Picnic lunch and wine tasting at Bridlewood Estate Winery, Santa Barbara

If you are looking for a relaxing day in Santa Barbara Wine Country then a visit to the beautiful Bridlewood Estate Winery, 3555 Roblar Avenue, Santa Ynez is a must. When this year's wine bloggers conference (#WBC14) announced a post-conference trip to Bridlewood Estate Winery I signed up. Yes! Even though I had already visited the winery, I still signed up. I was happy to return to Bridlewood with fellow wine bloggers. We were greeted by the staff upon arrival then led to an area, near the picnic tables, where we received a welcoming glass of Chardonnay. Who would not love a cold glass of Bridlewood Chardonnay on a hot summer's day.

#WBC14 Wine Bloggers at Bridlewood Estate Winery © Spaswinefood

 Bridlewood Chardonnay Time © Spaswinefood

Yes, we were greeted at Bridlewood Estate Winery with a glass of Monterey County, Chardonnay 2012.

Monterey County, Chardonnay 2012 © Spaswinefood

Bridlewood's winemaker, Mark Williams and the winery staff were there to greet us.

Chardonnay Time with the Winemaker © Spaswinefood

Mark Williams, Winemaker © Spaswinefood

Bridlewood prides itself on making Central Coast artisan wines. We tried a few of these wines.

Bridlewood Estate Winery
The winery grounds are absolutely stunning. As you enter the winery you drive down a tree lined entrance with a fountain at the end. You also pass by a vineyard.

Fountain at Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

Vineyard at Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

There, on a small hill sits Bridlewood Estate Winery over looking 105 acres. This estate was once an Arabian horse farm and equestrian horse rehabilitation center. A little of this history still remains. In fact, the winery offers horse drawn carriage rides.

Let's do a Carriage Ride at Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

The winery's architecture is mission style, with a bell tower, verandas and a courtyard with a fountain. 

Bridlewood's Spanish-style Bell Tower  © Spaswinefood

Veranda at Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

Vine-covered Arch © Spaswinefood

Vine-covered Archway © Spaswinefood

Santa Barbara County wineries received lots of attention after the movie Sideways was filmed there. This attention is certainly justified because there are so many excellent wineries to explore. In fact, according to the California Winery Advisor there are over 100 wineries in Santa Barbara County. It is no doubt that Bridlewood is the ideal place for a picnic. In fact after our welcoming glass of Chardonnay it was time for a picnic lunch. Our picnic lunch baskets were waiting there in shade near the pond. The reflections in the pond that day were near perfect.

Picnic Lunch Baskets, Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

Picnic Lunch Baskets, Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

It was a fantastic picnic lunch and a time for great conversations with wine blogging friends. I so love conversations over wine.

Picnic Table, Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

Picnic at Bridlewood Estate Winery © Spaswinefood

There on that sunny day in the shade of the trees, over a picnic lunch we discussed exciting happenings in the world of wine. We talked about Uruguayan wines and of course Santa Barbara County wines (#sbcwine). Over lunch we tasted some more Bridlewood Chardonnay and checked out Bridlewood's Rosés and Syrahs.

Bridlewood Estate Winery, Paso Robles, Rosé 2013 © Spaswinefood

Bridlewood Estate Winery, Monterey County, Pinot Noir 2012 © Spaswinefood

Near the pond, with grapes growing in the vineyard nearby, it was the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine.

Pond at Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

Vineyard View at Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

After lunch we listened to a panel discussion about local produce. While the discussion continued a little too long it was a great introduction to the local producers in Santa Barbara County. Janelle Becerra, Wine Country Getaways did an excellent post on this discussion, featuring Stephanie Mutz, a Santa Barbara fisherwoman.

Panel Discussion at Bridlewood © Spaswinefood

During the panel discussion wine bloggers tried some local produce paired with two more Bridlewood wines. Sorry, I did not get the name of the wines but, they were good.

Tasting Local Produce with Bridlewood Wines © Spaswinefood

Roasted Pepper on Salad, Prosciutto and Sea Urchin on Avacado © Spaswinefood

Yes, we did make some wine purchases in the tasting room before we left. All too soon, it was time for wine bloggers to leave.

Wine Bloggers, Bridlewood Estate Winery © Spaswinefood

As we left Bridlewood that day my thoughts went back to an earlier visit to the winery. During that earlier visit we had a picnic lunch on the veranda with a Bridlewood Chardonnay.

Picnic Lunch on Bridlewood's Veranda © Spaswinefood

Bridlewood is indeed a perfect place for a picnic.  If you have not tasted Bridlewood wines then check them out. Wine without BS has written an interesting article on his visit to Bridlewood. If you want something more visual checkout this wine tasting video, or this winery tour video with Judit and Corina, Wine Dine TV. Reviews of Bridlewood wines can be found at Snooth, Good Wine Under $20, Kens Wine Guide, Spirit of Wine, The Review Stew, Wine Dine Daily and Wine Welfare. Some visitors have left their comments at Tripadvisor and Yelp. Also, do not forget to check out Bridlewood's  Food and Wine suggestions.

I just have to share a few more Bridlewood moments:

Bridlewood Vineyard © Spaswinefood

View near the Bridlewood Fountain © Spaswinefood

I invite you to join me in my travels in Santa Barbara Wine Country and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You may also visit my travel column at the Examiner.

Sharon

Santa Barbara Wine County

July 2014

© Spaswinefood

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