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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An Afternoon of Garden Delights
Lotusland Acknowledges Three Decades of Horticultural Achievement.
Lotusland Acknowledges Three Decades of Horticultural Achievement
Written by Joan Tapper | Photography by Elizabeth Messina and Isaac Hernandez
It was truly a celebration of “Where the Wild Things Grow” on Saturday, July 22, when Ganna Walska Lotusland opened its grounds to patrons of its annual fundraising gala, sponsored by Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley, in memory of Marjorie Reeds McNeely, with co-chairs Joseph Marek, Ashley Adelson, Caroline Thompson, and Merryl Brown. This year the always glittering and sold-out event not only marked the 30th anniversary of public access to the world-renowned garden but also paid homage to the living collection of rare and endangered plant species on the property.
Guests began their afternoon with a stroll through the gardens, pausing along the way to strike a pose for photographer Kim Reierson, listen to the sounds of Tingsha in the Japanese Garden, marvel at Eros Biox of LA Stilt Circus, enjoy a tarot card reading by Mary Wessely, and choose seeds from the plant collection to take home.
There were botanical elixirs to sip, cocktails by The Flair Project, wine by Presqu’ile Winery, and hors d’oeuvres by Duo Catering, which also provided the gourmet al fresco dinner, with wine pairings by Antica Terra, on the Great Lawn.
After dinner, guest auctioneer Geoff Green, of the Foundation for City College—with special appearances by James Brayton Hall of the Garden Conservancy and August Bernstein of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel—led spirited bidding for six spectacular items, Among the prizes were a VIP Las Vegas Experience with Katy Perry, a one-of-a-kind jeweled pendant from Silverhorn, and an opportunity to design your own garden pergola or greenhouse with acclaimed architecture firm Shubin Donaldson.
Of course, there were other treasures growing all around, an ongoing botanical tribute to the vision and generosity of the garden’s founder, Ganna Walska herself.
Family Hours
When envisioning a sophisticated members-only club, teepee-filled playrooms and applesauce happy.
Written by Danielle Torres | Photographs by Blake Bronstad
When envisioning a sophisticated members-only club, teepee-filled playrooms and applesauce happy hours are probably not top of mind. But for Santa Barbara–based entrepreneur Erin Kanaley, the concept is one and the same. After countless less-than-relaxing outings with her young twin boys, Kanaley sought to create a space where parents can unwind and kids are free to play and explore. The result is bungalo805, Santa Barbara’s new private gathering space, which offers everything from a stylish café and bar to a media room, play pen, kitchen, and art lab. Rotating pop-in classes offer a broad range of activities, spanning family cooking workshops, music courses, fitness workouts, language lessons, storytelling, and much more. Chair massages and chiropractic adjustments are also on the menu. Kanaley sums up the concept best: “It is great for coworking, arts and crafts with your littles, a glass of wine and snack, pop-in classes, or chilling in the Boobie Lounge while cleaning your jewelry and snagging a foot massage.” Clearly, something for everyone. 28 W. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, bungalo805.com
Clockwise from top: The Play Pen keeps young ones happily corralled; nursing parents can enjoy stylish comfort in The Boobie Lounge; a glass of wine is the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon of play; The Media Room provides entertainment for all.
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Not Just Red
When it comes to flowers, the rose always takes first place. Having one named in your honor is an accolade reserved for the lucky few.
The view from Rose Story Farm.
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
When it comes to flowers, the rose always takes first place. Having one named in your honor is an accolade reserved for the lucky few. (Julia Child’s rose is butter yellow and reportedly smells like licorice.) THE COLOR OF ROSES (Ten Speed Press, $35) celebrates the queen of flowers in glorious detail. Written by Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn, a Great Rosarian of the World, and chockablock with photos by Victoria Pearson, the new book is a delightful compendium of 300 varieties organized by color.
For more than 20 years, Hahn has helmed Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria. Her book focuses primarily on roses hybridized after 1867 and offers invaluable advice about planning a rose garden and choosing varieties. The lush photographs are left unretouched on purpose, enabling readers to see the blooms as they actually exist in nature. As Hahn says, “Perfection has no place in a garden.” Available at Chaucer’s Books.
Reprinted with permission from The Color of Roses by Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn, copyright © 2023. Photographs copyright © 2023 Victoria Pearson. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.
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Color Forms
When Lissa Zwahlen needed space where she could create, she found it in Montecito.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell | Photographs by Sara Prince
When Lissa Zwahlen needed space where she could create, she found it in Montecito. Now the always inventive AQUARIUS COCKTAIL designer has shaped her 300-square-foot workroom into a boutique, complete with garments in the bold hues that define her unique women’s collections.
