Tag Archives: Santa Maria Valley

Show 671, March 21, 2026: “Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” with Participating Winery, Hitching Post Wines, Buellton. Weston Hartley, Winemaker

Posted on by
Weston Hartley of Hitching Post Wines

“Founded in 2024, “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” is a one-of-a-kind tasting event dedicated to celebrating the diversity of California wine through its lesser-known grape varieties. Featuring 60+ producers and more than 100 unique grapes, the festival is a destination for wine lovers eager to explore beyond the familiar. It returns on Saturday, March 28th to Mica Studios in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles.” VIP access is at Noon and General Admission starts at 2:00 p.m.

Hitching Post Wines in Buellton is one of the participants in “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.” Weston Hartley, the Co-Winemaker (representing the 2nd generation of Family-ownership) is our guest.

“Led by Frank Ostini (owner of the Hitching Post 2 Restaurant) and Gray Hartley, Hitching Post Wines has passed its 40th vintage in its ongoing quest to create the finest wines possible of Santa Barbara County. The emphasis is to make intriguing, age-worthy Pinot Noirs featuring Santa Barbara County’s two iconic appellations, the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills. However, other lesser-known varieties such as Chenin Blanc and Valdeguie have also caught their attention.”

“With Frank Ostini as Chef Winemaker since its inception, these are food-friendly, handcrafted wines of balance and finesse that express the essence of the great vineyards of the Santa Barbara region. Moving forward, the next generation of Hartleys – Emily (DTC Manager) and Weston (Winemaker) – have joined the team and are doing much of the heavy lifting at Hitching Post Wines.”

Valdiguie is their favorite “Undiscovered” wine grape and will be their featured wine at The Festival. “It’s Racy. Defined as: (of a wine, flavor, etc.) having a characteristic quality to a high degree.”

Show 655, November 29, 2025: Winemaker Michael Brughelli, Brughelli, Santa Maria

Posted on by
Michael Brughelli of Brughelli Wine

“Michael Brughelli founded his eponymous wine brand in 2018. His wines represent the culmination of a full and purposeful career in the wine industry, and a meaningful life as a father, husband, brother and son. Precise and intentional, these wines pay tribute to Michael’s Swiss-Italian roots, while building upon an American family legacy.”

“The brand is represented by two animals found in the heraldry crest of the town Lavertezzo, in the Canton of Locarno; the Brughelli family homeland. The lion equates valor and courage. The pelican embodies charity. As a former first responder, these symbols have influenced Michael throughout his life.”

“He’s been drawn to the natural world and farming since boyhood. An avid outdoorsman, Michael enjoys time spent in the vineyard and is inspired by its natural environs. The Brughelli wines embody the trajectory of his path, in work and in life, thus far.”

“The premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes used in the Brughelli wines are coming from Santa Maria Valley vineyard sites that Michael dictated and / or managed the farming on for over a decade with the goal of applying top tier farming to top tier and potentially incredible sites.”

Winemaker Michael Brughelli joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Brughelli wine.

Show 543, September 16, 2023: Native9 Wines with Brand Ambassador Wes Hagen Part One

Posted on by
Estate Host Wes Hagen

“Nine generations after the Ontiveros Family’s arrival in California, on the same land that their family once called home, James Ontiveros is proud to grow and make wines with Winemaker Paul Wilkins that are complex as the story of how they came to be.”

“Ranchos de Ontiveros is a culmination of wines (Native9 and Rancho Vinedo) expressing the unique climate, soil, and capability of the Santa Maria Valley. It’s not always pretty, and it’s seldom romantic. But it is, first and foremost, real.”

“Native9 wines are sourced from all 8 clones of Pinot Noir at Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard, planted by James in 1997. The grapes are hand-harvested with whole cluster fermentation. Nothing is left out. The Native9 selections are unique, stand-out wines, produced with the land, conditions, and resources James Ontiveros has available to him.”

“Rancho Vinedo wines are sourced from the Wente Clone Chardonnay and Martini Clone Pinot Noir from Rancho Vinedo Vineyard, a parcel of the original Rancho Tepusquet Land Grant. The Dona Maria Chardonnay is fresh, vibrant, and mineral driven. She’s lean and impressive. Own-rooted and old vine, this vineyard was planted in 1973 and farmed by the same family until 2012. The first vintage was 2014.”

Wes Hagen, Estate Host and Brand Ambassador joins us to uncork all that is Ranchos De Ontiveros Estate Vineyards.

