"Experience Santa Barbara Wine Culture"

On May 22, 2011, STCA celebrated our very first Spring outing. The theme was "Experience Santa Barbara Wine Culture". Over 53 members and their friends shared a great one day bus tour together.

From the early morning Palos Verdes fog to the pleasant sunshine in Santa Ynez Valley, the group enjoyed a rich breakfast provided by STCA, singing songs and enjoying good conversations. The first stop was Gainey Vineyards. The Gainey treated us with an estate tour before tasting and shared with us a great lesson about wine and its culture, which also benefited later wine tastings at Bridle Wood Winery (a Spanish missionary style, much more beautiful than a post card); Buttonwood Farm Winery &Vineyard ( a ranch style place, small but cozy, with a huge picnic area) and Firestone Winery ( a famous US winery with American style).
We had lunch at the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe' located in a town called Los Olivos. It is so beautiful and some of us want to live there forever. Dinner was at Root 246 restaurant in Solvang, leaving everyone happy and satisfied.
What did we bring back home? Wines, of course, especially huge bottles of estate wine, fresh cherries and strawberries, gourmet chocolate, cheese dips, ostrich eggs and our strengthened friendships with each other.