TRATTORIA GRAPPOLO IN SANTA YNEZ

This past February, I got the chance to jet set to Santa Ynez Valley (wine country) near Santa Barbara, California. I absolutely fell in love! Click here to read more about my time there. While I was there, I ate at a restaurant right in the town of Santa Ynez called Trattoria Grappolo. It's an Italian restaurant hidden right in the middle of strip mall, but don't let this throw you off because it's excellent! The restaurant is owned by three brothers from Italy, and all the dishes are fantastic! I tried the Homemade ravioli stuffed with spinach, ricotta filled and parmesan cheese...Linguine Vongole which is linguine with clams (in a white sauce)...Rigatoni Bolognese with their traditional meat sauce...And for dessert, the Panna Cotta and the homemade tiramisu. Funny enough, I was watching Giada's Weekend Getaways this past weekend on the Food Network, and she headed to Santa Barbara for the weekend. Well, as part of her weekend trip was a day drive to Santa Ynez Valley, which included dinner at Trattoria Grappolo! She tried different things than I did (Rollino Veneto, Melanzane alla Parmigiana, salad, and lavender infused creme brulee and chocolate tartufo for dessert). Nevertheless, I was so thrilled to see that I had picked a place to eat at that was obviously good enough for Giada and Food Network!

MOVIES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO JET SET

CNN had a great article on its website last week called "Great Movies That Inspire You to Travel, " that I, of course, was instantly drawn to read. A film critic and author, Jay Boyar is quoted in the piece saying "Sometimes, it (a movie) can really inspire people to visit a place...They'll see the beauty of a city or a country, and they'll just start dreaming about that place, and the next thing they know, they're there." I couldn't agree more...movies and books have inspired me to jet set in the past (like when we went to Positano, Italy (see pic), and still do now. In fact, one of the movies, 'Sideways,' is a movie Jet Set Smart told you to watch to get you excited about wanting to jet set to Santa Ynez Wine Country in Santa Barbara County, California, just like it did for me. (That's twice in the last week that JSS was ahead of the gang with recommendations! :-)

Movies That Inspire Jet Setting:

• "Before Sunrise" (1995) and "Before Sunset" (2004)- Takes place in Vienna, Austria • "Under the Tuscan Sun" (2003)- Takes place in Tuscany and in some parts of the Amalfi Coast of Italy

• "Sideways" (2004)- Takes place in Santa Ynez Wine Country in Santa Barbara County, California

• The "Bourne Identity" and James Bond series. These movies take place in locations that are fun and spectacular. Think the Bahamas and Italy in "Casino Royale," and Morocco, Germany and England in "The Bourne Ultimatum."

• "Out of Africa" (1985)- Takes place in Kenya

• "Enchanted April" (1992)- Takes place in London, England

• "The English Patient" (1996)- Takes place in Tunisia and Italy

Rent one now...and have happy travels! :-)

MUST STOP SHOPPING IN LOS OLIVOS

Los Olivos, California is a quaint little town that's nestled in the heart of the Santa Ynez Wine Country. When you need a break from all of the wine tasting, these are a couple of stores I would suggest that you should check out...I call it the "Must Stop Shopping List for Los Olivos!"

If you are in the market for home goods, make sure to head to the Wine Country Home store. This is the place to find anything that's related to wine for your home like beautiful wine glasses, a wine rack, fancy bottle corks, or wine openers. There's also other great home goods like place mats, furniture, pretty paintings and some antiques. If you have an outdoor space (like a patio or backyard) where you live, then you will probably love some of their planters and Adirondack chairs...don't worry, they do ship!

Next, visit the Tin Roof Boutique. This women's clothing store has been voted "The Best Clothing Store of the Valley" four years in a row. It's the must stop shop for clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories.

What I love most about this store is that they carry both well known designer brands like Velvet, C&C California and Ella Moss, but they also have beautiful things made from local designers that you won't find anywhere else...so if you are looking to find a unique necklace, earrings, or a top...this is the spot!
The style of what you will find at the Tin Roof Boutique is very California...easy to wear clothing with lots of basic wardrobe-building pieces, but also lots of fun, colorful and different pieces and tons of fun accessories to complete the look. This store reminded me a lot of one of my all time favorite stores- Anthropologie. I very easily could have done a lot of financial damage in this store...I wanted everything I saw!

Another clothing store in Los Olivos that is worth paying a visit to when you are there is Details Fine Women's Apparel. I have to say that I was a bit skeptical at first if I would find anything that I like in this store, (I thought it catered more to something my mom would be in the market for than me) but I am so glad that I went in because they carry beautiful clothing, jewelry and handbags. If you are looking for some classic pieces like a "go-to" sweater, or a wrap or shawl, you will certainly find it here.

Los Olivos is a charming and historic town, so even if shopping is not your thing, make sure to go if you are in this neck of the woods, because there's also wine tasting shops, art galleries, and great restaurants. Los Olivos has now become one of my most favorite spots that I have jet setted to!

OUR SIDEWAYS TOUR

There is so much to see in Santa Ynez, California, and on a short trip there, it's hard to do everything. Something we did that helped us see a lot was to follow the Sideways map. The Sideways map is a map you can download here and use to taste your way through the Santa Barbara Wine Country the same way Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) did on their bachelor party road trip in the movie. Again, I say watch Sideways first, and then when you go you will recognize the same places...plus it's fun to snap a few pictures from the same route! :) There are 18 stops on the Miles and Jack map...we didn't even check out half of them (guess we'll have to go back)!(1) Foxen Vineyard: 7200 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CaliforniaThe Foxen Boys have been making wine together for 20 years. They have a very rustic tasting room that's really cool to see. They are open daily from 11am to 4pm.

