Wild About Harry’s
The atmosphere is retro chic in the Ranchero Room of Harry’s Plaza Café, where the walls display more than 1,500 photos in an impressionistic vision of Santa Barbara’s past.
Table for one in the back
Pictures of Santa Barbara’s horse-and-buggy days set the scene for a contemporary diner in Western garb.
Written by Joan Tapper | Photograph by Blake Bronstad
The atmosphere is retro chic in the Ranchero Room of Harry’s Plaza Café, where the walls display more than 1,500 photos in an impressionistic vision of Santa Barbara’s past. The restaurant, opened in 1968 in Loreto Plaza by the eponymous Harry Davis, is itself an icon. When John Scott renovated some 20 years ago, he restored the décor just as it had been, down to the patterned wallpaper, the globe chandeliers, the classic red banquettes, and the inimitable photographic images. The menu is classic, too, with hearty entrées like prime rib and tri-tip with baked potatoes, iceberg lettuce salads, omelets, soups, and sandwiches. The bar and booths extend from the entryway, but the Ranchero Room is more private. It has been the site of countless welcome and farewell dinners, association meetings, and other celebratory occasions—all toasted with the other iconic element at Harry’s: a strong cocktail. Cheers!
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Easy Does It
Earlier this year, restaurant industry powerhouse and Montecito resident Sophie McNally began her mission to win the hearts and nourish the souls of busy families through the launch of her new culinary company, KITCHENETTE.
Sophie McNally’s healthy bet on Kitchenette
Kitchenette founder Sophie McNally uses quality ingredients, flash-frozen at peak freshness to preserve taste and nutritional value.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photographs by Blake Bronstad
Earlier this year, restaurant industry powerhouse and Montecito resident Sophie McNally began her mission to win the hearts and nourish the souls of busy families through the launch of her new culinary company, KITCHENETTE. In an effort to fight food waste, monitor its carbon footprint, and aim for sustainability, Kitchenette delivers tasty gluten-free, nutrition-packed, family-style frozen meals made with high-quality ingredients, ready to heat and enjoy later. The service started with a handful of meal options available for pre-order and recently expanded its seasonal lineup to include a plant-based Buddha bowl and a zero-refined-sugar, date-sweetened chocolate-chip-cookie roll, plus two-portion versions of its family-style meals, as well as separate sides and mains. A convenient gift program is now available, and Kitchenette items have debuted at Santa Barbara’s cool new corner grocery store The Eddy. getkitchenette.com
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Family Values
SAARLOOS + SONS is a family-owned and -operated winery that’s been four generations in the making.
Great wines with a side of sarcasm at Sarloos
Keith Saarloos represents the third generation in the family business.
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick | Photographs by Sara Prince
SAARLOOS + SONS is a family-owned and -operated winery that’s been four generations in the making. Their tasting room, which is situated inside a house built in 1886 (now refurbished and coated in sleek black paint), has long been a fixture in the Los Olivos wine scene. “Our tasting room is truly an extension of our living room, a place we get to welcome and host people daily,” says Keith Saarloos, a third-generation steward of the family business. “Our aim has always been to be a place where people can relax, have fun, and experience a sense of ‘nowstalgia,’ which I like to describe as the feeling of being fully present but also having a nostalgic attachment to the moment.” On offer here are estate-grown Rhône and Bordeaux varietals, many of which proudly bear the names and faces of family members. In addition, Saarloos & Sons continues to delight guests with its famous cupcake pairing, part of a long-standing collaboration with local favorite Enjoy Cupcakes. 2971 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, saarloosandsons.com
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Vineyard Hoedown
For Paula Tabalipa, her latest venture, TABALIPA WINE CO., represents a major career shift.
Paula Tabalipa and husband Michael Greenberg toast to the release of her first vintage of rosé.
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs by Renata Amazonas
For Paula Tabalipa, her latest venture, TABALIPA WINE CO., represents a major career shift. The Brazilian wardrobe stylist and costume designer recently moved to the Santa Ynez Valley with her husband, Michael Greenberg. The couple bought a home in Santa Ynez during the pandemic, and, shortly afterward, a historic vineyard down the hill from their house came up for sale. Getting into the wine world seemed to make sense, so the couple acquired the vineyard, and Tabalipa’s company issued its first vintage this summer.
“We wanted people to not only try the wine, but also experience the vineyard and the land.”
Working with local winemaker Dragonette, Tabalipa began to learn the business. She describes her first release as “a pleasure-driven Santa Ynez Valley rosé,” designed for sipping on hot summer days. To get the word out and to convey a sense of the terroir behind the wine, Tabalipa hosted a release party at the couple’s Living Life vineyards. Themed as a hoedown, the event included activities like hayrides, an acoustic set from Donavon Frankenreiter, a rodeo, a hot-air balloon, Santa Maria barbecue, and, of course, plenty of rosé.
