WINE ALLIANCE 2025 EVents
STA. RITA HILLS
Saunters & Sips 2025
APRIL 12 from 2-5pm
At the at Museum of Ventura County
Saunter & Sip with over 25 wineries from the Sta. Rita Hills showcasing their new spring releases with a special emphasis on Rosés and delicious Sparkling wines.
High on the Hog Catering will be providing delicious BBQ and snacks.
Music by The Salty Strings will round out our event for a lovely Spring afternoon.
To provide a memorable and comfortable experience, tickets are extremely limited, so purchase yours soon!
As an added attraction... SIPS SESSIONS WITH BONNIE GRAVES
Girl Meets Grape Founder and Wine Educator
Join us for a casual, educational discussion with wine writer and sommelier Bonnie Graves. She and our panel of winemakers will discuss what’s new and what’s classic in the Sta. Rita Hills.
Hosted at a New Location:
Museum of Ventura County
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Barden - Camins 2 Dreams - CrossHatch Winery - Dusty Nabor Winery - Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard - Fiddlehead Cellars - Flying Goat Cellars - Lompoc Wine Factory - Loubud Wines - MontemarWinery - Peake Ranch Winery - Seagrape Wine Company - Sweetzer Cellars - The Ojai Vineyard - Tomi Cellars - Sanford Winery… and more!
Barden - Camins 2 Dreams - CrossHatch Winery - Dusty Nabor Winery - Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard - Fiddlehead Cellars - Flying Goat Cellars - Lompoc Wine Factory - Loubud Wines - MontemarWinery - Peake Ranch Winery - Seagrape Wine Company - Sweetzer Cellars - The Ojai Vineyard - Tomi Cellars - Sanford Winery… and more!
Come Sip with Us!
Join over 20 producers pouring Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Syrahs, with a special focus on Rosés and Sparkling wines from the Sta. Rita Hills. This year’s event will be at a beautiful new location — the Museum of Ventura County.
Wine & Fire 2025
AUGUST 14-17, 2025
Join us for this four-day weekend celebrating our wineries and vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills.
The weekend kicks off with our annual Barn Party followed by a La Paulée Style dinner honoring our Vintners of the Year, Saturday morning’s Speed Tasting with a Winemaker, Saturday evening’s Grand Tasting at the historic La Purisima Mission and Sunday Funday celebrations hosted by individual wineries.
More details coming soon! Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Past VINTNERS OF THE YEAR
2024 Vintners of the Year
Frank Ostini & Gray Hartley
HITCHING POST WINES
Chef Frank Ostini and commercial fisherman Gray Hartley met in 1977 at the Casmalia Hitching Post. Their chance meeting led to a lifelong winemaking partnership that started in Frank’s garage with a 1979 Merlot from Firestone Vineyards. In 1985 they sourced their first SRH Pinot Noir from Sanford & Benedict vineyard, long before the area was a designated wine region.
2023 Vintner of the Year
Ken Brown
KEN BROWN WINES
Ken began his journey at Zaca Mesa Winery as head winemaker in 1977 and found Byron Vineyard & Winery in 1984. Passionate about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, he was also the first winemaker to introduce Syrah to the area. In 2004, he launched his namesake label, Ken Brown Wines, focusing on premium vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills to craft beautiful, small-production Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
2022 Vintner of the Year
Rick Longoria
LONGORIA WINES
Rick and his wife, Diana, have been an integral part of the Santa Barbara wine community for 40 years. He began his journey in the 1970s and started his eponymous brand, Longoria, in 1982. In 1998, he planted their estate Fe Ciega Vineyard near the cool western end of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. As a pioneer, a mentor and an outstanding vintner, Rick raised the bar for quality wines in the region.
2021 Vintner of the Year
Bryan Babcock
BABCOCK WINERY
Bryan was instrumental in the creation of our Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Babcock Vineyard was planted in 1979, and Bryan has pushed the limits in farming and production all along the way. Additionally, he has mentored many giving us the next generation of great winemakers. Creative and experimental in all things wine, Bryan is a true leader in our AVA.
2020 Vintner of the Year
Richard Sanford
ALMA ROSA WINERY
Richard Sanford is an icon in the Sta. Rita Hills. The original “Pioneer” he planted the first vineyard on Santa Rosa Road in 1971, Sanford and Benedict, and the rest is history.
2019 Vintner of the Year
Bruce McGuire
LAFOND WINERY
Making wine for Santa Barbara Winery since 1981, Bruce is a legendary winemaker who championed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Sta. Rita Hills. He currently is head winemaker for both Santa Barbara and Lafond wineries.
2018 Vintner of the Year
Kathy Joseph
FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS
Kathy is recognized as a pioneer among women winemakers as she passionately and enthusiastically creates stylistic Sauvignon Blanc and silky, textural Pinot Noir. At Fiddlehead, she annually produces about 5,000 cases of wine, with personal interest in each grape cluster, each barrel of wine and every bottle that finds its way to your table.