The Wild West Coast
Welcoming cowpokes and buckaroos for 80 years
Welcoming cowpokes and buckaroos for 80 years
An hour north of Santa Barbara, family-owned Alisal Ranch opened its doors—and its hearts—to guests in 1946.
Written by David Nash
Photography by Talia Helvey
After its opening to the public in 1946, the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age—including Doris Day, Kirk Douglas, Ava Gardner, and Gregory Peck—booked stays there. Clark Gable married his fourth wife, British socialite Lady Sylvia Ashley, on the property three years later. And during an early visit, Walt Disney may have even found inspiration for his future family-friendly theme park. The place was ALISAL RANCH, just 36 miles north of Santa Barbara, in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley.
Families have always enjoyed the property’s amenities
The Ranch has epitomized the spirit of the American West for generations of visitors since it began welcoming guests 80 years ago. Since then, the 10,500-acre property has expanded from accommodations for 30 people—with several barns and some rodeo fields—to a city slicker’s off-the-grid paradise that includes a championship par-72, 18-hole golf course, tennis and pickleball courts, a private lake, and trails for horseback riding that span more than 50 miles against a backdrop of golden hills and sycamore groves that cocoon the canyon floor.
a foldout of a 1947 brochure that showcases activities, events, and accoutrements
Purchased by Ann and Charles Pete Jackson Jr. in 1943, the property is still owned and operated by the family and, apart from its impressive roster of resort activities, continues to function as a working cattle ranch.
“Alisal is part of my DNA,” says third-generation owner and CEO Jim Jackson. “It’s where a large part of our family’s history is rooted and where we’ve been lucky enough to welcome generations of other families into our own.” Featuring 73 guest cottages and suites—each outfitted with authentic western flair and intentionally void of telephones and televisions—Alisal Ranch invites genuine connections to nature and offers the opportunity to slow down and unplug.
In celebration of its 80th anniversary this year, the ranch has conceived several limited-edition collaborations and experiences, including The 1946 Legacy Package, an ultra-exclusive, expertly curated two-night stay for six adults at the private Jackson House. Symbolically priced at $19,460, the getaway includes daily meals and libations, a candlelight dinner in the historic home’s library, a “Wild at Dusk: Birds & Bourbon” event complete with falconry and a whiskey tasting, a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Santa Ynez Valley, a group horseback ride, and plenty of signature mementos.
Rodeo at Alisal Ranch Rodeo Field.
“[This] has always been a place where generations come together to disconnect from the modern world and connect with the spirit of the American West,” general manager David Merklinger says. “This 80th anniversary is not just a celebration of our past but a tribute to the incredible community, the land, and the loyal guests who continue to shape our legacy every day.”
A new book celebrates the ranch’s history
Commemorating the place’s enduring history, which stretches back to the mid-19th century, there’s a new coffee-table book, Alisal Ranch: 175 Years of Ranch History ($75), celebrating the resort’s heritage, landscape, and lasting spirit. “Reaching 80 years is an incredible milestone, but at the end of the day, we’re still just trying to do what my parents wanted: protect this beautiful piece of the West and make sure everyone who visits feels like they’re part of the family,” Jackson says. 1054 Alisal Rd., Solvang, alisalranch.com
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Play It Again!
It was a grand night for singing when Audra McDonald took to the stage at the Music Academy of the West’s 2026 Music Note Gala on Friday, August 24.
The Music Academy of the West wraps its festival season and looks to the future
Written by Joan Tapper
Photography by David Mendoza III
It was a grand night for singing when Audra McDonald—winner of multiple Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards—took to the stage at the Music Academy of the West’s 2026 Music Note Gala on Friday, August 24. With her soaring soprano and charming personal asides, and backed by a jazzy trio that included her music director, Andy Einhorn, she wowed the audience with a playlist that ranged from “I Am What I Am,” “Summertime,” and “Make Someone Happy” to a heartfelt combo lullaby of “Children Will Listen” and “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.” It was a joyful coda to a supremely successful 79th Summer Music Festival, which had ended a week earlier.
But the occasion also recognized the extraordinary generosity of Cheryl Goldberg, whose landmark $20 million gift for the Muse, MAW’s forthcoming downtown music education center, promises yearlong programming and ever more opportunities for talented youthful musicians. Goldberg, who made the donation in honor of her late husband, Mike, noted that she wanted to approach philanthopy in a new way: “Give big, make a big impact, and think outside the box,” she has said.
