Fall Wine Tour
Sanford Winery in Santa Barbara's Wine Country | Image: Jane Restaurant
We recently took a trip over the mountain into Santa Barbara’s world-renowned
“Wine Country” for a Staff Fall Wine Tour.
Alma Rosa
Our first stop was the Alma Rosa Tasting Room.
“Alma,” which is Spanish for “Soul” or “Essence” and this spirit embodied our experience in the tasting room, which was one of warmth and hospitality. The depth and flavors of the wines gave us a window into the “soul” of the valley as well as to what sharing a bottle of wine with a friend, loved one or new friend can mean. The name “Rosa” refers to the Santa Rosa Hills, which make up the Southern part of the Sta. Rita Hills Appellation.
Alma Rosa Winery in Santa Barbara's Wine Country | Image: Jane Restaurant
Fun Fact:
Why “Sta. Rita” and not “Santa Rita”?
Santa Rita Hills AVA“Sta. Rita Hills”“Sta.”“Santa”The () without any lawyer's involvement. was approved in 2001 and soon, the nomenclature was challenged by a centenarian winery in Chile, the eponymous Viña Santa Rita. Facing a potential lawsuit that could damage the region’s identity, Richard reached out to the Chileans and, meeting them first in London and then traveling to Chile, he secured a noble arrangement, where the AVA would be spelled being the Spanish abbreviation for
Click here to learn more Alma Rosa Winery.
Jane Restaurant Staff at Alma Rosa Winery in Santa Barbara's Wine Country | Image: Jane Restaurant
Jane's Staff Favorites:
2015 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, the 2014 Pinot Noir, Clone 667 and the 2014 Brut Rose.
We serve the 2014 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir at Jane Restaurant
and enjoy it paired with our Grilled Duck Breast.
Wine Barrels at Brander Winery in Santa Barbara's Wine Country | Image: Jane Restaurant
Brander Winery
Brander Winery was our second winery tour and here we had the privilege of tasting estate grown wines surrounded by the wineries collection of Mexican Ceramics. Here we could see and taste in their words, “ the relationship of wine, art, and food as geopolitical expressions of terroir.” Fred Brander has been making award winning wines in Los Olivos since 1977 and we are certainly still enjoying them today.
Fun at Brander Winery in Santa Barbara's Wine Country | Image: Jane Restaurant
Jane Staff's Favorites:
2016 Brander Sauvignon Blanc and the 2016 Los Olivos District Cabernet Sauvignon. Look for the Brander Cabernet by the glass at Jane on State Street in Santa Barbara. This food friendly wine is especially tasty with our Grilled Lamb Chops, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Garlic Confit. Click here to learn more about Brander Winery.
Sanford Winery in Santa Barbara's Wine Country | Image: Jane Restaurant
Sanford Winery
Our last stop was the Sanford Winery. While at Sanford our friendly host gave us a behind the scenes tour of the winery and their entire facility from the estate grown grapes, their sustainable winery building to the wines final destination of their beautiful cellar.
Sanford Winery in Santa Barbara's Wine Country | Image: Jane Restaurant
Winemaker's Notes:
“One of our most popular and elegant wines, Dominio Del Falcon, "domain of the falcon" in Spanish, comes from a block on an east facing ridge located at the highted point of our La Rinconada Vineyard. Due to the high vantage point, this ridge has been home to a number of these beautiful predatory birds. This block, high in diatomaceous earth, planted to the Swiss, 2A clone of Pinot Noir, produces rich, seamless wine with vibrant fruits such as black raspberry and Bing cherry along with hints of cinnamon and anise. The palate presents dusty cherry and spice flavors balanced by lively acidity. This limited bottling is very approachable now, but will only improve with aging. It has the balance and structure for cellaring up to 8 to 10 years. One of our most versatile pinots, relish a glass by itself or savor with a wide range of foods. This wine always sells out fast, so stock your cellar now!"
TASTING NOTES: "The palate presents dusty cherry and spice flavors balanced by lively acidity.”
Click here to learn more about Sanford Winery.
Jane's Favorite:
Dominio Del Falcon Pinot Noir 2014
See our full Wine Menu below with Wine from across Santa Barbara's Wine Country and more.
