In many ways, Sunstone Winery’s new Montecito location is the new kid on the block — easing into the space that Folded Hills Winery held for six years. But the Santa Ynez Valley winery is hardly new: The organic vineyard, founded by Fred and Linda Rice, began planting merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, mourvèdre, and viognier in 1990.
Today, the 52-acre vineyard, winery, and villa is one of the area’s most popular destinations for high-profile weddings and large events, while still offering casual tasting, weekend concerts for walk-ins, and family-friendly events. But the Coast Village Road tasting room is the ultimate “differentiator,” says owner Teddy Cabugos. The venue itself may be a fraction of the size of its original property, but it’s got unique offerings that help it stand out. “I always believed that an offsite tasting room would be a great experience,” he says. “When [the space] became available, it was almost like a dream come true.”
The Sunstone brand may need a reintroduction to locals who have long since put their dancing shoes away, which is why the Sunstone Lounge in Montecito may be the ideal setting for the in-betweeners — the locals who still seek a superb glass of wine in a relaxed setting but aren’t interested in a long haul to the Valley, or the travelers who seek respite after a day of shopping, sunbathing, or horseback riding with a locally celebrated winery in a comfortable, walkable setting.