Great wines are made in the vineyard. But what exactly happens in the vineyard? What turmoil does the soil experience? How many chemicals are sprayed on the grapes? Are farmworkers treated well? “I think consumers really aren’t given the full story,” Chiara Shannon told the Sun. Over the two decades she’s spent in the wine […]
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Solvang Planning Commission rejects nightclub proposal
Amid the queue for a city permit, a hopeful nightclub operator couldn’t get past the city’s bouncers—concerned Solvang officials. On Aug. 3, the Solvang Planning Commission vetoed a property owner’s application to transform the vacant site formerly known as Alisal Cellars into a new nightclub destination, despite the project’s consistency with downtown policies, according to […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Analogue Room in Solvang spins records, pizza dough, and corks
A slight scratch from the turntable. Quiet chatter from guests. Sound waves vibrating from a record player. The aural experience is at the heart of John Wright’s latest ambition, a vinyl lounge in Solvang called Analogue Room. He likes the idea of considering the space a listening room, not a bar. “It just seemed like […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Watch a movie in the vineyard at Demetria Estate
Enjoy summer evenings with the family by catching a movie at Demetria Estate in Los Olivos. Pretty Woman is screening on July 18, A Fish Called Wanda on Aug. 22, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High on Sept. 19. Each of the three available dates offers a sunset dinner buffet on the patio beginning at […]
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West Coast schools shined at Allan Hancock College’s annual wine festival
Frank Perez’s favorite memory from his first year studying winemaking was when he and his classmates bottled their 2025 vintage. The April day was a master class. It illustrated how big of a team it takes to make a bottle of wine. “It started the day before. We were sterilizing or filtering a lot of […]
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Los Padres ForestWatch hosts a dinner that connects people with the land
Save a seatBuy tickets to The Wilderness Table by visiting forestwatch.org. The June 7 dinner runs from 4 to 8 p.m. at Larner Vineyard (955 Ballard Canyon Road in Solvang). For more on the food and beverage providers, visit larnerwine.com, rock12distillery.com, and highonthehogcatering.com. One summer evening, 50 strangers will have the luxury of breaking bread […]
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Presqu’ile Winery’s tasting room debuts an art vending machine
The next time wine tasters visit Presqu’ile Winery, they can collect artwork from a coin-operated mini print vending machine. It’s the latest effort from the winery to involve creativity with its food and wine offerings. Created by artist Ana Inciardi, the machine is the first of its kind at a winery in the U.S., according […]
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CaliPaso expands along the Central Coast with a tasting room in Solvang
The latest additionCaliPaso Winery’s new tasting room is located at 482 1st St. in Solvang. It’s open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about the winery, visit calipasowinery.com. The giant television screen inside CaliPaso Winery’s Solvang tasting room became […]
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Let’s remember the people who served impeccable food and beverages last year
Allow me, the Sun’s Eats writer, to make a toast. We’ve made it through a quarter of the century, and that alone is worth a bit of cheer. Gathering around a table to break bread is one of life’s great pleasures, and it’s even better with a fun drink in hand and a spoonful of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Flying Goat Cellars presents exhibit by contemporary artist
Reena Howmiller’s art show, titled What Lies Beneath, is up at Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc through January. She created colorful, abstract paintings and scarves made with Indian silk that are inspired by her other artwork. The scarves are “colorful, wearable art to swaddle one’s decolletage in an affordable luxury item,” Howmiller said in an […]
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Santa Barbara Master Chorale performs at Gainey Vineyard
Catch a family-friendly holiday performance on Dec. 14 in the vineyard with a glass of wine for the adults and cookie decorating for the kids. Headlining is the Santa Barbara Master Chorale, which will sing traditional Christmas carols featuring conductor David Lozano Torres and pianist Heather Levin-White. The program is scheduled for almost an hour […]
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A Templeton farm brightens the horizon for a Santa Barbara County winery
Blending wine is very common, but not the way Michelle Vautier does it. She owns CrossHatch Winery and uses a method called co-fermentation. Instead of blending wines after they’ve fermented, her grapes—usually two or three varieties—are picked from their separate vines on the same day and start fermenting together right away. “I’m the only winery […]
