Montemar in Lompoc offers live music in its unique patio space

click to enlarge Montemar in Lompoc offers live music in its unique patio space
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ARROWOOD
SINGING IN THE SUNSHINE: Local duo Country Heart performed recently on Montemar’s new patio stage.

Lompoc’s beloved Wine Ghetto is a small industrial park that houses nearly 20 wineries and tasting rooms. In such a compacted area, space is at a premium, but one winery scored a spot that boasts more than a tasting room: It’s got a larger outside patio. Montemar Wines is owned by Steve Arrowood, who jumped at the opportunity to turn his patio into a happening place where people could do more than sip wine.

“I have a large outdoor space, and people are really taking to it,” he said. “The outside space is set up to have fun, and that is our motto here: ‘Serious wine and serious fun.’”

He transformed hundreds of square feet, surrounded by tall fences, into an epicenter of leisure and relaxation. Long tables are available for bigger parties or small groups to interact, Arrowood explained, and he’s stocked the area with many playful activities as well.

“We have the stage in the back for live music,” he said. “We have two life-size Jenga sets—I just made a third one—and there are always people playing it.”

Other games include Cornhole, which involves players attempting to throw a beanbag through a hole on a board. There are also hula hoops, and even a small beach-like area right in front of the live music stage.

“It’s a fun atmosphere,” Arrowood said, “so before you know it, everyone is in a fun frame of mind.”

Montemar began including regular live music on Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m. three months ago, and patrons and musicians alike have replied favorably, Arrowood explained.

click to enlarge Montemar in Lompoc offers live music in its unique patio space
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE ARROWOOD
SIP OUTSIDE: Montemar’s outdoor area includes a mini beach, live music stage, oversized Jenga-style games, and long tables for customers to enjoy.

“It’s just amazing how many great songwriters and professional people there are around,” he said. “So I keep bringing new people into the mix, but there are so many now, I am thinking of doing it more often.”

The June 21 concert features Jacob Cole, lead singer for the band Saint Anne’s Place, who says that Montemar provides a good opportunity for local singer songwriters to perform. Cole is one of several Lompoc-based artists who regularly play in the area.

“Steve is giving us a great opportunity here on our home turf,” Cole wrote in an email to the Sun. “We need more of what Steve is doing here in our little town.”

Arrowood has decided to focus on more acoustic or solo style music, as his space is limited and can only handle so many decibels. He set up the stage in a space where the music can always be heard, but won’t be overpowering.

“It’s all different kinds of music, but the thing I look to is not to get people overwhelmed by the music,” Arrowood said, “so they can also do other things: play games or talk.”

Montemar in Lompoc offers live music in its unique patio space
SEE THE SPACE: Montemar offers live music on Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m. including Jacob Cole on June 21 and Kyle Reilly on June 28 at 1501 E. Chesnut Ct., suite E, Lompoc. More info: 735-5000 or [email protected].

The setup has certainly been met with much enthusiasm. Arrowood’s customers have blitzed Yelp and Facebook with five-star reviews about not just the music and patio area, but Arrowood’s wines, which include pinots, Rhone, and Burgundian varietals.

“I love the feedback on the wine, but I also had fun building this place,” he said, “and I enjoy that people love what I got going on here. I’m always building things and adding things, and I’m always listening to customer feedback.”

 

Playing with possibility

The Anything’s Possible Band performs a live concert on June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Costa de Oro Winery, 1331 Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria. More info: 922-1468 or anythingspossibleband.com.


Get flowing

The Creative Juices Lounge in Guadalupe presents Hard Habitz performing June 21 from 7 to 10 p.m. at 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More information is available at 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.


Filipino powerhouse

The Chumash Casino Resort presents Sharon Cuneta performing June 20. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway, Santa Ynez. Cost is $25, $35, and $45. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.


Songs from the islands

A Hawaiian Falsetto and Ukulele concert by Kamakakehau Fernandez happens on June 21 at 7 p.m. at The Hideout Café, 338B W. Tefft St., Nipomo. Cost is $22. More info: 878-6793 or santamariahula.org.


Make the investment

The Blacklake Golf Resort presents a Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series featuring Sound Investment on June 25. The resort is at 1490 Golf Course Lane, Nipomo. More info: 343-1214, Ext. 400, or
blacklake.com.


All are welcome

Ca’ Del GreVino Café and Wine Bar presents a live Monthly Music Jam hosted by Amaris Taylor on June 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Café and Wine Bar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Santa Maria. More info: 937-6400 or [email protected].


Storm is coming

The Radisson Hotel offers live music Fridays and Saturdays, including Storm performing June 20 and 21 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.


Live in Lompoc

The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features This Valley on June 21, Audition Night on June 24, and Dan Mally on June 25 with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. at 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356 or facebook.com.


Maverick country

The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend, including the The Fourcasters on June 20. Concert on the Deck is June 21 at 1 p.m. The ’89 Reunion Party Night with the Molly Ringwald Project is June 21 at 8 p.m. Suds, Songs, and Sandwiches with Blues Bob and the Loopy Blues Band is June 22 at 3 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or [email protected].

 

Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at [email protected].

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