{"id":9572,"date":"2019-01-21T18:26:46","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T02:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9572"},"modified":"2019-01-21T14:42:57","modified_gmt":"2019-01-21T22:42:57","slug":"cocktail-corner-sipping-for-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9572","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Sipping for Good"},"content":{"rendered":"

BELMOND EL ENCANTO & SUNSTONE WINERY CRAFT CUSTOM BLENDS TO BENEFIT YOUTH INTERACTIVE<\/h4>\n
\"Belmond

Belmond El Encanto has partnered with Sunstone Winery to craft two custom blends in support of the local youth organization Youth Interactive. Photo courtesy Belmond El Encanto.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

I’m always excited to hear about partnerships between local wineries, local businesses and local nonprofits. After all, when good wine benefits a good cause … well, it’s all good!<\/p>\n

Most recently,\u00a0Belmond El Encanto<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 collaborated with the beautiful, family-owned Santa Ynez Valley winery\u00a0Sunstone Winery<\/span><\/a> to craft two custom blends in partnership with GO Campaign<\/span><\/a> to support Youth Interactive<\/span><\/a>, one of my favorite local organizations that works to create youth-led businesses to help participants explore their creative and entrepreneurial talents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Belmond El Encanto worked directly with winemaker Bion Rice<\/a> and the Sunstone team to craft each wine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first custom blend, released in December, is Enchanted Riviera (pictured above). It is a 2017 cuv\u00e9e consisting of 50% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourv\u00e8dre. Each of the four lots used to compile this blend originated from the 28-year-old Sunstone Estate Vineyard. <\/span><\/p>\n

The white blend, Charming Vista, will be available in early 2019. A select panel from Belmond El Encanto and Youth Interactive’s Board developed secret blends for a blind tasting at Sunstone Winery, and a Level 2 Sommelier from the winery chose the winning blend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Youth

Youth Interactive Artist Jack Miles with his artwork that is featured on the “Enchanted Riviera” bottle. Courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

The bottle label artwork was created by Youth Interactive participant, 18-year-old La Cuesta Continuation High School<\/a> student, Jack Miles. A fan of abstract art, Miles was mentored by celebrated local artist\u00a0James-Paul Brown<\/span><\/a> on the design.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYouth Interactive means a lot\u00a0to me. It is a safe place where I know that I can always come to and feel free to be myself and express myself. I am able to meet important people in the community and expand on my skills to become a better person,\u201d says Miles, who hopes to find a job that allows him to utilize his talents and give back to the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Founded in 2012, Youth Interactive Santa Barbara\u00a0 is a grassroots after school Entrepreneurial Arts Academy that bridges opportunity and social divisions by providing creative young adults from all walks of life with the keys to self-sufficiency. Sold exclusively at the hotel, Belmond El Encanto will donate five dollars from each bottle sold to the organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also check out some of Youth Interactive’s other products at their new gallery space, the State Gallery @ YI Shop<\/a>, located at 1219 State St. across from the Granada Theatre<\/a> in Downtown Santa Barbara.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sunstone

Sunstone Winery, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cCollaborating with both Sunstone Winery and Youth Interactive is the perfect match for Belmond El Encanto,\u201d says Colleen Huther, General Manager of Belmond El Encanto. \u201cBeing a strong advocate for sustainability, we appreciate the\u00a0environmental preservation and organic growing\u00a0that is inherent with Sunstone Winery. A majority of our local community outreach efforts focus on youth, the future stewards of our planet. We can\u2019t think of a better youth organization to support than Youth Interactive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheers to good wine and good causes!\u00a0Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more Cocktail Corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0mag<\/i>azine 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.<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on January 18, 2019.<\/p>\n

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