Built on a railway, born by creators
Los Olivos, California is best known for its quaint wineries in addition to charming art galleries set up in the small yet bustling downtown area. One of the main features of this town is the many different places dedicated to growing grapes used for making wine- from rows of trees to lush green fields where grapes grow ripe enough for harvesting. It’s also home to many storied tales about these agricultural spots which date back long ago. There are also other attractions worth exploring including historical tales behind some locations that make exploring an enjoyable experience.
1861 stagecoach routes Ballard from San Francisco to Los Olivos, then to Los Angeles to San Diego.
What eight thousand dollars of purchased land, when planted with five thousand olive trees, can do to make three square miles of the tranquil Victorian countryside. If it weren’t for Felix Mattie’s of Mattei’s Tavern’s successful investments in the community, it would never have become a place people dream about coming back to over and over again.
Los Olivos’ charm is genuine, and its authenticity demonstrates that it was one of the filming locations for Andy Griffith’s show, Return to Mayberry. This peaceful town, only 9 miles from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch or Ronald Reagan’s Rancho Del Cielo—along with many other celebrity homes—provides an ambiance romantic enough for locals who have strong ties within their community while offering visitors amazing wine tasting rooms, restaurants, boutiques, art, and culture. Stop at any merchant or simply follow the signs for tourists if you want to take a self-guided walking tour through Los Olivos’ 130 years of history while getting lost in quaint shops full of old memories!
Fess Parker Wine Country Inn
Source: Fess Parker Wine Country Inn
There are some options for accommodations while in this lovely city, but The Fess Parker Wine Country Inn may be exactly what you’re looking for. Established by the late actor Fess Parker – who also played famous roles such as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in the 1950s – this hotel has gained fame through its various features which make guests feel right at home. With wood floors made from repurposed wine barrels, an outdoor pool overlooking a spectacular living succulent wall, and plenty of tasty restaurants available on-site such as Bear & Star (named after two states where he resided) featuring delicious dishes courtesy of Chef John Cox; this is one stop everyone should make when staying here!
PO Box 849 / 2860 Grand Avenue
Los Olivos, CA, 93441
With plenty of wineries to visit in the area, take notice- unlike other locations that are open late at night – here wineries open late and close early. The Santa Ynez Valley is known for its Rhone varietals – including Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Pinot Noir – you will find many different styles of wines. Not only that but they also grow a large assortment of different grapes like Viognier, Zinfandel, Italian varieties such as Sangiovese, and even sparkling wines due to the ever-increasing global demand for this type of wine. Los Olivos in particular holds one of the only establishments solely dedicated to sparkling wines; made famous by Fess Parker himself!
The Bubble Shack
They have three sparkling wines to taste: a 2015 Sta. Rita Hills Blanc de Noirs called Festivity, a 2015 Grenache made in the Australian “Sparkling Shiraz” style called Sibling Bubbles, and the 2015 Sta. Rita Hills Brut Cuvee. All three are produced in the traditional style, but the Cuvee has brandy added to the dosage, giving it a rich mouth-filling profile. While Zinke Wine Company focuses primarily on producing wine from Rhone varietals, winemaker Michael Zinke also produces an elegant sparkler using his newly created label Friend & Foe – worth looking for!
Though tasting sparkling wine may appear celebratory, save your palate for these three essential stops on your itinerary.
Toretti Family Vineyard
A True Native Ranchero Myth
Toretti Family Vineyard was established in 2000 for the production of premium estate-grown Pinot Noir. Five acres of land set atop a hilltop, overlooking lush and fertile Santa Maria Valley – this is where Toretti wines were first planted over 100 years ago by patriarch legendary vanguard Bob Torres who began his life as a cattle rancher and restaurateur. Later, he married Marlene Moretti from Switzerland who combined their last names to create the prestigious moniker Toretti so extraordinary was their fruit; they were sought after by notable local producers while maintaining yields at 500 cases per year. And even though Mr. Toretti has aged out of this world (90+), he still hosts tours around his vineyards and offers tastings right inside the tasting room many days in the afternoon!
STORY OF SOIL
Wines with focus
Jessica Gasca’s philosophy for her winemaking technique is one varietal, one vineyard, and one microclimate. Her grueling apprenticeship at Sanguis winery in Santa Barbara in 2009 laid the groundwork for her first vintage in 2013. Brady Fiechter and I cooperate to find excellent fruit Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Grenache from select vineyards in the Santa Maria and Ballard Canyon AVAs.
Two Pinot Noirs That Defend the Power Of Soil!
John Sebastiano Vineyard – a source of enticing fruit due to its warm environment, power, structure, and concentration owing to its proximity to the windy eastern slope of the Sta. Rita Hills has a balanced presentation of cocoa-dusted blueberries, brilliant cherries, earth, and herbal flavors, fine tannins, and lively acid.
Duvarita Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills – The westside hills, with elevations exceeding 700 feet, are cold, subhumid, and fogged in from the Pacific Coast. The soil is soft sandstone that has been certified biodynamically farmed, concentrating the fruit with delicacy and vibrant acid. Juicy red and dark cherry, feminine floral notes, mint, spices, and a trace of black pepper are all present.