“We wanted people to not only try the wine, but also experience the vineyard and the land,” Tabalipa says. “We’re representing the region, so we had Santa Maria barbecue and Finley Farms had a station of incredible tomatoes with burrata and pistachios. We had Lucky Hen’s incredible charcuterie boards. It was almost a farmers’ market setup. It was also a celebration of love, because my husband and I got married this summer in a very small ceremony, but then we decided to throw this party. The launch of the wine was also a celebration of our happily ever after.” tabalipawineco.com
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Toasting a Decade
In its tenth year of welcoming guests to the tasting room at its hilltop Santa Maria Valley estate, PRESQU’ILE WINERY has much to celebrate.
The estate’s 10-year-old tasting facility
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photographs by Heather Daenitz / Craft & Cluster (Picnic, Simon); Courtesy of Presqu'ile Winery (Tasting Facility, Wine & Food)
In its tenth year of welcoming guests to the tasting room at its hilltop Santa Maria Valley estate, PRESQU’ILE WINERY has much to celebrate. Drawing on their Southern hospitality roots, the Murphy family continues to provide spot-on service while keeping the greater good in mind. Presqu’ile’s admirable sustainability efforts, which include its certified organic estate vineyards, have earned the winery the even more rigorous SIP Certified standing. Moreover, Presqu’ile is working toward its goal of being net zero, thanks in part to the estate’s 774-panel solar farm, which produces nearly 500,000 kilowatt-hours per year, an offset equal to the annual energy use of 45 average homes. The estate also includes a one-acre, organic vegetable-and-herb garden, which chef Julie Simon uses for her globally influenced, seasonal menus.
Presqu’ile has expanded its offerings to five different tasting experiences: an Estate Tasting Flight, highlighting new and current-release estate wines; the Wine & Food Experience, featuring a curated tasting flight paired with a mezze picnic; the Estate Horseback Tour & Tasting, a trail ride through the 400-acre property, also culminating with food and wine; and the Wine & Food Tour, a private walk through Presqu’ile’s wine caves and winery, ending with a pondside food-and-wine pairing. For larger groups, there’s Wine & Bocce on a private terrace. 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, presquilewine.com
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Poetic Pours
When sommelier and wine director Hayden Felice was dealt the pandemic hand of a forced career shift, he partnered with friend and fellow wine enthusiast Andrew Fitzgerald to start TRIPPERS & ASKERS wines.
A lineup of Trippers & Askers wines.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks
Owners Hayden Felice (left) and Andrew Fitzgerald.
When sommelier and wine director Hayden Felice was dealt the pandemic hand of a forced career shift, he partnered with friend and fellow wine enthusiast Andrew Fitzgerald to start TRIPPERS & ASKERS wines. Felice parlayed nearly 20 years of beverage-industry experience—including work in New York with chef Tom Colicchio’s Crafted Hospitality, in Los Angeles for chefs Roy Choi and Ludo Lefebvre, and at Acme Hospitality in Santa Barbara—into 200 cases of wine that would eventually increase to become the duo’s 1,200-case label.
Officially launched in the fall of 2022 with two vintages and six cuvées, Trippers & Askers focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah from organically farmed, sustainable vineyards. The pair’s minimalist approach produces lighter, restrained, mineral-driven wines, all crafted by Felice in a downtown Santa Barbara winery.
The partners’ passion for winemaking is coupled with their collective interest in literature and photography, reflected in their labels and the names of each wine. “Trippers & Askers” is a nod to poet Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself #4.” The cuvée names are inspired by passages in cherished poems, and the label photographs were taken on the owners’ travels.
“The pair’s commitment to the community is evidenced by the label’s donations to 13 different nonprofits within its first year.”
The pair’s commitment to the community is evidenced by the label’s donations to 13 different nonprofits within its first year, and both owners are active on local nonprofit boards: for Felice that is the Santa Barbara School of Squash, which mentors local underserved youth; Fitzgerald serves on the board of CALM, whose mission is to prevent childhood trauma, heal children and families, and build resilient communities throughout Santa Barbara County. trippersandaskers.com
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Ranching Out
Central Coast traditions run deep at ALISAL RANCH, which is set in an oak-studded landscape of rolling hills in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Activities at WILDWONDER include a trail ride.
Written by Joan Tapper | Photographs by Teal Thomsen, Darcy Hemley, Talia Helvey
Central Coast traditions run deep at ALISAL RANCH, which is set in an oak-studded landscape of rolling hills in the Santa Ynez Valley. Founded as a cattle ranch in 1843, the 10,500-acre property was transformed into a luxury working ranch almost 80 years ago. Today, along with the cattle and horses, there’s a determination to add some 21st-century attention toward women’s empowerment and wellness of mind, body, and spirit to the western-flavored hospitality.
