Show 385, August 8, 2020: Winemakers Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribo, Camins 2 Dreams Winery, Lompoc

Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribo Tena of Camins 2 Dreams in Lompoc CaliforniaWinemakers and life partners Mireia Taribo Tena and Tara Gomez are the creative forces at Camins 2 Deams in Lompoc, their dream winery. The grapes are sourced exclusively from select vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, a unique appellation in Santa Barbara County.

Their philosophy is to make hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery. Camins 2 Dreams believes wine is made in the vineyard and desires to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes originate.

“We are lucky both to live and make our wines in the Santa Rita Hills where foggy mornings and cool nights combine with marine soils to make the perfect ingredients for outstanding wines.”

Current releases include Gruner Veltliner, Rose of Syrah, and three vineyard specific Syrahs. Grenache and Graciano are in their future. The welcoming Lompoc Tasting Room is currently open by appointment. The fast-growing Wine Club has a 3 bottles twice a year option as well as a 6 bottles twice per year plan.

Tara Gomez, a Native American, is also the founding Winemaker for Kita Wines, a small premium winery in the Santa Ynez Valley owned by the Chumash Tribe (Chumash Casino Resort.) Kita Wines is celebrating their 10th Anniversary this year.

Mireia and Tara join us to pull the cork on Camins 2 Dreams.

Show 161, February 27, 2016: Tara Gomez, Winemaker, Kita Wines, Lompoc, CA

Tara GomezKita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita means “our valley oak” in the native language of the Chumash people.

It starts with where the grapes primarily come from – a vineyard situated at the gateway to Santa Barbara County’s renowned Happy Canyon wine region. It’s here that the soil and climate combine to produce some of the valley’s most sought-after grapes.

Owning both a vineyard and winery has meant the Santa Ynez Chumash are also making history. In fact, the California Legislature has recognized Chumash as the first tribe to have a vineyard and winemaking operation in the country run by tribal people.

At the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Kita was awarded two Double Golds. One was for the 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Hilliard Bruce and the other for the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley Camp 4 Vineyard.

Kita has just released their first Chardonnay. It’s a Chablis-style Chardonnay that pairs well with food. It’s a 2014 from the Hilliard Bruce Vineyard.

Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest. Her winemaking degree is from Fresno State. Tara interned at Fess Parker Winery and worked grape harvests in Europe before starting the Kita Wines venture in 2010. Joining her is Kita’s Assistant Winemaker, Tymari LoRe.

Show 136, August 29, 2015: Tara Gomez, GM & Winemaker, Kita Wines

Tara GomezTara Gomez, the Winemaker and General Manager of Kita Wines in Santa Barbara County, is no stranger to the show. Kita, a small premium winery located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley within the Santa Barbara County AVA, is unusually owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It’s one of the few Indian-owned wineries that is actually managed by the owning Tribe. Tara is a Chumash Tribe member trained in enology at Cal State Fresno.

In 2010, The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians purchased Camp 4 Vineyard and Tara’s dream of giving back to her tribe became true when she was hired as Winemaker. Tara’s understanding of the site, soils and grapes allow her to shepherd the grapes with minimal input into elegant, balanced wines with lower alcohol content.

The word “Kita” means “Our Valley Oak” in the Santa Ynez Chumash native language of Samala.

At the recent Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Kita Wines were awarded 2 Gold Medals, 3 Silver Medals, and 2 Bronze medals. Pretty impressive for a tiny boutique winery with an annual case production of 2,500.

You can taste Kita’s Gold Medal wines at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona through September 27th. They are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley 2012 and the White Rhone Blend, T’aya, Santa Ynez Valley 2013.

Kita is already harvesting their wine grapes.

They do have a tasting room in Lompoc. It’s a small operation so by appointment only, please.