The Story of Soil label produces just 1000 cases of Pinot Noir and Syrah per vintage, while Jessica also works in sales and marketing for Dragonette Cellars in Los Olivos.
In her words “every bottle tells a story”
Solminer
Stretching Boundaries, Separating the Norm
Solminer, meaning mining the sun is a certified biodynamic and organic winery founded in 2012 by owners/winemakers Anna and David Delask. Originally from Austria, they found soils of Santa Ynez, CA to plant Gruner Veltliner and Riesling with a sharp focus reminiscent of the style in their home country with the cloak of the California sun. Delanda Vineyard – named after the married couple- is on their farmhouse property; here they keep donkeys, sheep, chickens, bees for pollination (to add natural biodiversity), and many other crops for food production. Their commitment to sustainable agricultural practices can be tasted in every one of their wines
It’s inspiring to find bold ambitious winemakers because the profession involves personal labor with unpredictable results. They also make Pinot Noir and Syrah, but nothing beats a Blaufränkisch.
Blaufränkisch is a dark-skinned grape – originally from Slovenia – often used for red wine production. Its late-ripening nature can produce a powerful, complex flavor profile; however, David manages to keep his Blaufränkisch wine vibrant and fruity while taking advantage of the sunny weather patterns in California by adding tropical flavors such as guava, pomegranate, and acai berries; all without compromising on structure or body.
Open up your taste buds to the Pet-Nat Sparkling Rose Disgorged 2018 & Sparkling Riesling Methode Ancestrale 2017.
Solminer, thank you for making it entertaining for wine drinkers of all levels everywhere!
Tasting Room:
2890 Grand Ave. (At the flagpole)
Los Olivos, CA
Los Olivos restaurants are fortunate to source high-quality ingredients from their surroundings. There is no need for them to go out of their way when they can simply use what they have right underfoot. The Wine Merchant Cafe has been doing this since it opened, and it continues to do so today!
The Wine Merchant Cafe
Historical Past and Present
Dating back to the late 1800s, The Wine Merchant Cafe was originally owned by former butcher Burt Clausen who ran his meat deli off of the premises called Clausen’s Old Fashion Deli. Later, it became Allmendinger’s Deli before Shawnda and Sam Marmorstein purchased it from its previous owner.
The Bernat family owns over half a dozen establishments in their small-town area; this includes the popular dining spot, organic Cafe Farm where they grow produce for all of their menus. On top of that, they offer individually designed luxury cottages on ten acres of vines – which also produce wine.
Bernat Wines, founded in 1995, is a 4-acre estate-certified organic winery. Only available for purchase and tasting at the cafe, production is limited to Syrah, Nebbiolo, and Sangiovese.
Open for lunch, happy hour drinks, and dinner too! This restaurant has a casual atmosphere with California Mediterranean cuisine. Executive Chef Chris Joslyn was formerly at Michelin-starred La Folie in San Francisco before he moved over to live near Carmel Valley. You’ll find old favorites like slow-braised red wine sauce or succulent Sunka salmon here – dishes that you’ll want to come back for again and again! Don’t forget about the baked brie appetizer or signature flatbreads either – they’re divine! General Manager Matthew Negrette will help you feel at home while Julie Cox, Wine Director knows exactly which wine is perfect for you. With 500 wines from all over the world available exclusively from them, there’s something for everyone on this extensive list.
To boast It was a feature in the Academy Award Winning movie “Sideways”
History Repeats Itself!
2879 Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 205
Los Olivos, CA 93441
Tel 805.688.7265
fax 805.688.5953
No journey would be complete without a memorable brunch at…. the next morning, before reluctantly leaving the country paradise.
Sides Hardware & Shoes
Since 1996, Iowans Matt and Jeff Nichols have left their mark on the Santa Ynez Valley with their contemporary cuisine. Outgrowing the original Brothers restaurant in Solvang in 2002, Mattei’s Tavern achieved excellent dining until 2012, when Sides Hardware & Shoes debuted.
Built in 1901 by Milburn Sides, M. Sides Hardware and Shoes was an iconic family-owned store operating until the late 1970s when the business shut down due to financial complications. Maintaining its original name after transitioning through several different businesses since then, including art galleries and even being turned into a dance studio at one point – it’s now back to what it used to be: A Hardware Store! Under new management, “Brothers” carved out their spot making sure this heritage-style business stayed alive for years to come.
With such a limited window of opportunity, open from 1130 a.m. to 3 p.m., and no reservations. The restaurant is quaintly set up with open kitchens in the dining room and food service at their fully stocked bar so you can enjoy some scenery while eating. There are plenty of dishes on the menu, but they are most famous for their house-cured bacon steak!
Do you want to see more of the Nichols brothers? The rebuilt Red Barn housed the second Santa Barbara Wine Country Brothers Restaurant, which debuted in 2013. It’s homemade, homegrown cuisine at its finest.
2375 Alamo Pintado Avenue Santa Ynez, California 93460 (805) 688-4142
3539 Sagunto Street, Los Olivos, California 93441 805.688.4820
Los Olivos, buried in compelling history and exploding with culture and presence, is a weekend trip that stops time with a beating heart.
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