It all comes together October 1 through 4 with the experience of WILDWONDER, the latest installment of a women’s retreat that highlights the work of female chefs and winemakers along with yoga at Alisal Lake, trail rides, guided hikes, and other stylish activities, like floral workshops.
Those leading workshops, cooking demonstrations, chef dinners, and wine pairings include Claudette Zepeda, who has focused on regional Mexican and indigenous ingredients in her culinary career and is the woman behind Chispa Hospitality. Mirela Taribo and Tara Gomez, founders of Camins 2 Dreams, will present tastings from their winery, which sources fruit from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Culinary educator and cookbook author Jeanne Kelley will also offer insights and lessons from her newest offering, Vegetarian Salad for Dinner.
For personal growth, participants will enjoy intention setting, meditation sessions, plant walks, and a wreath-making workshop, while the western theme will be carried out with horseback rides, axe throwing, some festive line dancing, and an opportunity to select a Lovely Bird hat and create one’s own signature hatband. Rates: from $820/night single occupancy; $1,240 double. alisalranch.com
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Uncharted Waters
Hallstein is becoming the water of choice in the design and dining world
Hallstein is becoming the water of choice in the design and dining world
Hallstein Water welcomes guests to a lunch at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Los Olivos.
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs by Kim Reierson
What’s the perfect water to serve at a wine tasting? Most sommeliers would say it’s one that doesn’t interfere with the palate’s sense of taste, which puts HALLSTEIN WATER at the top of the list.
Hallstein is sourced from a deep artesian aquifier at the base of the Dachstein Glacier near Obertraun, Austria. The entire Dachstein and Hallstatt-Salzkammergut region is a UNESCO World Heritage site based on its historical significance of prolonged human activity yet unblemished landscape. Plenty of stateside food and drink connoisseurs are beginning to see the appeal of this incredibly pure water, including Santa Barbara retreat San Ysidro Ranch.
The water’s purity is the result of a high pH level, a lack of sodium, a higher than normal amount of dissolved oxygen, low nitrate and carbon content, and a balanced ratio of calcium to magnesium. All these elements contribute to the water’s propensity for cleansing the palate and make it a great pairing for wine tastings.
Among the connoisseurs who understand the appeal of this pure libation are those at Artiste Winery in Los Olivos, which now offers the water along with its own limited-edition wines. One of Hallstein’s founders, Elisabeth Muhr, was in Los Olivos to explain why the product makes a difference when it comes to tasting chef-driven cuisine and fine wines and spirits. Leather-goods designer Kendall Conrad also hosted a lunch at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, where Muhr and CAP Beauty founder Kerrilynn Pamer discussed the importance of clean drinking water for overall wellness.
It’s still rare to find outlets that carry Hallstein in the states, but that’s another reason it’s a good fit for Artiste—the Los Olivos winemakers don’t sell their vintages to any other outlets or distribute them at all. These wines can only be found within their own tiny California community, and now Hallstein water is available there, too. It’s also available for one-time purchase or subscription through the brand’s website. hallsteinwater.com
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Family Flavor
Seventh-generation Central Coast rancher Elizabeth Poett gathers stories and regional recipes for her debut cookbook.
Seventh-generation Central Coast rancher Elizabeth Poett gathers stories and regional recipes for her debut cookbook
Poett harvests tomatoes from a garden on Rancho San Julian, which has been in her family as a beef operation since 1837.
Written by Keith Hamm | Photographs by B.J. Goolnick
Writing a cookbook, it turns out, is near and dear to the act of cooking itself. Both endeavors demand proper technique to combine just the right amount of ingredients. Good timing is critical, too, whether you’re pulling that brisket off the grill or serving up your writing project for mass consumption. And, of course, there’s presentation. Just ask seventh-generation Santa Barbara County cattle rancher and cooking-show star Elizabeth Poett, author of THE RANCH TABLE: RECIPES FROM A YEAR OF HARVESTS, CELEBRATIONS, AND FAMILY DINNERS ON A HISTORIC CALIFORNIA RANCH. (HarperCollins, $40)
“I want the book to teach people about agriculture and the ranching community and how people have been working on the land for generations.”
About 10 years ago, Poett started sorting the book’s main ingredients, a trove of handed-down family recipes, some handwritten in Spanish by her great-great-grandmother. Around the same time, she began hosting big country lunches centered on fresh local ingredients topped off with ranch tours and talks on the property’s history.
Poett then refined her techniques, from braising to baking to canning, for streaming audiences worldwide with the 2021 debut of the Magnolia Network’s Ranch to Table cooking show. That a full-blown cookbook would come next just made sense.
