FARM TO BOTTLE
Vega Vineyard & Farm
For a family-friendly experience that combines the artistry of farm-to-table cuisine with winemaking in the serene beauty of nature, Vega Vineyard & Farm is the answer. From the exploration of sprawling vineyards to engaging in farm-to-table activities and relishing exceptional wine tastings, guests are invited to celebrate sustainability, craftsmanship, and the rich flavors nurtured by this remarkable estate. With an unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and a dedication to quality, this winery and farm promises a delightful escape and a deeper appreciation for the fusion of nature and wine.
Vega Vineyard & Farm is the living dream of owner Demetrios “Jimmy” Loizides. The similarities between his Mediterranean childhood home and the Santa Ynez Valley were uncanny. Jimmy always wanted to raise kids in a small town, and so 11 years ago, when his wife Karen was pregnant with their son, they made the move from Long Beach to this region. “I never wanted to open a winery. I’m a restaurant guy,” he recounts. “But I’ve always had this dream of doing like an Agritourismo European thing.” Jimmy wasn’t looking to be in the wine business, despite the fact that he was already in wine country. “So, when this property came up, it was perfect for what I wanted to do; it had everything, except it was a winery.”
In a stroke of perfect timing, the stars aligned to bring renowned winemaker Steve Clifton to Vega just as Jimmy was acquiring it—not only were the two already friends, but their sons go to school together. “It all fell into place,” Jimmy is proud to say. Santa Barbara County is where Steve’s winemaking roots and passion reside, making it all the more poetic that he’s the winemaker at Vega Vineyard & Farm, whose origins date back to 1853. Dr. Roman de la Cuesta was gifted Rancho de Vega (which is Spanish for “the meadow”) as a dowry when he married Micaela Cota, daughter of Francesca Cota, of the neighboring Rancho Santa Rosa. Eventually, their son Eduardo and his wife Eleva lived on the property and grew wine grapes there.
In 1976, Bill Mosby and his wife Jeri purchased the 206-acre Rancho la Vega and planted 18 acres of wine grapes. Having learned of the ranch’s rich history, Vega Vineyards was born as a Mosby family venture to sell wine grapes to wineries. In 1980, a name-change from Vega Vineyards to Mosby Winery redirected focus on selling directly to customers from the property’s tasting room. Today, Jimmy and Karen Loizides carry on that tradition of farming and hospitality with modern-day Vega Vineyard & Farm, whose winery, restaurant, and catering operations offer a genuine farm-to-table model for friends and community alike.
“Almost all the produce is from my farm,” asserts Jimmy. “We grow a third of an acre of organic vegetables here, and an acre and a half at my house,” which is just five miles away. “When people ask us what direction the main menu goes, it goes as the farm goes.” Even the eggs are from the farm, as they have their own chickens. “We try to incorporate as much as we can from the farm,” Jimmy reveals. “There is something very special about picking your own produce. It just tastes better when it’s organic and fresh.”
As one of just a couple wineries that has dining options on-site in this region, farm-to-table is not just a goal at Vega Vineyard & Farm—it’s their way of life. The seasonally evolving menu, cultivated by Santa Barbara-native Executive Chef Christopher Rossi, perfectly pairs with Vega’s wines. “We just want it to be very European,” explains Jimmy. “You would never—you could never—go to the Mediterranean … to a winery and not have food. The experience is all about the dining experience with the wine. So, our wines are very drinkable,” which is Steve’s favorite way of making wine.
In addition to the dining menu, visitors are encouraged to check out the winery’s tasting room, where you can sample their wines, enjoy a picnic, play lawn games, and visit the farm animals. Vega’s farm stand offers visitors a wide selection of local and California-rooted items, as well as property-grown fruits, vegetables, pies, and bakery treats. You can hand-feed the animals, and there is a pumpkin patch with farm activities from September to November. Or, stay at Vega’s historic private adobe home, Vineyard Casita, located just steps from the tasting room and farm animals. Even beyond their wines, Vega Vineyard & Farm is a truly family-oriented destination, designed with the needs and enjoyment of everyone in mind.
“We have a really unique little slice of land here, too,” General Manager Kara Teel details of Vega’s grape acreage. “They’re Italian varietals and that’s very not of the normal around here,” states Kara of the 16 different varietals. “It really kind of sets us apart.” She explains that Steve was the Italian wine master in the area, “So, it was perfect for us to partner with him and to produce these wines.” Yet Vega is still striving for more. “We’re gonna be doing some really cool things here. Music festivals, concerts, fundraisers,” Jimmy professes of what’s to come at Vega. Between his grand vision, the unique wine style, an ever-changing seasonal menu, and such undeniable hospitality, Vega Vineyard & Farm will surely leave you eager to come back soon.
Photographer Ellie Koleen
Ellie Koleen
Photographer
Ellie is a lifestyle, wedding, and brand photographer based in Fresno, California. An artist behind the lens, her trademark airy, light-filled style and masterful camera angles make her work easily recognizable. She uses her love for all things design related as inspiration for her work. The Fresno Bee named Ellie Best Photographer for the People’s Choice Awards in 2018 and 2019.