Show 112, February 28, 2015: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Pechanga Wine FestivalProducer and Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning from Temecula. We’re live from the 7th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Festival opens at 1:00 p.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. Our guests are a sampling of the talented chefs, local experts on Wine Country Temecula, and a few of the participating winemakers. Now a preview of today’s full show…

Chef Duane Owen, formerly the executive chef of both The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is now the exec for Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. It was recently announced that later this year construction will start on a new 500 plus room (2nd) hotel tower, a new pool & spa, and two more restaurants. Chef Duane joins us to explain how you deliver consistent quality when your vast restaurant portfolio ranges from a busy buffet to the high-end Great Oak Steakhouse.

Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity is the charitable beneficiary of The Pechanga Wine Festival. Their mission is to facilitate the dream of home ownership, as well as improve living conditions for those in the community. Their commendable vision is “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.” Board Member Craig Evans is with us talk about the mission

For the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso, Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade.

The historic San Antonio Winery was founded in Downtown Los Angeles in 1917. In 1910, Santo Cambianica left his home of Berzo San Fermo, located in the northern Italian province of Lombardia. After registering at Ellis Island, he arrived in New York and then traveled across the country to Downtown Los Angeles. He quickly became well known as an honest, hard-working, and deeply devout Catholic, the very same qualities he was known for back home. It took a few years of saving money, building his relationships, and planting his feet in the Italian-American community to start his own company and live the American Dream. Santo founded the San Antonio Winery in 1917 on Lamar Street, dedicating it to his Patron Saint Anthony. It’s still there to this day. Raymond Shorter from the San Antonio Winery is our guest and brings us up to date.

Journey at Pechanga is their world-class golf course. Located in the elegant Clubhouse is the reasonably-priced Journey’s End restaurant which is open to the public. It offers breakfast and lunch (with brunch on the Weekends) seven days. Journey’s End features indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an inviting bar, with beautiful vistas of the course that make the guest experience a memorable “journey” of sensory delights. Journey’s End’s chef, Jerome O’Reggio, joins us.

Kita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest.

Roadrunner Ridge is a young California Winery located in North San Diego County. It is nestled on a hillside 10 minutes South of Temecula and 10 minutes East of Fallbrook. The vineyard lies on a rocky, clay hillside at 1,500 feet. Warm days with afternoon breezes ripen the grapes and the coastal influence provides cool evenings for quality grapes. Roadrunner Ridge is owned and operated by Jim & Judi Brady, who have made wine for over 30 years. They planted their own vineyard in 2008.

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness from Pechanga on Saturday’s show!

February 28: Live from Pechanga Wine Festival

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Three: Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity
Segment Four: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Walk, Pechanga Resort
Segment Five: San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles
Segment Six: Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Seven: Tara Gomez, Winemaker & General Manager, Kita Wines
Segment Eight: Jim & Judi Brady, Roadrunner Ridge winery

Pechanga Wine FestivalProducer and Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning from Temecula. We’re live from the 7th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Festival opens at 1:00 p.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. Our guests are a sampling of the talented chefs, local experts on Wine Country Temecula, and a few of the participating winemakers. Now a preview of today’s full show…

Chef Duane Owen, formerly the executive chef of both The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is now the exec for Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. It was recently announced that later this year construction will start on a new 500 plus room (2nd) hotel tower, a new pool & spa, and two more restaurants. Chef Duane joins us to explain how you deliver consistent quality when your vast restaurant portfolio ranges from a busy buffet to the high-end Great Oak Steakhouse.

Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity is the charitable beneficiary of The Pechanga Wine Festival. Their mission is to facilitate the dream of home ownership, as well as improve living conditions for those in the community. Their  commendable vision is “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.” Board Member Craig Evans, a retired Fire Captain from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, is with us talk about the mission.

For the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso and Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade.

The historic San Antonio Winery was founded in Downtown Los Angeles in 1917. In 1910, Santo Cambianica left his home of Berzo San Fermo, located in the northern Italian province of Lombardia. After registering at Ellis Island, he arrived in New York and then traveled across the country to Downtown Los Angeles. He quickly became well known as an honest, hard-working, and deeply devout Catholic, the very same qualities he was known for back home. It took a few years of saving money, building his relationships, and planting his feet in the Italian-American community to start his own company and live the American Dream. Santo founded the San Antonio Winery in 1917 on Lamar Street, dedicating it to his Patron Saint Anthony. It’s still there to this day. Raymond Shorter from the San Antonio Winery is our guest and brings us up to date.

