Editor’s Letter & Editor’s Picks | Winter 2019

Santa Barbara Seasons Editor Leslie Dinaberg, photo by Tracy Smith.

Santa Barbara Seasons Editor Leslie Dinaberg, photo by Tracy Smith.

“When you start to engage with your creative processes, it shakes up all your impulses and they all kind of inform one another.”  —Jeff Bridges

Relationships and connections are endlessly fascinating, and the art of making a life together while making art is even more compelling. In our feature on creative couples and “The Art of Being Together,” photographer/writer Leela Cyd teams with six local couples who share how they collaborate, cohabitate and continue on their creative paths together.

A change of scenery is always a great way to relax and recharge your energies—and your relationships. Whether you’re vacationing or stay-cationing, the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country makes a great getaway, especially at the newly refurbished Skyview. Read all about this cool place in “Retro-Chic Revival at the Skyview Los Alamos.” Wendy Thies Sell’s guide to  “10 Wonderful Winter Wine Tasting Adventures” also has some terrific recommendations for wine adventures to share with your loved ones.

Beautifully curated by Style Editor Judy Foreman, our Holiday Gift Guide takes you through the winter through Valentine’s Day, and is full of great ideas for everyone in your life, as well as some special items you might have to purchase for yourself (perhaps as a reward for surviving the chaos?). We’ve also got a fun feature from Cheryl Crabtree with “Bright Ideas for Beautiful Bathrooms.”

All of us at SEASONS wish you the happiest of holidays and an even better new year to come. Cheers to a wonderful winter!

Leslie Dinaberg

Managing Editor

Leslie@SBSeasons.com

Ben Rector courtesy Kids Helping Kids.

Ben Rector courtesy Kids Helping Kids.

Winter Editor’s Picks

Sure, there are many, many ways to learn about philanthropy and economics, but the San Marcos High School Kids Helping Kids program has to be one of the most interesting and unique.

JohnnySwim courtesy Kids Helping Kids.

JohnnySwim courtesy Kids Helping Kids.

During the course of 16 years, students have raised more than 3.1 million dollars for charitable purposes—to improve the lives of disadvantaged children both globally and locally. This year’s student-run gala benefit concerts feature Ben Rector on Friday, Jan. 11, and Johnnyswim on Saturday, Jan. 12. Both shows take place at The Granada Theatre (1214 State St., Santa Barbara). For more information, visit kidshelpingkidssb.org.


One of the highlights of my year is always the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which offers a whirlwind 11 days of more than 200 films, tributes and symposiums that range from American indie films to world cinema and everything in between. At press time, Glenn Close, Melissa McCarthy and Viggo Mortensen were set to receive awards, with many more starry tributes to be scheduled.

Glen Close courtesy SBIFF.

Glen Close courtesy SBIFF.

We can’t wait to see what the organizers have in store for this 34th annual event, which takes place Jan. 30-Feb. 9 at various locations in downtown Santa Barbara. For more information and updates, visit sbiff.org.

Named by none other than Time Magazine as one of the “Most Christmassy Towns

Nisse at Solvang's Julefest, courtesy Solvangusa.com.

Nisse at Solvang’s Julefest, courtesy Solvangusa.com.

in America,” the Danish village of Solvang truly sparkles during the annual Solvang Julefest (pronounced Yule-Fest) celebration, taking place from Dec. 1 through Jan. 4. Highlights include the Nisse Adventure Hunt, Candlelight Tours, visits with Santa “Julemanden” in Solvang Park, Shop, Mingle & Jingle Weekends and the Holiday Wine & Beer Walk “Skål Stroll!” There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than a visit to Solvang. For more information, visit SolvangUSA.com.

World of Pinot Noir, courtesy photo.

A salute to one of our favorite grapes, the 2019 World of Pinot Noir includes the opportunity to learn and taste with more than 200 wineries from around the globe. This marquee event, held at the beautiful seaside Ritz-Carlton Bacara Feb. 28 – Mar. 2, features pairing dinners, Pinot Noir parties and expert-led seminars. Other highlights include a Rosé Party on the bluff and
a special celebration rare library pairing dinner for the 30th anniversary of Fess Parker Winery. For more information, visit worldofpinotnoir.com.