Wes Hagen personally conducts (by appointment only) Native9 Estate Tours and Tastings on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The fee is $50, If you e-mail Wes and mention the “SoCal Restaurant Show” Wes will generously personally host your tasting of up to 4 adults at no charge.

Show 543, September 16, 2023: Native9 Wines with Brand Ambassador Wes Hagen Part Two

Posted on by
Estate Host Wes Hagen

“Nine generations after the Ontiveros Family’s arrival in California, on the same land that their family once called home, James Ontiveros is proud to grow and make wines with Winemaker Paul Wilkins that are complex as the story of how they came to be.”

“Ranchos de Ontiveros is a culmination of wines (Native9 and Rancho Vinedo) expressing the unique climate, soil, and capability of the Santa Maria Valley. It’s not always pretty, and it’s seldom romantic. But it is, first and foremost, real.”

“Native9 wines are sourced from all 8 clones of Pinot Noir at Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard, planted by James in 1997. The grapes are hand-harvested with whole cluster fermentation. Nothing is left out. The Native9 selections are unique, stand-out wines, produced with the land, conditions, and resources James Ontiveros has available to him.”

“Rancho Vinedo wines are sourced from the Wente Clone Chardonnay and Martini Clone Pinot Noir from Rancho Vinedo Vineyard, a parcel of the original Rancho Tepusquet Land Grant. The Dona Maria Chardonnay is fresh, vibrant, and mineral driven. She’s lean and impressive. Own-rooted and old vine, this vineyard was planted in 1973 and farmed by the same family until 2012. The first vintage was 2014.”

Wes Hagen, Estate Host and Brand Ambassador continues with us to uncork all that is Ranchos De Ontiveros Estate Vineyards.

Wes Hagen personally conducts (by appointment only) Native9 Estate Tours and Tastings on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The fee is $50, If you e-mail Wes and mention the “SoCal Restaurant Show” Wes will generously personally host your tasting of up to 4 adults at no charge.

Show 538, August 12, 2023: Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria with Tim Wanner, Director of Hospitality and Sales Part One

Posted on by
Tim Wanner of Presqu'ile

This year the Murphy family is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the handsome Presqu’ile Tasting Room in Santa Maria Valley “where for a decade they’ve been sharing their estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligoté, Gamay, Nebbiolo and méthode champenoise sparkling wines.”

“The winery began in 2007, but the opening of the architecturally significant modern-meets-rustic hospitality center marked a new chapter in the Murphy’s unwavering dedication to growing, producing and sharing premium cool-climate estate wines in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley.”

“Located less than two miles from Highway 101 in Northern Santa Barbara County, the hilltop Tasting Room and encompassing ranch are designed to complement the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Presqu’ile’s organic vineyards, while delivering a respite for guests and wine club members. From the arrival down the private mile-long drive, to the fireside alfresco lounge spaces, every detail is designed to create lasting memories for guests.”

“Wine should be inspiring, joyous and relaxed, so we share our wines with enthusiasm but without pretense,” says Matt Murphy, Presqu’ile’s president. “We like to think of it as an elevated wine experience steeped in our family’s tradition of laidback Southern hospitality.”

Since opening, the estate’s guest experiences have evolved and expanded. Presqu’ile now offers five different guest experiences open to the public. The Wine & Food Experience, for example, features a curated tasting flight paired with Chef Julie Simon’s Mezze Picnic. “Chef Julie’s menus are crafted from the winery’s organic one-acre vegetable and herb garden and feature the seasonal bounties of the Santa Maria Valley’s top purveyors.”

Another standout experience is the “Wine & Food Tour which includes a private walking tour through Presqu’ile’s wine caves, the winery and up to their estate hilltop pond. Guests then settle into a private, 5th floor lookout terrace for a sumptuous food and wine pairing while taking in the unobstructed views of the vineyard, the San Rafael Mountains, Solomon Hills, and Pacific Ocean.”

Tim Wanner, Presqu’ile’s Director of Hospitality and Sales, joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Presqu’ile.

Show 538, August 12, 2023: Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria with Tim Wanner, Director of Hospitality and Sales Part Two

Posted on by
Tim Wanner of Presqu'ile

This year the Murphy family is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the handsome Presqu’ile Tasting Room in Santa Maria Valley “where for a decade they’ve been sharing their estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligoté, Gamay, Nebbiolo and méthode champenoise sparkling wines.”

