AUGUST 13-16, 2026
Celebrate 25 years of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA at Wine & Fire 2026—an extraordinary four-day wine, food, and immersive festival experience honoring one of California’s most exciting winegrowing regions.
Globally recognized for our dramatic transverse valley, distinctive terroir, and Pacific-influenced “refrigerated sunlight” climate, the Sta. Rita Hills has become one of the world’s great cool-climate winegrowing regions. This milestone anniversary invites you beyond the bottle and into the heart of the appellation—where acclaimed winemakers, visionary vineyard owners, dedicated farmers, andexceptional chefs come together for an unforgettable weekend in the Sta. Rita Hills.
2026 Honorees
-
Vintner of the Year
Greg Brewer
Winemaker & Founder, Brewer-Clifton (Jackson Family Wines)
The Vintner of the Year Award recognizes exceptional achievement in winemaking and lasting contribution to the character and distinction of Sta. Rita Hills wines.
Few individuals have played a more defining role in shaping the identity of the Sta. Rita Hills than Greg Brewer. A founding force in the appellation’s modern history, Brewer co-founded Brewer-Clifton in 1996 and helped map and establish the AVA in 1997. His decades-long pursuit of refinement, place-driven expression, and disciplined craftsmanship has elevated the region’s global reputation for world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 2020, Brewer was named Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year, and his career has remained deeply rooted in the Sta. Rita Hills.
-
Farming Leadership Award
Francisco Ramirez
Vineyard Manager
The Farming Leadership Award recognizes outstanding dedication, technical expertise, and stewardship in the vineyards of the Sta. Rita Hills.
Originally from Ruiz, Nayarit, Mexico, Francisco Ramirez began his viticultural career in Sta. Rita Hills in 1997 at Melville Winery, where his early work helped cultivate a profound understanding of the region’s vineyards and distinctive character. Over nearly three decades, Ramirez has become one of the Sta. Rita Hills’ most respected vineyard managers, shaping the quality and expression of some of its most important sites. Through Loma Escondida Farming, he now works alongside his son, Paul Ramirez, carrying forward a multigenerational legacy of vineyard leadership.
-
Cellar Excellence Award
Auggie Rodriguez
Cellar Master, Sanford Winery
The Cellar Excellence Award recognizes exceptional craftsmanship and sustained excellence in the cellar.
Auggie Rodriguez is being honored for a lifetime of dedication to Sanford Winery and to the foundational excellence of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA itself. As Sanford’s longtime Cellarmaster, Rodriguez’s history with the estate stretches back to its earliest days — his family was present at Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in 1972, just one year after the first vines were planted. Through decades of steadfast commitment, Rodriguez has translated this pioneering vineyard into wines of distinction, helping preserve Sanford’s legacy while upholding the standards that continue to define the Sta. Rita Hills.
Schedule of Events
August 13th,2PM – 3:45PM
Join us for a rare and extraordinary opportunity to explore more than two decades of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay and Pinot Noir through the lens of four of the region’s most respected and compelling winemakers.
Featuring Vintner of the Year Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton, Justin Willett of Tyler Winery, and Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley of Hitching Post Wines, this intimate tasting offers guests the chance to experience the remarkable nuance, evolution and age-worthiness of the Sta. Rita Hills wines across multiple vintages and from three different eras of winemakers.
Taking place at The Barn at Fiddlestix Vineyard in the heart of the appellation, the tasting will be accompanied by a selection of locally sourced artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and breads. Very limited availability.
August 13th,4PM – 6:30PM
Kick off the 25th Anniversary of Wine & Fire 2026 at the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Barn — where Santa Barbara County’s first Pinot Noir vines were planted over 50 years ago.
Enjoy a festive evening of exceptional Sta. Rita Hills wines, including large-format, old, and rare bottle pours, alongside wood-fired pizza, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, live music, and sweeping vineyard views.
The evening concludes with a special tribute honoring 2026 Cellar Excellence Award recipient Auggie Rodriguez of Sanford Winery.
August 13th,6:30PM – 9:30PM
Join for an intimate honorary dinner celebrating Richard Sanford, one of the founding pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills and the visionary who planted Santa Barbara County’s first Pinot Noir vines.
Hosted at the spectacular hilltop home of Alma Rosa owners Barb and Bob Zorich, this special evening features a multi-course dinner by Chef Clark Staub of Full of Life Foods paired with exceptional wines from Alma Rosa and Richard Sanford’s cellar.
Very limited availability.
August 14th,10AM – 12:30PM
Join Master of Wine Amy Christine at Melville Winery for an unforgettable guided tasting exploring the global context and rising prestige of the Sta. Rita Hills.
This immersive seminar features two distinct tasting experiences: a sparkling wine deep dive and a comparative blind tasting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Oregon, and the Sta. Rita Hills.
Limited availability.
August 14th,5:30PM – 9:30PM
Celebrate Greg Brewer at this festive La Paulée-style communal dinner hosted at the spectacular 10-Ninths Winery estate in the Sta. Rita Hills.
The evening begins with a sparkling wine reception followed by a communal dinner featuring exceptional shared wines and cuisine from local favorite High on the Hog.