Along the coral-colored wall behind her worktable are racks of her latest introductions, including voluminous striped tops with ribbons, taffeta skirts, and tunics, alongside essentials such as her washed-silk T-shirts, pants, and skirts. There are also reworked vintage pieces like polos with brocade puff sleeves and army pants with tuxedo stripes. A midcentury Heywood-Wakefield dresser, an aluminum coatrack, acid yellow shelves, and bamboo chairs round out the space where the designer—a force behind Roxy, with a long career creating for Quiksilver, Gotcha, and other California brands—spends her days dreaming up the small-run designs made in downtown Los Angeles. 1152-2 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; open Friday through Monday, appointments suggested: info@aquariuscocktail.com, aqcclothing.com
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Botanical Blends
Loria Stern is known for using pressed or powdered flowers in her pioneering recipes.
Stern in the kitchen.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell | Photographs by Laurie Frankel, Lindy Lin (Portrait)
Loria Stern is known for using pressed or powdered flowers in her pioneering recipes. Her new book, EAT YOUR FLOWERS (HarperCollins, $45), is filled with stunning visuals that bring nature’s colors into culinary presentations in bold new ways. Stern credits her Ojai childhood with sparking her awareness of plants and the living world. A college course on edible and medicinal plants—which included hikes through Montecito and Santa Barbara among edible wildflowers—was equally formative.
In her hands, freeze-dried raspberries change a cake’s hue without artificial coloring, and vegetables and leafy plants like spinach are vital components in beautiful food presentations. Stalks and roots—particularly turmeric, ginger, carrots, radishes, and beets—also make their way into Stern’s creations, adding color, flavor, and health benefits to dishes or plate pairings. “My go-to sweet colorant dust is raspberry or beet powder. For savory foods, I love using turmeric,” she says. Available at Chaucer's Books.
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The Garden Path
Allie Chandler and Alvaro Rojas didn’t have to think hard to come up with a name for their new venue.
The open-air venue includes an enclosed sitting area with a cabinet repurposed as a mobile bar and a cute pantry hung with dried flowers and stocked with local treats like Pacific Pickles and Twenty-Four Blackbirds chocolates.
Written by Joan Tapper | Photographs by Sara Prince
Allie Chandler and Alvaro Rojas didn’t have to think hard to come up with a name for their new venue. THE HIDDEN GARDEN is literally that—a rustic chic venue tucked behind the Vintage Fox antique shop on Chapala. It’s perfect for cocktail mixers, small birthday parties, corporate happy hours, or baby showers, as well as pop-up dining, says Chandler, who launched Slate catering six years ago, working with Rojas, the restaurateur behind Milk and Honey.
With wooden tables, bistro chairs, and a mobile bar, “this is a very customizable space,” says Chandler. “It’s something we had on our radar, but it had to be the right fit.” 609 Chapala St., Santa Barbara, sbhiddengarden.com
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City Stay
Located directly on State Street, this building from the 1920s has been transformed by Anacapa Architecture into the drift Santa Barbara, a serene modernist escape.
Housed in a historic 1920s building, the 45-room hotel is located right on the State Street promenade.
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs by Sara Prince
Located directly on State Street, this building from the 1920s has been transformed by Anacapa Architecture into the DRIFT Santa Barbara, a serene modernist escape. With interior details built out of wood reclaimed from the building’s original structure, cool natural-toned linens, gold fixtures, and customized toiletries, the minimalist bedrooms (most of which are queen-size rooms) in this 45-key hostelry are particularly good for solo travelers. A couple of rooms feature a slightly larger footprint with king beds, and the top-floor penthouse comes with a kitchen and a balcony seating area with a firepit, perfect for hosting an in-town soirée or booking a luxurious staycation.
With no formal front desk and a digital concierge, Drift’s hospitality style is understated and technology forward. The property comes with dual food and beverage offerings on the ground floor: Dawn, a daytime coffee shop with elaborate espresso and tea drinks; and Dusk, a mezcal bar with plenty of boozy options as well as coastal-influenced bites. 524 State St., Santa Barbara, 855-721-2658, drifthotels.co
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Making Waves
Matt Titone, founder of lifestyle brand Indoek, is giving surf aficionados another reason to head to Ventura.
Surf Shacks turns to shared studio space
Reef-encrusted fins from Mark Cunningham’s installation.
Written by Danielle Torres | Photographs by Ryder Alves (found poster, window), Scott Soens (adler, cunningham, fins, gallery view, olarte), Matt Titone (opening)
“Our space will serve as an art gallery, a shared studio, and a place to gather and host events.”
Matt Titone, founder of lifestyle brand Indoek, is giving surf aficionados another reason to head to Ventura. After years of publishing Surf Shacks books, zines, and beach-town guides, the platform is diving into its newest foray with its first physical space, INDOEK GALLERY. “Our new space will serve as an art gallery, a shared studio, and a place to gather, inspire, and host events with like-minded creative folks,” says Oxnard-based Titone, who also cofounded design studio ITAL/C.
Indoek kicked off in January with a group show that included 26 local artists; later it debuted Found, a collection of art using materials from the Southern California coast and the Hawaiian Islands. This June the gallery will display works from Santa Barbara photographer Will Adler and mixed-media artist Ty Williams. Between shows, Titone is “playing with the idea of a curated surfboard swap of vintage boards by local shapers, and an artist print sale.” 432 N. Ventura Ave., Studio 30, Ventura, indoek.com
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Set Sail
Touted as the largest luxury sailing catamaran on the West Coast, the CHANNEL CAT draws all manner of revelers for lavish sails out of Santa Barbara.