Sideways: During the split screen portion of the film, Miles and Jack help themselves to full glasses when the pourer turns her back. I have to say this was one of my favorite wineries...I pretty much liked everything we tasted...could see why Miles and Jack helped themselves to full glasses! All of their Pinot Noirs are excellent, as is their Syrah from the Tinaquaic Vineyard.(2) Kalyra Winery: 343 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez, CaliforniaSideways: While tasting wine, Miles and Jack meet Stephanie, a flirtatious wine pourer who becomes the object of Jack's affection. We didn't have time to do a full wine tasting here, but grabbed a bottle of their Shiraz and a bottle of their Merlot to go...both were fantastic!

(3) Hitching Post II: 406 E. Highway 246, Buellton, CaliforniaSideways: Miles and Jack share a bottle of Highliner at the bar. While having dinner, they talk to Maya who waits tables there. Later, Miles returns on his own. We just had to do the same thing when we were there...so we went ahead and ordered a bottle of the Pinot Noir Highliner...we loved it so much and were excited to find out that they sell it at a wine store near our house...so we know we'll be buying more in the future!(4) Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant: 2879 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, California

Sideways: Miles, Jack, Maya and Stephanie enjoy dinner and several exquisite bottles of wine. Unfortunately, we didn't get to have dinner here on this trip...but, we know we'll go the next time we are there for sure. Since the restaurant was located right in the center of the same town where we stayed, we decided to snap a picture of it anyway.

(5) Bucolic Santa Rosa Road- Jack and Miles drive through vineyards. Just look at the scenery in this incredible part of the country...sometimes it was hard to believe this is the U.S. Gorgeous!

Stay tuned for more on the other vineyards (not from the Sideways tour) that we visited, as well as other great restaurants and of course, shopping!

SANTA YNEZ BASICS

Santa Ynez, California has become one of my new favorite obsessions on the west coast. The Santa Ynez Valley is located in northern Santa Barbara County (about a two hour drive north of L.A) and is the heart of Santa Barbara's Wine Country. If you've seen the movie Sideways, then you'll know what I'm talking about (refer to Sideways post). Why Go:
The Santa Ynez Valley has more than 100 wineries which feature some great white and red wines (more than just Pinot Noir- if you saw Sideways, you'll know what I'm talking about). Even if you are not a wine lover, you'll enjoy the landscape of rolling hills and farms. The Santa Ynez Valley is naturally beautiful beyond words or pictures. Need I say more?When to Go:

Really any time of year is good to visit...this is California, my jet setters! Winter months are chillier and the grapes are off the vine, but the rates are cheaper. Spring, Summer & Fall are obviously warmer and when you can see the vineyards are their peak...it's up to you! Below is a temperature guide to Santa Barbara county to help you decide what you like.

Where to Go: Santa Ynez Valley has six towns, all cute and quaint in their own way:Los Olivos: Where I recommend you stay. It has art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and wine tasting rooms.
Solvang: A Danish-inspired town (see picture above) that truly looks and feels like you are in Holland. There are Danish bakeries and restaurants, shops, museums, wine tasting rooms, and dozens of places to stay.
Santa Ynez: Really sweet little turn-of-the 20th century village that reminds you of what life was like back in the old west. There are a couple of restaurants, inns and boutiques here.
Buellton: Big town that you can almost just drive through and not stop to check out, other than The Hitching Post restaurant which was featured in the movie Sideways.
Ballard: A really small town with only two restaurants, a bed & breakfast, and a little red schoolhouse which is still used.
Los Alamos: With only a seven-block long main street, this town also has a western feel, a historic train depot, shops and restaurants.

Where to Stay:
We rented a house through Home Away. It was located in the town of Los Olivos and was absolutely perfect in every sense of the word. The house was close enough to town that you could walk and it had an infinity pool...so nice!If that's not for you and you prefer to stay in a hotel rather than someones home, then the place I suggest to stay in Los Olivos is at the Fess Parker Inn.In Santa Inez, I would say to stay at the Santa Ynez Inn.If staying in Solvang is something you want to do, I would recommend staying at either the Wine Valley Inn & Cottages...Or the Hadsten House Inn & Spa. I'll have more on the wineries we visited, where to eat and where to shop in the Santa Ynez Valley in the coming days!

SIDEWAYS

Do you remember the movie Sideways? It came out in 2004, so it's sort of old, but anyway, it's about two guys who head to California's wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley for a week for a bachelor party before one of the guys gets married.

The reason why I'm asking is because I just jet setted there and I have to say it is an awesome place! I have been to Napa Valley before and it is gorgeous and worth checking out, but Santa Ynez is a lot less commercial and has so much natural beauty...plus some pretty awesome wine too I might add! If you are ever on the west coast near L.A., then I definitely say you MUST go to Santa Ynez Wine Country. I will have more about this amazing place in the next couple of days...so stay tuned.

In the meantime, if you haven't seen the movie, then I suggest renting it, and even if you have seen it, watch it again, because you'll know exactly what I'm talking about in my posts!