There’s No Tasting Room Like Home

As most observers of the wine world know, Sanford Winery hasn’t been owned by Richard and Thekla Sanford since 2005. The wine pioneers moved on without their name but with the same drive to make terrific, sustainable wines with their new venture, Alma Rosa. The good news is the pair-along with Chris Burroughs, their tasting manager famous for his cameo in Sideways-are back in the old, rustic tasting room at Rancho El Jabal- (7250 Santa Rosa Rd., 688-9090), having packed up Camp Alma Rosa in Buellton on June 30. They opened up at the new/old site on July 1. Richard said, “Thekla and I are grateful to be back at our home ranch, Rancho El Jabal-. Camp Alma Rosa was a wonderful interim space but there is no place like home. We are in the same wonderful space where Thekla and I opened originally in 1983, 24 years ago.”

As for Sanford Winery, owned by the Terlato family, its tasting room is now at its Rancho La Rinconada facility (5010 Santa Rosa Rd., 688-3300).