Santa Ynez Valley, California
By: Sarah O'Brien - Senior Editor - floatingcork.com
When I think about Firestone Winery, I can't not think about family…and tires. Mostly I think about how the family had a huge tire empire and they branched out and started what became a wine empire. I have much respect for the Firestones because I sometimes observe people of wealth and opine that they are making dull and often ridiculous decisions with their money. I look at the Firestone’s, their estate and their miles and miles of vines and I think, brilliant. Brilliant except for that one time when Andrew Firestone was on the reality television show "The Bachelor".
Visiting the estate, you can't help but think about their family, as they are all smiling at you from behind glass and in frames suspended in time watching you as you stroll through their building, holding their glass filled with their wine in your hand. It isn’t as creepy as I am making it sound; in fact, it is actually very comforting knowing that the whole experience was made possible for you by a determined, hardworking, dedicated wine-loving brood.
Firestone was Santa Barbara County's first vineyard estate and was founded by Leonard Firestone and his son Brooks in 1972, which third generation Firestone – Adam, took over in 1994. The estate expanded and grew like any healthy family branch would. Today, the family estate includes Curtis Winery, Firestone Walker Fine Ales and Prosperity Wines. When I visit their estate with my family I like that it feels as though we are all just one big happy. Upon entering the building, you are caught up in the hustle and bustle of what seems a reunion of some sort, people packed in like sardines, and conversation is abuzz. This is where the cash register is located and the room is filled with the excitement of buying and selling – stretch the imagination and it is almost like opening presents at Christmas. Moving on to the tasting room, the “living room” of the winery, strangers are grouped together around a very long tasting counter. The winery was designed by Richard Keith & Associates and while the entrance is bright and light the tasting room is wrapped in dark wood, evoking a sort of rustic woodsy feel – the warmth of the winery and the rolling Santa Ynez mountains a picture to admire through one row of windows at the back of the room.
The Firestones know how to host a large party of guests. While other wineries appear to be somewhat frazzled when a group of six arrives, this wineries’ pourers nod at you as if they knew you were coming. All pourers accommodate and welcome every new arrival into their "home". The Firestone's have four levels of wines to offer: Ambassador – a recently released limited production, Reserve, Estate and Vineyard Select – an affordable selection. Snacks are aplenty – pretzels and crackers are present to sample and clean the palate. Tours are offered to immerse oneself further into all that is Firestone. Our guide on this particular day was sharp and witty. She began the tour by informing us about Andrew Firestone's dating status (as he still remained "a bachelor") in case there were any hopefuls in the crowd. She later cracked jokes about shooing birds to Fess Parker by way of crinkly tinfoil-type toppers tied to every vine. It was the type of tour that invited you to ask questions and appeased your curiosity. When the tour ends and you think your visit is complete, they invite you to take a complimentary visit to Curtis Winery, right up the road.
Upon completing my visit to Firestone Winery, I left with the feeling that this was a family committed to wine…and to people. As Andrew Firestone has said, "A lot of people I meet say they are intimidated by wine. We make every effort to dispel that fear in our tasting room". Mission accomplished in every aspect at this family estate.
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