Originally published in the Winter 2019 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

Cocktail Corner: 2019 World of Pinot Noir

The annual World of Pinot Noir event gathers the planet’s foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers, renowned chefs, sommeliers and leading wine scholars in a weekend-long seaside celebration of this delicious and storied wine. Courtesy photo.

The annual World of Pinot Noir event gathers the planet’s foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers, renowned chefs, sommeliers and leading wine scholars in a weekend-long seaside celebration of this delicious and storied wine. Courtesy photo.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

Looking for a special gift for that special wine lover? Tickets to the 2019 World of Pinot Noir are sure to please even the pickiest palates.

Always one of my favorite wine festivals, this year’s event includes more than 200 wineries from around the globe, pairing dinners, Pinot Noir parties and expert-led seminars.

Some of the highlights include:

Exploring the New World of Pinot Noir with Elaine Chukan Brown, the American Specialist for JancisRobinson.com and a contributing writer to Wine & Spirits Magazine, leading a winemaker panel discussion and tasting exploring the exciting wines being produced in New Zealand, Oregon, Chile and California. The discussion will explore how these pioneering regions are helping shape the future of Pinot Noir.

Tasting the Signature Styles of Burgundy with David Glancy, Master Sommelier and founder of the San Francisco Wine School, focuses on identifying the signature styles of the marque region.

Local writer and Wine Enthusiast Contributing Editor Matt Kettmann will host a dozen famous winemakers during Stars of the Central Coast Dinner.

The World of Pinot Noir takes place Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara. Courtesy photo.

The World of Pinot Noir takes place Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara. Courtesy photo.

Burgundy Dinner: Celebrating Domaine Chanson: One of the great historic producers of Burgundy, Chanson is one of only six producers in Burgundy still remaining from the 18th century. For this five-course dinner, the host, Chanson’s Managing Director Vincent Avenal, will be selecting verticals of some of his favorite wines to pair with the menu, created by Ritz-Carlton Bacara’s Executive Chef Umit Kaygusuz. The wines will include choice vintages of Chanson’s Beaune Clos de Fèves Monopole, Savigny Lès Beaune Dominodes, Chamberton Clos de Bèze, and Beaune Cuvée de Salins Hospice de Beaune. The dinner will open with Champagne Bollinger, Chanson’s sister Champagne house.

Savoy Vineyard: The Apex of Anderson Valley with Esther Mobley, Wine Critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, exploring the wines from Anderson Valley’s famous Savoy Vineyard.

A great gift idea for any wine lover, The World of Pinot Noir takes place Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara. Courtesy photo.

A great gift idea for any wine lover, The World of Pinot Noir takes place Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara. Courtesy photo.

Fess Parker Dinner to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Fess Parker Winery, WOPN hosts a five-course dinner and retrospective of one of California Pinot Noir’s most pioneering and influential wine families. Members of the Parker family, as well as head winemaker Blair Fox, will be on hand to walk guests through rare library wines representing the breadth and depth of the winery’s portfolio. Chef John Cox of The Bear and Star restaurant will deliver a carefully paired menu of his signature refined ranch cuisine to complement the tasting.

The World of Pinot Noir Grand Tasting, courtesy photo.

The World of Pinot Noir Grand Tasting, courtesy photo.

In addition, there are more special winemaker dinners and seminars, an Opening Night Party, Grand Tasting events on both Friday and Saturday, and a lovely Rosé Lawn Party on the bluff Saturday as well.

The Rose Lawn Party at World of Pinot Noir at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Courtesy photo.

The Rose Lawn Party at World of Pinot Noir at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Courtesy photo.

The World of Pinot Noir takes place February 28 – March 2 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara (8301 Hollister Ave.).

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit WorldofPinotNoir.com. Hope to see you there!

Cheers! Click here for more Cocktail Corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie believes variety is the spice of life. Send your suggestions to Leslie@sbseasons.com.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on December 7, 2018.