Santa Barbara, California– aka the American Riviera– is blessed with year-round sunlight, a spectacular shoreline, a food lover paradise, and a selection of remarkable regional wineries, making the stunning town an advanced location for great dining and great wine-ing.
Just a brief walk from the Santa Barbara pier is red-roofed Hotel Californian, https://www.hotelcalifornian.com/ an elegant Moorish sanctuary with a spectacular black-and-white concept by star designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, large visitor spaces, al fresco lounges, and an inspired food and red wine program that draws fans from near and far.
Traveling oenophiles and regional red wine lovers can enjoy elegant red wines coupled with a four-course meal curated and prepared byHotel Californian Executive Chef Travis Watson The unique nights begin with an al fresco meet-and-greet reception on the outdoor patio, followed by an indulgent four-course supper including a choice of red wines from a single winery, picked by the wine maker. Each red wine is coupled with a regional, sustainable meal, such as Pinot Braised Octopus with Heirloom Beans, Aerated Burrata, Grilled Stone Fruit, Sous Vide Kobe New York with Fresh Corn Polenta, and a dessert of Roasted Apricots, Gulab Jamun Syrup, Rose Scented Meringue, with Lychee-Framboise Rose Sorbet
The very first wine maker supper honored Niki Williams of the storied Sonoma wineryChateau St Jean. The night started with an al fresco meet-and-greet reception on the outdoor patio, followed by an indulgent four-course supper. Seated at the center of a long common table, Niki regaled visitors with insights about “letting the fruit shine,” she stated. “We strive to grow the very best fruit possible in the vineyard, so I attempt not to leave my finger prints all over the grapes.”
This month’s Winemaker Dinner at Blackbird is October 20 including Chalk Hill Winery hosted by wine maker Sarah Quider, VP of Winemaking forFoley Family Wines “My objective is to make complex, extreme, and smooth red wines that are stabilized in both richness and special,” statedSarah “We have such a remarkable variety of wineries atFoley Family Wines We have wineries and vineyards found in different appellations, each with distinct micro-climates, soils, and clones. I enjoy revealing this variety in each of these red wines.”
On November 17, visitors will drink first-rate red wines from Chalone Vineyards while joining wine maker Greg Freeman, formerly with Georis/Cowgirl Winery in Carmel Valley, California and Messina Hof Winery in Bryan,Texas He signed up with Chalone Vineyard in 2021, bringing 20 years of Monterey winemaking experience as he composes the current chapter in Chalone’s storied history.
The last Winemakers Dinner of 2022 will be hung on December 15, hosted by second-generation vintner, Courtney Foley ofFoley Family Wines Sip on a few of the Foley household’s preferred red wines from throughout their portfolio take pleasure in yet another brand new four-course supper from Executive Chef Travis Watson.
Guests who take pleasure in the red wines included at the Winemaker Dinners can experience them once again by checking out The Society: State & Mason, which is now open daily. Serving as Santa Barbara’s latest haven for red wine fanatics in the busy Funk Zone community, the intimate tasting space commemorates the crossway in between first-rate red wines, elegant food, and immersive, unforgettable travel experiences.