“Cheryl believed in the Muse before there was anything to see,” said Shauna Quill, president and CEO of MAW. “This is our chance to say thank you.”
It was also a chance for some 450 patrons to enjoy a delightfully breezy evening on the expansive polo field at the Bella Vista estate in Summerland, where the gala began with tastes of Royal Daurenki caviar from Petrossian, flutes of Champagne or signature cocktails, and passed hors d’oeuvres catered by Seasons. A scale model of the Muse’s innovative architecture—the work of architect Lawrence Scarpa of Brooks Scarpa Huber—offered a tantalizing glimpse of what will be performing spaces, rehearsal halls, and facilities for MAW’s Vocal Institute and its children’s Sing! program.
After the sit-down dinner, auctioneer Jim Nye conducted a spirited paddle raise that contributed to the record $1.2 million that the fundraiser brought in to support the festival’s scholarships, masterclasses, community tickets, and more.
As Audra McDonald ended her concert with the inspiring “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” accompanied by 10 members of Sing!, you couldn’t help but be assured that the fellows and teachers of the Music Academy will be scaling new heights, not only during next year’s 80th anniversary season but also for decades to come.
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Fashion Frontier
Lela Rose, with its blend of elegant dresses and western-inspired Ranch collections, seems tailor-made for Montecito
Western is certainly having a moment
Lela Rose’s new boutique designed with Studio DB combines ready-to-wear and Ranch collections with accessories and home design items.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Photography by Sara Prince, Alexa Vitug
LELA ROSE, with its blend of elegant dresses and western-inspired Ranch collections, seems tailor-made for Montecito, but the designer’s new boutique at The Post is her first foray into California. Rose, who was raised in Texas and studied painting and sculpture in Colorado before landing at Parsons School of Design in New York, has an eye for color and embellishment in her ready-to-wear fashion.
Her new boutique, reflecting the West Coast’s indoor-outdoor architectural style, was designed in partnership with Studio DB and is decorated with her signature lasso motif. The space includes a dried-flower installation by Tedde Minogue of floral design studio Scenery and handmade metal birds in tribute to the region’s bird reserve—and avian motifs frequently turn up in the lush prints included in her collections. 1807 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, lelarose.com
Samantha Wennerstrom x Beek suede moccasin loafers, $350
beekshop.com
The Great joins Alisal Ranch with some exclusive apparel from their collection. thisisthegreat.com
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Earth Works
A Cole Sternberg installation launches Presqu’ile Winery as an art hub
A Cole Sternberg installation launches Presqu’ile Winery as an art hub
the artist and his wife, Kelsey Lee Offield
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Photography by Anya Mcinroy
“The landscape itself is part of Sternberg’s palette.”
A concrete bunker at PRESQU’ILE WINERY in the Santa Maria Valley merging built and natural environments holds conceptual artist Cole Sternberg’s new installation, along the high embankments. The show—a series of paintings by the Santa Ynez–based creative, whose ractice is centered around environmental forces and the effect of time—launches as part of a multiyear collaboration between Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) and the Central Coast winery. The landscape itself is part of Sternberg’s palette: He buries canvases in soils and exposes them to the elements, highlighting nature’s power and the ephemerality of the work. 5391 Presquile Dr., Santa Maria, nomadicdivision.org
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Italy In The ‘Hood
Montecito’s Upper Village is becoming a foodie corridor again, as chef Luca Crestanelli of S.Y. Kitchen takes over the former Via Vai space. Crestanelli, a co-owner of ANCORA OSTERIA
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Nick Shamblott
“The intention for Ancora was to create a space that feels warm, collected, and timeless,” according to Jacob Gerhardt and Blair Moritz, the design duo behind the restaurant’s renewal. “Natural materials and an emphasis on craftsmanship form the foundation, while vintage lighting, art, and carefully chosen pieces bring a sense of history and character, as though the room has evolved organically over time.”
Montecito’s Upper Village is becoming a foodie corridor again, as chef Luca Crestanelli of S.Y. Kitchen takes over the former Via Vai space. Crestanelli, a co-owner of ANCORA OSTERIA, has imported his signature Roman-style pinsa for the opening menu, including a margherita and a blistered cherry-tomato pie, but expect heartier mains and formal dishes at this sit-down restaurant. Described as a sister spot to S.Y. Kitchen and Nella Kitchen in Los Olivos, Ancora includes thoughtful touches like small mains for kids—simple butter or pomodoro pasta—alongside bone-in ribeye and grilled pork chops with fennel. Seared yellowfin tuna and prosciutto with stracciatella round out the starters; a fresh pasta section is crowned by francobolli with short-rib ragú and ricotta salata. The wine list emphasizes both Italian producers and local growers from Santa Ynez Valley, continuing Chef Crestanelli’s hallmark of combining California products and Italian vintages. 1483 East Valley Rd., Montecito, ancoraosteria.com
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Main Events
Explore standout wedding and event venues across the Santa Ynez Valley
The family-owned ranch is nestled in the Purisima Hills.
