Just weeks after announcing the acquisition of Hotel Californian, the 121-room luxury resort that sits steps off the coastline of Santa Barbara, The Foley Food & Wine Society has opened a tasting room inside of the property, currently inside of Djinn, the hotel's library bar adjacent to the lobby. With the permanent location set to open in early 2022 at the corner of State and Mason Streets, the now-open tasting room offers a decadent preview of the exciting experiences to come.
Since entering the wine business in 1996, Foley Family Wines has operated throughout California along with other regions of the United States and around the world with vineyards in New Zealand, Argentina, and France. For second generation Vintner Courtney Foley, bringing the company's wines to the heart of the American Riviera in Santa Barbara adds a personal touch.
"It has been a long journey of building out our wine company and now it's available for people that live and work in Santa Barbara," Foley said. "It's nice to have something downtown now - in a city where I grew up in and a city that I still consider my hometown."
Four wineries on the central coast, near Hotel Californian will be incorporated on all tasting options. These vineyards include, Lincourt, Firestone, Chalone and Foley Estates, all in close proximity to the hotel. At the tasting room at Hotel Californian, the first of three tasting flights will be complimentary to members of the Connoisseur Club, which is one of the many benefits of becoming a member. The other two offerings, Taste of Wine Country and Riviera Reserve, feature Foley Family Wines from California's Central Coast to Oregon's Willamette Valley. To those already familiar with Foley Wines, these tastings offer a broader knowledge of specific wines from AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) up and down the West Coast.
According to Foley, the goal is to provide an educational experience to guests on the growth of the Foley Family Wines business and to teach them about wines from different, unique AVAs and how to perfectly pair with delectable bites. This tasting room will provide valuable insight to guests about wines, food, and the story of The Foley Food & Wine Society.
"What we are trying to achieve is not only showcasing to our guests what we've been able to do in the industry and how we've grown, but also give them an educational experience, so when they walk away, they've learned something new about a growing site, varietal or something about our company," said Foley. "We want to create something where people feel they've gained something from their experience."
Even for those who are not as invested in wine as others, visiting the tasting room at Hotel Californian is still a worthwhile investment of time. It is the perfect place for locals, guests and visitors alike who are looking to simply unwind and enjoy their day in the unparalleled American Riviera.
"We're trying to meet people where they are and give them more tools to get further invested in wines that they want to, or just provide a wonderful experience where they can escape and enjoy a beautiful afternoon in Santa Barbara."
Foley Entertainment Group continues to find ways to entertain and provide top-tier hospitality experiences. The Foley family is delighted to bring their wines to a place so dear to their hearts, as well as combining their wine business with their new, iconoclastic hotel.
For more information about The Foley Food & Wine society, visit
https://www.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com
as well as
https://www.hotelcalifornian.com/
for more details on Hotel Californian.