“I really wanted the book to be an introduction to the ranch and the region,” Poett says, crediting lifelong friend and the book’s co-author Georgia Freedman with “helping me put myself out there.”
“Like the show,” she adds, “I want it to teach people about agriculture and the ranching community here and how people have been working on the land to produce food for generations.”
After a short history of Rancho San Julian—owned by her family since 1837—she writes about ranch life and her cooking and hosting philosophies, then rolls out the recipes by season.
For example, spring includes a Santa Maria–style tri-tip with pico de gallo, a centerpiece of Central Coast barbecues. Summertime grilled peaches are followed by beef empanadas and her great-grandmother’s enchiladas. Fall dinners include veggies harvested from the garden behind the ranch’s 200-year-old casa. Winter favorites include a three-cheese grilled sandwich on sourdough with onion jam, plus Mexican wedding cookies and cowboy brittle. Poett closes with a classic New Year’s standing rib roast and perhaps a Golden State old-fashioned or two.
All said, the book is 320 pages filled with 120 recipes, plus more than 150 color photographs by B.J. Goolnick, who also serves as the director of photography for Ranch to Table, now in its fourth season. Talk about presentation: Goolnick’s eye sweeps from the maple drizzle on a stack of blueberry-yogurt pancakes to generational portraits and candid smiles that will be passed down as surely as those old family recipes.
“Being able to share this history and these recipes, it’s very personal,” Poett says. “It means a lot that my kids have the same flavors in their lives as their great-great-grandparents had. And having this connection to food, to cooking seasonally and cooking for lots of people—I love all those things.” Available at Chaucer's Books.
Lemon Buttermilk Fried Chicken Drizzled with Honey
When I make fried chicken, I brine drumsticks in a mixture that has lots of rosemary and lemon to add a distinctive California flavor, then I drizzle honey on the chicken just before serving. If you’ve never deep-fried anything before, the process might seem intimidating, but once you try it, you’ll see that it’s very straightforward. The trick for me is to get my cooking station organized before I start: I prepare my flour mixture and pour my buttermilk in a bowl and set them on the counter next to the stove, and I have tongs and a potholder or oven mitts nearby. That way, when I start frying, I won’t have to walk away from the stove or go looking for something; I can just focus on cooking.
From The Ranch Table by Elizabeth Poett. Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Poett. Reprinted by permission of Magnolia Publications/William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
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Leisurely Vibes
Once a quiet Western town, Los Olivos today is a wine destination worthy of more than just a day trip.
Once a quiet Western town, Los Olivos today is a wine destination
worthy of more than just a day trip
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick | Photographs by Sara Prince
“Wine is all about slowing down and sharing the experience, so the tasting room needed to be relaxed.”
Driven by the belief that all great wine starts in the vineyard, LIQUID FARM is dedicated to producing terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that express the uniqueness of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Contemporary details and botanical accents highlight the tasting room, creating a casually alluring environment that owner Jeff Nelson explains was intentional: “Wine is all about slowing down and sharing the experience, so the tasting room needed to be relaxed—from the style of the décor to the eclectic seating arrangements that allow people to converse with other guests.” Following a tasting, be sure to browse the collection of culinary items and housewares, which Nelson regards as “natural extensions” of the food and wine lifestyle. Keep an eye out for new additions in the mercantile, including a line of furnishings, in the coming months. 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave., Ste. 101, Los Olivos, liquidfarm.com
Directly across the street, STOLPMAN VINEYARDS’ spirited tasting room consistently draws wine enthusiasts seeking to sample estate-grown wines from the Stolpman family’s Ballard Canyon vineyard. In addition to classic Syrah and Rhône wines, the family offers a range of refreshing, chillable reds and pét-nats as part of their So Fresh label developed by Pete Stolpman and his wife, Jessica. Sip and savor a flight from either brand in the convivial setting of the tasting room, complete with a dog-friendly patio, enclosed with a charming white picket fence. 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, stolpmanvineyards.com
In their quest to venture into the culinary realm, longtime friends Randy Spendlove and Jennifer Wood discovered the perfect location to launch OLIVE + LAVENDER FARMS late last fall. Located at the former stagecoach stop at Lansing’s Crossing, just outside of downtown, the picturesque property—home to idyllic lavender fields and more than 100 olive trees—blends nature’s splendor with local flavor and a laid-back ambience. Here you can enjoy complimentary samples of estate-grown and locally sourced olive oils and artisanal vinegars, then stay to play a game of cornhole, indulge in a bring-your-own picnic, or wander around the dog- and kid-friendly farm. “Randy and I find great joy in curating an environment where people can immerse themselves in the property, savor our olive oils, enjoy a leisurely picnic, and simply unwind,” says Wood. “We’re thrilled to fuse our passion for food, music, family, and friends, and welcome people to experience our magical slice of Los Olivos.” 2450 Alamo Pintado Rd., Los Olivos, oliveandlavenderfarms.com
In downtown Los Olivos, BLAIR FOX CELLARS offers friendly vibes and quality wine bottlings. Pay a visit to the tastefully rustic-modern space to sip handcrafted Rhône varietals and blends from owner and winemaker Blair Fox. A Santa Barbara native, Fox, along with his wife, Sarah, can often be found personally pouring wines for visitors, a testament to the couple’s commitment to providing an authentic experience. “We’re an ultra-boutique family winery, so everything we do is a reflection of us,” he says. “Our goal was to cultivate a space that mimics the rustic, laid-back vibe of the Santa Ynez Valley. So once you step through the door it feels approachable and inviting rather than intimidating or pretentious—a place where you know you’ll have fun, taste good wine, and be treated like family.” 2477 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, blairfoxcellars.com
ONE TO WATCH
Family-owned DONNACHADH is set to unveil its inaugural tasting room this fall. Housed within a spacious, newly constructed building in Los Olivos, the tasting room will provide an ideal setting in which to sample the brand’s organically farmed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Gamay Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, each noted for its expressive minerality and depth of character. donnachadh.com
“The space is comfortable and casual, like going to a friend’s house.”
