- The Santa Barbara Independent

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash | Thu Aug 24, 2006 | 12:00pm

Portfolio Envy

The Bradford Wine Group possesses one of the finest broker wine books in all of the Central Coast. Owned by Brad Iwanaga (pictured), the Bradford Wine Group boasts an impressive lineup of wineries in its small, select portfolio. Among its clients are The Hitching Post, Plumpjack Wines, and Rusack Vineyards. Located in downtown Santa Barbara, the Bradford Wine Group has brought to our local wine industry further credibility and clout. Iwanaga believes wholeheartedly in the expressed potential and excellence of Santa Barbara wineries, and his portfolio, which skews toward local wineries, is proof of his support and belief in local winemakers.

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash | Thu Aug 03, 2006 | 12:00pm

Buyer Beware

The other day, I visited a local liquor store. Mind you, I didn’t write “wine retailer.” Not that I have anything against liquor stores. I just want to clarify that fine wine retailers like the Wine Cask, East Beach, Vino Divino, Gelson’s, Renegade Wines, etc. would never employ the tactics I’m about to discuss. Still, at this little Santa Barbara County liquor store, something became evident-older vintages of famous wines it had recently acquired appeared to be questionable at best. And, when the retailer refused to answer my questions regarding their origins of purchase, I became even more suspicious.

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash | Thu Jun 22, 2006 | 12:00pm

Goooooooal in a Glass

My father and I have been exchanging emails about FIFA’s World Cup Soccer. I was born in the Azores Islands, about 800 miles off the coast of Portugal, on one of the smaller islands named Terceira. Soccer is our island’s collective sport of choice.

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash | Thu May 04, 2006 | 12:00pm

The Bright, Compelling ‘Future’ of Santa Barbara Wines

Doug Margerum and Wendy Van Horn, owner and wine director, respectively, of the eponymous wine-centric restaurant and wine store, The Wine Cask, have once again presented yet another successful S.B.

Bottles & Barrels By Indy Staff | Thu Apr 20, 2006 | 12:00pm

Syrah: The New Pinot?

It’s easy to have pinot envy. Pinot noir is everywhere these days, as the world is discovering the luxurious wines of Santa Barbara County.

Bottles & Barrels By Michael Cervin | Thu Apr 20, 2006 | 12:00pm

Top Five Faves from the…

1) Beckmen 2005 Grenache Pur-sima Mountain Vineyard: A bold, chewy red overflowing with plum, blueberry, caramel, and oak. Blended with a little syrah, it’s nothing short of exceptional.

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash | Thu Apr 20, 2006 | 12:00pm

Benessere Winery

Chris Dearden grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, with farming and agriculture in his blood. Soon after graduating from UC Davis with a degree in enology, he assumed his first winemaking post in the Napa Valley at William Hill Winery.

Bottles & Barrels By Emily R. See | Thu Apr 13, 2006 | 12:00pm

Kosher Wines Worthy of Celebration

No offense to Mrs. Manischewitz, but one reaches a point in one’s culinary life (say, around age 18?) where the sweet stuff is more cloying than enjoyable.

Bottles & Barrels By Svante Nilson | Thu Apr 06, 2006 | 12:00pm

Whitcraft’s New Digs

Do something for 30 years and you’re bound to get pretty good at it. During his three decades in the wine business, Chris Whitcraft has learned just about every aspect, from selling to reselling to writing. And finally, Chris Whitcraft the winemaker has a roof over his head that’s all his own.

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash | Thu Mar 30, 2006 | 12:00pm

Grapevine

Pinot noir fanatics are a rare breed. Unlike other wine lovers with more general tastes, the hardcore pinot noir fanatic will traipse around the globe in search of the best pinot noirs. Now, what they consider “the best” varies from fanatic to fanatic. There are pinot lovers that profess that only Burgundian-style pinots are representative of all the poetry and beauty this temperamental varietal has to offer.

Food & Drink