Journey at Pechanga is their world-class golf course. Located in the elegant Clubhouse is the reasonably-priced Journey’s End restaurant which is open to the public. It offers breakfast and lunch (with brunch on the Weekends) seven days. Journey’s End features indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an inviting bar, with beautiful vistas of the course that make the guest experience a memorable “journey” of sensory delights. Journey’s End’s chef, Jerome O’Reggio, joins us.

Kita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest.

Roadrunner Ridge is a young California Winery located in North San Diego County. It is nestled on a hillside 10 minutes South of Temecula and 10 minutes East of Fallbrook. The vineyard lies on a rocky, clay hillside at 1,500 feet. Warm days with afternoon breezes ripen the grapes and the coastal influence provides cool evenings for quality grapes. Roadrunner Ridge is owned and operated by Jim & Judi Brady, who have made wine for over 30 years. They planted their own vineyard in 2008.

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness from Pechanga on Saturday’s show!

Duane Owen of Pechanga Casino and ResortChef Duane Owen, formerly the executive chef of both The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is now the exec for Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. It was recently announced that later this year construction will start on a new 500 plus room (2nd) hotel tower, a new pool & spa, and two more restaurants.

Chef Duane joins us to explain how you deliver consistent quality when your vast restaurant portfolio ranges from a busy buffet to the high-end Great Oak Steakhouse.

habitat-humanity-inland-valleyInland Valley Habitat for Humanity is the charitable beneficiary of The Pechanga Wine Festival. Their mission is to facilitate the dream of home ownership, as well as improve living conditions for those in the community.

Their  commendable vision is “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley was founded in 1991, as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, to provide low income housing for families in the Inland Valley. They are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally, as well as globally, through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their housing conditions.

Board Member Craig Evans, a retired Fire Captain from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, is with us talk about the mission.

Marlene MooreFor the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso and Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade.

The outlet names at Temptations are American Classics, Agave Mexican Delights, Pronto Italiano, Caffe Cocoa, Little Wok Asian Specialties, and Pechanga Fried Chicken.

Chef Marlene explains why her fried chicken is worth waiting for!

San Antonio WineryThe historic San Antonio Winery was founded in Downtown Los Angeles in 1917. In 1910, Santo Cambianica left his home of Berzo San Fermo, located in the northern Italian province of Lombardia. After registering at Ellis Island, he arrived in New York and then traveled across the country to Downtown Los Angeles. He quickly became well known as an honest, hard-working, and deeply devout Catholic, the very same qualities he was known for back home. It took a few years of saving money, building his relationships, and planting his feet in the Italian-American community to start his own company and live the American Dream. Santo founded the San Antonio Winery in 1917 on Lamar Street, dedicating it to his Patron Saint Anthony. It’s still there to this day.

By 1933, following the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression, nearly all of Los Angeles’ 100 wineries were shut down for good. However, despite Prohibition, San Antonio Winery was able to flourish, becoming the number one provider of altar wines for The Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

“We are blessed today to have four generations of family contributing to our success. Our vineyards are now located in Paso Robles, Monterey and Napa Valley. We are proud to be the most awarded winery in Los Angeles. We invite you to become part of our family by visiting the San Antonio Winery.”

Raymond Shorter from the San Antonio Winery is our guest and brings us up to date.

Jerome O' ReggioJourney at Pechanga is their world-class golf course. Located in the elegant and spacious Clubhouse is the reasonably-priced Journey’s End restaurant which is open to the public. It offers breakfast and lunch (with brunch on the Weekends) seven days. Journey’s End features indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an inviting bar, with beautiful vistas of the course that make the guest experience a memorable “journey” of sensory delights.