When the pangs of hunger call, the newly unveiled MARGERUM offers a delicious reprieve. The space is charmingly quaint, stocking an array of wines crafted by owner and winemaker Doug Margerum that span his eponymous Rhône-focused label and the Burgundian varietals of his second label, Barden. Along with the wine, a medley of intriguing food pairings will delight the palate. Expect quintessential wine-tasting accompaniments, like cheese and charcuterie, as well as more unconventional offerings inspired by Margerum’s frequent travels to Japan, such as sushi-centered bento boxes featuring bites of tender unagi sashimi, bluefin tuna with avocado and shiso leaf, and Dungeness crab with fragrant vanilla-bean sauce. Also noteworthy are Kumamoto oysters, perfectly paired with a glass of bubbly Barden Blanc de Blancs. 2446 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, margerumwines.com
FOUR BROTHERS WINE CO. is a thriving hub of activity where wine, community, and curated events intersect. Born from a home grape-growing and winemaking hobby, owner Chris Blasman and his three brothers have created a flourishing boutique brand dedicated to making Rhône varietal wines, as well as limited quantities of Pinot Noir, from vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County. Additionally, Four Brothers often hosts a diverse lineup of events, from art shows and live musical performances to comedy and trivia nights, drawing a steady stream of people to its rustic tasting room and spacious outdoor patio. 2935 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, fourbrotherswine.com
BEYOND THE GRAPE
Winemaker Jessica Gasca may be best known for producing nuanced single-varietal and single-vineyard wines for her label, Story of Soil, but her creativity expands beyond grapes with the recent launch of GOODS LOS OLIVOS. Situated inside a towering structure outside her tasting room, the small boutique is filled with local, eco-friendly goods curated for thoughtful living, from candles and jewelry to throw blankets and books. 2902 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos, storyofsoilwine.com
Extend your visit into a weekend getaway at the FESS PARKER WINE COUNTRY INN, located in the heart of town. Since its acquisition by the late Fess Parker in 1998, the inn has become a cherished retreat for travelers looking for a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Recently the inn unveiled a contemporary refresh that was guided by the vision of designer Oliva Villaluz. Now all 19 rooms and suites boast an elegant look and feel, with hardwood floors, wrought-iron four-poster beds, cozy in-room fireplaces, and a sophisticated country-chic aesthetic that enhances the inn’s appeal. “We wanted the rooms to be someplace you look forward to returning to after a day of wine tasting and exploring the Santa Ynez Valley,” says proprietor Ashley Parker Snider. “We hope our guests leave feeling rested and inspired by the beauty of the valley, the wines, and our little inn.” Complementing a stay are enticing amenities like a heated pool and gym, a boutique, and the on-site restaurant, Nella Kitchen & Bar, which has a loyal fan base for its perfectly topped pinsas and mouthwatering Italian fare. 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, fessparker.com/inns-and-cabins
SAARLOOS + SONS is a family-owned and -operated winery that’s been four generations in the making. Their tasting room, which is situated inside a house built in 1886 (now refurbished and coated in sleek black paint), has long been a fixture in the Los Olivos wine scene. “Our tasting room is truly an extension of our living room, a place we get to welcome and host people daily,” says Keith Saarloos, a third-generation steward of the family business. “Our aim has always been to be a place where people can relax, have fun, and experience a sense of ‘nowstalgia,’ which I like to describe as the feeling of being fully present but also having a nostalgic attachment to the moment.” On offer here are estate-grown Rhône and Bordeaux varietals, many of which proudly bear the names and faces of family members. In addition, Saarloos & Sons continues to delight guests with its famous cupcake pairing, part of a long-standing collaboration with local favorite Enjoy Cupcakes. 2971 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, saarloosandsons.com
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Continental Collab
Argentine designer Rocio Gonzalez’s eponymous brand Rocio G is known for its bohemian artisan leatherwork and its ’70s California-inspired vibes.
