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The Santa Ynez Inn in Santa Ynez and The Landsby in Solvang, both of which are owned by Sima Corp. out of Santa Barbara, will once again be open for business on Wednesday, June 10. The Landsby will also be opening up its food and beverage services. 

The Landsby has been in a constant state of upgrade for the past five years, but has been closed for the past three months due to Covid-19. The management has used this time wisely to prepare for the post Covid-19 reopening.

“The capacity of the hotel has been increased to 51 rooms, the bar has been expanded in the last year and is ready for opening on June 10^th,” said Barry Prescott, general manager of the Landsby and overseer of the Santa Ynez Inn.

Julio Penuela was recently hired as the new General Manager of the Santa Ynez Inn. Penuela and his wife and newborn moved to the Valley in September 2019 from Santa Barbara. He has an extensive background in the hospitality industry having opened the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara when the fires and mudslides ravaged Montecito. He opened the Miramar Hotel in Montecito and was then offered the opportunity to move to the Valley. He came on board with the Santa Ynez Inn in March becoming its General Manager with a focus on launching The Victor (formerly known as The Vineyard House) early next year.

Because of his food and beverage background, he has also been busy helping with the new Summer Cocktails at the Landsby for the June 10^th kickoff.

“I’ve also hired a new restaurant and banquet manager for the Landsby’s Mad & Vin,” said Prescott. “Lauren Thill will be starting July 1^st and she has an extensive food and beverage background.”

Both the Santa Ynez Inn and the Landsby are considered ideal locations for weddings and events.

“The Santa Ynez Inn is a wedding destination with the Coach House being an ideal location for such an occasion,” said Penuela. “And the Landsby caters to a lot of wedding parties and events as well in the beautiful open courtyard.”  

“I’m very eager to welcome our guests back to the Santa Ynez Inn,” said Penuela.

“The Landsby will have open outdoor seating in the courtyard starting June 10. Chef Beto has been working on a new summer menu using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients,” said Prescott.  “I’m so excited that the Landsby is finally reopening with its great rooms and food and beverage options once again.” 

Both hotels have dropped their regular room rates by 25 percent for the opening subject to availability.

The Santa Ynez Inn is at 3627 Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez. For more information, call 805-688-5588,  email julio.penuela@santaynezinn.com or visit www.santaynezinn.com.

The Landsby is at 1576 Mission Drive, Solvang. For more information, call 805-688-3121, email barryprescott@thelandsby.com or visit www.thelandsby.com.

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The Santa Ynez Inn is launching a Recognizing Heroes Giveaway that started on May 1, where two winners will get a chance to enjoy a quintessential wine country getaway to the Santa Ynez Valley. 

“There are so many people going the extra mile to help others during this current climate, we wanted to do our part in recognizing their efforts. We’re also glad to be able to partner with other local businesses to bring this opportunity to life,” said Julio Peñuela, newly appointed General Manager of the SY Inn. 

Peñuela is looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming the community back once it is safe to do so.

“My wife and I welcomed our beautiful firstborn into the world last year just before moving to Solvang in October from down the hill in Santa Barbara, and we can’t wait to introduce our family to our new neighborhood! In the meantime, we are enjoying supporting local business as much as possible in order to help be sure that our tourism industry will thrive once again in the near future,” he added. 

Peñuela has big plans for the inn, including hosting events geared towards welcoming residents of the valley in addition to visitors and guests of the hotel.

“We want to celebrate the prolific spoils of SYV and make the Inn a place where locals feel just as comfortable as they would on their own front porch. We are incredibly thankful for the essential workers and the sacrifices that they have made during this time, and hopefully this giveaway is a little way of showing our gratitude,” Peñuelasaid. 

The giveaway will run May 1 – 14, 2020 with the first winner chosen on May 8, 2020 and second winner chosen on May 15, 2020. Each winner will be selected from nomination submissions of those that have gone above and beyond during these tough times to help others in their community.

