The four founding owners of Lompoc’s COLD Coast Brewing Co. have been honored with a second medal — a silver — in only their second competition since the business opened in April 2022.
COLD Coast Brewing was recognized in the American Black Ale beer-style category for its Black EyePA during this year’s Brewer’s Cup of California. Eric Oviatt, one of the brewery’s founding owners, described the ale as one that balances caramel, toffee and chocolate characteristics with a healthy dose of Amarillo and Simcoe hops.
COLD Coast Brewing is a true “hometown brewery” that brews on a small 3BBL system, and its beer is available in the adjacent tasting room, at 118 W. Ocean Ave.
It already has become a local gathering hall for many craft beer lovers in the area, where the brewery hosts trivia, karaoke, live music, beer yoga and more.
“The Black EyePA is one of my favorite beers to brew, and I am really glad to see that it was recognized in such a large competition,” said Mike Lamping, brewer and a co-founder.
The Brewers Cup included entries from nearly 200 breweries from all over the state, who entered more than 1,300 beers to be evaluated by an expert panel of judges over four days. The winners were announced in Sacramento on March 21.
“To receive a second medal within our first year of operations is both humbling and uplifting,” Oviatt said. “I feel we are still just beginning our journey, and are making improvements with every batch, but sometimes we step back and realize that we must be doing something right to be recognized on such a large scale.”
Santa Barbara Restaurant Week Underway Through April 23
With both new choices and family favorites, Santa Barbara Restaurant Week will continue through Sunday, April 23. Participating eateries will offer prix-fixe menus at a discount that ranges from $35 to $55 per person.
Proceeds from the event will benefit ProStart, a culinary arts and hospitality management program managed by the California Restaurant Association Foundation. Throughout the state, 140 public schools (including San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara) use this curriculum to reach more than 13,500 students annually, according to sbrestaurantweeks.com.
For more information and the list of participating restaurants and wineries, visit sbrestaurantweeks.com/dining-1-1.
Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival to Return June 10
The annual Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10 at Lavinia Campbell Park.
The shaded park is located at 2374 Alamo Pintado Road in the heart of Los Olivos.
Tickets are $100 per person and benefit the Los Olivos Rotary Club’s community and international services throughout the year.
Many of Santa Barbara County’s best wineries will offer tastings served with olive-related appetizers created by volunteer chefs. Denise Donatelli, a Grammy-nominated jazz singer, will perform with her “A Team” band of Los Angeles-based musicians — including Barbra Streisand’s pianist.
The festival will include a raffle for additional wine tastings, and a silent auction of lifestyle experiences and wine-related products and services.
For more information, visit jazzandolivefestival.org or email jazzolivefestival@gmail.com.
Women Winemakers Celebration Raises $15,000 for Rainbow House
In an event showcasing more than 30 women winemakers, more than a dozen chefs, and lots of sunshine and good cheer, the sixth annual Santa Barbara County Women Winemakers Celebration raised $15,000 for its 2023 beneficiary, the Rainbow House Inc.
The mission of Rainbow House is to open the first LGBTQIA+ community resource center in the Santa Ynez Valley.
The event took place at the newly opened Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection.
“We have a higher percentage of women winemakers here in Santa Barbara County than anywhere else, and that’s due to our culture of inclusion,” said Karen Steinwachs, co-founder of the Women Winemakers Celebration and owner/winemaker of Seagrape Wine Co.
“Along with our women chefs, we strive to help others in our community through our annual celebration and choose a charitable organization that all of the participating women winemakers elect. This year, the Rainbow House Inc. was an early nominee and was immediately selected by the group. We are thrilled to help them move forward with making our corner of wine paradise even more wonderful,” she said.
The Women Winemakers Celebration, held each year on or near International Women’s Day (March 8), has for the past six celebrations donated event proceeds to a variety of Santa Barbara County nonprofit organizations that aid underserved groups within the region’s communities.
Booker Vineyard’s Eric Jensen Earns Paso Robles Industry Honor
Earlier this year, the Paso Robles wine community united to recognize one of their own who has exemplified the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country with outstanding leadership and vision.
Eric Jensen, farmer-winemaker at Booker Vineyard, received the 2022 Paso Robles Wine Industry Person of the Year award at the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance’s annual gala.
Jensen has been a champion for the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA), its wines, people and community since 2001 when he first planted his vineyard. In 2005, Jensen and his wife, Lisa, launched Booker Vineyard’s first vintage.
Jensen began making wine with the help of his mentors, Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure and Justin Smith of Saxum Vineyards, both past Industry Person of the Year honorees. Jensen’s wines have since been recognized with the highest of accolades from all publications and industry notables.
“What an unbelievable honor to even be nominated for an award that is selected by industry friends whom I’ve respected and worked alongside for more than two decades,” Jensen said.
Jensen is one of the founding supporters of Must! Charities, and the originator-host of the organization’s annual PURPOSE auction event, which raised $2.5 million in its second year last summer. He is also a founding supporter of the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides academic opportunities to children of vineyard and winery workers.
“Eric Jensen’s commitment to the region is special. His tireless promotion professionally, and his personal support for the community is steadfast, which makes him more than deserving of this award,” said Joel Peterson, executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.