KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY, Author at Santa Maria Sun

Lane Tanner Pinot Noir — a 30-year history

One of the Central Coast’s first woman winemakers has a change of heart

by KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY February 24, 2011October 12, 2024

Lane Tanner was only the second woman winemaker in Santa Barbara County in a commercial facility when she started working in Santa Ynez Valley in 1981 at Firestone Vineyards. For the past 30 years, the distinctive Tanner has been an icon in Santa Barbara County wine country. And she succeeded despite the fact that she […]

Food & Drink

A wine shop made new

Find more than bottles to go at Central Coast Wines

by KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY November 30, 2010August 17, 2023

Central Coast Wines on Higuera in San Luis Obispo has been dedicated to promoting the Central Coast’s fine wines for more than a decade. Vaughn and Sasha Taus founded the shop; two years ago, they sold it to Bob and Dianna Ritchie, formerly of Arizona. Interestingly, the Ritchies were vacationing here when they bought the […]

Food & Drink

Barbecue, California style

Rancho Nipomo had me hooked with my first bite

by KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY September 15, 2009August 17, 2023

I first heard about the excellent food at Rancho Nipomo from winemaker Ardison Phillips of McKeon-Phillips winery. Sometime later, I was reminded of it by winemaker Ariki “Rick” Hill of Labyrinth, who spoke highly of it. Then I read a glowing review by Teri Bayus in Grover Beach, and I thought, “I’ve got to try […]