Written by Danielle Torres | Photographs by Tegall Studios, Blake Bronstad, Ali Beck Photography
Touted as the largest luxury sailing catamaran on the West Coast, the CHANNEL CAT draws all manner of revelers for lavish sails out of Santa Barbara. The pearly white 85-foot vessel, which accommodates as many as 140 guests, boasts equally stunning interiors, thanks to Daryl Stegall of Stegall Studios. Owners Jen and Skip Abed recently tapped the Santa Barbara–based designer to create a “coastal, yet sophisticated vibe,” says Stegall, inspired by the surroundings. Neutral-toned custom furnishings, seagrass tables by Jamie Young, wingback chairs from Palecek, Bernhardt rattan swivel chairs, and rope furniture from Azzurro Living outfit the spacious seating areas. Brass detailing adds a touch of sophistication to textured and natural elements. “From the bow to the salon to the stern, all the design elements are seamless, giving us the flexibility to arrange the areas as is best suited for our guests,” says Jen Abed. channelcatcharters.com
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Basque in It
Tara Penke and her husband, Jaime Riesco, spent more than 20 years living in Barcelona—and still own a restaurant, Picnic, there—so it’s no surprise that their unassuming new Santa Barbara spot, GALA, is heavily influenced by coastal Spain.
Coastal Spain influences a hot new eatery
Arched shelving, banquettes, and vintage photos of 1950s Santa Barbara from the owner’s grandfather round out the decor at Gala, a charming new spot on Anacapa Street.
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs by Sara Prince
Tara Penke and her husband, Jaime Riesco, spent more than 20 years living in Barcelona—and still own a restaurant, Picnic, there—so it’s no surprise that their unassuming new Santa Barbara spot, GALA, is heavily influenced by coastal Spain. Jaime helms the kitchen and Tara handles the front of house at this mom-and-pop restaurant. For Penke, born and raised in Santa Barbara, it’s a return home, whereas Riesco was born in Santiago, Chile, and bears traces of that country’s heritage in his one-man kitchen.
A recent menu offers Spanish pintxos, like mixed olives, gildas (green peppers and olives wrapped in an anchovy and threaded on a toothpick), raw oysters, and shrimp croquettes, along with flatbread and grilled vegetables. Fried zucchini blossoms and burrata round out the plentiful starters, and larger dishes venture into more luxe offerings like duck confit, steak with bone marrow, mushroom risotto, and a smash burger. Additional sides such as watermelon and heirloom-tomato salad, leafy greens with herbs, or french fries are available, too, as is a $6 chance to buy your neighboring table a glass of sparkling cava, or the $8 option to buy the kitchen a beer.
“For co-owner Tara Penke, born and raised in Santa Barbara, it’s a return home from Barcelona.”
These tongue-in-cheek menu items are proof of the casual, community-focused environment Penke and Riesco are looking to create. Eager to bring their own style to the former Low Pigeon café space, the couple tapped Kevin Moore Architect, Casey Geeb Interior Design, and Southwest Construction for the renovations. They’ve added inlaid shelves and light wood accents, creating a sunny dining room that flows between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
With a wine list that encompasses Spanish picks and local favorites and a robust cocktail menu, plenty of guests gather for a glass of something cold and a nibble. It’s even better for a full-on dinner with multiple courses—brunch is coming soon—but be sure to round any visit out with a slice of Basque cheesecake. 705 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, galasb.com. c.w.
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Play Date
Ayda is a luxury activewear brand from Ayda Field Williams—actor, wife of musician Robbie Williams, and mother of four.
Ayda × LHD Exclusive Capsule at The Webster
Written by Caitlin White
Ayda is a luxury activewear brand from Ayda Field Williams—actor, wife of musician Robbie Williams, and mother of four. Given the large family she manages, along with her role as an entrepreneur, it’s no surprise that Ayda is designed for the active woman on the go, whether headed for yoga, Pilates, HIIT, carpool, plane rides, or, as Field Williams says, “just being curled up in the fetal position on the floor.” With a full array of leggings and sports bras, track suits, bike shorts, and tanks, these clothes are both casual and chic, perfectly designed for that classic gym-to-errands-to-happy-hour transition.
A slightly elevated new capsule collection with Laure Hériard Dubreuil (LHD)—exclusive to Hériard Dubreuil’s boutique The Webster—brings Ayda squarely into the realm of Pickleball. With “f*ck this, f*ck that” socks, cropped tees, Pickleball skirts, a letterman’s jacket, a bucket hat, and even a paddle bag, this drop has everything you need to get involved with the new “it” sport (or at least look the part). Shop the drop right here before it’s gone. To get an IRL feel for The Webster, stop by the boutique at the Rosewood Miramar Beach during your next stay.