I met Danielle a little over a year ago at a Wine and Art Event that was happening up and down State St. I saw this woman painting a beautiful picture using a local wine. I was instantly fascinated. I love wine and I love art, so this was a great combination. I introduced myself to Danielle and found out that she is a lovely person with a great gift for painting. I have had the pleasure of seeing her on several more occasions and am always impressed with her and her paintings. She is available for private classes and commissions.
From humble beginnings in Santa Barbara to the glamour of Hollywood and then back again, Danielle Renée Methmann is a self-taught wine artist (with a background in fine arts & digital arts) who captures rich and vibrant hues of red and burgundy using aged wine blends for her paintings. Inspired by Santa Barbara County’s bountiful wine region, passionate wine makers and fellow local artists, Danielle wanted to test her painting skills with this new yet ancient medium, wine. Having nearly tested all art mediums throughout her life this seemed as an obvious one but yet very unexpected and even more intriguing.
Danielle has a library of artwork available both originals and prints but is always welcoming commissions of any kind. To view timelapse videos of her process go to; https://www.instagram.com/daniellerenee.art/
I met Coco at a function a few months ago and was fortunate enough to try her amazing and delicious food. The variety of her offerings is truly remarkable and she will be happy to make anything that a client wants her to. Her background is also very interesting. She has spent the last few years as a private chef on yachts throughout the world. Coco's food is not only delicious, but it is reasonably priced. She will work with her clients to come up with the perfect menu, at a price that won't break your bank. She is available for small intimate dinner parties as well as large corporate functions and/or weddings. She can create seven course dinners as well as simple, but elegant appetizers. I would highly recommend Coco for anyone wanting something special with regards to catering. You, and your guests, will be very, very happy!
If you are interested in purchasing and/or selling a high-line, classic car or even motorcycles please give my good friend Josh a call. He knows everything about exotic cars/motorcycles and will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.
Jessica Foster Confections
Jessica Foster
P.O. Box 21332
Santa Barbara, CA 93121
805-637-6985
[email protected]
www.jessicafosterconfections.com
I was fortunate to have tried Jessica Foster's delicious chocolate creations on several occasions, and I have come away extremely impressed. They are always very tasty and flavors are always imaginative. She is often times at wineries pairing her chocolates with delicious wines. I met her a few months ago and was very impressed with her and the fact that she is a one woman operation. Her chocolates are available at many retail establishments in and around Santa Barbara (please check her website for details) and she also has a customizable Chocolate Club. That is a brilliant idea! She is also available for private parties and functions. I highly recommend Jessica and her amazing chocolates. They are absolutely delicious!
Menchaca Chocolates
Pete Menchaca and LeAnne Iverson
646-369-7277
[email protected]
www.menchacachocolates.com
I met Pete and LeAnne through my beautiful Wife Julie. I tried their chocolates and was instantly impressed. The flavor profiles are amazing and very different. I had them bring their chocolates to my most recent "Gathering of Friends" party and everyone was blown away. They were so delicious and paired so well with the wines that we had that night. I would highly recommend you contact Pete and LeAnne if want delicious chocolates in a wide variety of flavors, shapes and sizes for any and all occasions.
Rockwell Cleaners was recommended to me by my Father-in-Law, Dave Walsh. He is very particular about his clothes, as am I, and he will not take his clothes anywhere else to be cleaned. Yes, it might a little out of town, but if you want your clothes ‘done right’ then you will take them to Rockwell Cleaners. And they also do wonderful alterations as well. Jim, the owner, is very friendly and professional.
Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara
4501 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
805-683-2145
www.alphasb.org
I met Danielle a little over a year ago at a Wine and Art Event that was happening up and down State St. I saw this woman painting a beautiful picture using a local wine. I was instantly fascinated. I love wine and I love art, so this was a great combination. I introduced myself to Danielle and found out that she is a lovely person with a great gift for painting. I have had the pleasure of seeing her on several more occasions and am always impressed with her and her paintings. She is available for private classes and commissions.
From humble beginnings in Santa Barbara to the glamour of Hollywood and then back again, Danielle Renée Methmann is a self-taught wine artist (with a background in fine arts & digital arts) who captures rich and vibrant hues of red and burgundy using aged wine blends for her paintings. Inspired by Santa Barbara County’s bountiful wine region, passionate wine makers and fellow local artists, Danielle wanted to test her painting skills with this new yet ancient medium, wine. Having nearly tested all art mediums throughout her life this seemed as an obvious one but yet very unexpected and even more intriguing.