Gonzalez and her Rocio G partner, Lolo Tanoira, fit a model with designer Johanna Ortiz.
Written by Gina Tolleson
Argentine designer Rocio Gonzalez splits her time between Buenos Aires and her hillside home in Carpinteria.
Argentine designer Rocio Gonzalez’s eponymous brand Rocio G is known for its bohemian artisan leatherwork and its ’70s California-inspired vibes. Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz’s tropical resort wear is effortlessly seasonless and stands out as easily on the streets of Paris as on Coast Village Road. In honoring their rich Latin American cultural heritage, the two friends came together for a Moda Operandi collection that reflects the designers’ love for the sea. (Think jewel tops with hundreds of hand-stitched puka shells.) There are also handcrafted leather totes paired with fabrics woven by the indigenous Wichí community in Argentina and iraca pieces by Las Juanas, a native artisan collective in Colombia. “Spending time with Johanna and her family made us realize how similar we are. We work in our studios, then go to the polo club to watch our kids’ matches, drink maté…just like my life here in Santa Barbara,” says Gonzalez. The Johanna Ortiz x Rocio G collection is available through modaoperandi.com.
We Want
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Rare Treats
The Rare Society brand weaves inspiration from vintage Las Vegas steakhouses for a modern dining experience in The Funk Zone.
The Rare Society brand weaves inspiration from vintage Las Vegas steakhouses for a modern dining experience in The Funk Zone.
Written by CW | Photography by Sara Prince
Yes, RARE SOCIETY is a neighborhood steakhouse, but first and foremost it’s a place of comfort. The dining room is warm and usually packed, with rows of booths decorated in marble, gold, and playing-card motifs, an homage to the restaurant’s ritzy, old-school Vegas inspiration. But there’s no spot more lively than the horseshoe bar in the front room, a haven for habitués of the nearby Funk Zone. The decadent starters—ahi tuna tartare with black sesame and jalapeño ponzu; a thick-cut slab of bacon with gochujang glaze; or lobster prepared in the shell with garlic and parsley butter—are almost a distraction from the dry-aged steaks that Chef Brad Wise grills using Santa Maria-style live-fire techniques. Almost. The fire-roasted cuts pair best with more extravagance, like potato rosti covered in fondue and black truffles, or one of many strong cocktails that go above and beyond even the most discerning palate’s taste test. 214 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-335-2088, raresociety.com.
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Quest Love
During the Covid shutdown in 2020, Valerie Madeira knew it was time for her eponymous antique shop’s next chapter.
A client’s rustic-chic stable decorated by sister-partners Valerie Madeira (right) and Claire Gallion.
Written by Anush J. Benliyan
During the Covid shutdown in 2020, Valerie Madeira knew it was time for her eponymous antique shop’s next chapter. In partnership with her sister and co-owner, Claire Gallion, the pair relocated VALERIE’S VINTAGE & SUPPLY CO. —which specializes in farmhouse and rustic ranch styles with a classical European twist—to a smaller space around the corner, and braced themselves for the unknown. Turns out, “it was a blessing in disguise,” says Madeira. “Santa Ynez has the best community. The love and support that we receive daily is what keeps us inspired—along with the thrill of the hunt.” While the boutique stocks an ever-changing inventory of one-of-a-kind décor and furnishings, the duo can also find and source specially requested pieces upon request. Let the hunt begin! 3568 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, 805-693-2127, @Valeriesvintage17
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Head to Toe
A pair of trailblazing shopping destinations are ushering in a stylish new era on Santa Ynez’s historic Sagunto Street
House of Hackney’s Hollyhocks wallpaper sets the playful tone inside Brass Tack.
A pair of trailblazing shopping destinations are ushering in a stylish new era on Santa Ynez’s historic Sagunto Street
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by Sara Prince
SANTA YNEZ GENERAL, the shop that ignited its namesake town’s retail boom, opened its stylish doors in 2019. The boutique’s original location now showcases lifestyle and home goods in a slightly refreshed space, while a second Santa Ynez location opened in 2021 and focuses on apparel. It currently features several new lines for fall including Etro, Rosie Assoulin, and Nili Lotan. Founded by Pearson and Spencer Turnbull—a fashion industry veteran and an accomplished attorney, respectively—both tastemakers with an eye for destination-worthy shopping, Santa Ynez General has continued to broaden its Santa Ynez Valley-rooted reach. Summer 2022 brought a pop-up shop to Montecito’s Upper Village, and when The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, opens this winter in Los Olivos, the eagerly anticipated luxe property will include a Santa Ynez General outpost. 3558 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, 805-691-9947, santaynezgeneral.com.
