K. REKA BADGER

In the early 1980s, Tony Austin, one of Santa Barbara County’s pioneer winemakers, famously described his product as “consumable art.” To further illustrate the connection between the visual arts and his liquid creations, Austin became among the first area vintners to reproduce original paintings on his wine labels. Central Coast wineries continue to celebrate the […]

When Dad has all the cordless drills and crazy neckties he’ll ever need, it can be tough to choose a gift he’ll like. For Father’s Day this year, why not give him something that’s always welcome and never goes out of style? This gift comes in all sizes, suits all types and personalities, and is […]

Although wine country fun prevails in all seasons, it seems to gain momentum when summer rolls around. With school out and the sixth month well underway, Santa Barbara County wineries offer a creative roster of gala events and mini-vacations. Getting the jump on summer haps in May, Firestone Vineyard initiated its First Friday program, a […]

Pretty, petite, and wildly popular, they satisfy a sweet tooth in just two or three bites. Edible works of art, cupcakes are showing up everywhere—from fancy soirees, complete with stemware and linen tablecloths, to raucous pre-teen birthday parties. By choosing to serve cupcakes, hosts can offer something to suit everyone’s taste. Rather than committing to […]

Despite a spring stymied by rainstorms and cooler-than-average temperatures, Memorial Day weekend is upon us. With luck, the sun will shine, and parties—complete with sizzling barbecues and outdoor fun—will proceed apace. Just as robust red wines lend warmth to chilly weather and its fare of roasted meats and hearty stews, white wines naturally go with […]

Scholar, historian, winemaker, and master of Dutch oven campfire cooking, Stephan Bedford tackles life with the zest of a Renaissance man. When not tending to the wines at his Bedford Winery, he can be found staging a theatrical event, working the rows of his huge vegetable garden, or making his way through a half-dozen non-fiction […]

When the table glitters with freshly opened wine bottles and colorful platters of food, winemaking may seem like a glamorous pursuit. The finished product of this enchanting craft graces state affairs, as well as family dinners, and figures in festive occasions ranging from weddings to birthdays to gala inaugurations. At its heart, however, winemaking is […]

The rain has stopped and spring appears to be in the house, lending more appeal to the prospect of making weekly trips to the farmers market. Sure, sorting through root crops and salad greens while wearing mittens can be satisfying, but the real delight happens while bagging baby squash and juicy tomatoes in the comfort […]

Seventeen years ago, Meghan and Dan Reeves bought 40 acres among the foothills above Los Olivos. They liked the location, layout, and views, but even more compelling were the six-year-old grapevines climbing the slopes leading up to the house. Today, the vineyard covers three steep acres, and the fruit provides most of the raw material […]

Tis the season when youngsters search grassy fields for hidden eggs—chocolate, hardboiled cackleberries, or plastic ovals filled with candy—and folks exchange baskets brimming with sweets. Spring has sprung, providing the perfect excuse for feasting and expressing gratitude for having survived another winter, regardless of how mild the weather may have been. In Santa Maria, the […]

No matter what the field of endeavor, from oil painting to cooking to carpentry, it seems the professionals get all the glory. Amateurs—whose very title derives from the Latin amare, meaning “to love”—pursue their pastimes for the sheer pleasure of the doing. Home winemakers, like most other amateur do-it-yourselfers, cherish their hobby. All year long, […]

First held in 1983, the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association (SBCVA) spring festival has grown from a casual afternoon of sipping local vintages into a long weekend of wine country fun. With all the winemaker dinners, barrel tastings, and food pairings, wine lovers can spend four full days exploring their favorite beverage. Anchoring the weekend, […]