Danielle has a library of artwork available both originals and prints but is always welcoming commissions of any kind. To view timelapse videos of her process go to; https://www.instagram.com/daniellerenee.art/
The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation works to fill in the gaps needed to create real change and build a more inclusive future for those with disabilities. We provide practical family support, fund research, and are building the first inclusive playground in Santa Barbara. We work to inspire courage, foster inclusion and create a kinder world around the globe. And above all else, we NEVER GIVE UP.
The concept of Gwendolyn's Playground holds a very special place in the heart of my Wife Julie for a very special reason. It is her hope that the Santa Barbara community embraces the fundraising efforts to make Gwendolyn's Playground a reality for all of Santa Barbara to enjoy. What a wonderful world of play it will be to have the joy of children playing in a world that is conducive to their abilities, especially Victoria's vision of a huge frog - big enough for all children to climb on and giggle with laughter. And that is Julie's very special reason. #smusherface
This is my ‘go-to’ place in Santa Barbara for flowers. Everytime I want to get my beautiful wife Julie some flowers I choose Riley’s. They are open seven days a week, are very friendly and professional, their prices are very reasonable, and their flowers are always fresh and beautiful. We even used Riley’s for our wedding. And they even delivered them on a Sunday for us.
Coast 2 Coast Collection
Kacey Meairs 1114 State St., Suite 10
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-845-7888
[email protected]
www.c2ccollection.com
A great place to find a great and unique gift for someone special. From fine china and crystal, to leather goods, to sports memorabilia. I have used them on several ocassions to get closing gifts for my clients. Their selection is first rate, and their customer service is the best. Please tell Kacey that I sent you!
Patricia Noel Studio
Christina Sargeant
1253 Coast Village Rd., Suite 105
Montecito, CA 93108
805-456-9882
I was referred to Christina by a friend. I’m so very glad that I was. Christina is extremely friendly, very personable, her prices are very reasonable, and really did a great job of cutting my hair. I really like it and even more importantly, my beautiful wife Julie likes it. I would highly recommend Christina to everyone looking for a great hair stylist!
Albright Esthetics
130 Hope Ave. Space 127, Suite 114
Santa Barbara CA, 93105
805-455-2806
[email protected]
albrightesthetics.com
Becky, the owner, is wonderful, extremely professional and very friendly. She is an expert at facials, waxing, and peels. Getting a facial here is a wonderful experience (My beautiful wife Julie can attest to that!). Becky focuses on corrective skin care, but still includes all of the luxuries of a spa facial. You can even schedule your services online. Mention my name and get 20% off on your first spa service.
A very lovely downtown hotel. My beautiful wife Julie and I even celebrated our wedding here on the rooftop overlooking the harbor. It is a beautiful and breathtaking view.
Before I moved to Santa Barbara, I would always stay at this charming place. It is only a half a block from the beach, close to downtown, has really nice rooms, and Dan Fitz, the General Manager, is a great guy and always took great care of me and all of the guests. Please let him know that I recommended this charming hotel.
Ramada Santa Barbara
4770 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
805-964-3511
[email protected]
www.sbramada.com
This is a really nice hotel, just North of downtown. Close to UCSB, Goleta, and all of Santa Barbara. Nice rooms, lovely grounds, and a friendly staff that will help you ‘discover’ all that our beautiful city and surroundings have to offer. Call my buddy Drew Wakefield, Director of Sales and Marketing, directly and mention my name and he will give you at least 20% off, maybe more, and/or a free room upgrade if possible.
Fess Parker Wine Country Inn
2860 Grand AVe.
Los Olivos, CA 93441
805-688-7788
[email protected]
www.fessparkerinn.com
If you want to get away from Santa Barbara, or anywhere else for that matter, for a weekend of rest and relaxation, then this is the place for you. Centrally located in Downtown Los Olivos, amongst the wonderful restaurants and wine tasting rooms, this oasis has 19 luxuriously appointed rooms (including six suites), a lovely spa, an inviting infinity pool, and a delicious on site restaurant, The Bear and Star. Wine tasting tours and much more can be easily arranged by their friendly staff. Once you stay here, you can't wait to return again and again!
