Sanford

Sanford is a winery in Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley, with vineyards planted in 1971. Botanist Michael Benedict and his friend Richard Sanford sought a cool location with enough warmth to ripen grapes. They parted ways after the 1980 vintage, while the winery continued operating. In 1997, La Rinconada Vineyard was planted beside Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, with the site later becoming home to the winery and tasting room. The Terlato family became partners in 2002, majority owners and managing partners in 2005, and purchased Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in 2007.

In the Sta. Rita Hills, the estate comprises the Sanford & Benedict and La Rinconada ranches and their vineyards, owned and farmed by the Terlato family. The vineyards grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on their own roots, and winemaker Trey Fletcher focuses on farming with minimal intervention.