Beautiful Evening at Buttonwood

It was a beautiful evening at Buttonwood Farms Saturday, where I was one of the lucky guests at their annual farm dinner. It was so lovely to sit out in the vineyard by the lake, and enjoy the delicious food and wine and delightful company. By the time the sun went down the breeze died down as well and the setting went from pretty to magical as the lights came on in the trees and the path was lined with candles. Seven wines were served and the favorites at our table were the Cabernet Franc (we had the 1999, but there's a very good 2007 available in the tasting room) and the BW blend, named for Buttonwood's owner, Betty Williams. The food just kept coming...I can't possibly mention it all here. There was a delicious sweet corn and goat cheese quesadilla; the heirloom tomatoes were outstanding; there was lamb, there was pork...and even though we were stuffed by the end of the meal, everyone finished their cobbler, made from the delicious peaches the farm is also known for. I also have to mention how much we enjoyed visiting with the guests at our table, a mixture of local residents, visitors from out of town and members of Buttonwood's extended family. As we learned some of Buttonwood's history, we were struck by the people and families that make up the larger Buttowood 'family' and their easygoing appreciation for the farm and for one another. We felt right at home and at least for the evening, part of the extended family ourselves.

Whether or not you're a foodie, you can be proud of our local wineries, which have once again gotten the attention of those in the know about food and wine. In the September issue of Food & Wine there is a whole page devoted to recommendations for wines to be paired with the various recipes this month, and wines from no less than four different area wineries are included. Bravo to Brander, whose 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (noted as a terrific wine under $15) is paired with Ratatouille and Goat Cheese Subs and Zaca Mesa, whose 2009 Viognier is recommended to go with the recipe for Fried Chicken. Beckman's 2009 Grenache Rosé, a "crisp, berry-inflected dry rosé," is paired with Shrimp Gumbo. Finally, in the reds, Lincourt's 2006 Santa Barbara Syrah is the recommendation to accompany Carolina Pulled Pork. (The whole issue has a Southern theme, if you're wondering.) Congratulations to all and well-done to Food & Wine for recognizing what we already know...that the Los Olivos area produces some of the very best wines available.

Los Olivos Cheese Company

Whether you're a fromagier (cheese expert) or just a cheese lover (who isnt'?) you should really know about the Los Olivos Cheese Company. The company offers light catering, picnic baskets and gifts featuring a lovely selection of domestic and imported cheeses, including some of my personal favorites like Machengo, Mahon and Humboldt Fog.

Jim Thomas and Lindy Shelden own LOCC. He's a retired sheriff and she was the cheese manager at the Los Olivos Grocery (see earlier post) for several years, so she knows her stuff! LOCC has fresh cheese delivered every week and their lunches are available daily at the Gainey tasting room. They also supply cheese to Rideau, in addition to their other public and private events. Lindy is available to do tasting parties as well. She'll teach you and your guests about the origins of different cheeses and how to pair them with different wines and accoutrements. I've had one of these parties and they are really fun.

As cheese experts, Jim and Lindy offer the following advice:

• Jim says, "try them all!" Everyone has different taste and there's a cheese for everyone.
• Lindy says, "only buy freshly cut cheese" and avoid those pre-packaged, shrink-wrapped cheeses you see in stores. Who knows how long they've been around?

By the way, her favorite is Eppoises, a very strong french, washed rind variety with a creamy interior, and his is a mild cheddar, English Cotswald, which they tell me is also great melted over potatoes. Mmm. One final tidbit...Jim and Lindy own six goats, so I had to ask: are they going to make their own cheese? A longing sigh from Lindy, who says she'd love to one day, but not yet. For now their six goats will remain pets.

See their current list of cheeses at http://stores.locc.biz/-strse-Cheese-Department/Categories.bok

Homegrown

Los Olivos Homegrown, at the corner of Grand and Jonata, is open for business again this summer, offering a terrific selection for all garlic lovers. If you think of garlic as just those tight white bunches you see in the supermarket, think again! Locally grown and hand-picked, Homegrown's selection included at least 15 varieties of different colors and strengths when I was there the other day. My favorite has a stronger than average flavor and is a beautiful deep purple. Homegrown is open on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 pm...do stop by. If you're not sure what to do with that fresh garlic, how about roasting it and then spreading it on bread or chicken, or putting it in fresh tomato sauce? Cut the garlic in half and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes (depending on the size of the head.) When it comes out, the cloves will be soft and pop right out of the skins. Spread and enjoy!

Last summer we had such nice lunches under the trees at the Rideau Vineyard. The setting was lovely, the food was delicious and generously portioned, and together with a taste of wine, it made for the perfect place to take friends for a wine country lunch. I was disappointed when I learned that lunch was no longer available, but as it was winter when I learned this, I assumed it was because of the time of year and that they would begin serving when the weather improved and the visitors were in greater numbers. I was quite surprised to learn the other day that the reason they still aren't serving lunch actually has something to do with the County. Apparently they do not want anyone to provide food service in a "residential" area. You can appreciate the irony, I'm sure. They can offer wine tasting, but not lunch. (In fact, you'd think that they would support wineries offering people something to eat with their wine to mitigate the effects of what sometimes becomes too much tasting. ) I should mention that Rideau is still serving a charcuterie plate with meats and cheeses, but there are no sandwiches and salads paired with wine. For those of us who've enjoyed a lazy afternoon lunch at Rideau, it's a true loss. On the brighter side, in addition to tasting, Rideau sells some of the best barrel aged balsamic vinegar in the valley. It's delicious and pours like syrup. Yum.