“The winery began in 2007, but the opening of the architecturally significant modern-meets-rustic hospitality center marked a new chapter in the Murphy’s unwavering dedication to growing, producing and sharing premium cool-climate estate wines in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley.”

“Located less than two miles from Highway 101 in Northern Santa Barbara County, the hilltop Tasting Room and encompassing ranch are designed to complement the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Presqu’ile’s organic vineyards, while delivering a respite for guests and wine club members. From the arrival down the private mile-long drive, to the fireside alfresco lounge spaces, every detail is designed to create lasting memories for guests.”

“Wine should be inspiring, joyous and relaxed, so we share our wines with enthusiasm but without pretense,” says Matt Murphy, Presqu’ile’s president. “We like to think of it as an elevated wine experience steeped in our family’s tradition of laidback Southern hospitality.”

Since opening, the estate’s guest experiences have evolved and expanded. Presqu’ile now offers five different guest experiences open to the public. The Wine & Food Experience, for example, features a curated tasting flight paired with Chef Julie Simon’s Mezze Picnic. “Chef Julie’s menus are crafted from the winery’s organic one-acre vegetable and herb garden and feature the seasonal bounties of the Santa Maria Valley’s top purveyors.”

Another standout experience is the “Wine & Food Tour which includes a private walking tour through Presqu’ile’s wine caves, the winery and up to their estate hilltop pond. Guests then settle into a private, 5th floor lookout terrace for a sumptuous food and wine pairing while taking in the unobstructed views of the vineyard, the San Rafael Mountains, Solomon Hills, and Pacific Ocean.”

Tim Wanner, Presqu’ile’s Director of Hospitality and Sales, continues with us gently pulling the cork on all that is Presqu’ile.

Show 532, July 1, 2023: Naughty Oak Brewing Co. in Orcutt, CA with Proprietress Emily Kitts

Posted on by
Emily Kitts of Naughty Oak Brewing

Naughty Oak Brewing Company established in 2015 in Orcutt in the Santa Maria Valley is a collaboration of a dedicated, craft beer-loving husband and wife team. It’s the first craft brewery in Orcutt. Their motto is, “Comradery Through Quality.”

At any given time there are 12 house-brewed craft beers and seltzers available. Think Phantasmic Voyage West Coast IPA and Fuzzy Navel Blonde Ale with Orange & Peach for openers. Their signature style is probably the The Able, a 6.3 % ABV Central Coast IPA. “An inhumane amount of hopping has The Able hitting your nostrils with grapefruit and tropical fruit right off the tap. The body is light and crisp to keep you coming back for more.”

Bring your own food or enjoy the varied menus of their rotating food trucks. Also recognized for hosting the best Trivia Night (Wednesday) in the Santa Maria Valley. “The aim at Naughty Oak Brewing Co. is to provide the guests with high-quality beers that can be enjoyed in an environment that promotes community.” Both Family and canine friendly.

Proprietor Emily Kitts joins us to tap the keg on all that is Naughty Oak Brewing Co.

Show 421, April 17, 2021: Winemaker Michael Brughelli, Folded Hills Winery, Ranch & Farmstead Part One

Posted on by
Michael Brughelli of Folded Hills Winery

“In 2017, Andy and Kim Busch started a business in their 50’s which they knew nothing about. Andy, coming from a long line of beer barons, had worked not in the beverage business but rather at Grant’s Farm, the original prototype for the Busch Gardens parks started by his father, Gussie. Folded Hills Winery, Farmstead, Ranch focuses on top notch wine making rather than beer.”

“The Busch’s own Folded Hills, a working ranch, an integrated sustainable farm is located just outside of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley. When they purchased a contiguous piece of farming property they learned that the original farmsteader had planted a pre-prohibition vineyard and made wine in the basement of his farmhouse.”

“The Busches had purchased the property to keep the land agricultural in general and organic in particular and in 2014 decided to start farming organic grapes alongside the 18 acres of organic row crops, stone fruits, and animals.”

“As they were deciding what grape varietals to plant everyone told them to “plant what they love to drink”. Andy loves beer – that was no help- although they do have a small patch of hops growing. Kim loved Pinot Noir but the terroir would not grow a quality Pinot. They settled on the Rhône varietals which they knew absolutely nothing about. Now the hillsides are rolling with grape vines of syrah, grenache, Clairette blanc, grenache blanc and marsanne.”

