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Santa Ynez Valley: Blending Tradition with New Culinary and Wine Experiences

05.31.24

The Santa Ynez Valley continues to evolve as a top destination in California’s Central Coast, merging new culinary and wine experiences with its enduring charm, ensuring its status as a 'Best Destination' in the West.

The region's allure lies in its dynamic blend of innovation and tradition. Despite its fame since appearing in the 2004 film "Sideways," the Santa Ynez Valley maintains its unique identity by continuously refreshing its wine and dining offerings without compromising the quaint charm that originally defined it. 

In recognition of these efforts, the 2023 Sunset Magazine Travel Awards named the Santa Ynez Valley a "Best Destination" in the West, while the MICHELIN Guide has increasingly acknowledged the area's culinary excellence, with Mattei’s Tavern being the latest local restaurant to gain MICHELIN recognition.

2024 brings new excitement to the valley with various additions, including a novel way to explore the Santa Ynez Chumash tribe’s culture and history, new tasting experiences, and enhancements to the local culinary landscape. Shelby Sim, President & CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, highlighted the anticipation surrounding the discovery of new restaurants, tasting rooms, and activities. He praised the local winemakers, chefs, and artisans whose creativity and dedication help the valley evolve while preserving its intrinsic charm.

Recent highlights include the debut of Na Na Thai by chefs Ashley and Nik Ramirez, offering a creative take on Thai street food; Priedite BBQ in Bodega Los Alamos, celebrating California ranchero culture with old-school barbecue techniques; and Whiskey ‘N Rye in Solvang, serving a diverse menu that honors multiple barbecue traditions. The wine scene is also thriving with new venues like Refugio Ranch, Kings Carey, and Donnachadh Family Wines enhancing the tasting experience, while Rock 12 Distillery introduces fine vodka, gin, and brandy crafted with traditional Serbian methods.

These developments promise to keep the Santa Ynez Valley an appealing destination for both new visitors and returning fans, blending rich traditions with innovative experiences in one of the most picturesque settings on the Central Coast.

Credit: Craft & Cluster courtesy of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley

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New Brands: Roark, Olukai, Amour Vert Join Irvine Spectrum!

05.31.24

Just as the sunshine and warmer weather grace Irvine, three exciting new brands are making their debut on the scene: Roark Expedition Union, Olukai, and Amour Vert. Settling into Irvine Spectrum Center, each brand strategically chose this bustling hub with its 17 million annual visitors and a lineup of top-tier brands epitomizing the Southern California lifestyle.

Irvine Spectrum Center’s vibrant array of youthful and trend-setting retailers now welcomes:

Roark Expedition Union: Born from a passion for authentic storytelling and exploration, Roark crafts essential and sustainable men's and women's goods for the adventurous soul. Season after season, Roark presents purpose-built apparel with stylish details, ready to accompany you from trail to bar. Drawing inspiration from global destinations, the newly opened Irvine location offers more than just clothing; it's a gateway to Roark’s adventure-ready goods and products from kindred brands, featuring surfboards, camping gear, grooming essentials, and travel literature.

Olukai: Making its mainland debut in March, Olukai brings a premium ocean lifestyle brand dedicated to crafting exceptional products with minimal environmental impact. Their styles seamlessly blend ocean heritage with contemporary performance, offering a range of exquisite footwear options from slippers to sandals, sneakers, boots, and mules.

Amour Vert: Fusing Parisian chic with California cool, Amour Vert introduces elevated and effortless style to modern women in innovative ways. Each collection features versatile, high-quality pieces adorned with hand-drawn prints, alongside works from independent artisans and local makers. As a trailblazer in sustainable fashion, Amour Vert champions small-batch production and transparency, ensuring customers can shop with purpose and dress with ease. Their Irvine Spectrum Center location is set to open this spring, offering a glimpse into their eco-conscious world.

Irvine Spectrum is at 70 Spectrum Drive in Irvine. 

Image Courtesy of Olukai

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