Thursday, August 4, 2011

Santa Ynez Weekender



Suggested Itinerary:
Friday
4pm ~ check in to the Rio Ynez Ranch.  The house is stocked with culinary essentials making preparing dinner for 10 a breeze.  Urban cowboy décor, floor to ceiling windows enticing you to walk the 85 acre property.  The owner Andrew was very professional to work with, I highly recommend staying here!
5pm ~ Drive 15 minutes to the Los Olivos Grocery Store.  Stock up on local poduce, homemade tortilla chips, the BEST granola ever from The Bunnery, a family owned a company out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 
7:30pm ~ Dinner at Dos Carlitos on Edison, a 7 minute cab ride.  BE ON TIME!  We were 5 minutes late and they already gave away our table.  Fancy Mexican fare, spicy cocktails, open air atmosphere, cozy natural wood round tables, delicious black bean salsa. 
10pm ~ Finish off the night dancing to an awesome live band at Mavericks, a country western bar covered in visitors dollar bills.  Skip out at 11:30, a DJ takes over and hasn’t updated his playlist in 10 years. 

Saturday
10am ~ Santa Barbara Limo Service picks up the group in a limo or 14 person van.  Stop at the Rio Ynez Ranch entrance, photo op!!!  Note: Request Fred as your driver, he knew all the winery owners, gave us private tours and was all around awesome!
11am ~ Demetria Winery - Gorgeous yet windy drive up to this little known vineyard.  The tastings are set in the outdoor patio with crystal chandeliers hanging from the oak trees.  
~ Call in your salad and sandwich orders to Panino to pick up later.  The place is a zoo!
12pm ~ Brander Winery - Wines are decent and the courtyard is lively, watch out!
1pm ~ Pick up lunch at Panino and eat outside on the picnic benches while you taste at Roblar Winery
2:30pm ~ Last but not least stop at Sunstone Winery - Their tastings weave you through the property while the live band makes you dance off the red wine.  I was pleasantly surprised with this gem. 
4pm ~ Relax at the house in the afternoon, raft down the river running through the property, or walk to Gainey Vineyard for even more tastings! 
7pm ~ Whip up a big meal of pasta, vegetable salad and lots of water!
Don't forget your cowboy boots!

Entrance to the Rio Ynez Ranch
spicy cocktails at Dos Carlitos
Outdoor tasting at Demetria Winery
Summer vines at Demetria

2 comments:

  1. This sounds like the most perfect day ever! And what a fabulous outfit!!!

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  2. I took a Bachelorette party here for the weekend, it was awesome!

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