A few historical insights Santa Barbara's Santa Rita Hills Wine Country

As we drove from Bulleton to Lompoc in Santa Barbara Wine Country we passed through Santa Rita Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA). Along the way to Lompoc, we also stopped at Sanford & Benedict Vineyard on Santa Rosa Road. It was here Richard Sanford planted the first Pinot Noir vineyard in what is now the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Sanford would go to plant what today are considered the “Grand Cru” vineyards of Santa Barbara County. These include El Jabali Vineyard (1983), which is today’s Alma Rosa’s estate vineyard, followed by La Rinconada Vineyard (1997), and La Encantada Vineyard (2000). He would also launch his namesake winery, the iconic Sanford Winery (2001), followed by Alma Rosa (2005). By visiting these vineyards and wineries over the years, I have gained historical insights into the wine history of the Santa Rita Hills AVA.

Santa Rita Hills Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Santa Rita Hills Wine Country: A Few Historical Insights 

Sta. Rita Hills AVA is an area with a fascinating wine history, of which Richard Sanford pioneer winegrower, and Vintner's Hall of Fame inductee played an important part (see article).  Sanford in the early 1970s identified a remarkable geographic anomaly. California’s Central Coast mountain ranges valleys open to the west, which allows cool maritime air to moderate the region, creating ideal conditions for grape growing. He would go onto to found the Sanford and Alma Rosa wineries. Sanford was inducted into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame in 2012 for his contributions to the California wine industry. Let's take a peek at the two wineries he founded.

1. Sanford Winery

Sanford Winery at Rancho La Rinconada in the Santa Rita Hills AVA was founded in 2001. It all began here when Sanford & Benedict Vineyards on Santa Rosa Road, was founded in 1971. Sanford and Benedict developed the vineyard, which today bears their name. Sanford Winery followed later.

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Sanford Winery & Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Sanford Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Estate Vineyards, Rancho La Rinconada © Spaswinefood

Terlato Wines International assumed ownership of the Sanford Winery in 2005. Sanford Winery was one of the first wineries I visited in the Santa Rita Hills. I would visit Alma Rosa Winery some years later, and most recently Alma Rosa Tasting Room.

2. Alma Rosa Winery and Alma Rosa Tasting Room, Solvang

Alma Rosa Winery has been on my radar for awhile. Richard Sanford and his wife Thekla launched Alma Rosa Winery in 2005. At the end of the post I have described an earlier visit to Alma Rosa Winery. However, it was during my most recent visit to Santa Barbara County visit we dropped by Alma Rosa's Tasting Room in Solvang. 

Alma Rosa's mission is to produce exceptional wines that exemplify the best of our unique cool climate terroir in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation of northern Santa Barbara County. They specialize in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rhone varieties, such as Grenache and Syrah.  I was first attracted to Alma Rosa because it was founded by Richard Sanford. These days Alma Rosa focuses on cool-climate varietals, best suited to the Santa Rita Hills AVA. Alma Rosa's estate vineyards are certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), the first to achieve this recognition in the region. Their main goal is to produce wines that express the terroir. They do this by making improvements in the vineyard (sustainable farming), and in the cellar with minimal intervention in the winemaking process. While the majority of the wines are from the El Jabali Estate Vineyard, they also produce wines from select vineyards along Sta. Rita Hills southern corridor.

Bob and Barb Zorich purchased Alma Rosa Winery in 2014, and today, the Sanfords still live on the property in retirement. Naturally during my last visit, I was excited to taste wines at Alma Rosa's Tasting Room.

 Alma Rosa Tasting Room, Solvang © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Wines

During our tasting room visited we tasted some Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from their wine tasting menu. Alma Rosa wines showcase the differences in micro-climates and soils. 

Alma Rosa Wine Tasting Menu © Spaswinefood

After the visit I bought some wines to bring with me. Amongst the wines was a Chardonnay.

Alma Rosa, El Jalbi Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills 2020 

Alma Rosa, El Jalbi Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills 2020 © Spaswinefood

Besides their Chardonnay wines we enjoyed tasting the following Pinot Noir wines.

Alma Rosa, La Encantada Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2020  

Alma Rosa, La Encantada Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2020 © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa, El Jalbi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2020

Alma Rosa, El Jalbi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2020 © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa, Barrel Select Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2019

Alma Rosa, Barrel Select Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2019 © Spaswinefood

I still remember visiting Alma Rosa Winery in 2011 (at that time the Tasting Room manager, Chris Burroughs who starred in Sideways-see notes below ). Clearly, Santa Barbara Wine Country has benefited from those earlier Sanford wine pioneering adventures.

 

Alma Rosa Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Given there are over 100 wineries in Santa Barbara County, getting to know wineries in Santa Rita Hills AVA is filled with exciting historical insights. During recent visits to Lompoc area I enjoyed checking out The Hilt, and tasting rooms in Lompoc's Wine Ghetto. There is so much to explore Santa Barbara Wine Country. I would also like to note that Santa Barbara's Ballard Canyon AVA produces quality Syrah. Ballard Canyon AVA decided to focus its efforts on producing top quality Syrahs. Boutique wineries in Ballard Canyon AVA achieved this goal by engaging in small scale production of Syrahs with richer aromas and flavors. This decision has come after, not only doing research on what grows best in the AVA but, it is the collective vision for the AVA. In keeping with this goal 50% of the Ballard Canyon AVA is dedicated to the growing of Syrah. I invite you to join me in my travels in California's Santa Barbara Wine Country and elsewhere at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook.

Sharon

February 2025

Remembering Santa Rita Hills Wine Country

Santa Barbara County, California

© Spaswinefood

 Alma Rosa Tasting Room, Solvang © Spaswinefood

Santa Rita Hills © Spaswinefood

Notes from Earlier Visit (August 2011)

When Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards was founded in 2005 by the Sanfords, Richard and Telka, they brought to Alma Rosa 40 years of sustainable wine growing history. As you enter Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards you drive down a road with vineyards on each side. The vineyards are set against the rolling oak studded Santa Rita Hills. Frommer's  listed Alma Rosa as one of 10 Best California's Wineries with a View. During Spaswinefood's August visit the California poppies marked each side of the road.

Flags at the Entrance to Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

California Poppie at the entrance to Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, 2011 © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyard is a California Certified Organic winery, approved by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers). The Sanfords commitment to environment is part of the philosophy that they bring to all aspects of Alma Rosa.

Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyard is California Certified Organic © Spaswinefood

When you arrive at the rustic tasting room it sets picture perfect against the landscape.

Rustic Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Welcoming Country Charm at Alma Rosa Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Tasting Room has lots of Country Charm © Spaswinefood

The Alma Rosa's wines include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with some Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir - Vin Gris being produced. We tasted some excellent wines at Alma Rosa. Some of the wines we tasted included the following:

Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2009 © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2008 © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2007 © Spaswinefood

There is a long list of wine reviews, awards and recognition of Richard Sanford on Alma Rosa's webpage. The wines at this winery get great reviews. This is not surprising given Sanford planted the first Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills in 1970. It is also not surprising given that Alma Rosa lists the talented wine maker, Christian Roguenant, as part of its staff.  If you are looking for a California winery with a commitment to the environment and great Pinot Noirs then put Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards on your wine route. If you are looking for organic wines then Alma Rosa is a must.

You may also want to check out wine pairing recipes posted at the site. The Tasting Room manager, Chris Burroughs who starred in Sideways is also an accomplished cook. Some of these recipes are vegetarian.

Sharon

August 2011

Santa Barbara County, California

© Spaswinefood

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