Submissions should be sent to info@santaynezinn.com once the giveaway opens on May 1, 2020. Submissions require the name of the person being nominated along with their story. 

Once they have selected a winner, the SY Inn will reach out to the person who nominated the winner for the winner’s contact information. They will also announce the winner on social media. 

Each winner will receive the following prizes:

– Gift Certificate for a two night stay at Santa Ynez Inn

– $75 Gift Certificate at The Landsby’s signature restaurant, Mad & Vin

– $200 Gift Certificate to Santa Ynez General

– Bottle of Alma Rosa’s Estate 2017 El Jabali Pinot Noir and a VIP Reservation at their Tasting Room

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The 2018 edition of the month-long Santa Ynez Valley (SYV) Scarecrow Fest and Contest has officially come to a close, wrapping up with a November 15 “Harvest Cup” trophy award ceremony during November’s Valley-wide Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Solvang Festival Theater. The festival contest winners were announced at the November 15 event, and the “2018 Harvest Cup: Best in the Valley” title and trophy was handed over to this year’s contest winner, Solvang hotel and restaurant / bar, The Landsby and Mad & Vin, which will hold the trophy through the end of the 2019 Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest.

2018 Harvest Cup Winner – The Landsby and Mad & Vin.

The 2018 Scarecrow Fest – the sixth annual Valley-wide competition, sponsored in part by Visit Santa Ynez Valley – included the “SYV” communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and the town that started the original Scarecrow Fest, Solvang. During the festival, visitors and SYV locals were encouraged to play, stay and enjoy the scarecrow sights and many events which occurred throughout the month of Scarecrow Fest. The Valley boasted nearly 150 scarecrows this year, most of which were available for public viewing and voting to determine viewers’ favorites in the “field”.

The SYV Scarecrows, crafted by local businesses, organizations and individuals, were showcased across the Santa Ynez Valley in the three main communities of Solvang (including Ballard, plus a handful of scarecrows in Santa Ynez), Buellton and Los Olivos. The overall winning scarecrows from each town were eligible for the “2018 Harvest Cup: Best in the Valley” title and trophy, the winner of which was selected by an anonymous panel of Valley-wide judges.

The Valley’s first Scarecrow Fest was held in Solvang, in 2010. During this year’s Ninth Annual Solvang Scarecrow Fest, locals, tourists and area merchants voted for scarecrow winners in seven different categories, with about 90 scarecrows from which to choose. Solvang’s 2018 “Popular Vote” winners were: Best Photo Opportunity, TIE between Holiday Inn Express and ZFolio Gallery; Best Use of Recycled Materials, Wandering Dog Wine Bar; Best Use of Business Theme, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital; Most Danish, The Home Connection; Spookiest, The Landsby / Mad & Vin; Most Humorous, TIE between Coast Plumbing Solutions and The Stone Cow; and Best “Actual” Scarecrow (meaning, scarecrows made with more traditional materials), The Good Life. In addition to the seven category winners determined by public voting, anonymous judges awarded a “Best Scarecrow” title to an overall City of Solvang winner, The Landsby and Mad & Vin, which went on to compete for and win the “2018 Harvest Cup”.

In Los Olivos, about 20 businesses participated in the sixth annual Valley-wide Scarecrow Fest. The Los Olivos Scarecrow Fest saw visitors and residents voting on their favorite scarecrows with winners in the following categories: Best Los Olivos Scarecrow, Stolpman Vineyards; Most Humorous, Bien Nacido & Solomon Hills Estate Wines; Spookiest, Zinke Wine Co.; Best Business Theme, Stolpman Vineyards; Best Natural Materials, Honey Paper. The overall Los Olivos scarecrow winner – Stolpman Vineyards – represented the town in the quest for the “2018 Harvest Cup” trophy.

The Buellton Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau sponsored this year’s annual Buellton Scarecrow Fest. Buellton’s scarecrows were judged by locals, tourists and merchants, as well as a panel of judges, with winners in the following categories: Windmill Nursery, Best Use of Natural Materials; Jim Vreeland Ford, Most Humorous; Zaca Center Preschool, Best Use of Business Theme; and Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, Spookiest. Buellton’s “Best Scarecrow” winner, Sideways Inn, represented the City in the Valley-wide contest.