Perlina Designs
Jeanna Bracchitta,
Owner and Designer
111A Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara CA 93101
[email protected]
www.perlinadesigns.com
IG & FB: @perlinadesigns
I met Jeanna Bracchitta, the owner and designer of Perlina Designs a few months ago at a pop-up where she was showcasing her amazing jewelry. The designs are incredibly stylish and innovative, and yet very reasonably priced. I found Jeanna to be extremely passionate about her business and that definitely shows through with her beautiful designs. If you are looking for jewelry for that special someone in your life, you really should contact Jeanna. You should also follow her on social media to find when she is hosting one of her pop-ups locally.
Perlina Designs is a local jewelry brand handmade in Santa Barbara, CA. The brand is passionate about bringing timeless elegance into pieces that are explicitly now. All of the jewelry is made of gold-filled materials as they are committed to sustainable, hypoallergenic jewelry that will last. With a deep passion for nature, Perlina Designs uses freshwater pearls to evoke a natural, one-of-a-kind, signature look. Gracing each jewelry creation with unique natural elements, Perlina connects the wearer to the beauty of the natural world.
Tai was referred to me by a colleague when I wanted to hire a photographer to shoot my engagement proposal to my beautiful Julie in 2013. I found Tai to be extremely friendly, her rates were very reasonable and she was a consummate professional. She did an amazing job! The pictures turned out perfectly and she even made them into a CD for us. We also hired her to shoot our wedding a year later. Again, it was perfect and she again made a CD for us. She is now a dear friend. But that is not why she is on this site. Tai Kerbs is on this site because she is an amazing photography whose passion for achieving the desired result for the client shines through her lens and onto a canvas. I couldn’t recommend anyone more than Tai. She will capture your precious moments forever!
Rouleau Communications
P.O. Box 1108
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
Scott Rouleau: 502-836-4513
[email protected]
www.rouleaucomm.com
Scott and his team run a wonderful boutique public relations agency specializing in promoting luxury products and high-end niche companies. If you want to take your company to the next level, contact Scott right away!
There are several locations in the greater Santa Barbara area, but I have listed the one that I have used in the past. Customer Service is huge to me, and Enterprise has always delivered the highest customer service when I have used them. They are always friendly and professional. And I feel that they go the ‘extra mile’ to please their customers and it really feels as if they care about me and my well being. And that is huge with me!
The Gathering Table at The Ballard Inn
2436 Baseline Ave.
Ballard, CA 93463
805-688-7770
www.ballardinn.com
The Ballard Inn requires a little bit of a drive, about 30 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, but it is well worth it. The Ballard Inn (which also doubles as an Inn) Restaurant is romantic and quaint, has wonderful service and Chef/Owner Budi Kazali’s food is tremendous. It is probably my second favorite restaurant in all of Santa Barbara County.
Kyle’s Kitchen is an amazing place (there are two other locations; one in the Calle Real Shopping Center in Goleta and the other across the street from Costco in Goleta). Not just for the great Burgers, Fries, Salads and Milkshakes, but for the fact that they have donated over $100,000 in the past few years to many of the very deserving non-profits in this town. If you want great food, at a great price, and know that you are helping a large number of people, please go eat at Kyle’s Kitchen. You might even have the opportunity to say Hi to Kyle.
This is THE place in Santa Barbara that Julie and I go when we are craving a steak. They are always great (incredibly tender and always cooked perfectly), the side dishes are delicious, the atmosphere is great, the service is always first rate, and you never know how many celebrities you will see here.
Opal Restaurant and Bar
1325 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-966-9676
www.opalrestaurantandbar.com
I absolutely love this restaurant. It is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in all of Santa Barbara. The food and the service are always impeccable. Julie and I eat here several times a year and it is always a wonderful dining experience. In fact, this is the place that we first met. And it is the restaurant that we decided to eat dinner the night of our wedding. The have a wonderful and modestly priced wine list and their daily specials are numerous and delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion. And please tell the owners, Tina and Richard that we said Hi!
There are actually four locations of this great deli to choose from. I have listed the one that is closest to my office. They have great sandwiches and salads and their service is quick and friendly. Say Hi to my buddy Ritchie when you go in there. He is always friendly and upbeat and will always remember your name.
Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
900 San Ysidro Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
805-565-1700
www.sanysidroranch.com
It my opinion, this is the finest restaurant in all of Santa Barbara County. We have dined there on many occasions and it is always fantastic! The grounds, the scenery, the atmosphere, the food, the service, is always exceptional. I even chose this restaurant to propose to my beautiful Julie.