A stone’s throw away on Sagunto Street, BRASS TACK mingles cheeky, couture glam with Santa Ynez’s Victorian, cowgirl grit. Opened in March 2022, the bright boutique’s motto, “If Georgia O’Keeffe and Dolly Parton crashed Fashion Week,” is reflected in the stylings and stock, all housed in a 120-year-old building. Owner Melissa Kanarek, a couture upholsterer and seamstress by trade, once inhabited and worked in global urban centers but she’s now a Santa Ynez Valley resident, specializing in pieces with a strong sense of story, much like her own. Kanarek founded her retail concept in Laguna Beach but relocated her store after settling in the Valley with her husband on the couple’s homestead, Ranchy McRanch (see page 114). This fall, the women’s boutique and hat bar will welcome Kanarek’s Born in the Barn line, designed and sewn in her barn, featuring dead-stock, limited-edition runs created by Kanarek’s fevered imagination. 3553 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, 949-351-8748, brasstackstudio.com.
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Heads Above the Rest
Custom hat maker Kevin “KJ” Murphy
Custom hat maker Kevin “KJ” Murphy
Kevin “KJ” Murphy; the master at work.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by KJ Murphy’s, Sara Prince
Last year custom hat maker Kevin “KJ” Murphy expanded his business, KJ MURPHY’S, into a large Santa Ynez space with swanky saloon vibes and a modern twist—complete with all of the entertaining bells and whistles essential to a bespoke accessories experience. Murphy’s clients often get to watch the custom crafter at work, while they sip some of the finest spirits stocked behind his hand-built, mahogany back bar. Under the pressed-tin ceiling, a stone fireplace centers the long room where outdoorsy apparel and hats by Stetson, Resistol, DOBBS, the fashionable Charlie 1 Horse, and KJ originals are beautifully showcased.
Murphy’s hat-making trail began in 2009, when he purchased an old hat factory that included some machines dating back to the early 1900s. Months of mechanical refurbishing followed, leading to the opening of his first Santa Ynez Valley hat studio in 2011. Nowadays, patrons can listen to Murphy’s tales of his adventures while he designs their hats with custom touches like hand-tooled leather hatbands, beads, ribbons, horsehair, or other materials, transforming each piece of headgear into a unique, wearable, working piece of art. 3569 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, 805-686-4790, kjmurphys.com.
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Get on Your High Horse
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Check List
Classic pieces with a fresh KULE twist and a wink to iconic autumn staples of the ’70s
Classic pieces with a fresh KULE twist and a wink to iconic autumn staples of the ’70s
All items available at KULE Pop Up at Montecito Country Mart through December 31, and kule.com.
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Don’t Miss…
The 38th annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival’s Grand Tasting will be held at the Old Mission Santa Inés on Saturday, October 8
Written by Anush J. Benliyan
The 38th annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival’s Grand Tasting will be held at the Old Mission Santa Inés on Saturday, October 8, and promises attendees the chance to taste vino from more than 50 nearby wineries, as well as gourmet fare from 30-plus regional restaurants and chefs. Enjoy live music as you meet and mingle with winemakers and winery owners. Pick up some new skills at a variety of culinary and viticulture demos, and don’t forget to stop by the Bubble Lounge to sample some bruts. 1760 Mission Dr., Solvang, sbvintnersweekend.com
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Surf ’n’ Turf
With their Coast Range restaurant, a powerhouse team of chefs is putting Solvang on the culinary map.
Leather banquettes, custom made-in-Italy sconces, and pressed-tin ceilings set the tone inside Solvang’s Coast Range restaurant.
With their Coast Range restaurant, a powerhouse team of chefs is putting Solvang on the culinary map
Written by Caitlin White | Photography by Sara Prince
Solvang is better known for Danish architecture than fine dining, but last year a trifecta of chefs and a James Beard-recognized sommelier put COAST RANGE on the map as a destination steakhouse. Helmed by Anthony Carron (800 Degrees Pizza), Steven Fretz (Church Key), and acclaimed pastry chef Lincoln Carson (Bon Temps, Mes Amis)—as well as partners Hillary Calhoun and Joseph Sabato—the place has a wine list from sommelier and winemaker Rajat Parr that’s the cherry on top. Flanked on one side by a casual sister spot, Vaquero Bar, which opened in April 2021, Coast Range started offering indoor and outdoor dining on Mission Drive last fall.
