imagine a better evening!!!!!"
• "The welcome was warm, the service very professional yet friendly. The food was very delicious, and we pigged out on yummy desserts!"
• "I was not expecting this to be some of the best food I've ever had. After living in La (sic), Manhattan, and Italy, it is rare to find an outstanding restaurant that is completely different than anywhere else. The menu, though small, is fabulous."
• "Only one word to describe this place, Exceptional."

UrbanSpoon blogger, "Loving Annie", visually puts her review of her meal at the Stonehouse and concludes with...."What a wonderful holiday meal, actually a wonderful meal, period. with outstanding personal service that made me feel as though I was royalty, it was so nice.
San Ysidro Ranch is a special place to dine, as well as a special place to stay.'

And, speaking of The San Ysidro Ranch, it was recently named "Best Hotel in the Country" by Forbes Traveler. It is also known for visiting luminaries as Ronald Reagan and JFK & Jackie. Recently another "luminary" of the television varietal visited...Samantha Brown, who was in town to film a segment of her show, "Great Weekends With Samantha Brown."

For a real treat, the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, just the next town over, is unbelievable. Just the history of the place; I think it was built in the 1920s, and the Kennedys had their honeymoon there. It's like a little utopia. - Los Angeles Times

Outdoor Dining with Fireplace
Originally uploaded by Calmar

Renaud's will be at the SB Wine Festival

Renaud Gonthier of Renaud's
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian

Owner Renaud Gonthier moved to the U.S. from France in 1999 and has since worked at esteemed locations like the Ritz Carlton in Washington, D.C., and the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Gonthier chose Santa Barbara as the location for his business as his wife is from California, with family here and in Santa Monica. - the Santa Barbara Independent

If you have not tried Renaud's almond croissants...oh, man...you are missing out on some buttery goodness!

Have YOU gotten your tickets to the Festival yet?

BECKMAN VINEYARDS

Randy Caparoso (the award winning Denver-based wine journalist and restaurant wine consultant) stopped by Beckman Vineyards on his recent trip to Santa Barbara and writes -

I could see for miles and miles at the top of the Purisima Mountain Vineyard, owned and farmed by Steve Beckman of Santa Barbara’s Beckman Vineyards. But the “truth,” according to Beckman, is not “out there,” but in the soil, the grapes, and in the resulting wine; no matter what you may think of the Biodynamic® practices they have been practicing full-on since 2006.

...Steve was first exposed to biodynamics by a college friend and backyard gardener in 1995, but it would be another four years, after meeting a Frenchman named Philippe Armenier (of Domaine de Marcoux in Châteauneuf du-Pape), before his own skepticism turned the corner to healthy curiosity. The initial decision, according to Beckman, “was the hardest.” But with Armenier’s advisory, 17 trial acres of 100% biodynamically farmed Syrah, planted on Purisima in 2001, turned up “immediate results.” Beckman saw “plants that wanted to grow straight up to the sun instead of in all directions,” and “when we brought in the fruit, we saw increased nutrients in our musts and healthier fermentations.”- Denver Wine Examiner

New Restaurants participating in the Santa Barbara Wine Festival!

Lucky's, The Stonehouse at the San Ysidro Ranch, and the Biltmore!

Great wine...relaxing ambience...great food...don't miss out - get your tickets to the Santa Barbara Wine Festival before they disappear!

Say hello to two of our Sponsors

The Tent Merchant

The Tent Merchant is a full service event rental company in Santa Barbara, California. We offer complete event rentals for weddings, birthdays, dinner parties, corporate events, and so much more. As Santa Barbara’s premier source for elegant and exotic tents, our friendly staff is professional, reliable, and available to support all of your rental needs, whether you require assistance coordinating linens or space planning advice. We look forward to helping you plan your next event!

The Berry Man

This local Santa Barbara company is owned and operated by Santa Barbara resident Guy DeMangeon. The Berry Man started on a shoestring in 1989, when Guy began selling sweet, succulent local strawberries out of the back of his truck. Going from restaurant backdoor to restaurant backdoor, starting with a few, the number grew as Guy's reputation spread. The inventory grew along with his reputation; more and more chefs asked Guy to carry more and more items.

Dreams can become reality; The Berry Man's success is living proof. Today, there is much, much more than just berries -- or even produce. We carry convenience items like a full line of dairy including milk, eggs, conventional, as well as specialty cheeses, state of the art creme fraiche, fresh squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, prepared deli salads, an amazing salsa fresca, fresh and frozen pastas, Asian seaweed salads, exotic mushrooms and truffles, olive oils, flowers, exotic produce, delectable desserts and more.

SCOTT CELLARS

California Winery Advisor writes:

Scott Cellars can definitely be called a one-man show. In 1995 on a wing and a prayer, Peter Scott Fraser left the advertising business to pursue his desire to have his own winery. First came a job selling wines while studying viticulture and oenology at night. Then in 2000 Peter took over as winemaker at a small winery in Ventura. After honing his winemaking skills for five years, Peter started, "his own winery" in 2005. At only 1000 cases, Scott Cellars is one of the smallest wineries around. - California Winery Advisor

Since all fruit is sourced, the greatest care is taken when choosing vineyards. All fruit is sourced from Santa Barbara Count except the Zinfandel for Cuvee J comes from French Camp Vineyard in Paso Robles. Pinot Gris comes from Lucas and Lewellen Vineyard while the Chardonnay comes from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard. The Pinot Noir heralds from a very sandy vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, Sharon’s Vineyard. Finally, the Syrah comes from a wonderful Vineyard called Black Oak in the Los Alamos Valley - Scott Cellars

Vino Las Vegas, LLC enjoyed Scott Cellars wine.

He truly has a passion for what he does. We tasted all of his wines and enjoyed the Cuvee J the most. The Cuvee J is a blend of 78% Zinfandel and 22 % Syrah. He has a nice tasting room located on the main street in Los Olivos. It is worth a stop