Monthly Archive for August, 2008

Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir dinner menu

Published
by
joanie
on August 24, 2008
in Joanie Hudson, Lafond Winery, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara Winery and Wine and Food Pairing
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As I previously mentioned, Santa Barbara’s SpiritLand Bistro hosts a Wednesday Wine and Dine Social on the last Wednesday of each month.  Each dinner has a speaker that is an expert on the night’s designated varietal (either a winemaker, a distributor, etc.).  October 6, our assistant winemaker Ryan will be representing Lafond Winery and Santa Barbara Winery and speaking about Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.  

This will actually be held on a Monday night because there is such a huge crowd in town interested in attending an SRH Pinot dinner that they will be holding two (one at the end of September).  I received the menu (which we will likely get a paper copy of in the winery if you’re interested in taking another look), and it screams for pinot to pair with it.

First Course: Assorted Gourmet Cheeses (chosen to go with the wines)

Second Course: -Rustic wild mushroom tart

Third Course: -Salmon with balsamic & red wine reduction, potato gratin, & vegetable medley

Fourth Course: -Mixed berry crumble

The mixed berry crumble will likely be paired with a dessert wine that is TBA.  $45 includes tax and tip for four-course organic meal. Bring a bottle to share that matches the theme - no corkage fee! If you are interested, or if you have any questions at all about the event, call Spiritland Bistro at 805-966-7799.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Wine Spectator Highlights The Central Coast

Published
by
joanie
on August 20, 2008
in Articles on Wine and Vineyards, Joanie Hudson and Lafond Winery
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Wine Spectator is by far my favorite wine magazine.  The glossy pages, the clean layout, beautiful pictures, interesting articles and skilled writing. It’s worth a subscription if you are into wine.  This month their feature article spans the middle of the magazine with stories and articles on wine and cheese pairing.  This is something that is written about over and over again, but I always find something new with each article I read.  

Right now their website has a great feature story in the wine country travel section on the Central Coast.  The article is titled ‘Cutting Edge wineries, enticing restaurants, and wide open spaces’ by Daniel Sogg.  Highlighted viticultural areas are Santa Barbara, Arroyo Grande and the Edna Valley, Paso Robles, and Monterey’s Santa Lucia Highlands (which should not be confused with Napa or Sonoma).  Sogg discusses the Santa Barbara region as having “the richest array of dining and lodging.”  Lafond Winery is mentioned as one of a few of the tasting rooms in the Santa Rita Hills Appellation.  

To see the full article…

 Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Attention Santa Barbara Winery Wine Club Members

Published
by
joanie
on August 19, 2008
in Joanie Hudson and Wine Club
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When we sent out the May wine club shipment I could not believe that we would have three full months before we did it again.  It seemed like an infinite amount of time - just like the feeling we all used to have back on the brink of childhood summer vacation.  September is just over a week away (not to mention harvest) so we are just getting the rusty wheels turning here at the winery as we get organized.  

If you have any address or credit card changes please contact us now so that we can have all of your updated information in time to process everything.  We now have a place on the website where you can make these changes.  You can also call us at 805-963-3633.  You can expect your shipment to come more towards the end of the month instead of the beginning as some states are still pretty hot in September.  Pick up members - we will send you a postcard notifying you as to when your shipment will be ready so keep an eye out!  This also gives you an excuse to come taste for free (did I twist your arm?).

Finally, keep in mind that somebody over the age of 21 will need to be home to sign for the wine.  Fedex will not deliver without an adult signature.  We are in the process of collecting everybody’s emails as we send out a notification letting you know when to expect delivery.  If we don’t have your email address, or you haven’t been getting those emails, please contact us so that we can get you in the system.  This prevents missed deliveries, and it is easy for us to reschedule for a day that is more convenient for you. 

If you ever have any other questions or concerns please feel free to get in touch via phone or email.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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AIWF at The Cultured Abalone Farm

Published
by
joanie
on August 18, 2008
in Joanie Hudson, Special Events and Wine and Food Pairing
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Yesterday I attended an event organized by the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) at Santa Barbara’s own Cultured Abalone Farm.  This was the 4th Annual Tour and Tasting at the farm that the esteemed national organization has put together.  AIWF’s mission statement is to “enhance the quality of life through education about what we eat and drink.” With this in mind, they organize artisan food gatherings, winemaker dinners, and exclusive wine tastings for their members and guests, to name a few.  At the core of these events is the educational element, which is really where wine and food appreciation comes into play.  