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick
Photographs by Willie Kessel, Haley Otis, Madeline Tolle
Just minutes from Los Alamos is LAS CUMBRES RANCH, a 1,000-acre working cattle ranch and event venue managed using holistic and regenerative practices that enhance biodiversity, restore the land, and reflect a deep respect for the environment. With eight distinct spaces across the property—including an event lawn, wildflower garden, spring-fed pond, modern event barn, and a vintage barn built in 1890—Las Cumbres has a setting to suit every style. The ranch can accommodate as many as 300 seated guests, with flexible layouts and multiday options available. “We take a holistic approach to everything we do—socially, economically, environmentally—which means we work with nature first,” says ranch manager Stefan Selbert. 1450 State Rte. 135, Santa Maria, lascumbresranch.com
The pond at Refugio Ranch Vineyards
REFUGIO RANCH VINEYARDS may be known for its grapevines, but it’s also one of the most private wedding ceremony spots in the Santa Ynez Valley. The 415-acre estate features oak-studded hillsides, a tranquil pond, and expansive views of the region. Refugio Ranch can accommodate up to 120 guests for ceremonies up to two hours. For those looking to expand the celebration, sister property ROBLAR WINERY offers two reception venues: the tasting room and nearby Roblar Farm. Situated on 18 acres, the latter charms with its organic gardens, vine-covered pergola, and sleek black event barn, ideal for year-round receptions. With space for up to 300 guests, along with on-site overnight accommodations for 28, the farm is a true all-in-one venue. roblarwinery.com
The 50-acre WHITE OWL RANCH is a hidden gem in Santa Barbara wine country. Framed by 100-year-old oak trees and 26 acres of vineyards, at the heart of the property is a rustic event barn, where weathered character meets modern amenities like a full bar, refrigeration, and a bathroom. The estate is home to a beautifully appointed main house and two guest cottages, along with a pool, jacuzzi, tennis court, two pickleball courts, and a bocce court—all the essentials for a laid-back, multiday gathering in the Santa Ynez Valley. whiteowlranch.com
Rustic Roots
Available for rental, Santa Ynez Valley’s idyllic AMARA RANCH showcases the work of Montecito interior designer and owner Birgit Klein. @amararanch
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Living Legacy
Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center opens, honoring indigenous culture in Southern California.
An interior view of one of the museum’s domes that recall traditional Chumash dwellings.
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
Photographs by Patrick W. Price
New Architecture on Indigenous
Lands (University of Minnesota Press, $75).
The indigenous Chumash people have inhabited Southern California for millennia, and their territory encompasses the counties of Kern, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Now the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has opened a museum specifically dedicated to Chumash culture. The 14,000-square-foot SANTA YNEZ CHUMASH MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER, designed by the Seattle-based firm of Jones & Jones Architects, is anchored by two iconic giant domes that visually recall the traditional Chumash dwellings known as tule 'ap, while the surrounding property includes a 3.5-acre cultural park landscaped with native plant species. The museum showcases more than 24,000 historically items donated by tribal members, acquired from institutions and collectors, or commissioned from artists and artisans. 3500 Numancia St., Santa Ynez, sychumashmuseum.org
Mountain High
One of the year's most anticipated restaurant openings, Little Mountain, is celebrating its namesake small village with a world of personality.
Upper Village has a new culinary star
Written by Charlotte Bryant
Photography by Kort Havens
One of the year's most anticipated restaurant openings, Little Mountain, is celebrating its namesake small village with a world of personality. Owners Graham Duncan and Eva Schreier (Hacienda Los Milagros and Smith Fork Ranch) found inspiration in the idea of a not-so-sleepy gathering space that reflects the local community in all aspects of its look, feel, and flavor. The former Wine Bistro space in the Upper Village has been completely re-envisioned to feel like stepping into a modern hacienda—with a bar that begs for a leisurely hangout. The large patio and 14-seat private dining room, which have been elegantly appointed by designer Andrew Cosbie, allude to the many historic properties and signature Spanish Colonial look that feels woven into the fabric of Montecito. A custom wood-fired hearth is the centerpiece of the kitchen, where Chilean-born chef Diego Moya (who comes to Montecito by way of New York) has embraced the abundance of local produce. Moya employs focused preparations that highlight vegetables at their peak, plating exciting textures and less familiar combinations through dishes like spiny lobster with Tokyo turnip and chrysanthemum or beef tartare with grilled tomato. The locavore sensibility even extends to the walls with work from artist Meredith Abbott Brooks and a sustainably sourced small-producer wine list. 516 San Ysidro Rd., Montecito; littlemountainsb.com
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Bounty of Riches
Massimo Falsini, the steward of the Rosewood Miramar Beach’s culinary offerings since 2018, has joined forces with the hotel’s recently arrived director of wine, Rob Smits.