Chef Anthony Carron, General manager and mixologist Joseph Sabato, Chef Steven Fretz
Head inside for a Victorian-meets-maritime feel—think leather booths, velvet curtains, and a sea captain’s portrait—and begin with a whole grilled California artichoke with “good butter” and melty pecorino, or try a spectacular daily fresh crudo bathed in shiro dashi, a Japanese chili paste called yuzu kosho, and baby cilantro. Next, a boatload of fritto misto including calamari, broccolini, and pepperoncinis is accompanied by furikake aïoli, Thai chili dipping sauce, and key lime. You’ll find those dishes on the brunch menu, served from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Monday.
Reservations are highly recommended for the dinner menu, which is available starting at 5 p.m. Thursday to Monday and offers a hearty steak list filled with impeccable cuts from purveyors like Delmonico and Creekstone. Make any steak into a surf-and-turf combo with lobster tails always on offer, or indulge in oysters on the half shell and chilled shellfish for a seafood fix. Steakhouse staples like French onion soup and wedge salads round out the evening appetizers—or splurge on Regiis Ova caviar and call it a night. Before you go, brioche donuts with brown-butter glaze make for a fluffy, flawless finish, courtesy of Chef Carson. 1635 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-624-5420, coastrange.restaurant
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Fessing Up—Twice
April 2022 brought a grand refresh of the legendary FESS PARKER WINERY’s tasting areas and experiences, at the portfolio’s Los Olivos vineyard property along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.
A Kodiak Greenwood photograph of Fess Parker’s favorite spot on the family ranch is printed on metal and hung as a triptych above the floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the refreshed Fess Parker Winery tasting room, on the Los Olivos vineyard property.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks
April 2022 brought a grand refresh of the legendary FESS PARKER WINERY’s tasting areas and experiences, at the portfolio’s Los Olivos vineyard property along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. Elevated updates and additions to the venue’s interiors and exterior tell the tale of the Parker family’s history in the Santa Barbara region. They also provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere for more private tastings and leisurely lounging while paying homage to the family’s famous patriarch, the late Fess Parker. Memorabilia from Parker’s acting career decorate the revamped space, and the family’s 30-plus years of winemaking history is showcased in the new Library Room Wine Tastings: private experiences with customizable tasting flights of four Fess Parker library wines. In September the Fess Parker Funk Zone tasting room opens in downtown Santa Barbara, offering wines from Fess Parker Winery and from the family’s boutique Epiphany and Fesstivity labels. 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-688-1545 and 116 E. Yanonali St., Santa Barbara, 805-770-2041, fessparker.com
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Rebirth of an Icon
Slated to open in winter 2022, THE INN AT MATTEI’S TAVERN, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION, occupies a historic stagecoach stop in Los Olivos, adjacent to the site of the original Mattei’s Tavern from around 1886.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by James Baigrie
Slated to open in winter 2022, THE INN AT MATTEI’S TAVERN, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION, occupies a historic stagecoach stop in Los Olivos, adjacent to the site of the original Mattei’s Tavern from around 1886. The new property will include 67 guest rooms and cottages that evoke storied Central Coast ranches, farms, and vineyards. Awaiting guests are an outdoor pool with cabanas and a poolside bar called The Shed, a signature spa, and indoor-outdoor event spaces, as well as five venues for daylong dining. Mornings might begin with coffee and freshly baked goods from Felix Feed & Coffee—named for Felix Mattei, the old tavern’s owner—while nights might be capped at The Bar with moody, Western saloon-inspired cocktails.
“The historic cottages at Mattei’s, both historic and the face of the project from Los Olivos, were a unique challenge,” says Ryan Mills, principal designer with DMHA Architecture + Interior Design who worked with Auberge. “It was crucially important to find exactly the right balance to rehabilitate the architecture while elevating the guest experience suitable for a luxurious wine-country resort.”
Dinner at The Tavern, the jewel of the resort’s culinary crown, will be directed by Filipino-American executive chef Rhoda Magbitang, whose kitchen creds include work with chefs Suzanne Goin and José Andrés, as well as executive-chef stints at West Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont and Petit Ermitage. The Tavern will feature California ranch cuisine and fresh ingredients, many of which will be harvested from the on-site garden; an extensive wine list culled from the large cellar; and cocktails incorporating house-infused spirits and botanic-driven tonics. Gin’s Tap Bar—a cozy smokehouse and bar—pays homage to the Goleta birthplace and Chinese heritage of old-time tavern chef Gin Lung Gin, with a menu that combines traditional ranch-smoking techniques with the flavors of Shanghai. 2350 Railway Ave., Los Olivos, 844-837-2999, aubergeresorts.com/matteistavern