Guests of the abalone event were first guided through the farm where we learned how abalone are bred, grown, processed, and marketed commercially.  Local restaurants such as Square One and The Wine Cask are just two clients who go directly to the source to obtain the freshest abalone.  We got to take a look at the “specialty market” tanks, which held abalone three times the size of commercially market standard size (which looked like it was about 3 inches in diameter).  The specialty market abalone are coveted by sushi chefs throughout the southern and central California coast.  After our tour we enjoyed a three course luncheon, which included a cooking demonstration by Chef Michael Hutchings, set up in the middle of the harvesting tanks.  The abalone was lightly breaded with granulated flour (which I learned doesn’t clump) and served with roussanne (2007 Jaffurs Roussanne - a classic pairing).  The shellfish and the richness of the rhone varietal white went together seamlessly.  

If you have an interest in food and wine, AIWF is worth looking into.  The organization has 25 chapters in major cities across the U.S., and over 4000 members.  

Cultured Abalone Farm (9580 Dos Pueblos Cyn Rd. 805-685-1956)

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Moms In Motion at Santa Barbara Winery

Published
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joanie
on August 15, 2008
in Joanie Hudson, Santa Barbara Winery and Special Events
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Last night Santa Barbara Winery hosted a benefit for Heal the Ocean put on by Mom’s In Motion, which is a social network connecting Moms through fitness and philanthropy.  What began in 1999 as a group of Moms training together to complete a local triathalon is now a global network with members all over the world.  Each MIM team supports a local philanthropy in their community.  

A $30 ticket helped to raise funds for Heal the Ocean, but the real money raiser was the silent auction held at white linen tablecloth covered tables in the barrel room.  Heal the Ocean is a very relevant charity for those of us Santa Barbara locals as its main concern is keeping the ocean clean.  The organization focuses on wastewater infrastructure - sewers and septic systems (ie. reduction in use of septics and elimination of ocean dumping).  

Trips to Mexico, Jaqua bath product gift baskets, and personalized initial necklaces made by our neighbor and owner of the Italian Pottery Outlet (19 Helena Ave.), were auctioned off while guests nibbled on hors d’oeuvres and sipped wine from our tasting list. Wines poured included our 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, 2006 Chardonnay, 2007 Rose of Syrah, 2005 Sangiovese, 2006 Syrah, and 2005 Lagrein.  The Sauvignon Blanc and the Sangiovese were most popular among guests.

With harvest coming up in September we will not have access to the barrel room for events as the grapes are top priority, but these summertime events are fun to do while we can.  If you are interested in hosting private events in our facility call the tasting room to schedule (805-963-3633). 

Moms in Motion

Heal the Ocean

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery.

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Weekly Sundowner Specials at Pierre Lafond Bistro

Published
by
joanie
on August 14, 2008
in Joanie Hudson and Restaurant News
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The Pierre Lafond Bistro (516 State St.) has introduced “Weekly Sundowner Specials” to their menu, which are offered from 5-7pm Sunday-Wednesday.  It is now one of the few places in town offering a happy hour that extends throughout most of the week as opposed to just one day.  

The Sundowner Special includes:

House Salad or Small Caesar Salad

Chicken, Salmon, Steak, or Pasta (from the menu, listed below)

Ice Cream, Sorbet, or Glass of House Wine

25.00

Shelton Farms Chicken Scallopini with spinach, wild mushrooms, roast garlic, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, white wine, and capers (regular menu, 18.00)

Grilled Organic Salmon with artichoke, corn native tomatoes, summer greens, and dijon glaze (21.00 regular menu)

Grilled Marinated Bistro Steak with roasted baby potatoes, sun dried tomatoes, arugula and tuscan salsa verde (21.00 regular menu)

Fusilli Pasta with smoked chicken, sun dried tomatoes, olives, pine nuts, basil pesto, fresh parmesean, and drizzled with local olive oil (17.00 regular menu)

Wild Mushroom Sacchetti Pasta with exotic mushrooms, sweet garlic, tomatoes, spinach, pea shoots, and Santa Barbara Chardonnay sauce (18.00 regular menu)

With plenty of options available for such a great price you can make everybody happy, especially the person paying the bill!

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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U Gallery presents ASKenya

Published
by
joanie
on August 11, 2008
in Joanie Hudson, Other News, Santa Barbara Winery and Special Events
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Salon U (1719 State St.) will be hosting an evening of art, music, food & drinks on Saturday August 16 to premiere a new trans-continental collection of photographs by Teri Gabrielson.  Santa Barbara Winery will be sponsoring the event along with a few other local businesses, such as Crushcakes Cupcakery.  The pictures were shot in Kenya and Santa Barbara with exquisite framing and lighting.  If you miss the opening you can still see the display through mid-October.  All proceeds will go to Africa Schools of Kenya (ASK), which is an educational curriculum for Kenyan children designed to increase awareness on critical global issues. Aloko So will perform West African drumming at the event, which will run from 6-10pm. 
Salon U 1719 State St. Santa Barbara
805-898-8962
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