A selection from local wine producers
Written by Caitlin White
Photographs Courtesy of Rosewood Miramar Beach
Massimo Falsini, the steward of the ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH’s culinary offerings since 2018, has joined forces with the hotel’s recently arrived director of wine, Rob Smits, to launch an exclusive dinner series featuring selections from local winemakers and farmers to showcase the bounty of the Central Coast. Appropriately dubbed Bounty, the series emphasizes a relaxed setting and communal dining. Smits’ wine pairings will feature the people behind each local wine producer, showcasing their pours by pairing them with excellent salads and pizzas prepared in the wood-fired oven at Massimo’s Garden, a new pop-up venue at the Miramar. 1759 S. Jameson La., Montecito, rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito
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Fashion in Motion
Fashion, dance, photography, and fine art all came together on October 15, as luxe fashion brand Merlette collaborated with Move With Purpose.
Moving with Purpose at Art & Soul
Written by Joan Tapper
Fashion, dance, photography, and fine art all came together on October 15, as luxe fashion brand Merlette collaborated with Move With Purpose to raise funds for that nonprofit’s mission of empowering marginalized communities through dance and the arts. The organization advances children’s chances for success by using the arts to instill confidence and teach leadership, resilience, life skills, and philanthropy.
The immersive event took place at the Art and Soul Gallery in downtown Santa Barbara, with an exhibit of sponsor Lily Hahn Shining’s photography of Move With Purpose dancers presented as muses in Merlette’s signature silhouettes. Guests were also invited to explore Merlette’s collection of elegant, sophisticated apparel.
Along with ticket sales and donations from the event, a portion of October earnings from the Montecito boutique were earmarked for Move With Purpose, and a live auction of paintings by artist Pedro De La Cruz added to the proceeds, which will fund dance classes for local youth, ensuring their access to programs that foster creativity, confidence, and leadership through the arts.
“At Merlette, we believe fashion can be a catalys for meaningful change,” said founder Marina Cortbawi. “This collaboration with Move With Purpose exemplifies how art and design can uplift communities, provide access to opportunity, and inspire the next generation.”
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The Storyteller
In a sunlit studio in Santa Barbara, artist and actor Loan Chabanol lets her paintbrush do the talking.
Written by Amelia Fleetwood
Portraits by Cristina Trayfors
In a sunlit studio in Santa Barbara, artist and actor LOAN CHABANOL lets her paintbrush do the talking. “Painting feels like breathing,” she says. “It’s how I process things I don’t yet have words for.”A storyteller in every sense, the French-born Chabanol works from instinct, layering acrylic across canvas with the insistence of someone who must tell her story. Raised between Paris and the south of France, Chabanol left school at 15, launching a successful career in modeling, which later led to acting. Yet it has always been painting that satisfied her most deeply. “I’ve been honing my craft for years,” she says. “With no formal training, there are no rules to my creativity, and I feel I have a sense of freedom, with no limits. I have always painted, because I had an urgent need to communicate my feelings, and this always felt like the easiest way. I had to paint. It’s like breathing.”
Her work, figurative and abstract, and often including an immersive aspect for the viewer, is shaped by emotion as well as the environment the work sits in. “The gallery or the space always influences what comes,” she says. Recent shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara (at the Tamsen Gallery) have carved her a quiet niche. Paris is next. “It feels like time to come home,” she says. When she’s not on a film set—her new movie will hit festivals later this year—or preparing for an exhibition, Chabanol takes private commissions, working closely with collectors to create intimate, intuitive work that speaks where language might fail. mikagirlstudio.com
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Dia de Diwali
This October, Michelin-recognized Bibi Ji and the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara joined forces for a Supper Club to benefit the museum.