Handsomely appointed Tasting Rooms are located at the vineyard estate in Gaviota and on Old Coast Highway in Montecito. For the guests’ convenience and safety advance appointments are suggested.

Winemaker Michael Brughelli is our guest and gently pull the cork on the unusual story of Folded Hills Winery for us.

Show 421, April 17, 2021: Winemaker Michael Brughelli, Folded Hills Winery, Ranch & Farmstead Part Two

Posted on by
Michael Brughelli of Folded Hills Winery

“In 2017, Andy and Kim Busch started a business in their 50’s which they knew nothing about. Andy, coming from a long line of beer barons, had worked not in the beverage business but rather at Grant’s Farm, the original prototype for the Busch Gardens parks started by his father, Gussie. Folded Hills Winery, Farmstead, Ranch focuses on top notch wine making rather than beer.”

“The Busch’s own Folded Hills, a working ranch, an integrated sustainable farm is located just outside of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley. When they purchased a contiguous piece of farming property they learned that the original farmsteader had planted a pre-prohibition vineyard and made wine in the basement of his farmhouse.”

“This is a heart project for the Busches and they wanted to bring some of their mid-West roots and family heritage to the project. Many of the wines have names that harken back to their iconic St. Louis history.”

“Their award-winning Lilly Rosé is named for six generations of Lilly’s.” From Lilly Anheuser who married Adolphus Busch in 1861, to their 3 -year old grand-daughter, Lilly. The Grant Grenache is named for the family seat in St. Louis, Grant’s Farm, which was named for Ulysses S. Grant, the original farmsteader of the that land. The August Red and August White are named for Andy’s grandfather and father, August Busch Sr. And Jr. His father, August, Jr., or Gussie, was the one who gave his father the first Clydesdale hitch to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition in 1934.

“The Busches still ponder why they decided to launch a business that they knew so little about, so late in life, after their children had left home. But it is working. Folded Hills has won many awards for the wines which are grown organically, following the biodynamic calendar. The wines are hand-crafted in small batches with minimal intervention.”

Winemaker Michael Brughelli oversees all winemaking, working directly with the vineyard and cellar staff in a hands-on fashion. “A California native, Brughelli is perhaps best known as winemaker for Scar of the Sea, a label he co-founded with Mikey Giugni. A darling of critics and sommeliers alike, Scar of the Sea quickly rose in prominence as Brughelli’s wines drew wide notice. In 2019, he sold his portion of Scar of the Sea back to Giugni in order to launch his own consultancy, Vignerons. Previously, Brughelli was at Bien Nacido Vineyard, in the Santa Maria Valley appellation of Santa Barbara County, where over the course of seven seminal years, he rose from Sales Manager to Director of Sales to Director of Supply.”

Winemaker Michael Brughelli continues with us providing the unusual story of Folded Hills Winery.

Show 300, December 1, 2018: Founding Winemaker Dieter Cronje, Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria

Posted on by

Dieter CronjeLocated in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is a small, family-run winery dedicated to crafting exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Made using grapes from their own sustainably certified Presqu’ile Vineyard, and from a handful of the finest winegrowing sites in the valley, Presqu’ile wines capture the essence of their vineyards and vintage, and have earned acclaim for their elegance and balance.

Situated high atop a hill, with stunning ocean and vineyard views, Presqu’ile offers one of California’s most memorable wine tasting experiences. Join the Murphy Family, and enjoy a taste of southern hospitality on California’s beautiful Central Coast.

“A cool-climate Pinot Noir specialist, and one of the Central Coast’s rising star winemakers, Dieter Cronje brings a unique perspective, gained in two hemispheres, to Presqu’ile. As the winery’s founding winemaker, Dieter had the rare opportunity to contribute his insights to the original planting of Presqu’ile’s 73-acre estate vineyard, an experience that gave him an intimate knowledge of the vineyard’s rich diversity.”

“He also collaborated with Presqu’ile’s founders, the Murphy family, during the design of Presqu’ile’s purpose-built winery. In this gravity-flow winery, Dieter preserves the vineyard’s diversity by working in small lots, and applying a gentle, minimalist approach that accentuates the character of the vineyards. The resulting wines offer the purity, elegance and signature spice that have made Santa Maria Valley famous among connoisseurs of great cool-climate Pinot Noir.”

Founding Winemaker Dieter Cronje pulls the cork for us.