There’s that old saying, “Have your cake and eat it too.” Well, this fall I discovered how to have your wine and wellness too, at the legendary Golden Door, a Japanese-inspired luxury spa retreat tucked into the tranquil hills of San Marcos, California. Just north of San Diego, this world-renowned wellness sanctuary has long been […]
It’s a new decade at Gainey Estate Vineyards. The stalwart Santa Barbara wine brand has a prolific 40-year history in its rear-view mirror, and a robust portfolio of world-class and award-winning wines to show for it. But it may be more accurate to say it’s a new era at Gainey. Because while the brand remains […]
Recently Trending
More from Montecito
When one mentions California wine country, names like Napa and Sonoma often take center stage. But for the sophisticated traveler seeking authenticity, heritage, and a slower, more personal pace, Lodi offers a compelling and often overlooked alternative. During my recent stay, I discovered a region where old vines meet new vision, and where luxury lies […]
In Sonoma Wine Country, the morning sun filters through a veil of coastal fog, softening the contours of rolling vineyards that stretch toward the Pacific. A cool breeze carries the scent of wild herbs and sea air, while rows of chardonnay and pinot noir glisten with dew. This is a landscape shaped by nature’s contrasts, […]
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 […]
There’s something magical about a great hotel bar. Done right, it becomes a portal: a sanctuary for travelers, a home base for locals, a liminal space where you can slip into anonymity or stumble into unexpected conversation. It’s the perfect setting for an impromptu martini or a slow-burning Manhattan, a late-night snack or a celebration […]
Warm Mediterranean breezes carry the promise of relaxed elegance as they dance across sun-drenched skin, mingling with the scent of blooming bougainvillea and lavender. Imagine stepping onto a pristine white-sand beach, the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Côte d’Azur lapping at your feet. Elegant French locals stroll by with effortless style, their laughter a soundtrack […]
Eli Parker tips his cowboy hat to other Rhône pioneers in Santa Barbara County – men like Bob Lindquist and Andrew Murray, who were early champions of grapes like syrah and grenache. But there’s no denying that Parker was on the leading edge of the area’s Rhône movement, too – recognizing in these grapes their […]
The mastermind behind the whimsical Future Perfect wine brand is also the driving force behind the inaugural Corkscrew Comedy Festival, slated for this weekend. It’ll be three days of stand-up comedy across multiple venues in the Santa Ynez Valley. Barrels of wine – and laughs – guaranteed. “I’ve always loved producing,” says Doench Stricker, who’s […]
Read more...
Anna Vocino and Loren Tarquinio have lived in the Santa Ynez Valley since just before the pandemic, when the formerly L.A.-based power comedy-writing-producing married couple turned their “getaway escape patch” into their full-time home. More than five years later the married partners are joining with two other couples with entertainment and/or winemaking backgrounds to produce […]
As a wine lover, writer, and wine travel media personality, there are few things I enjoy more than discovering wines that surprise and delight – and pinot noir continues to be one of those wines that never gets old. While I typically reach for a glass of pinot during cozy fall evenings, the Global Blind […]
High above the sun-drenched vineyards of Paso Robles, DAOU Vineyards stands as a symbol of passion, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence. Since its founding in 2007 by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou, this estate has become a cornerstone of California’s Central Coast wine country. Nestled in the renowned Adelaida District, DAOU has built a […]
“Santa Barbara has always been more of a maverick type of region,” winemaker Karen Steinwachs tells me. “And that certainly has helped female talent to flourish.” Steinwachs and I are discussing the remarkable number of women winemakers in the area, a cohort which has grown solidly over the decades. These days, female leadership drives some […]
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a true slice of paradise. With its Mediterranean climate, stunning coastal views, and world-class wine country, it’s no wonder this gem on the California coast is one of the most desirable places to live. From historic Spanish-style estates to contemporary architectural masterpieces, […]