More information about each year’s Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest will be available at www.syvscarecrows.com (web site is currently under reconstruction) as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at facebook.com/SYVScarecrowFest, twitter.com/SYVscarecrows and instagram.com/SYVscarecrows.

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Staff Report

The Santa Ynez Valley is known for its exceptional wine — and for skilled chefs who pair those wines with outstanding fresh produce and meats.

So the folks at Visit Santa Ynez Valley created Restaurant Week, an opportunity for people to get a discounted three-course meal while enjoying libations, which has become one of the most popular events each year. This year, the special week is Jan. 21-27.

“We already have about 500 people interested in our Restaurant Week event and are excited to have everyone try our special menu,” said Dave Moser of Bottlest at Terravant.

Bottlest, for example, will be offering a first course of winter greens with sweet apple dressing, aged goat cheese and sourdough shavings; second course of stuffed quail with butternut squash puree, pickled pepper and black garlic vinaigrette; and a third course of chocolate ice cream.

Restaurant Week is part of California Restaurant Month, designated by the California Travel and Tourism Commission. More than 20 destinations across California are hosting events this month.

“I think the community looks forward to trying new restaurants and menu items they may not normally try because this gives them a reason to get out and enjoy a three-course meal for $20.18 — such a deal,” said Kathy Vreeland, executive director of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

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The Landsby in Solvang is offering discounts for both its hotel rooms and its Mad and Vin restaurant. Hotel rooms are available at a 15 percent discount off the lowest seasonal rate. The restaurant menu will be a starter of spicy popcorn shrimp, a farmer’s salad or market soup; entree of herb crusted salmon, braised pork or fresh pasta; and a dessert choice of fruit crumble or chocolate pot de creme.

“VisitSYV created Restaurant Week to bring visitors to the valley during a traditionally slow period; it’s now become one of the most anticipated events of the year. Many locals across Santa Barbara County come out to revisit and discover what’s new, while folks from across the state have it in their calendars to visit the Santa Ynez Valley during this very exciting gastronomical week,” said Shelby Sim, president and CEO of VisitSYV.

The $20.18 Restaurant Week prices do not include tax, tip or beverages; reservations are strongly encouraged.

For on the event, including menus and dining hours, visit dinesyv.com.

For a complete listing of restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms and events, go to VisitSYV.com.

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

Ballard

The Ballard Inn & Gathering Table, 2436 Baseline Ave, 800-6382466 www.ballardinn.com

Buellton

Bottlest Winery, Bar & Bistro, 35 Industrial Way, 805-686-4742 – http://www.terravant.com/

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., 45 Industrial Way, 805-694-2252 www.figmtnbrew.com

Firestone Walker Brewing Co., 620 McMurray Road, 805-697-4777, www.firestonebeer.com/visit/buellton-taproom-restaurant.php

Hitching Post II, 406 E Hwy 246, 805-688-0676, www.hitchingpost2.com

Industrial Eats, 181 Industrial Way, 805-688-8807, www.industrialeats.com/

Los Alamos

Bob’s Well Bread Bakery, 550 Bell St., 805-344-3000, www.bobswellbread.com

Plenty on Bell, 508 Bell St, Los Alamos, 805-344-3020, www.plentyonbell.com

Valle Fresh, 380 Bell St., 805-865-2282, www.vallefresh.com/

Los Olivos

The Bear & Star, 2860 Grand Ave., 805-6861359, www.thebearandstar.com

Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café, 2879 Grand Ave., 805-688-7265, www.winemerchantcafe.com

Santa Ynez

The Lucky Hen Larder, 1095 Meadowvale Road, 805-691-9448, www.theluckyhenlarder.com