A lunch standout is the Ensenada Smoked Tuna Panini. It’s smoked tuna on sourdough with pepper jack cheese and a side of lime-cabbage slaw. It comes with house-made waffle fries and salsa roja.

Journey’s End’s chef, Jerome O’Reggio, joins us.

Tara GomezKita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita means “our valley oak” in the native language of the Chumash people.

It starts with where the grapes primarily come from – a vineyard situated at the gateway to Santa Barbara County’s renowned Happy Canyon wine region. It’s here that the soil and climate combine to produce some of the valley’s most sought-after grapes.

Owning both a vineyard and winery has meant the Santa Ynez Chumash are also making history. In fact, the California Legislature has recognized Chumash as the first tribe to have a vineyard and winemaking operation in the country run by tribal people.

Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest. Her winemaking degree is from Fresno State. Tara interned at Fess Parker Winery and worked grape harvests in Europe before starting the Kita Wines venture in 2010.

Jim and Judy Brady of Roadrunner Ridge WineryRoadrunner Ridge is a young California Winery located in North San Diego County. It is nestled on a hillside 10 minutes South of Temecula and 10 minutes East of Fallbrook. The vineyard lies on a rocky, clay hillside at 1,500 feet. Warm days with afternoon breezes ripen the grapes and the coastal influence provides cool evenings for quality grapes.

Roadrunner Ridge is owned and operated by Jim & Judi Brady, who have made wine for over 30 years. They planted their own vineyard in 2008.

“Our focus is on Rhone and other warm weather varietals which prosper in our Mediterranean climate. We produce small, handmade lots and many unique blends. Roadrunner Ridge is located on the property formally known as Rusty Acres Herb Farm, which grew beautiful Lavendar & Herbs for 8 years.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Three: Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity
Segment Four: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Walk, Pechanga Resort
Segment Five: San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles
Segment Six: Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Seven: Tara Gomez, Winemaker & General Manager, Kita Wines
Segment Eight: Jim & Judi Brady, Roadrunner Ridge winery

Show 96, November 8, 2014: Chef Seth Nelson, Root 246, Solvang

Seth NelsonThe “SoCal Restaurant Show” was on assignment in Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley this past week. One of standout restaurants in the area, and it’s tasteful and elegant, is Root 246 in Solvang. The menu has been totally redone in the last year under the direction of newly arrived Chef Seth Nelson. He’s spent time locally cooking in the kitchens of Melisse and Ford’s Filling Station.

It’s craft based American food utilizing as much of the local bounty as possible. Even the desserts are something special without being fussy. They make their own flavored vinegars. There is an intimate 4-seat chef’s table in the kitchen with a full view of all the action on the line.

There is also a serious libation program. Available at Root 246 is one of the most extensive collections of local wines available in the area. They also pride themselves on the whiskey labels and choices for craft beers. It’s a standout cocktail program.

Root 246 is owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians but the spacious restaurant with outside patios (cigar smoking allowed) is not on reservation land.

We’ll talk with Chef Seth.

Show 96, November 8, 2014: Laura Kath, travel journalist, Santa Ynez Valley

Laura Kath of Mariah MarketingAs we discovered earlier in the week there is a lot more to Solvang (“California’s Little Denmark”) than the quaint and charming recreation of a period Danish village with multiple windmills. There is a great background story there too, going back to 1947, about how that historic “look” all came about. Actually three Danish-American families founded Solvang in 1911.

In addition to art, history and culture there is premium wine and a variety of standout baked goods. Intertwined in the rich history of the area are the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Spanish Missionaries, and the Danes.

A wonderful extra in Solvang is hassle-free street & lot parking. No annoying parking meters or fee valet parking anywhere. It’s all free.

Food and travel writer Laura Kath, a long-time resident of the area, joins us with the intriguing overview of the area and it’s many varied attractions for all age groups and tastes. Laura is the editor-in-chief of the annual Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Guide. Laura is also the author of San Ysidro Ranch: A Century of Legendary Hospitality.