Steward of the Land
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
