Better than Breakfast with the Beatles - Lunch with Richard Sanford at Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards

From the minute I shook Richard Sanford's hand at the tasting room at Alma Rosa Vineyards on the famous Santa Rosa Road that is now so familiar to everyone, I knew that I would be hanging on to his every word.

I'm trying not to be overwhelmed by the influence that he's had on the wine making industry. I want to hear the story in his own words even though I have heard it repeated so many times before. He's a legend in his own time - really - the story of his driving his VW down this remote corner of the Santa Rita Hills AVA http://www.almarosawinery.com/about/history.html - holding up a thermometer to find the perfect spot to plant his first vineyard is known by wine lovers around the world.

We get into his truck for a short ride through his latest endeavor - Alma Rosa Winery - a perfect spot for him to realize his dreams both personally and professionally. And as we take this short ride, we talk about everything. The soil - what it means to actually have this AVA designation for these infamous growers - how the practice of organic farming is so consistent with his personal life philosophy.

We are warmed by the sun and his charm - and his modesty. I make him laugh at my stupid joke that I feel like he's the Paul Bunyan of wine.

You can see the pride that he has by introducing us to his vineyard manager, Martin Hernandez who has been with him over 30 years. The easy way that they have with each other - so many harvests shared.

Of course it's only natural that at some point in the conversation we turn to the topic of his former (and first) winery, Sanford, a brand so familiar to most of us. He left there to pursue what's most important to him - bringing a piece of himself and his philosophy of being true to the land, the grape, the people and the public through this newest effort Alma Rosa.

And as we sit down to our beautiful lunch in the bale room that overlooks the land you can see that he is so comfortable here. He really has managed to accomplish it all - again. Or maybe like he never had before.

We want to linger over the gorgeous Chardonnay - the accolades for the wines keep pouring in - and try balancing it back and forth with the Pinot Noir - not wanting to stop him from sharing his stories with us.

Alma Rosa is an amazing place. Even if you don't have a chance to experience Richard or Thekla's incredible hospitality, you'll feel immediately at home with Chris in the tasting room who will take good care of you.

The next morning at breakfast, I meet a group of visitors from LA and make them change their schedule to make sure they don't miss Alma Rosa. I'm hooked.

Driving home from Santa Ynez, we are sharing the silence, each pondering the magic of this place. The people we've met. They have all - somewhere in their wine making journey - been inspired or influenced by him.

Thank you Richard for sharing Alma Rosa and a part of yourself with us. Magic.

Editor's note: The menu? Beef stew with potatoes prepared by New West catering, some greens and lovely cheeses - we had to skip the dessert because we were behind schedule.