Celebrate the Holidays with Santa Barbara County’s Award-Winning Wines
As the holidays approach, the spirit of celebration beckons. One of the best ways to enhance these joyful moments is with a glass of exquisite wine. A thoughtfully chosen wine from a remarkable vineyard can turn these joyful moments into unforgettable memories with family and friends. This season, look to Santa Barbara County to enrich your celebrations with exceptional wines.
Located on California’s Central Coast, Santa Barbara County is not only home to the American Riviera—the city of Santa Barbara—but it is also a veritable paradise for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A rare east-to-west mountain range funnels Pacific Ocean winds and fog into the vineyards, creating one of California’s longest growing seasons. The grapes ripen slowly, developing full flavors while holding onto their natural acidity. Affectionately referred to as “refrigerated sunshine,” this climate, combined with diverse soils, produces vibrant, irreplicable wines. Recognizing the magical qualities of this place, Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded Santa Barbara County 2021 Wine Region of the Year.
Why Choose Santa Barbara County Wines for the Holidays?
Brimming with natural acidity, ripe fruit flavors, and a touch of salinity, Santa Barbara County wines are delicious to sip on their own and are extraordinarily versatile for pairing with just about any dish from traditional turkey to takeout Thai. Whether you are planning a festive dinner or a cozy evening by the fire, there’s a bottle for every occasion.
Brewer-Clifton Wines
Unfettered Expressions of the Sta. Rita Hills
Founded in 1996, Brewer-Clifton’s award-winning wines reflect the geographic, geologic, and climatic uniqueness of California’s Sta. Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County. Founder and Winemaker Greg Brewer—2020 Wine Enthusiast Magazine Winemaker of the Year—has spent the entirety of his three-decade career dedicated to crafting cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this finite stretch of land. Greg and his team passionately and ritualistically create wines of intensity, complexity, and specificity to convey the characteristics inherent to each vineyard site and the region as a whole, with uncompromising quality.
Brewer-Clifton Holiday Wine Pairings
With its pure fruit, firm structure, and textural hints of orange zest and fresh sea salt, the Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay is a perfect match for roast turkey, a mushroom-leek tart, or sushi and sashimi. The Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir offers a balance of ripe red fruit flavors and earthy undertones, making it an exceptional companion for roast duck, a Moroccan-spiced lamb tagine, or a mushroom risotto with truffle oil.
Explore Brewer-Clifton’s (www.bygregbrewer.com) offerings and consider adding these award-winning wines to your holiday menu.
Cambria Estate Winery
Women-Owned & Women-Led, Sustainably Crafted
Founded in 1986 by Barbara Banke, Cambria is a women-owned, women-led producer of 100% certified sustainable, estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Santa Maria Valley appellation in Santa Barbara County, California. Recently listed by Wine Spectator as one of a “A New Class of Chardonnay Stars,” Winemaker Jill Russell believes that happy people make great wine. She uses hands-on, boutique techniques to craft wines that are prized for their texture, harmony, and energy. Jill leads a vineyard and cellar crew, with members who have worked at Cambria for over 20 years on average, and whose drive for excellence earned Cambria the title of a Top 100 Winery of 2020 from Wine & Spirits.
Cambria Holiday Wine Pairings
Barbara’s two daughters, Julia Jackson and Katherine Jackson, serve as the winery’s co-proprietors and namesakes for the estate’s two main vineyards and flagship wines. Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, beloved for its bright cherry and pomegranate flavors and balanced spice, pairs wonderfully with classic roast beef, roasted Brussels sprouts, or butternut squash soup. Fermented in both stainless steel and barrels for freshness and complexity, Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay is a terrific accompaniment to baked ham, grilled chicken tacos with mango salsa, or a creamy paneer tikka masala.
Visit Cambria’s website, www.cambriawines.com, to learn more about their dedication to sustainably crafting exceptional wines.
Handpicked Vineyard Treasures
As you plan your holiday gatherings, consider serving award-winning wines from Brewer-Clifton and Cambria Estate Winery from Santa Barbara County, Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2021 Wine Region of the Year. These cool-climate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays shine in every context and offer something for every palate. Visit your local wine merchant or order directly from Brewer-Clifton and Cambria Estate Winery for doorstep delivery. Raise a glass to the moments that matter most, surrounded by great food, friends, and family!