Feature Story

Lafond Winery City Tasting Room

August 18, 2015

Google Maps

Details

Go to Lafond Winery City Tasting Room website
111 East Yanonali Street; Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 845-2020
Open daily 10:00am-6:00pm until 7:00 Friday and Saturday.

Santa Barbara Winery

World Class Varietal Wines

May 17, 2013

Pierre Lafond has played a pioneering role in the history of Santa Barbara County’s wine industry since 1962 when he opened Santa Barbara Winery-the first post-prohibition commercial winery in the region. The visionary vintner has been producing top-quality wines ever since. The Lafond Vineyard, which receives a cooling maritime influence at its location in the western Santa Ynez Valley off of Santa Rosa Road, was planted in 1971 and was one of the first in the county. Syrah and Pinot Noir were added to the winery’s repertoire a decade later when Bruce McGuire became winemaker, and in 1996, 30 additional acres were added.

The wines under the Santa Barbara Winery label range from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to lesser known but memorable varietals such as Negrette and Lagrein. Sea breeze and sun complement time spent at the Santa Barbara Winery tasting room—located just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean in downtown Santa Barbara—a site that doubles as a production (all their wines are processed there) and storage facility.

The Lafond Winery, set on 100 acres of picturesque vineyard property, opened to the public in 2001, the same year that Sta. Rita Hills was recognized as a distinct viticultural area marked by its cool climate and longer growing season. The small-lot production of Lafond, Santa Barbara Winery’s sister label, is focused on vineyard and appellation expression, with the highest attention to detail and quality fruit. It has become renowned for its single varietal bottlings of vineyard and Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.

Visitors to Lafond Winery can enjoy the picnic area under the trees, where rustic tables overlook the vineyards, or relax on the newly installed patio that can accommodate small groups of up to 50 people. The spacious tasting room, with a view of the vineyard and working winery, invites lingering. Santa Barbara Winery and Lafond Winery are also available for private celebrations and events.

Santa Barbara Winery, 202 Anacapa Street, call (805) 963-3633 for hours & information.

Google Maps

Details

Go to Santa Barbara Winery website
202 Anacapa Street; Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-3633
Open every day 10:00am-6:00pm

Rancho San Marcos Golf

Where The Golf Gods Play

May 15, 2013

“At Rancho San Marcos Golf Course, golf isn’t just a game. It’s an experience.” - Golf Today

Conveniently located off highway 154, just 15 minutes west of the Santa Barbara beaches, and 15 minutes east of the wine country community of Santa Ynez and Danish village town of Solvang, Rancho San Marcos Golf Course delivers a new level of golf course quality and customer service.

An instant classic since its inception in 1998, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course located on 300 spectacular acres is both a treasure to behold and a strategic challenge that exudes the understated elegance and exclusivity that only private clubs extol.

Rancho San Marcos offers magnificent vistas surrounded only by nature’s beauty adorned by centuries-old oak trees and stunning views of the Santa Ynez River Valley, distant furrowed peaks, and eagles soaring above Lake Cachuma – without a trace of urban development in sight. This world class course, tucked deep into the valley floor of the Santa Ynez Mountains has kept the essence of the old ranch which was located here since the Spanish land grant of 1804. The simple and pastoral setting combined with the classic game of golf, makes Rancho San Marcos the ideal location to forget the troubles of the world and reminisce on a quieter, simpler time.

At 6,939 yards and a par 71, Rancho San Marcos provides golfers of all skill levels such an enjoyable and rewarding golf experience that Golf Magazine named this Ty Warner property one of the “Top 10 Golf Courses You Can Play”, and, Golf Digest awarded it 4 ½ stars among the top 201 golf courses in the United States.

Rancho San Marcos and its stunning scenery have also been featured in national advertising campaigns for both print and television.

Archeological evidence discovered at Rancho San Marcos indicates that Prehistoric hunters and gathers occupied this region for more then 9,000 years. Descendants of the Chumash Indian tribe, one of North America’s most complex hunting and gathering societies, were active participants in Rancho San Marcos archaeological investigations.

For more information about this spectacular golf experience, call (805) 683.6334 or visit www.rsm1804.com.

Google Maps

Details

Go to Rancho San Marcos Golf website
4600 Highway 154; Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 683-6334

Sandpiper Golf Club

Extraordinary Golf Experiences & Ocean Views!

May 15, 2013

Perched majestically on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, just north of downtown Santa Barbara, you’ll find a true championship course known as one of the best golf facilities in California. Sandpiper Golf Club designed by William F. Bell in 1972, is an inspiring combination of challenge and beauty that was named by Golf Digest as one of American’s top 75 upscale golf courses and was included in the Golf Digest 2011 Top 40 Golf Courses in the State of California

Measuring over 7,000 yards from the back tees with a championship rating of 74.5, this par 72 course with mature, wooded fairways, undulating terrain and challenging greens attracts players of all skill levels and has tested the abilities of PGA and LPGA players alike, playing host to several professional tournaments including The PGA Tour Tournament Players Series, The LPGA Tour Santa Barbara Women’s Open and the prestigious ﬁnal stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School. While the front nine is slightly longer and more challenging than the back, the stretch of holes on the bluﬀs along the ocean are truly extraordinary.

The 11th hole, a 224-yard par 3, drops dramatically from tee to green and oﬀers spectacular views of the scenic Santa Barbara coast. The ocean also comes into play on the par-5 13th; this challenging hole oﬀers a panoramic view of the coastline and the Channel Islands.

“The ocean and mountain views are breathtaking and the golf course conditions are superb”, says General Manager & Director of Golf, D.J. Limardi. “Our main goal at Sandpiper is to provide all of our guests with a level of service that compliments a world class golf experience”.

Conveniently located just minutes from downtown and the Santa Barbara Airport oﬀ Hwy 101 at the Winchester Canyon Road exit, Sandpiper combines a tradition of championship golf and spectacular surroundings with a full range of services that include an experienced and courteous staﬀ, ocean view practice facility, Titleist rental clubs packages, PGA instruction and an award winning golf shop.

Sandpiper also oﬀers a restaurant that serves signature breakfast, lunch, and cocktails options. For more information visit www.sandpipergolf.com