Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm to celebrate peak bloom with second annual festival hosting artisan market

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Tucked away along the Tularosa Road offramp of California Highway 246 lies a quaint purple slice of heaven.

Buried deep within the greens of the Santa Rita Hills, a field of bushes showcases violet buds so densely packed that from a distance they look like an amethyst-colored sheet.

Lizards scurry, bees buzz, and hummingbirds and butterflies flutter at each bush—a family of quails even nested in one—as gophers and squirrels pop up from across the field. A slight breeze flies in from the surrounding wineries and provides just the right amount of moving air to counter the sun’s beating rays.

Welcome to the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm.

After starting in 2020, mother-and-son team Denise and Lucas Neumann waited three years for their lavender to reach full maturity before they opened to the public. On July 12, they will celebrate the culmination of their second yearly peak bloom season by hosting a lavender festival from 12 to 5 p.m. 

Artisan vendors selling pizza, barbecue, tacos, salads, ice cream, handmade jewelry, custom hats, pottery, purses, and more will line the perimeter of the front field complemented by Luke Metzler’s live acoustic guitar performance. Lavender lemonade will also be available for anyone in need of a refresher.

Along with Lucas’ lavender essential oil distillation demonstration early in the afternoon, lavender wreath-making classes are scheduled throughout the day. Tickets are $55 and include a 10-inch wreath frame, all necessary materials, and instructions.

Off-site parking with a shuttle to and from the farm is available at La Purisma Golf Course and the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. Denise said the Marriott will also have lavender drink specials and food.

As a family-friendly operation, Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm welcomes children, Denise said. It’s open every day except Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment at santaritahillslavender.com/farm-tours. 

From their 2 acres of lavender, the Neumanns produce about 15 gallons of essential oil each year, Lucas said.

The farm is currently divided into two fields: Grosso lavender for essential oils in the front and Provence culinary lavender in the back. Instead of dirt, the Neumanns plant their crops in sand for better drainage.

Their lavender mist, made of distilled water and essential oil, repels mosquitoes and fights odors naturally, without unpleasant chemicals. In addition to honey, which comes from the bees that pollinate their lavender plants, the farm sells lotion, candles, perfume, body butter, bar soap, bath bombs, shower steamers, and more.

For the culinary-minded, the catalog also includes balsamic vinegars, extra virgin olive oil, syrup, coffee, honey, cocktail-rimming sugar and salt, seasoning salt, cooking salt, sugar, and plant buds. 

With lavender always on their minds, the Neumanns won’t just celebrate peak bloom on July 12. They’ve organized events all month long to capture the season’s full scope.

Check out santaritahillslavender.com for a complete calendar. Pre-sale tickets are available for $12 at exploretock.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on July 12 for $20 each. 

Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is located at 1900 Tularosa Road. Find it on Instagram and Facebook under its name. For questions, call (805) 395-6568, email goldenstateapothecary@gmail.com, or visit santaritahillslavender.com.

Highlights

• The Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County’s Dedicated Dads Alumni Club hosted a food and craft-based Father’s Day celebration on June 3. Children designed personalized cards and—with their moms’ help—presented them to their dads at the nonprofit’s Lincoln Street office in Santa Maria. Family Service Agency Health and Human Services Grants Manager Yeimi Arias said in press materials that the organization’s goal was to create a space where dads could connect and feel celebrated, build community, and strengthen parenting skills. For parents who couldn’t attend, Family Service Agency offers free classes in English and Spanish designed to enhance parents’ relationships with their children. Child care and dinner are provided. To inquire about upcoming classes, visit fsacares.org/class-inquiry-form/ or call (805) 965-1001, Ext. 1433.

Reach Staff Writer Reece Coren at rcoren@santamariasun.com.

This article appears in Jun 26 – Jul 6, 2025.