Reunion Kitchen + Drink
1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-364-3366
www.reunionkitchen.net
My beautiful wife Julie took me out for my birthday dinner last month and we decided to try Reunion Kitchen + Drink, down near the beach. We had heard nothing but good things about it and we wanted to try a new restaurant, at least new for us. We are so glad that we did. Our dining experience was awesome! The service was excellent, the view of the ocean wonderful, and the food was delicious. We both had the Slow Braised Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes. They were probably the very best short ribs that we have ever had. They literally fell apart when we used our forks. We are so glad that we went and we can't wait to go back again!
The Knox School of Santa Barbara
1525 Santa Barbara St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-222-0107
knoxschoolsb.org
I met Angela Tanner, the Founder and Director of The Knox School of Santa Barbara a few months ago at a seminar about local schools. I was very impressed by her, her passion for her school, and the fact that something so special is right here in Santa Barbara. Being a gifted child myself when I was young, I remember the challenges that I faced in school and probably would have benefitted greatly from a school like The Knox School. This is a very valuable and welcome school in Santa Barbara.
The Knox School of Santa Barbara for Gifted and Talented Children serves children in grades Kindergarten-8th. Our highly individualized curriculum meets students at their ability level to optimize their intellectual and academic development. Small class size, high teacher to student ratios, hands-on learning, and differentiated, meaningful instruction all ensure students thrive. Valuing the children’s deep intellectual curiosity, high ethical standards, and emotional sensitivities, the School provides a receptive, nurturing, student-centered environment encouraging inquiry and independence. Core classes are supplemented by a comprehensive STEAM program, Fine Art, World Language, Performing Arts, Physical Education, and Mindfulness. Located in downtown Santa Barbara. Visit them at www.KnoxSchoolSB.org (http://www.knoxschoolsb.org/)
Santa Barbara Picnic Co.
1525 Santa Barbara St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
309-716-8687
[email protected]
www.santabarbarapicnicco.com
Santa Barbara Picnic Co. specializes in creating elevated picnic experiences that bring an elegant and cozy touch to any celebration. Founded by Nicole Leza, this boutique event rental company offers thoughtfully designed picnic setups for occasions ranging from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. With carefully curated decor, high-quality furnishings, and customizable details, Santa Barbara Picnic Co. transforms the stunning landscapes of Santa Barbara into perfect backdrops for memorable moments. Partnering with Santa Barbara Picnic Co. means elevating your event with beautiful, stress-free picnics that blend style and comfort seamlessly.
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau.
Tina Slimp – Travel Advisor
1028 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Office: 805-869-1112
[email protected]
www.sbtravel.com
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau, and especially Tina Slimp, is definitely a one-stop place for all of your travel needs. Tina has helped me on several occasions plan vacations and business trips, and I have always been extremely satisfied. Both with the plans and the prices. Tina is a consummate professional and is very friendly. She listens to what you need and then she makes it happen. I know that most people think that you can make travel plans cheaper by yourself, but I haven’t found that to be the case. And besides, we are all very busy, and usually don’t have time to make these kinds of plans. Tina will take care of everything for you. She is located in the Santa Barbara office, but there is also one located in Montecito. I would highly recommend Tina and Santa Barbara Travel Bureau for all of your travel needs! Santa Barbara Travel also has a division called Santa Barbara Destination Services, for inbound travelers to Santa Barbara. If you need assistance in finding a hotel, flights, tours, or even just general advice on the area, feel free to contact Tina about this great service! Watch their video on the beautiful American Riviera and all that it has to offer.
Santa Barbara Trophy
920 Carpinteria St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-966-3097
[email protected]
Santa Barbara Trophy is the place that I go for anything that I need engraved (i.e., logos on client gifts, etc.). Melina, the Manager, is friendly and her service is quick and affordable. I have used them many times and everything comes out great!
Nicole Leza Planning & Design is a boutique wedding and event planning company based in Santa Barbara, known for creating memorable celebrations that beautifully capture the individuality of each couple and client. The team is led by Nicole Leza, a seasoned planner with a flair for destination weddings and intimate gatherings, delivering seamless and artfully designed events. With a collaborative approach, Nicole and her team ensure every event is a reflection of their client's unique style and vision. Partnering with Nicole Leza guarantees a thoughtfully curated, stress-free experience that guests will remember for years to come.