Peaches at Buttonwood

The peaches have arrived at Buttonwood Farm, just down the road from downtown Los Olivos! Cool weather had delayed the harvest, but Saturday at the winery they were celebrating their arrival with peach trifle, sliders with peach chutney, grilled peaches...it was quite the feast. And even for those who didn't indulge, the first crops of peaches were available for purchase...one yellow (Flavorcrest) and one white (Elegant Lady), both delicious. Peaches are $2.75 a pound, either variety, or $2.50 a pound if you buy in larger quantities. Save your boxes for credit if you buy a larger amount.

I couldn't help but buy a few myself, and I'm planning to make several trips back. I hear they make the best peach ice cream ever, and I'm determined to see for myself! Sounds like ice cream may be a few weeks off, but there may be pies as soon as this week. Yum!

Locals Only

On Friday evenings, you might like to stop over at the Heather Cottage in Los Olivos and thank our friends at Daniel Gehrs for reaching out to the community. Although the tasting room usually closes at 6 o'clock, on Fridays they are open until 8 for local residents and they're offering free tastes of their latest hand-crafted wines.

Hope to see you there!

Free Sips at Saarloos

Are you on Foursquare? It's a social networking game where you check in and let your friends know where you are. You also earn points and sometimes businesses encourage you to come in by offering something special. That's where Saarloos comes in. If you check in on Foursquare at the Saarloos tasting room in Los Olivos, they're offering a free taste. Log on, check in and get yours!

Qupe on Sale

Our friends at Qupe are having a sale at the tasting room in Los Olivos, but you'll have to get there quickly. Halfbottles of the 2007 Syrah and Chardonneys are 30% off by the case, to make room for the new vintage. You can purchase mixed cases, but know that the Syrah is in short supply, despite the fact that 3,000 cases were originally produced. I love the half bottles. They're perfect for a picnic and just enough for dinner...at least at my house. These will be the last ones with corked bottles, by the way. The new ones will have screw tops.

Construction is underway at the little blue house on Alamo Pintado, the one between the Grange and J. Woeste, across from Waxing Poetic in Los Olivos. Word is it's going to be a wine tasting room AND a jewelry shop. I hear they will have custom made jewelry and also do jewelry repairs. Interesting.

I guess there's a LOT of work to be done inside. Estimates for the opening are at least three months away, if not more.

Waxing Poetic

I hope you've had a chance to stop in at Waxing Poetic, the lovely jewelry store on Alamo Pintado that opened in April. I've already purchased three gifts there--ok four if you include the one I bought for myself--and each recipient was thrilled with their present. Their jewelry is hand carved and keepsake, drawing on old traditions of wax seals, books and letters, produced in Bali and utilizing recycled silver in much of the materials.

Even if you don't think you're in the market for jewelry just now (although you'll change your mind when you go there) a stop inside is worth the trip just to see the decor. CEO, Creative Director and local resident Patti Pagliei Simpson is as passionate about the store as she is the jewelry they design and sell, and worked with a team of craftspeople to create a one of kind interior, done almost entirely by hand. The sign at the front door was gilded with 22 karat gold leaf and an 18th century painting of the Virgin Mary hangs above the main floor, blessing everyone who enters. Inside, the custom carved wood work was designed and crafted by Erich Riedel, using reclaimed Santa Ynez walnut wood gathered by Frank Palmer and milled at his workshop right down the street. The idea to display the charms “hidden” in vintage books is inspired. There's a photo above, but you have to see it for yourself! It's also no accident that one wall is covered in Fornasetti’s ‘Ex Libris” wallpaper to create a library feel. Designer Stephanie Kheder Bodine served as art director for the store and even hand cut and assembled the “frescopauge” wallpaper. The feel is moody, but inviting and clearly created with great care.

There's more to tell about the details of the shop. Stop by Waxing Poetic, then meet me back here...My Los Olivos.

Los Olivos Grocery

Whether you live here or are just a visitor, the Los Olivos Grocery is something of a landmark. You probably don't do your weekly shopping there, but you've been by...for lunch, for something from the deli, for a few extra items you needed. Visitors from all over stop there to grab a bite or put together a great picnic lunch between wine tastings around the valley.

Proprietors Rich and Lauren Cundiff have recently sold the LOG. Although a thriving business, the grocery had been for sale for quite a while, and it was supposed to change hands at the end of June, but there's been a slight delay. Word is that the new owners also own some convenience stores in the SYV. It's unclear how the market may change, but I have heard that some of the employees will be leaving.

The Grocery dates back to the 1930s when the Santa Ynez Valley was mostly big ranches and Highway 154 followed the old stagecoach route across the mountains. Then it was the Santa Ynez Valley Market and was the primary market for the Valley.