A spicy dinner duet for MCASB
This October, Michelin-recognized Bibi Ji and the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara joined forces for a Supper Club to benefit the museum. The private dinner celebrated the cultural holidays of Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) through an exploration of 500 years of culinary dialogue between Mexico and India.
Chef Bany Vargas and Bibi Ji Owner Alejandro Medina collaborated on a menu combining the modern Indian flavors of Bibi Ji with Vargas’s Oaxacan influence, sourcing ingredients from local farmers’ markets for several weeks. The resulting dishes featured flavorful and fanciful mashups such as butter chicken tacos served on heirloom pink corn tortillas, Oaxacan guacamole with tlayudas tostadas, Bibi Ji's 5-spice chile atole, and more. Bibi Ji 1213 State St. Ste. B, bibijisb.com MCASB 653 Paseo Nuevo, mcasantabarbara.org
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Botanical Bliss
Visiting the new Strange Family Vineyards tasting room in downtown Los Olivos feels like stepping into a secret garden.
Written by Gabe Saglie
Visiting the new STRANGE FAMILY VINEYARDS tasting room in downtown Los Olivos feels like stepping into a secret garden. The decor, which includes original paintings, cozy lighting, and artsy artifacts that give off a botanical vibe, is reminiscent of a sophisticated apothecary. The real stars are the wines, made by Jessica Gasca. The Chablis-inspired Chardonnays are subtly creamy and fresh, whereas the Pinot Noirs are fruit-forward and savory. The sparkling wines are getting buzz as some of the most refined in Santa Barbara County.
Garden patterns and time-weathered artifacts give the new tasting room a whimsical vibe.
All the fruit comes from the family’s 20-acre vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, which is farmed sustainably and regeneratively. The tasting room features a wine-and-chocolate-truffle pairing, a midweek happy hour, and an evening culinary party on the last Saturday of every month. The menu of zero-proof cocktails helps make this spot an extra family-friendly stop. 2933 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, strangefamilyvineyards.com
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Local Libations
Alberto Battaglini of Verona, Italy, has reopened Pony Espresso as Pony Cocktails + Kitchen with chef Jonny McDermott at the helm.
Pony Cocktails + Kitchen is now serving signature drinks
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Emmanuelle Pickett
Alberto Battaglini of Verona, Italy, has reopened Pony Espresso as PONY COCKTAILS + KITCHEN with chef Jonny McDermott at the helm. Instant classics like the porcini doughnuts, with a side of creamy Italian fonduta (melted mascarpone and fontina) for dunking, work incredibly well with Battaglini’s intricately crafted cocktails. Special drinks like a seasonal watermelon margarita—which can also be made with gin—are ideal for early evenings in the Valley. Guests can also expect classics like Sazeracs and old-fashioneds, along with creations like the Damn Bird, with gin, cucumber, basil, bergamotto, and green salt. The dinner menu stands out with rotating seasonal pasta dishes and staples like steak frites, brick chicken, and locally caught fish. 3558 Sagunto St., Ste. A, Santa Ynez, pony-cocktailskitchen-106136.square.site
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Going Nuts
There’s a lot on offer at Drovers Doughnuts, which is owned and operated by Loren Ollenburger and his wife, Sarah.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Erin Feinblatt
There’s a lot on offer at DROVERS DOUGHNUTS, which is owned and operated by Loren Ollenburger and his wife, Sarah. Think breakfast and lunch sandwiches on savory baked “everything” doughnuts that are packed with eggs and bacon or sausage, chicken parmesan, or shredded pork; and decadent cake shakes that combine the fried dough with ice cream. But there are plenty of the namesake pastries, too—glazed, sugar, and maple—plus apple fritters that frequently sell out. 484 First St., Solvang, droversdoughnuts.com
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Ciao, Valley
STICA has settled into Santa Ynez as the grab-and-go counterpart to sister restaurant S.Y. Kitchen.
Pinsa by the slice is a popular takeout item.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Bri Burkett, Sister B Studios
chef Luca Crestanelli
STICA has settled into Santa Ynez as the grab-and-go counterpart to sister restaurant S.Y. Kitchen. Both concepts by chef Luca Crestanelli focus on Italian-leaning cuisine with local ingredients, supremely fresh produce, and careful sourcing, and Stica is the place to stock up on takeout snacks and curated kitchen essentials. Wine-country visitors looking for a casual snack or a savory nibble between tasting-room visits can rely on the prepared-food menu, which includes perfectly gooey paninis and hearty salads. Also in stock: dry goods and pantry staples like pastas, olive oil, peppers, sauces, and soups for preparing a feast of your own at home. 3563 Numancia St., Ste. 104, Santa Ynez, @stica_sy
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Royal Roast
There goes the little king,” says Ryan Dobosh, owner of Buellton’s bright new coffee shop, as his toddler son, Roger, bursts into the kitchen with his mother, Grace Gates.
