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Sideways Movie Put Spotlight on Santa Barbara Wineries
When the hit movie Sideways came out, people all over the country were introduced to idea that California wine-making does not begin and end in the Napa Valley. There are, in fact, several wine regions throughout the state, including the Santa Ynez Valley, where they filmed Sideways.
Dubbed Santa Barbara Wine Country by local tourism promoters, this is an idyllic and pastoral region of small towns, ranches and, of course, a few dozen wineries are scattered over an incredibly picturesque countryside. The film Sideways, which follows a pair of middle-aged men as they discover the charms in this region and the truths of their existence, won great accolades as a comedy / drama but, interestingly, also proved a successful journey.
That's not has been lost in the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau, which rushed to print with visitors a detailed color brochure offers a map of places of filming – A practical guide for moviegoers hurt the environment so skillfully revealed in the film cinematography. From all reports, a lot of people, Indeed, he went to the region for holidays or weekends and still is a common site to see visitors pulling out their big, green leaflets large Sideways to check their bearings while searching for another location used in filming the movie.
It has even been a bit of excess, according to some local residents. A few disgruntled locals complained that the traffic brought to the city for the film was a double-edged sword – good for business, bad for the roads in the area. Not only were roads getting clogged during the height of the popularity of the movie, but some say they were with people who are a little tape drunk all that wine tasting. The TV show Inside Edition was recently in the area checking out all the clutter.
Much Ado About Nothing is the answer for most of the locals who have had the pleasure to see the area get national publicity and finally find its rightful place in the tourism map. During our visit in March certainly did not seem too crowded, but again, we were there on weekdays and weekends, when they can be completely different.
We joined the other tourists in following our Sideways brochure to locations in Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Buellton and the "true Danish people "in Solvang, all featured prominently in the film. There was the Days Inn Buellton where Miles and Jack stayed and the parking lot where Stephanie beats in three days, "Jack. Or how about AJ Spurs, the western-themed restaurant where Jack meets his one night, Cami. He had to see the Sanford Winery, where Jack Miles teaches the basics of wine tasting and, of course, Fess Parker Winery where the server refuses to serve Miles a full glass of wine to spit in the bucket guzzles place.
In total there are 19 Sideways locations detailed on the map, all quite recognizable from the movie. Some places even have the unmistakable Sideways logo posted on their signs lest anyone not realize that their business or place especially now live in movie infamy.
also featured entertainment one of the places we stayed while in the Santa Barbara Wine Country. Middle-aged folks have no trouble recalling the name Fess Parker, who cornered the market in the 50's and 60's for coonskin-covered, mountain men buckskin use film. If you are a certain age, you remember Parker as Daniel Boone. If you are over what they want most people know, you remember him as Davy Crockett, a premiere figure in the stable of Disney characters on TV the wonderful world of Disney.
Unknown to most visitors, you can visit this one-time TV icon on most Thursday nights at Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos. Hostel guests are encouraged to join Parker for a handshake, a glass of wine and even some action musical. These meetings word of mouth makes it difficult sometimes to find a vacancy at the Inn on Thursday night.
Our room at the inn was all I can think of a historic inn located in a quiet village surrounded by magnificent scenery. The inn has been renovated and updated to the point that customers get the best of both worlds – old world charm with new world convenience. Our spacious room was furnished with exquisite antiques, palms of life and floral arrangements. The high ceilings featured white beams while the windows were closed. classic paintings were on the walls and floral bed coverings matched table covers chair. Our home was described by the hand-painted tiles.
Downstairs, the restaurant wine barrel room is a small, intimate, serving kitchen that is well known for being one of the best and most innovative in the area of Santa Barbara.
Several small shops, galleries and restaurants are in the center of the small town of Los Olivos, including Judith Hale Gallery, which occupies two buildings just a block from the inn and offers an impressive collection of paintings, drawings, sculpture and jewelry. Across the street is the Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant, where the two couples in Sideways enjoy a dinner and several bottles of wine.
We spent a little more time than usual visiting Santa Barbara Wine Country and we wanted to experience a presentation of others who had heard about – the Santa Ynez Inn. Located in Santa Ynez, is an unusual Victorian bed-and-breakfast, because it is a historic building at all – the inn was built from scratch just four years ago. This offers the advantage that everything is new – floors, carpets, plumbing – that will appeal to travelers with less interested in the historical aspect of their accommodation.
The Santa Ynez Inn is certainly one of the most luxury inns we have enjoyed. Entering the lobby, is notes the regally carved wooden staircase reminiscent of the grand staircase in the movie Titanic. The hallways are decorated with portraits of former presidents. In our second floor of the large room was found a sanctuary full of inspiration and antique furniture, luxurious details such as crystal chandeliers and glass-based lamps. The floral curtains parted to reveal a view of the field and a small balcony with table and chairs. Another sitting area, travertine, was next to the fireplace and two travertine and marble were used extensively in the swimming area larger than normal. A spa tub and separate shower area were similarly found in the most expensive hotels.
The luxury lodges chose were the perfect complement to days spent in a beautiful driving environment of the winery hold, aside from each location to the next. But again, if you want the true experience of Sideways, you can always choose to use the motel in the movie. Simply do not follow the script closely.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Santa Barbara Wine Country is about 30 miles northwest of Santa Barbara on Highway 154 (San Marcos Pass).
WHAT: Santa Barbara Wine Country includes several small towns and scenic countryside that is home to dozens of wineries and vineyards.
WHEN: Any time of year.
WHY: Santa Barbara Wine Country is famous by the movie Sideways. The area is a charming rural landscape that is easily accessible from the largest city of Santa Barbara – a tourist mecca in its own right.
HOW: For more information on Santa Barbara Wine Country, your Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau at 805-966-9222 or visit www.santabarbaraca.com. For more information on the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Spa Vigne, call 805-688-7788 or visit www.fessparker.com. For more information about Santa Ynez Inn, phone 800-643-4774 or visit www.santaynezinn.com.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, publisher of websites that focus on Washington travel, Oregon travel, California travel, Idaho travel, Montana travel and British Columbia travel.
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