Just when it seems there’s nothing new to do in town, along comes Costa de Oro Winery to liven things up. In a bid to infuse Santa Maria’s social life with a dose of good fun, Gary Burk, the winery’s co-owner and winemaker, has launched a series of events designed to get locals off the sofa and into the company of like-minded friends.
Inside the Costa de Oro Winery tasting room, an airy marketplace at the corner of Stowell and Highway 101, visitors can sample the wares while browsing wine-related goodies and selecting from bins of fresh produce. With the requisite beverages and munchies in place, it didn’t take much of a leap for Burk and his staff to decide to capitalize on a party theme.
On Friday nights, wine buffs who love live music will find the perfect combination of their favorite things at Costa de Oro, where Burk’s musical friends set up opposite the tasting bar. As they play tunes ranging from jazzy to bluesy to just plain rockin’, guests mingling over wine and appetizers can relax as if in the comfort of someone’s home.
“It’s a great place to come and unwind after work,” said Paul Lato, co-manager of the Costa de Oro Winery tasting room. “Sometimes we have a three-piece band, sometimes just a guitar player, and we serve a little food. We normally close at 6 p.m., but on Fridays, at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. If the band is really good, we stay an extra half-hour.
“One night,” he added, “we had a guy who has played with U2 and is now touring with Bruce Springsteen. We have a really good vibe going on Friday nights.”
Burk, who was born into the venerable Santa Maria farming family that co-owns Gold Coast Farms, played guitar professionally in and around Los Angeles before beginning his winemaking career in 1994. His wife, Teresa, a gracious woman with a wonderful singing voice, shares his love of music.
“We wanted to have events to get more people to come out to the tasting room,” Burk said. “Music is part of who Teresa and I are, and I wanted to incorporate it into the business.
“And this way,” he laughed, “when I get musicians to come play, I can sit in with them!”
On Aug. 1, look for Richard Pajoric, a deft guitarist who plays a lively mix of folk and jazz, while on Aug. 8, the winery welcomes The Believers, a three-piece group that plays a fantastic blend of all-original folky-blues. On Aug. 22, don’t miss Jim Townsend, a solo pianist who specializes in rhythm, blues, and toe-tapping oldies.
“People really respond to the music,” Burk said. “They have a good time, so they stay late and come back week after week. It gives people a great reason to come out, taste some wine, and have some fun.”
As part of his plan to boost the fun quotient in the tasting room, Burk plans to host an occasional afternoon of wine and barbecued food pairing.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, guests can tuck into a meal of grilled veggie kebabs, sweet corn (fresh from Gold Coast Farm’s own corn patch) and beans, and their choice of either a gourmet Kobe beef burger or grilled portabella burger. Tending the grill will be Chef Rex, who operates Zoe’s Catering and heads up the kitchen at Santa Maria’s Sunset Ridge Golf Course.
“I’m really impressed with him,” Burk said of Chef Rex. “For our second year anniversary in June, he roasted a whole pig in front of the tasting room. He was here at 5:30 a.m. with his portable barbecue, and the whole place smelled so good while it was cooking.”
A hardy band of fun lovers, the members of the Costa de Oro Winery wine club get a nice bonus with each regular shipment of new and limited-production vintages. When the wines are ready to go out, members can stop by the tasting room and enjoy a gala get-together at the same time.
“People can pick up their wine and save shipping costs,” Burk explained. ”We have some food, pour new releases, and, of course, we have live music.”
Costa de Oro opened its doors at Hunter’s Landing two years ago and helped transform a utilitarian freeway corner from a quiet farmstand location into a happening spot. With a slate of events scheduled year-round, Burk happily acknowledged the obvious.
“We all thought,” he admitted with a twinkle in his eye, “why not turn the business into a party?!”
INFOBOX: Costa de Oro Winery & Marketplace (922-1468), located at 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., at the corner of Stowell Rd. and Highway 101, is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Fridays, for the price of a wine tasting ($5 for five tastes or one glass; $7 for seven tastes), enjoy live music and light appetizers, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
The next Costa de Oro barbecue takes place Saturday, Aug. 2, noon-3 p.m. Choose from Kobe beef burger ($16) and portabella burger ($11). Meal includes veggie kebabs, sweet corn, and beans. Tickets available at the door.
K. Reka Badger is always the life of the party. E-mail her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 7, 2008.
