November 2011

Making It In Santa Barbara is a series of short biographies on local businesses in the manufacturing sector.  The goal is  to showcase local  companies 

who have moved

beyond the beach to produce products for use around the world.  

"Making it In Santa Barbara"

Oreana Winery 

By Stephanie Armstrong

     After graduating college at the University of California Santa Barbara, Christian Garvin, got knee deep in the wine industry through an apprenticeship at the Fess Parker Winery. With a family background in the food industry (his parents owned a restaurant in New York) and working in restaurants while attending college Christian was exposed to the growing industry of wine. Soon he was "bit by the bug," he says.

Seven years prior to founding Oreana Winery, Christian had spent seven years in a partnership with a UCSB colleague at the Jhan Winery in Los Olivos, California. After selling Jhan Winery, Christian moved to the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara at 205 Anacapa Street where they have been for the past seven years. At the start of Oreana the only other winery there was the Santa Barbara Winery. Now that area is known as the Urban Wine Trail both admired and adored by many tourists and locals looking for an opportunity to unwind with twelve different tasting rooms.

             Christian hadn't thought to get back into owning a traditional winery in the beginning but that changed quickly as Oreana expanded. Oreana Winery features eclectic wines with less known grapes of the Italian and Spanish types. They have Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Merlots just to name a few. They feature a Spanish wine known as the Verdelho which is the best of the eclectic variety. Christian has purchased the building they reside in and shares that they are "here to stay." Oreana Winery is not only known for their community events, great location and live music, but also for their participation with local charities such as the Unity Shoppe. 

In December Christian is involved with organizing the other wineries in the area to participate in the Holidays on the Wine Trail event where all proceeds from the evening ticket sales go to local charities. Last year they were able to raise about $5,000. Christian's favorite part of what he does "is knowing that every day is different. You never know what's going to happen."

You are always in for a great time when visiting Oreana Winery.

Visitor Center - 1 Garden St.

November

Visitor Center  

News  

    Monday, November 7, 2011 

924 Anacapa St., Ste. 1

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