The spacious, sunny interiors at the original location—later this year, Little King will open a second location at The Post in Montecito
Written by Caitlin White
Photographs by Elisenda Farison
“There goes the little king,” says Ryan Dobosh, owner of Buellton’s bright new coffee shop, as his toddler son, Roger, bursts into the kitchen with his mother, Grace Gates. Together the husband-and-wife duo run LITTLE KING COFFEE, a stylish space designed with the community in mind that has quickly become a stop for travelers passing through, too. Serving pastries and baked goods from Wayward Baking in Los Osos, plus excellent drip coffee, tea, and espresso, the welcoming venue is tucked into the corner of a strip mall just off Highway 101. 290 Valley Station, Ste. 101, Buellton, littlekingcoffee.com
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Artistic Blends
Creativity takes center stage at the new Artiste Winery & Gallery in historic Santa Ynez.
Written by Gabe Saglie
Creativity takes center stage at the new ARTISTE WINERY & GALLERY in historic Santa Ynez. Here, the wines are inspired by art: paintings and photographs by regional artists that grace both the bottles and the walls. Winemaker Bion Rice pushes his own creative boundaries with unique blends—think Pinot Noir and Grenache—and hosts workshops that allow guests to do the same. “It can be a romantic thing, blending as a way to get to know each other’s tastes and have something to open years from now as a reminder of their experience,” he says. “[The wines] also make great gifts.”
The tasting room features a rotating gallery and can serve as a private event space, while the sprawling outdoor patio along Edison Street is a great people-watching spot. Pop the cork on “True Blue,” a 2023 Pinot Noir blend with label artwork Messenger #4 by our cover artist David Florimbi that honors Santa Barbara Magazine’s 50th anniversary. 1095A Edison St., Santa Ynez, artiste.com
Wild Horses: A true blue toast to our 50th!
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Steward of the Land
Twenty years ago, Dale Hampton, the pioneer Santa Barbara County grape grower, planted 20 acres of Syrah near Los Olivos
The 20-acre Living Life Vineyard is also vintner Paula Tabalipa’s backyard.
Written by Gabe Saglie
Photography by Karina Spritze, Jeremy Ball
Twenty years ago, Dale Hampton, the pioneer Santa Barbara County grape grower, planted 20 acres of Syrah near Los Olivos. It was a visionary move back then: No one was planting Syrah in the area. But the gamble would pay off, as the vines ultimately began producing grapes that are considered world-class. Today, the vineyard has a new name—Living Life—and the woman who owns it takes her role as caretaker very seriously.
“I’ve got history in my hands,” says Paula TABALIPA, who launched her eponymous wine brand when she and her husband, Skechers cofounder and president Michael Greenberg, acquired the vineyard in 2018.
Living Life, part of the couple’s Santa Ynez Valley home, is farmed sustainably. Their own grapes go into the Estate Syrah, a rich, luscious, elegant wine, and the aromatic and fresh No. 1 Rosé. The lively Sauvignon Blanc is made from organic grapes from the Happy Canyon AVA.
Winemaker Brandon Sparks-Gillis helms production, although Tabalipa is proudly hands-on, with various enology courses under her belt. Living Life is “fueling a passion,” she says, “so I’m going as deep as I can.” tabalipawineco.com
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History and Craft
In the heart of downtown Santa Ynez, a 100-year-old barn that once housed a saddle shop has found new life as The Hardt—a design studio, workshop, and event venue.
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick
Photographs by Emmanuelle Pickett
In the heart of downtown Santa Ynez, a 100-year-old barn that once housed a saddle shop has found new life as THE HARDT—a design studio, workshop, and event venue. Interior designer Blair Moritz and furniture maker Jacob Gerhardt have reimagined the space, preserving its historic frame while infusing it with a mix of antique art and vintage furnishings curated by Moritz and custom pieces handcrafted on-site by Gerhardt. Says Gerhardt, “When a place holds this much history, you feel it. It reminds you why craftsmanship matters.” The space also serves as a venue for intimate get-togethers, musical performances, and artistic events. “It’s a gathering place for creativity and connection—warm, inviting, and inspiring,” says Moritz. 3580 Manzana St., Santa Ynez,
@thehardtstudio
