Gainey Vineyards Blog

John Falcone is our General Manager & Director of Winemaking at Gainey  He oversees all operations at the winery and provides crucial direction to the winemaking team.He began making wine in Santa Barbara County in 2001, following a 13-year winemaking stint in Napa Valley. Having garnered consistent critical acclaim for his wines over the years, John remains focused on “making wine in the vineyard.” We like to joke that he has a PhD in wine because his knowledge of wine runs a wide depth and breadth.

As a family-owned winery, we at Gainey Vineyard value our employees like they are part of our extended family. Our amazing staff have allowed this winery to flourish through the years. We thought it would be nice for you to get to know some of our staff, learn about they spend a day off,  why they enjoy living in the Santa Ynez Valley, and which Gainey wine is their favorite.  

There are a variety of ways to ferment and store wine nowadays: oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, glass containers, and plastic. Historically, before the 1600’s, wines were stored and sold in wooden barrels because glass bottles weren’t around yet

Our Gainey and Evan’s Ranch wine club members are invited to join us for a 3-day weekend of wine and wellness at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. This luxurious retreat will include lots of relaxation, lots of wine, and a great group of fellow wine club members to enjoy it all with. This lavish 3-day retreat begins at the AAA Five Diamond Ojai Valley Inn with wellness activities including yoga, hiking, and exclusive gourmet culinary and wine events.

The Barn at Gainey is perfect for couples who want rustic-chic elegance set against the pastoral loveliness of rolling hills, a creek, and live oaks. Built in the 1890’s, The Barn is located on the Gainey Ranch about a half-mile drive from the winery. This site offers a distinctive setting that allows you to use multiple spaces with everything from a sweeping meadow, to the shade of live oaks, to the rural charm inside the barn. The Barn is an enchanting site unlike any other property in the Santa Ynez Valley.

In case you haven't heard, The Ballard Inn restaurant got a makeover and a new name. The owners Chris and Chef Budi Kazali decided it was time for a refresh after taking over back in 2004.

With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, why not surprise your special someone with a romantic day at Gainey Winery. Here are our top tips for romance in the vineyard: 

Here at Gainey, at the start of every New Year, we get a lot of newly engaged couples booking our winery or barn for their big day. Gainey provides the perfect blend of romance, beautiful views, manicured gardens, and of course, great wine. But there are a few things to keep in mind when planning a wedding at an estate vineyard. We talked to Kerry Lee Dickey of Santa Barbara Wine Country Wedding & Events to get her professional tips on what makes for a successful winery wedding.

We now offer Signature Cellar Tastings inside the private Gainey Wine Cellar.  You’ll discover exclusive selected flights of our limited production wines. We offer this option for our guests seeking a more intimate and in-depth experience for those who want to learn more about wines and take their tasting experience to another level.  

Most of us know the old adage “white wine with chicken/fish, red wine with red meat” but the rules have changed for the better. A lot of wine and food pairing comes down to personal taste, but those who really know wine and food (sommeliers, wine makers, chefs) do suggest a few guidelines to follow. While there are a few commonly agreed matches of food/wine, don’t let that stop you from keeping an open mind and finding what matches work best with your palate.