S.Y. Kitchen, 1110 Faraday St., 805-691-9794, www.sykitchen.com

The Vineyard House, 3631 Sagunto St., 805-688-2886, www.thevineyardhouse.com

Trattoria Grappolo, 3687 Sagunto St., 805-688-6899, www.trattoriagrappolo.com

The Willows at Chumash Casino Resort,3400 E. Hwy 246., 805-691-1883 www.chumashcasino.com/dining/willows

Solvang

Cecco Ristorante, 475 1st St., 805-688-8880, www.ceccoristorante.com/

First & Oak, 409 1st St., 805-688-1703, www.firstandoak.com/

Fresco Valley Café, 442 Atterdag Road, 805-688-8857, www.frescovalleycafe.com

Leonardo’s Ristorante, 632 Alamo Pintado Road, 805-686-0846, www.leonardoscucine.com

Mad & Vin at The Landsby, 1576 Mission Drive, 805-688-3121, www.thelandsby.com/dine/mad-vin-at-the-landsby.htm

Petros Kafe, 487 Atterdag Road, 805-686-5455

Root 246, 420 Alisal Road, 805-686-8681, www.root-246.com

Santa Ynez Café, 606 Alamo Pintado Road, No. 1, 805-688-3543, www.santaynezcafe.com

Solvang Brewing Co., 1547 Mission Drive, 805-688-2337, www.solvangbrewing.com

Succulent Café Wine Charcuterie, 1555 Mission Drive, 805-691-9444, www.succulentcafe.com

The Ridge, 1618 Copenhagen Drive, 805-325-9820

WINERIES

Alma Rosa Winery, 181-C Industrial Way, Buellton, 805-691-9395, www.almarosawinery.com

Brander Vineyard, 2401 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez, 805-688-2455, www.brander.com/

Helix, 140 Industrial Way, Buellton, 805-691-9354

Kalyra Winery, 343 N. Refugio Road., Santa Ynez, 805-693-8864, www.kalyrawinery.com/

Loring Wine Company, 420 E. Highway 246, Buellton, 805-691-1300,  www.loringwinecompany.com

Nagy Wines, 145 S. Gray St., No. 103, Orcutt, 805-286-7228, www.nagywines.com

Pence Ranch & Winery, 1909 Highway 246, Buellton, 805-735-7000

Standing Sun Wines, 92 Second St., Buellton, 805-691-9413, www.standingsunwines.com

Wandering Dog Wine Bar, 1539 Mission Drive, Solvang, 805-686-9126, www.wanderingdogwinebar.com

LODGING

ForFriends Inn, 1121 Edison St., Santa Ynez, 805-693-0303, www.forfriendsinn.com 

King Frederik Inn, 1617 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, 805-688-5515, www.kingfrederikinn.com

Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn, 51 E. Highway 246, Buellton, 800-732-7687, www.peasoupandersens.com

The Ballard Inn & Gathering Table, 2436 Baseline Ave, 800-638-2466, www.ballardinn.com

The Landsby, 1576 Mission Drive, 805-688-3121, www.thelandsby.com

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Staff Report

Setting up happy hour for his guests at The Landsby’s Mad & Vin every day has become a favorite activity for General Manager Barry Prescott, but he is also looking forward to organizing Solvang’s Third Wednesday, as he has been named the new chairman of the event.

“What is important to me is doing something unique for our locals and unique for our visitors once a month. It really does excite me of the possibilities we can bring, and I enjoy being apart of the community,” Prescott said.

Solvang Third Wednesday is a promotion in partnership with the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, encouraging residents and tourists to “walk, shop, wine and dine” in Solvang. The next one will be March 15.

Wine tasting rooms and wine and beer bars offer special discounted tasting opportunities; participating merchants offer discounts on merchandise; the Farmers Market offers freshly harvested produce and gourmet goods; select Solvang restaurants offer dinner specials; and seasonal special events provide a variety of local entertainment.

The Third Wednesday Wine and Beer Walk starts at 3 p.m. and continues through 7 p.m. For $20, participants receive two wine or beer tastings at five venues of participants’ choice, a logo glass, and a map to guide them to more than 15 watering holes.

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