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau, and especially Tina Slimp, is definitely a one-stop place for all of your travel needs. Tina has helped me on several occasions plan vacations and business trips, and I have always been extremely satisfied. Both with the plans and the prices. Tina is a consummate professional and is very friendly. She listens to what you need and then she makes it happen. I know that most people think that you can make travel plans cheaper by yourself, but I haven’t found that to be the case. And besides, we are all very busy, and usually don’t have time to make these kinds of plans. Tina will take care of everything for you. She is located in the Santa Barbara office, but there is also one located in Montecito. I would highly recommend Tina and Santa Barbara Travel Bureau for all of your travel needs! Santa Barbara Travel also has a division called Santa Barbara Destination Services, for inbound travelers to Santa Barbara. If you need assistance in finding a hotel, flights, tours, or even just general advice on the area, feel free to contact Tina about this great service! Watch their video on the beautiful American Riviera and all that it has to offer.
McKinney Family Vineyards
Estate
1575 Edison St.
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Winery
86 Industrial Way
Buellton, CA 93427
www.McKinneyFamilyVineyards.com
My Wife Julie and I were referred to Matt McKinney and McKinney Family Vineyards by our good friends over at Grassini Family Vineyards. We met Matt at the family estate and he told us about how he got interested in wine, winemaking, and his vision for both his wines and what he wanted to accomplish in the future in this business. We were instantly impressed by Matt and his vision and then by his absolutely delicious wines. We joined his wine club on the spot. Since then we have seen the growth, both in Matt and his wines, and have enjoyed more and more of his wines, and the new winery facility in Buellton. It is all very impressive, especially considering how new Matt is to the business. We are excited to see where this journey will take us.
McKinney Family Vineyards is a boutique high end producer of Burgundy, Rhone, Super Tuscan & Bordeaux Varietals. While having a beautiful estate vineyard they predominately source their grapes from the top organic and biodynamic producers in Santa Barbara County. Tastings both on the estate (Santa Ynez) and the winemaking facility (Buellton) are by appointment only and well worth setting a date in advance to experience the wide array of elegant and powerful wines they produce.
Aaron Lober and Geena Bouche
I met Aaron and Geena a couple of months ago at a charity function. We hit it off right away because they are a wonderful couple, very nice and friendly and know a lot about wine. They told me that they have started a company that deals with wine that features small, boutique wineries that often do not even have tasting rooms. When they mentioned some to me, I was very impressed. I did a little research about them on their website and was further impressed. Here is just a small sample about them and their philosophy regarding wine and their company.
Quality, integrity and partnership are the bedrock on which we've built our culture. At Riviera Wine Group, our values serve as "true North" helping us stay oriented towards what's truly important. We partner only with producers who share our belief in uncompromising quality standards, bringing only the very vintages to the table for our club members. Each and every club shipment is treated with the utmost care from the hand selection process to guaranteed temperature controlled shipping. Every member deserves to experience their wine selection at its peak and we endeavor to deliver that level of experience every time. By embracing these values, Riviera Wine Group is building a national community of wine enthusiasts who share in the discovery of fine wine.
I highly recommend that you contact Aaron or Gina and sign up for their amazing wine club.
The Liquor & Wine Grotto
Whenever I need a very nice, hard to find bottle of wine for a client of mine or a very special occasion, I always go to see Jason and Brian, the owners of this great wine store. Their knowledge is unsurpassed and their prices are very reasonable for such high quality.
Grassini Family Vineyards
12-6 Daily, with the final tasting of the day starting at 5:30.
Grassini Family vineyards is a very pretty tasting room right in the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara, serving great wines, with wonderful customer service. Julie and I love going there before dinner, taking friends, or just relaxing while enjoying some delicious wines. In fact, their Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is the best that I have ever tried! Everyone at Grassini is friendly and knowledgable. You will have a great time and probably end up buying several bottles of their wine.
12-7 Monday-Thursday, 12-8 Friday, 11-8 Saturday & Sunday
My beautiful wife Julie and I attended a wonderful event recently at Pali Wine Co. We were blown away! Not only by the great wines, but by the service and the friendly nature of the entire staff. We had a great time! They have wonderful Pinot Noir’s and Chardonnay’s. But also, under the Tower 15 Winery label, some amazing other wines at fantastic prices. We highly recommend going here for the great wine and the great staff! You will probably will leave with a few bottles of wine and can’t wait to come back again!
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