Cowboy Black Tie attire is highly encouraged, and guests are invited to bring special bottles from their cellars to share.
August 15th,10AM – 2PM
Join acclaimed winemaker Sashi Moorman for an immersive exploration of the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills.
Guests will experience an in-depth vineyard walk through Domaine de la Côte, with discussions covering viticulture, soils, terroir, farming philosophy, and the distinctive climatic forces that shape this extraordinary site.
Following the vineyard tour, guests will enjoy a curated three-course lunch paired with wines at Sandhi's Tasting Room & Kitchen in Lompoc. Limited space.
August 15th,9:30AM – 12:30PM
One of Wine & Fire’s most beloved events, the Sta. Rita Hills Speed Tasting offers a lively and highly interactive way to experience the region’s wines and winemakers.
Winemakers rotate tables every ten minutes, tasting two wines and engaging directly with guests before moving on to the next table.
The experience concludes with a relaxed wood-fired grilled lunch shared with fellow guests and vintners. Limited space.
August 15th,4PM – 7PM
Celebrate the grand finale of Wine & Fire 2026 at the historic La Purisima Mission, one of California’s most beautifully preserved mission sites.
Guests will enjoy the weekend’s most comprehensive Sta. Rita Hills tasting featuring more than thirty wineries pouring current releases and special selections.
The afternoon also includes live music and exceptional food from local chefs and farmers. Tickets are limited and include the Passport Ticket.
Visit our participating tasting rooms and enjoy 2 for 1 tasting benefits and other perks Thursday through Sunday. Included in the 25th Anniversary Bundle Ticket.
Enjoy safe and convenient round-trip shuttle transportation to and from select Wine & Fire events from three participating Lompoc hotels: Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, and O’Cairns Inn & Suites.
Shuttle service is available for the Barn Party, La Paulée Dinner, and the Grand Tasting at La Purisima Mission. Space is limited and advance shuttle ticket purchase is required.
Meet the Makers. Taste the wines. Celebrate the Sta. Rita Hills
Past Vintners of the Year
-
![]()
2025: Norm Yost
FLYING GOAT CELLARS
Norm’s 45-year wine journey began in Northern California until he found his way to Foley Winery in 1998. He has spent 25 years crafting Flying Goat Cellars small-lot Pinot Noirs, Pinot Gris, and méthode champenoise bubbles from the Sta. Rita Hills. Inspired by his pygmy goats, Never and Epernay, Norm launched the label in 2000 and rolled out Goat Bubbles in 2005 — Santa Barbara County’s first sparkling wine program. He continues to be an OG (Old Goat) legend leading the charge for sparkling wines in the Sta. Rita Hills.
-
![]()
2024: Frank Ostini & Gray Hartley
HITCHING POST WINES
Chef Frank Ostini and commercial fisherman Gray Hartley met in 1977 at the Casmalia Hitching Post. Their chance meeting led to a lifelong winemaking partnership that started in Frank’s garage with a 1979 Merlot from Firestone Vineyards. In 1985 they sourced their first SRH Pinot Noir from Sanford & Benedict vineyard, long before the area was a designated wine region.
-
![]()
2023: Ken Brown
KEN BROWN WINES
Ken began his journey at Zaca Mesa Winery as head winemaker in 1977 and found Byron Vineyard & Winery in 1984. Passionate about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, he was also the first winemaker to introduce Syrah to the area. In 2004, he launched his namesake label, Ken Brown Wines, focusing on premium vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills to craft beautiful, small-production Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
-
![]()
2022: Rick Longoria
LONGORIA WINES
Rick and his wife, Diana, have been an integral part of the Santa Barbara wine community for 40 years. He began his journey in the 1970s and started his eponymous brand, Longoria, in 1982. In 1998, he planted their estate Fe Ciega Vineyard near the cool western end of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. As a pioneer, a mentor and an outstanding vintner, Rick raised the bar for quality wines in the region.
-
![]()
2021: Bryan Babcock
BABCOCK WINERY
Bryan was instrumental in the creation of our Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Babcock Vineyard was planted in 1979, and Bryan has pushed the limits in farming and production all along the way. Additionally, he has mentored many giving us the next generation of great winemakers. Creative and experimental in all things wine, Bryan is a true leader in our AVA.
-
![]()
2020: Richard Sanford
ALMA ROSA WINERY
Richard Sanford is an icon in the Sta. Rita Hills. The original “Pioneer” he planted the first vineyard on Santa Rosa Road in 1971, Sanford and Benedict, and the rest is history.
-
![]()
2019: Bruce McGuire
LAFOND WINERY
Making wine for Santa Barbara Winery since 1981, Bruce is a legendary winemaker who championed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Sta. Rita Hills. He currently is head winemaker for both Santa Barbara and Lafond wineries.
-
![]()
2018: Kathy Joseph
FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS
Kathy is recognized as a pioneer among women winemakers as she passionately and enthusiastically creates stylistic Sauvignon Blanc and silky, textural Pinot Noir. At Fiddlehead, she annually produces about 5,000 cases of wine, with personal interest in each grape cluster, each barrel of wine and every bottle that finds its way to your table.