I wonder what will happen at the Grocery under its new ownership. Let me know if you hear anything.

If you're not going to the Jazz & Olive Festival tomorrow, here's another great way to spend the day. The Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Association (SYVEA) is having it's annual fundraiser this weekend at Rancho Santa Barbara, a beautiful private ranch bordering Cachuma Lake. Called the Battle of the Sexes, the festivities actually begin this evening with skits and routines, the best of which will earn points towards tomorrow's contest between the men and women riders. The real competition happens Saturday with a series of events for both individuals and teams, where participants will collect points, hoping to win the highest awards: All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl, as well as bragging rights for their sex's team for the next year. Among tomorrow's events are team sorting and a very fast Pony Express race as well as individual contests like barrel racing, pole bending, keyhole and the multi-faceted Cowboy Trail class. I hear that although 90 seconds are allotted for the team sorting, most teams get their cows in the pen in half that time, or less. You have to see for yourself. The men's team has apparently won more than the women in years past, but I'm told the women are determined to come in first this year! Admission for spectators is $25, proceeds benefitting the SYVEA.

The 6th Annual Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival takes place next Saturday, June 5th, at the corner park by the flagpole from 1 to 4 pm. I remember last year you could hear the music all over town, but the food and drink--which sounds like a lot of fun--requires a ticket.

Live jazz music will be performed by the The Los Angeles Jazz "A Team," with singer Denise Donatelli, and food will be served by 30 different amateur and professional chefs. Twenty-two area wineries will be pouring. All 600 tickets sold out last year twenty minutes before the event began, so they've increased the event to 650 tickets, but if you'd like to go you should probably buy one now.
When the "doors" open at 1pm, you'll receive a souvenir wine glass and plate, and then make your way from canopy to canopy to sample the vintners' and chefs' offerings with music in the background.

The event is sponsored by the Los Olivos Rotary Club. Festival Tickets are $40 and can be purchased in advance at Corner House Coffee in Los Olivos, The Book Loft or Los Padres Bank in Solvang, the Burger Barn in Santa Ynez, and RaboBank in Buellton. More information and tickets are also available at http://www.losolivosrotary.org/ .

LOE Goes to Washington

After months and months of fund-raising, the kids from the eighth grade at Los Olivos Elementary School are on their way to New York City and Washington, D.C. Forty-two students and 18 chaperones head out this weekend for the Big Apple, where they will see the sights, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building as well as a performance of The Lion King. Then it's on to our nation's capital, including stops at the Washington monument, Lincoln memorial, National cathedral, the Supreme Court and Library of Congress.

English teacher Pam Rohr has been taking the class for eleven years now on a trip that they surely remember for a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who bought a holiday wreath, attended an event or in some way supported the class trip!

Like me, you may be wondering what will become of the retail space at the corner of Grand and Alamo Pintado, the former home of the Judith Hale Gallery. Good question. The building, owned by a company in Woodland Hills, is still available for rent.

What it probably won't be is a restaurant (sewage/septic restrictions) or a tasting room. (A rep says Los Olivos is unlikely to approve another one.)

The space in total is about 2100 square feet, give or take a few, but the owners are considering dividing it into three spaces, each in the neighborhood of 700 square feet. What's especially interesting to me is, in the proposed plan, only one of the three spaces would have a door on Grand. A second would have an entrance on Alamo Pintado and a third only from the back. The smaller space with the little door on the right facing Grand would make a cute little store, but that's apparently not what they have in mind when they divide it. I also wondered if someone could rent one of the spaces for a short term…maybe to try out a business or have what's referred to as a "pop up" store, but the owners are looking for a one-year lease, minimum.

Asking price: $3,000/month for the space with the entrance on Grand, $2,500 for the other two. Utilities are NOT included and any assessments or increase in taxes will be passed on to the tenants.

I hope someone great comes in. I'll try to support their business as I do all the businesses in Los Olivos. I hope you will too.

If you haven't tried the strawberries from the stand down on Alamo Pintado, it can only be because you don't know what you're missing. The baskets (three for $6) are bursting with the biggest, reddest, wonderfully ripe strawberries you've ever seen, not a bruised one in the bunch. I was going to add a recipe here for shortcake or homemade vanilla ice cream, but after I rinse them and put them in a bowl, they don't last long enough to get the ingredients together. Better to just whip some cream and dig in! My Los Olivos.

The stand has been there for three years now, and it's open every day from 9 to 5.

By the way, California is the nation's leading producer of strawberries, delivering close to 60 million flats so far this season already. Our neighbor, Santa Maria, is the second largest proudcer in the state, but the hands down leader is Oxnard, home of the 27th annual Strawberry Festival, which takes place next weekend.

If you have more self-control than I do, you might want to try the California Strawberry Commission's website, for a bunch of strawberry recipes. www.calstrawberry.com/recipe. Either way, make sure you run down to the stand before it's too late!

It's springtime in the valley and Los Olivos is surrounded by green hillsides and fields dotted with flowers. There are colts in the pastures and leaves sprouting on the grapevines. Even the roses are enjoying their first full bloom.