Dennis Schaefer, wine writer for the Santa Barbara News-Press, has written a very flattering article about us and the winery. Normally we would provide a link to the page but, although a subscriber to the News-Press, I could not access it. It does require registration and I am sure someone with more patience can manage it. The article appeared Thursday, May 24, 2007.

Dennis Schaefer writes — “It sometimes amuses me when people start planning a wine touring and tasting adventure to the North County without first checking out what’s right in their own backyard, the “urban” wineries. Santa Barbara has half a dozen tasting rooms within city limits, right down the street from where you live, work or shop. Some are week-end only affairs, but the grandaddy of them all, the Santa Barbara Winery, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Proprietor Pierre Lafond began his operation (two blocks from the beach, at 202 Anacapa St.) back in 1962; in fact, on the south wall of the tasting room, you can read a now-yellowed News-Press article about the winery’s first crush and how it seemed a novelty at the time. Forty-five years later, Mr. Lafond is a pioneer in our region. Another interesting fact is that he was among the first vintners to plant grapes in what is known as Santa Rita Hills, currently one of the coolest regions in all of California to source grapes.

So when I go to the Santa Barbara Winery and tasting room, I feel like I am genuflecting at the altar of wine history. I gaze into the barrel room and believe I am connecting with the past. And, of course, being able to taste the new releases is a swell thing to do there, too. On my recent (anonymous) visit this is what I tasted…”

He goes on to describe many of the wines he tasted. Full disclosure: I have never met or spoken to Mr. Schaefer. The Email I sent him, thanking him, doesn’t count.