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.