Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

Just in time for Fall, the new Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room in Ventura Harbor Village is giving wine lovers a reason to toast the coast. Owned and operated by the Conway family of Santa Barbara/Ventura County, this modern wine tasting room is sure to be a popular spot with 15 different wines of interesting and unusual blends of reds and whites, each produced in small batch production. Along with their friendly and knowledgeable tasting room hosts, daily tastings offer a selection of both Conway and Deep Sea wines offering something for all palates. https://www.conwayfamilywines.com/Santa-Barbara-Tasting-Room/Ventura-Tasting-Room

Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, along with the Conway siblings John, Tom, Gillian, and Sally, have created a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating in the picturesque Ventura Harbor setting.

“We have been searching for the perfect location to open a second Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room (the original wine tasting room is at Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara) for years and have spent a lot of time here in Ventura Harbor. We truly felt Ventura Harbor Village would be the ideal spot with its relaxed vibe overlooking the ocean just steps away,” says Co-Owner John Conway.

The siblings, and their parents, Chris and Ann Conway, have always shared a love for California wine, the wilderness and especially the Pacific ocean. Some of them surf, some of them sail, and the entire family are certified open water scuba divers.

“We are thrilled to have Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room join the vibrant mix of shops, eateries and attractions at Ventura Harbor Village to serve residents and visitors alike,” says Brian Pendleton, General Manager of the Ventura Port District. “The Conway family’s passion for wine is evident, and the sea-themed details in the design of their new tasting room is a perfect complement to our waterfront Ventura Harbor community,“ Pendleton said.

Sourced from the highest quality grapes from sustainably farmed coastal vineyards in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Los Alamos, the Conways strive to capture this special “sense of place” in all their wines. The maritime influence in their vineyard sources can be noted in the unique flavors of their wines. Most of their wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the natural and existing flavors of the varietals, and some are then aged in French oak barrels.

Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room offers wine enthusiasts the chance to savor wine by the glass ($13-18), by the bottle (average of $32) and as part of Tasting Flights (Signature Flight $18 and Reserve Wine Tasting Flight $24). The winery’s most popular picks include their top sellers: Deep Sea “Seastar,” Rose of Pinot Noir, Deep Sea” Seaturtle” Chardonnay and the winery’s red blends. A fan favorite is the Deep Sea, “The Duel,” that offers a blend of two different varietals: 50 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Malbec. New vintages such as the CONWAY Cabernet Sauvignon and CONWAY Pinot Noir have been recently released.

As part of the ultimate wine experience, Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room provides several Wine Club Options with membership benefits that include 20% off ALL wines and merchandise, $9 wine-by- the-glass anytime, and one complimentary Signature Tasting Flight per month.

Along with tastings, Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room hosts fun and creative special events, such as Oceanic Flow Yoga Class ($25) followed by a glass of wine on the harbor side patio on the first Sunday of each month from 10-11 AM and Live Music on Sundays from 3 – 7 PM. Seasonal events such as Pumpkin Carving on the patio and holiday wreath making will also be on the calendar of events. Plus, the wine tasting patio is dog-friendly!

Wine lovers can also partake in delicious food pairings to accompany the fine wine selection at Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, such as a chocolate flight created by Top This Chocolate in the Ventura Harbor Village, a curated meat and cheese plate locally sourced in Ventura, or delicious flatbread pizza. Visitors are also welcome to enjoy takeout from Ventura Harbor Village restaurants while sipping on a glass of wine at the tasting room.

With its scenic views, the Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room and outdoor patio are perfect celebration spots to host private events, weddings, and intimate gatherings. Stop in to shop “Deep Sea” themed merchandise, including hats, T-shirts, stickers, wine glasses, wine openers, wine chillers, and “Deep Sea” scented candles or purchase a bottle or case of wine to enjoy at home.

Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room is located on the waterfront at 1591 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, California, 93001 in Ventura Harbor Village near the Village lawn. Open daily at 11 AM with hours Sunday through Thursday until 8 pm and Friday and Saturday until 9 PM.

Situated along the picturesque California Central Coast, endowed with breathtaking views, Ventura Harbor Village also offers visitors an escape for coastal visitors and residents. This waterfront attraction boasts seaside dining, coastal shopping & boutiques, galleries, wine tasting, pampering services, on the water rentals, entertainment venues, live music, sweet treats, dog-friendly facilities, soft adventure, and spectacular beaches with sunset views of the Pacific coastline. Home to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, (open daily with free admission, within walking distance to the Village), this stunning national park center features its own viewing tower, exhibits, movie theater, and bookstore. It is here that visitors can learn more about exploring the Channel Islands for world-class island diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, sea cave exploration, photography, camping and wildlife viewing via Island Packers and a number of local outfitters.

Ventura Harbor is 20 miles from Santa Barbara and is 60 miles from Los Angeles International Airport. It is accessible in just minutes from scenic US Highway 101/Highway 1 and via the 126 from the 5 Freeway. For additional visitor information, contact Ventura Harbor Village at 805-477-0470, or visit www.VenturaHarborVillage.com. Ventura Harbor Village is located at 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura.

The historic University Club was the perfect venue selected by Takako Wakita to present her beautiful and historic Kimono fashion show featuring many of her own family kimonos and those she has collected through the years. Each Kimono was modeled before luncheon guests to see, and came complete with an educational story shared by director Wakita that included background information on traditional and appropriate uses for each garment on display, many of which were described by attending guests as the most beautiful they had ever seen.

Takako Wakita is without doubt one of the most interesting women in the Santa Barbara community who has made a major contribution as a real ambassador for Japanese traditions and history through her sharing of information on the language, customs, and history of Japan, which she happily shares with students, friends, and guests at her charming presentations throughout the city.

Born and raised in Japan, Takako holds a Master of Arts in Asian Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1984, she established the Japanese Language Program at Santa Barbara City College, where she teaches Japanese language and Japanese sushi classes. At the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, she has been a member of the Tea House Management Committee and studied Japanese Tea Ceremony for years. Takako has more than one hundred kimonos, many from her collection were seen at the opening of Santa Barbra’s Madam Butterfly in 2019. Takako has played the mother of Butterfly in all productions of Madam Butterfly at OperaSB. Her work as the President of the Santa Barbara/Toba City Japan Sister City Committee has also garnered her praise.

The University Club luncheon in a spacious dining room was ideal for the kimono presentation, complete with a Saki toast before the performance. Takako invited guests to take photos of the entire cast of performers in this magical Japanese kimono production she had created. The finale became a large gathering of excited guests getting their favorite finale photos of the models wearing the exquisite collection.

Models for the kimono presentation included friends and University Club volunteers who did a stellar job of gracefully moving through the dining room displaying the beautiful and colorful kimonos, often carrying appropriate props. Additional skilled ‘helpers’ of director Wakita assisted with many of the production highlights and gave a charming demonstration on how to wear a kimono and how to fold it for safe keeping. The explanation and historical details of each kimono described by Takako included poignant details of the use for each kimono on the runway area and the accompaniment of music selected and performed by Bob Sedivy, a certified Sauhachi flautist who often performs with Takako, providing a perfect compliment that was simply delightful.

For additional information on Takako’s future Kimono or Formal Tea Service productions for information on Takako Wakita cultural events please visit: wakita964@gmail.com.