Wine & Things

Bien Nacido Open House

Every year twice a year, Bob Lindquist of Qupe, and Jim Clendenen of ABC get together and hold a winery open house at their Bien Nacido based wine making facility.  This year's event, saw hundreds of people line up between the barrels for some great wine tasting and food eating. 

The event, free to Qupe or ABC members, and only $15 for nonmembers had more good wines than you could ever ask for.  The roster also featured wines from Vita Nova, Barham Mendelsohn, Verdad, and others.  ABC's Jim cooked pasta, salad, and saugage for every body.  Acording to Jim, all of the pourers were friends of their's, you could tell that they were also very enthused with the wines. 

Part of the fun of coming to this open house is driving back into the canyon, to the winery through the middle of the famed Bien Nacido vineyard.  On the property, can can really get a sense for the terrior here. 

We found a good spot by winery's side entrance that had some of Qupe's library wines whch including a 25 year anniversary Bien Nacido Syrah.  We will be looking forward to the fall when they have their 2nd open house. 

More

Blind Tasting Results
Our 32 participants enjoyed the blind tasting, find out how everything was scored.

Syrah Society
Our tasting event was a lot of fun and the results are in.

Chardonnay Symposium
Chardonnay is Santa Barbara County's most produced varietal, find out why.

Vintners Festival
The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival Weekend attracts wine lovers from near and far for an opportunity to meet member vintners, taste their wines, and enjoy great food and music over a long spring weekend.

Artiste' in Los Olivos
Artiste' re-opens tasting room, now in Los Olivos

Winemaker Dinner Los Olivos Cafe
Los Olivos Cafe presents Bernat Winemaker Dinner with Sam Marmorstein

Picnic at the Lake
13 Santa Ynez Wineries pouring at Bridlewood

Sanford the Steward
The County's most enviornmentally friendly winemaker.