cookiesinheaven

With bocce ball court views extending from Point San Luis to the dunes of Guadalupe to the historic Bien Nacido Vineyard across the river, the new winery — which required two years of steady construction to build and must have cost many millions, though the family won’t say — is making it much easier to get a taste of the Santa Maria Valley. And with sleek modernist architecture, the latest 21st-century winemaking technology, and a commitment to sustainable practices in both the winery and surrounding vineyards, Presqu’ile is bringing a polished style to the boot- and blue-jeans-wearing region, all while staying focused on making some of the tastiest wines around. - SBIndy

The New York Times loves them. You will too.

Martian Ranch and Vineyard uses a variety of Spanish and French grapes to produce wines that are otherworldly in their calibration and deliciousness — fresh, refreshing, complex and intriguing. I have especially liked the lively albariño and the beautifully fragrant grenache blanc. - NYTimes

• Bridge Brands Chocolate
• Brophy Bros.
• Ca' Dario
• Casitas Valley Creamery
• CECCO ristorante
• C'est Cheese
• Coveted Cakery
• Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
• Country Catering Company
• Creative Services Catering
• Danny Douglas Catering
• Finch and Fork Restaurant
• Freezer Monkey
• Georgia's Smokehouse
• Jessica Foster Confections
• La Mousse
• Luna Olivo
• Marmalade Café
• Omni Catering
• Pacific Pickle Works
• Panera Bread
• Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro
• Renaud's Patissiere and Bakery 
• State and Fig
• Touring & Tasting Magazine
• The Berry Man
• The Shop
• The Willows at Chumash Casino Resort
• Via Maestra 42
• Whole Foods Market, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara has one more reason to raise a glass and toast. It’s official: The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail has formally incorporated, and to celebrate its “varietal” band of 17 unique wine-tasting rooms downtown, it’s pouring all kinds of fun for locals and visitors this summer.

The SBUWT is hosting its first-ever “Passport Weekend,” inviting guests to sip their way into summer, and enjoy a weekend of wine in the Santa Barbara sunshine. SBUWT’s Passport Weekend will be July 27-29, and will feature some very special tasting opportunities from the various tasting rooms, including the chance to meet winemakers, reserve vintage exhibitions, light bites to satisfy appetites and live musical entertainment.

The cost is $75 per person and includes tastings at all SBUWT member wineries for the weekend. All Passport Weekend guests will receive an official SBUWT Passport and logo glass, and can take advantage of a 10 percent discount off all wine purchases at all SBUWT member tasting rooms that weekend.

Guests can begin their wine tasting adventures at any of the three check-in points — Carr Winery, Santa Barbara Winery and Margerum Wine Company — where guests can check-in or purchase passes (and pick up their passports and glasses), and begin their wine tasting adventures! Passports are available online for purchase - Noozhawk