En Route to Santa Ynez

Can you tell I'm excited?

Drift - What to Wear Wine Tasting

 

I prefer boots when wine tasting.  You never know when the owner may invite you to walk the vineyard.  Tasting rooms can be a makeshift cave or an outdoor patio so come prepared with lots of layers.  Most importantly, wear something cute.  With the gorgeous scenery you are bound to take a photo or two.  

Boots / Crimson Mim - Socks / Ralph Lauren - Scarf / Drift by Borelli - Purse / Penney's - Bomber Jacket / Forever 21

Destination - Santa Ynez Valley II

I've been wine tasting all over the world.  Napa, Tuscany, New Zealand and France to name a few but Santa Ynez Valley will always be a favorite.  In lieu of mine and TDH's upcoming trip to the gorgeous SYV this weekend I thought I would share a few more of my favorite spots.  This itinerary is ideal for a day trip.  It's full of fresh Italian food, small and big wineries and best of all relaxation.  

Drink
Bring a picnic or fresh sandwiches from Panino to accompany your tasting experience at Bridlewood.  Members are given the royal treatment with 1 on 1 attention and a tasty local cheese platter.  Non members can taste in the larger and busier front room.  But everyone can enjoy the expansive grounds, roam the stables and take a nap next to the lake.  Then drive up the road to Demetria Estate for tasting and a tour given by one of the members.  Check out the adorable on-site house below to rent out for the weekend, for members only.  They also host summer movie nights (with fresh popcorn of course).   Sign me up!

Eat
Make a reservation at Grappalo's for an authentic Italian dinner, complete with crowded tables, traditional antipasti and a reasonable wine list. 

Stay
This time we stayed in Santa Barbara for the night at the Oceana hotel.  Cute, clean and across the street from the beach.  

Do
When you tire of wine tasting head into Los Olivos to wander the indoor and outdoor artisan galleries. 

time slows down in Santa Ynez, enjoy it

Bridlewood Estate

Fall vines at Bridlewood

wine storage at Demetria

A preview for tomorrow's Style post - What to wear wine tasting

sun setting over Demetria

Rental house on the Demetria Estate (Members Only)

View from the porch

Have you ever visited Santa Ynez?  What are your favorite wineries?  I'm still looking for a new winery to try near Demetria for this weekend.  Recommendations welcome! 

PS - The pictures were taken during a weekend around Christmas last year hence the tree made out of horseshoes and fall foliage. 

Fig Jam, Asparagus & Prosciutto Pizza

Headed to wine country this weekend and I am pumped!  I love visiting small wineries, meeting the families who live and work on the vineyard and exchanging travel stories with people from all over the world.  This week's recipe pairs well with an Italian red wine such as Brunello or Barbera.
I experimented at a dinner party with the recipe swapping the tried and true tomato sauce base with fig jam.  You hit all the flavors with this pizza.  The fig is lip smacking sweet and takes the bite out of earthy asparagus.  And you can never go wrong with Parmesan and prosciutto, they love eachother.  Mangiamo amici!

Fig Jam, Asparagus & Prosciutto Pizza

Ingredients
Store bought pizza dough - whole wheat or white flour

fig jam
1 bunch asparagus
1 package prosciutto (optional for my vegetarians)
good quality Parmesan
salt
pepper
good balsamic vinegar (optional)

- Roll out the pizza dough to a rectangle or circle.
- Spread fig jam evenly across dough.
- Layer Parmesan, asparagus, and prosciutto.
- Bake at 350* for 10-15 minutes or until cheese starts to golden.
- LIGHTLY drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
- Sprinkle salt.
- Cool, cut and serve.

Camera+

I'm relatively new to the iphone, TDH and I switched from the Droid a few months ago.  A huge difference is the camera, the clarity is amazing. One of my favorite apps so far has been Camera +. Here are a few shots from the weekend, all edited in Camera +.

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