Meet El Lugar and Clairborne & Churchill Winemaker Coby Parker Garcia

Claiborne-Churchill winesInside Wine Santa Barbara—a fun and educational Meetup group which is open to the public—features winemaker Coby Parker Garcia at a special gathering on July 23, at 5:30 p.m., in the charming courtyard of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, 2559 Puesta Del Sol.

Under the El Lugar label, Garcia creates small lot, vineyard designate Pinot Noir, defined by their place of origin. The site-specific Pinot is sourced from Hawk’s Roost Ranch in the Russian River Valley, Rincon Vineyard, which is part of the historic Talley Vineyards of San Luis Obispo County, Greengate Vineyard of Edna Valley and Santa Maria’s famed Bien Nacido Vineyards which has produced many award-winning and highly-rated wines. One such example is El Lugar’s  2013 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir which received 93 Points and “Editor’s Choice” from Wine Enthusiast with the praise: “Longtime Claiborne & Churchill winemaker Coby Parker-Garcia releases his own project with exemplary results.”

Garcia is also the head winemaker at Claiborne & Churchill, taking the helm after his long-time mentor Clay Thompson retired. 

Guests will have the opportunity to hear from Garcia on his winemaking techniques and taste two of his premium El Lugar Pinot Noirs and three of his elegant Claiborne & Churchill wines. Light appetizers will also be served.

The cost of the event is $24. To register: http://www.meetup.com/inside-Wine-Santa-Barbara/.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on July 14, 2016.