Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards

Trip to Santa Barbara and the Wineries of Solvang and San Ynez in California

Rideau Vineyard Tour - 2014

My cousin paid for our winetasting tour at Rideau Vineyards in Solvang. We have been to other winetastings but this one was by far the most enjoyable and informative. We truly enjoyed our tour guide Norma (Irish brogue!) and were also able to meet the founder and owner of the Vineyard, Iris.

The Wine Down - A Taste of Santa Barbara Wine Country with Brandon Sparks-Gillis of Dragonette Cellars

Having learned about wine while working as a clerk at Wally's Wine and Spirits, Brandon Sparks-Gillis took his taster's apprenticeship to co-found Dragonette Cellars with John and Steve Dragonette. Years of cultivation and experience helped them create a truly outstanding label that Brandon shares with the Wine Down.
We discuss growing in the central coast, working with luminary winemakers, and taste several excellent bottles from Dragonette.

GUEST BIO:
John and Steve Dragonette and close friend Brandon Sparks-Gillis formed Dragonette Cellars in order to pursue a long-held dream to produce wines of the utmost quality and purity from the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast. Every bottle that leaves our winery is 100% produced by family members.

We have poured our experience into producing cool-climate expressions of Pinot Noir and Syrah from vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, and York Mountain, and Sauvignon Blanc from the uniquely suitable area of Happy Canyon.


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EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
00:01 Welcome to the Wine Down.
00:42 Introducing Brandon Sparks-Gillis.
01:45 The symbol and seal of Dragonette.
03:42 Tasting the 2011 Rosé.
04:27 Negotiating label politics.
05:29 Getting a wine education at Wally's.
08:16 A lesson in growing grapes in Colorado.
09:34 The key to creating great wine: Fanatical Devotion.
12:50 Creating synergy with your partners.
16:52 Working with Manford Krankl.
18:49 Tasting the 2010 Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc.
20:52 Showing off a piece of Serpentinite--California's state rock!
22:51 Sourcing grapes from 18 vineyards and building the perfect wishlist.
26:22 The learning curve for the winery over the years, and learning to deal with heat waves.
29:36 Developing confidence as a winemaker; maintaining purity of perspective.
33:48 What to do with raisined grapes? Mitigating risk.
36:53 Tasting the 2010 Pinot Noir, and notes on the fabulous grapes.
40:44 Delegating responsibilities in a small family business.
42:15 Making the move to the boonies to make wine.
44:09 Tasting the 7, and cool growth grape notes.
46:01 Finding the wines (wine club!).
47:07 Future goals for Dragonette.
48:22 Cheers and Goodbye!

Santa Barbara's wine country: A Minute Away

A sense of place in about 60 seconds. Grape leaf, 0:15. Nake grapes, 0:22. Cold Spring Tavern, 0:35. Hippies use side door, 0:41. Owl scaring nobody, 1:02. Smiling salad, 1:10.
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Wine Tasting in Downtown Santa Barbara at Au Bon Climat

Exotic Wine Travel is in downtown Santa Barbara, California! Within the downtown area of this city, there are close to 30 tasting rooms, including the legendary Au Bon Climat. Discover rare wines and unique wine regions with us!

***NEW WINE TRAVEL GUIDEBOOK*** Sipping Santa Barbara: Recommended Wines and Producers is out now!


For more information about the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail


10 Wines to Try in Santa Barbara County


Winery featured in this episode: Au Bon Climat -


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Solvang businesses impacted by Highway 101 closure

Solvang businesses impacted by Highway 101 closure