Author(s): Mira Advani Honeycutt

Wine & Drinks

The winemaking region encompassed by Santa Barbara and San Louis Obispo Counties is hot among those in the know-and with good reason. In this up-and-coming area a huge variety of the finest wines are only a pour away, and the setting is as dazzling as what's in the glass. The wineries of the Central Coast offer the perfect mix of elegant hospitality and warm accessibility-as often as not the people who pour your wine is not only the winemakers, but the winery owners as well, and are happy to spend some time chatting about their passion. Whether you're looking for a lush picnic spot and a glass of bubbly, or panoramic views accompanied by a tasting flight of robust Rhone blends, her helpful tips will not disappoint. As well, she reveals the distinctive art and architecture that abound in the wineries, while fine cuisine, fresh produce, and eclectic shopping are never far away. It is illustrated with stunning full-color photography by top winery photographer Kirk Irwin.