85570 Thu Apr 01 17:28:37 -0800 2004 6 3 California 0 473264 I will be in the Santa Barbara area next weekend and would like to visit a few wineries in the outlying Santa Barbara areas. Anything in the Santa Ynez valley? How about some food recommendations out there as well? Thu Apr 01 17:28:37 -0800 2004 0 Brian 1 473270 We enjoyed the Blackjack winery - especially their Reserve Chardonnay! Thu Apr 01 21:37:01 -0800 2004 473264 0 torta basilica 1 473274 Up the 101 a bit, I would highly recommend the Hitching Post in Buellton for great pinot noir and great steaks. Melville Winery is also very good and I would second BlackJack. Fri Apr 02 03:06:32 -0800 2004 473264 0 ghotihed 1 473276 Stop by Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley. It has a couple little tasting rooms. The link to the one where they pour Au Bon Climat is below. My family moved to Los Olivos in 1864! Too bad they left in the 50s and 60s - our real estate woulda been worth a fortune now. Link: http://www.sbwines.com/ Fri Apr 02 09:27:42 -0800 2004 473264 0 snackish 1 473284 Depends where you want to go. If you head up to Buellton (40 minutes past SB), and then head west, toward Lompoc, you can hit Melville and Babcock, two top producers. Places to eat in Lompoc: Thai Cuisine, Saletti's, Sissy's Uptown, or La Botte. Then, on the way back, you can take Santa Rosa Road back toward Buellton and hit Lafond, Sanford and Mosby. Or, you could take the Hwy 154 out of Santa Barbara, and head right into Los Olivos - some good ones there would be Beckmen, Brander, Daniel Gehrs, Longoria, and Andrew Murray. The aforementioned Los Olivos Tasting Room is actually called the Los Olivos Wine and Spirits Emporium, and you shouldn't miss it - their website also gives many tips on tasting in the area. In Los Olivos, for lunch you could hit Los Olivos Cafe, Patrick's, or Panino - or double back five minutes to Santa Ynez for Grappolo, Vineyard House or Chef Rick's - all three are also open for dinner. You could also just grab a burger and fries at Paula's Burger Barn in Santa Ynez. Brother's in Los Olivos is also a top dinner choice. Hope that helps! Fri Apr 02 18:47:39 -0800 2004 473264 0 JT 1 473302 Wineries to try: Sanford: Great Pinot Noir and decent Chard Qupe: Syrah Mosby: Interesting Italian style wines Hitching Post: Pinot Noir and steak Foxen: Limited hours, but worth visiting Bedford-Thompson: Cabernet Franc Sun Apr 04 15:05:32 -0700 2004 473264 0 Bob Z. 2 473308 Unfortunately Bedford-Thompson had a falling out and is no more. Too bad, as their Syrah was incredible. Mon Apr 05 13:04:02 -0700 2004 473302 0 daveb