8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A
O C TO B E R 1 8 – N OV E M B E R 1 | 2 0 1 4
BEHIND THE VINE
by Hana-Lee Sedgwick Hana-Lee Sedgwick is a digital advertising executive by day and wine consultant and blogger by night. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, she fell in love with the world of wine while living in San Francisco after college. Hana-Lee loves to help people learn about and appreciate wine, putting her Sommelier certification to good use. When not trying new wines or traveling, she can be found practicing yoga, cooking, entertaining, and enjoying time with friends and family. For more information and wine tips, visit her blog, Wander & Wine, at wanderandwine.com.
Keeping up with Blair Fox
Blair Fox, namesake of his wine cellar, which he operates with wife Sarah
complemented by soft vanilla and caramel aromas from 100-percent French oak barrel aging. It’s a rich, smooth, not to mention approachable, cooler-climate Syrah. Another notable is the 2011 Fox Family Vineyard Syrah ($45), which has notes of red fruit, chocolate, and toasted spices. Full-bodied with nice texture, I’d say this wine will age well over the next several years. The 2010 Fox Family Petite Sirah ($45), aged in a combination of half-American and half-French oak, has great structure and silky smooth tannins. Very nice. Blair Fox Cellars produces around 1,000 cases of wine annually, versus the
The Blair Fox Cellars tasting room in Los Olivos
H
ow cute is Los Olivos? Once a dusty little western town, Los Olivos is now what I like to call a winelover’s Disneyland. There are more than 30 tasting rooms in this quaint village, with a plethora of good wine to choose from. It goes without saying that with so many options, it’s hard to decide which places to try first. A safe bet? Blair Fox Cellars, owned by winemaker Blair Fox and his wife, Sarah (both Santa Barbara natives). Blair Fox has been on the Santa Barbara County wine scene for a while now, first starting out as a consultant for Fess Parker Winery after receiving a combined degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis (he originally went to school for pre-med, by the way). He then moved on to gain winemaking experience at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, spent a year in Australia’s McLaren Vale wine region, traveled throughout France, and then moved back to SB in 2003 when he became Fess Parker’s Rhône varietal winemaker. He has now been the head winemaker there since 2005. In 2008, Blair was awarded the Andre Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year award at the SF International Wine Competition. He’s obviously doing something right… and his great wines are the proof! Blair Fox Cellars focuses on producing high-quality boutique wines, specializing in Rhône varietals like Viognier, Grenache, and Syrah. Many of the grapes Blair sources come from vines he planted himself on his family’s organic estate vineyards. He makes sure all of the grapes he works with are hand-harvested, handsorted, and produced in small lots to
29
100,000-plus case production of Fess Parker Winery. As if Blair didn’t have enough on his plate already, he and Sarah started another wine label in 2010, Fox Wine Co., producing around 1,000 cases as well. I haven’t tried the wines he and Sarah create for Fox Wine Co. (the two share winemaker duties), but they specialize in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, mostly in the $20-$30 price range. You can try the wines at their tasting room, which opened up this year in the Art Foundry down in The Funk Zone. Fun fact: Sarah’s sister designed the Fox Wine Co. label (which is awesome). Blair and Sarah seem to have a real family-focused operation going, and I admire the commitment to producing wines that matter to them. Overall, the wines are luscious and balanced, showing purity of fruit with beautiful structure. And hey, anyone that decides to make a sparkling Grenache in the labor-intensive méthode champenoise because his “wife loves sparkling wine” is A-okay in my book. P.S. The sparkling Grenache is pink, sealed with a bottle cap, is super lively, and is called Foxy Bubbles, which makes it even more fun.
Blair Fox Cellars: 2902 San Marcos Avenue, Los Olivos Fox Wine Co.: 120 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara
Join us Friday, October 24 from 6 p.m., at The Endless Summer bar-cafe, as we celebrate
the 50th Anniversary of the film
This 2013 Viognier is all bottled up
showcase the highest-quality expression of the fruit and terroir. I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed all of the wines I tasted (and I tasted quite a few). The 2013 Paradise Road Vineyard Viognier ($29) is bright and refreshing, with nice fruit and floral characteristics. The 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah ($42) has notes of blackberry and earth,
Just like NEW
professional jewelry service
Repairs • Cleaning Resizing • Settings Restring
Free Quotes
Sandcastle Time
MONDAYS – SATURDAYS
CASITAS PLAZA • 805.684.5110
The Endless Summer It was 50 years ago that our friend filmmaker Bruce Brown headed to New York to show his film in search of the perfect wave, starring Robert August & Mike Hynson. The rest, as they say, is history.
This 50th anniversary party includes:
A Special Screening
of the original film throughout the restaurant, with filmmaker Bruce Brown & other Endless Summer family & friends in attendance.
Island-Style Pu-pu’s
(an array of Appetizers & Small Plates) along with some of your Endless Summer favorite dishes.
Tickets are $45 in advance. Kids’ tickets are $25 & include a Keiki Mai-Tai (that’s without the alcohol).
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW at: www.endlesssummerbarcafe.net or call the restaurant at 805-564-4666.
An Aloha Mai-Tai Other Bruce Brown films
will be screening in the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. 113 Harbor Way • “By The Boats” • (805) 564-4666 A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Additional alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Additional information i s available by calling The Endless Summer bar-cafe at 805-564-4666.