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.

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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. 

Wine & Fire 2025 Gallery

photos by Bottle Branding

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.