Some of you may or may not realize that Santa Barbara produces some of the best wines in California. We have over 200 vineyards, employing over 10,000 people full time and generating over $2 billion dollars, annually. (I am quoting stats from 2014, as I could not find later stats). I am sure these numbers are much higher in 2019.
Most of the wineries have tasting rooms in the city of Santa Barbara in a concentrated area known as the wine trail. Many of the cities near the wine country such as Santa Ynez, Buellton, Los Olivos and other also have wine tasting rooms. These wineries do not for the most part have public tasting rooms on location like the Napa/Sonoma and Mendicino wineries in Northern California.
With our niece in town, we decided to show her one the prettiest wineries in Santa Barbara County. Their public area includes a big deck with oak trees giving shade. After Ron and Allie tried several different wines, they picked a Pinot Noir that would pair well with a small cheese tray. We then took our wine glasses (Schott Zweizel Crystal goblets). Crystal lets you taste the fine nuances of wine unlike plain glasses.
It was lovely sitting on the deck talking, laughing and solving the world's problems. The vines were lush and green and budding. It looks like this year's harvest is going to be a great one. The deck is built around these old California Oaks and they add to the magnificent views of the hills and the surrounding vineyards.
Pictured above is the view of the vines from our table. We liked the lines that the vines made. Ron and I have been to Rusack several times. We have met friends from Los Angeles there.
We have brought picnic lunches and dessert to accompany the wines we selected. It is a lovely place to spend hours, which we did yesterday afternoon prior to going to dinner. You can even take a snooze. When you leave, you feel very relaxed and content.
This is an entry in Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 's challenge, Summer Fun Contest. Thank you Anna for hosting this contest.
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