Tag archives: Fred Brander

Golden Jubilee: Celebrating 50 Years of Fred Brander’s Winemaking Legacy
By Gabe Saglie   |   July 15, 2025

Fifty years can teach you a lot about growing wine. These days, Fred Brander knows full well that Bordeaux grapes – reds like cabernet sauvignon and whites like sauvignon blanc – grow really well in the warm eastern stretches of the Santa Ynez Valley. But in the beginning – 50 years ago – it was […]

Wine Helping People Helping People
By Richard Mineards   |   April 25, 2023

To Santa Ynez for People Helping People’s annual Vino de Sueños at Fred Brander’s vineyard, supporting farm workers with lifesaving services – which raised $35,000. Founding vineyards of the popular event include Alma Rosa, Clos Pepe, Foxen, Feliz Noche, Presidio, Longoria, and Buttonwood. Vino de Sueños features artisanal food, wines, dynamic paintings and sculpture, and […]

Montecito Mud
By James Buckley   |   April 19, 2018

When he awoke the morning of January 9, wine maker (2018 “Vintner of the Year”) and longtime Montecito resident Fred Brander found himself sharing space with nearly 900 tons of mud, rocks, and boulders that hadn’t been on his property the night before. His home is north of East Mountain Drive and none of the […]

Fine Wine
By Richard Mineards   |   March 1, 2018

Pioneering winemaker Fred Brander was honored as Vintner of the Year at a socially gridlocked gala in aid of Direct Relief at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. The biennial oenophile bash and wine auction, which attracted 600 guests and was emceed by The Bachelor host Chris Harrison, raised a hefty $1.2 million, with a third of the […]