After a 16-month absence, Wine Country celebrates its re-opening in a new location in the heart of historic Old Town Orcutt. Locals welcome the return of the family-owned bottle shop and wine bar, a haven of thoughtful sipping and stimulating conversation within the sometimes frenetic wine world.
The grand re-opening takes place April 1, 2, and 3, and features tastings of wine, beer, and sparkling wine from both domestic and overseas producers. Between samples, visitors can nibble gourmet cheeses and dip fresh bread into aromatic olive oils.
Stocking mainly local wines—many from producers too small to support their own tasting rooms—Wine Country boasts some of the best vintages the Central Coast has to offer. The shop currently pours flights from Sierra Madre Vineyard, Silver Wines, and Haka, among others, and builds mixed flights around various themes.
Also available for sampling are handcrafted beers and ales from China, Mexico, Canada, Belgium, and Germany, as well as from such select U.S. producers as Brother Thelonious, Allagash, North Coast Brewing Company, and Telegraph.
“We feature flights of wine, sparkling wine, and beer,” said Sherrill Duggan O’Neill, who co-owns the shop with her husband, Don, and two sons, “and everything poured in the tasting flights is available by the glass or bottle, as well.”
For cigar aficionados, the charming emporium offers upscale stogies, mostly from the Dominican Republic, which, according to Duggan O’Neill, harbors some of the richest topsoil in the world.
“Cigars are chosen by Don,” she said, “but he does take suggestions from our clientele.
“He likes to stock a variety of styles,” she continued, “ranging from light and smooth—some with a hint of flavor like vanilla or rum—to more rich and full-bodied cigars. Just as the different growing regions influence the character of wine, they also have an impact on the flavor of tobacco.”
Together, O’Neill and Duggan O’Neill bring more than 25 years of experience in the wine world to their ambitious enterprise.
O’Neill earned his vinicultural stripes as tasting room manager and, later, facilities manager at Zaca Mesa Winery, where he spent 16 years. Duggan O’Neill worked in Zaca Mesa’s tasting room before moving to Buttonwood Farm Winery in 1996, where she was employed for nearly 15 years as sales and marketing manager.
Partners in the project include their sons, Tim Duggan, who worked for Buttonwood Winery, Fiddlehead Cellars, and Longoria Wines, and currently produces his own brand, Sforzando; and Matt Duggan, who presently serves as general manager at Palmina.
The family’s extensive background in the business will serve them well as they position Wine Country to become a focal point for members of Santa Barbara County’s wine industry and for fans of the enchanting potable, especially those living in the Santa Maria area.
“We chose Orcutt,” Duggan O’Neill explained, “because in the midst of a terrible economy, the town has a positive vibe, and local merchants are in the process of implementing a revitalization and marketing plan.
“And, with the proximity to a large population,” she added, “we won’t be as dependent on tourists.”
Wine Country first opened in downtown Solvang in 1997 and was among the early retail enterprises in the Santa Ynez Valley to feature local wines and accessories. Six years later, the business changed hands and moved to Los Olivos, where it attracted a clientele of serious wine buyers.
In September 2005, the O’Neills bought the store and set about taking Wine Country to the next level of service and success. They refined the décor, making it modern, yet comfortable, a place where visitors could relax on sofas while sipping and browsing through wine-themed books and magazines.
“Wine should be the sane part of your life,” Duggan O’Neill said at the time, “where you can put a little distance between you and the day, and get in touch with relaxation, friendship, the really important stuff in our lives. We want people to slow down and enjoy the experience.”
In 2009, the O’Neills closed Wine Country’s doors to prepare for the move to North County.
The latest incarnation of the shop boasts an intimate setting painted in soothing earthtones, and includes seating at the bar or at nearby tables and chairs. Thanks to the large windows, visitors can drink in views of the small-town streets of Orcutt and the hillsides that serve as the town’s pastoral backdrop.
“The biggest change for us,” Duggan O’Neill said, “is moving away from being any winery’s ‘official’ tasting room, because most of the wineries we used to represent have opened up tasting rooms of their own. Nevertheless, we will offer flights of wine from our favorite producers, some of them old and some new.
“We hope,” she admitted with a smile, “to be the Santa Maria Valley’s hometown gathering spot for seekers of the exceptional in wine and beer.”
K. Reka Badger’s columns are the spot for seekers of outstanding culinary reviews and information. Contact her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 7, 2011.