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HITCHING
POST TASTING ROOM
LAUNCHES “SUMMER SETS,”
LIVE SUNDAY PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL ARTISTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2022
For Further Information about Hitching Post Wines:
Jannis Swerman c: 323.646.7981
Scott Wetherby c: 323.854.3824 Jannis Swerman & Company o:
818.789.7747
WHERE:
The Hitching Posts Wines Tasting Room, located next door (south east) to the Hitching Post 2.
420 East Highway 246,
Buellton, California 93427
WHO:
Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley, winemakers of Hitching Post Wines, Buellton, California
WHAT:
Winemakers Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley of Hitching Post Wines
announce their new programming of “Summer Sets,” a
two hour live performance by musical talent from the Santa Ynez
Valley. Beginning Sunday, August 7, 2022, artists include
Gary and Caleb Criscione, Jacob
Cole, Arwen
Lewis and Melisa
Johnson & Eric Trigneiro of Skunkpuppy.
Hitching Post Wines Tasting Room offers an ideal setting for relaxing outdoors under the canopy of trees, where guests can drink some great wine, snack on Hitching Post specialties and listen to local music styles under the backdrop of the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains.
Live performances are planned for every Sunday through August and The Hitching Post Tasting Room plans for the “Sets” to continue indefinitely. Hours for entertainment are 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Hitching Post Wines will extend a 10% discount to all bottle sales during performances. Signature lunch and snacks will be available for purchase during operating hours. Music-loving well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome too.
A library of photos of the artists can be downloaded HERE.
August 2022
and continuing….
August 7 – Gary and Caleb Criscione
Gary Criscione was born and raised on Mars Avenue in Vandenberg Village. He enjoys playing music with Cellar Roots, a trio from Santa Barbara
County, and occasionally performs with his kids. His son Caleb was born and
raised in Santa Barbara and performs with his indie rock-pop band
Whiplash Girl as well as working on solo projects.
August 14 – Jacob Cole
Jacob Cole is a multifaceted independent artist based on the quiet Central Coast of California. He was previously the front man for Saint Anne's Place from Lompoc and is now the guitarist for Dante Elephante. Cole has grown into a well-rounded singer/songwriter and artist drawing from a familiar place in his past while remaining present. His sound – described like a warm blanket on a cold night – includes songs of heartbreak and loneliness with an indie blues rock twist.
August 21 – Arwen Lewis
Arwen Lewis is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist whose
impassioned interpretation of music is quite literally in her DNA. The
daughter of Moby Grape founding member Peter Lewis (and granddaughter of Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning actress Loretta
Young), Arwen took on a selection of the legendary San Francisco
band’s songs and revamped their psychedelia-tinged brand of
rock music for a whole new era. Built on her raw but graceful guitar
work and gorgeously soulful vocals, the result is a blend of
melody-laced folk, gritty blues, and powerfully charged rock &
roll that feels both timeless and undeniably of-the-moment.
August 28 – Melisa Johnson and Eric Trigueiro of Skunkpuppy
Based in Lompoc, California, Skunk Puppy is a Music Duo consisting of
Bass Guitar, Guitar and Vocals. They play a wide range of music
including Rock, Blues, Pop, Reggae, Americana etc., with influences
from artists such as Nirvana, Sublime, No Doubt, The Police, The Cure,
The Pretenders, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Chapman, Bob Marley and more
WHERE:
HITCHING POST WINES
420 East Highway 246 (next to The Hitching Post 2 Restaurant)
Buellton, California 93427
WHEN:
Sundays beginning August 7, 2022 and continuing indefinitely
2:00-4:00 p.m.
ABOUT HITCHING POST WINES:
Hitching Post Wines are the creation of Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini, two friends that have been making wines in Santa Barbara County, California, since 1979. Long before Hollywood discovered the winemaking landmark and its excellent wines, Gray Hartley, a former Alaskan salmon fisherman, and Frank Ostini, the chef and owner of the famed Hitching Post 2 Restaurant in Buellton, were brought together through their love of wine and winemaking. Over the years, their backyard hobby has turned into a highly acclaimed winemaking enterprise. In 1981 they discovered the wonder of Pinot Noir grapes; since then, Pinot has been their primary focus. A great example of these wines is the Hitching Post Highliner. The “Highliner” is the best fishermen in the fleet, and this name honors the great men of the Alaskan Salmon Fishery alongside whom Gray Hartley worked for 28 years. A special wine, Highliner is meant to be the “best of their fleet” of Pinot Noirs.
Along with ten Pinot Noir selections, Hitching Post produces a dry Rosé called Pinks, a Syrah, four delicious white wine varietals and a Merlot-based blend named Gen Red. Then came Sideways in 2004, the Academy Award® winning film set in Santa Barbara wine country, prominently featuring The Hitching Post 2 and Hitching Post Wines. Since Sideways exposure in the film, Hitching Post wines have gained in popularity. Currently, the winery has 1200 barrels and produces about 17,000 cases a year. Hartley and Ostini strive to create flavorful, handcrafted wines that possess poise and balance, putting a slice of Santa Barbara in each glass and a piece of their soul in every bottle of Hitching Post. Hitching Post Wines are enjoyed by an audience that reaches around the globe who admire Santa Barbara wines for their lively, refreshing fruit and their complexities of earth and spice. Hitching Post Wines are produced by Hartley Ostini Vintners, Buellton, California.
Hitching Post Wines has received accolades from Eater LA, Forbes, Santa Barbara News-Press, LA Weekly, TimeOut LA, Santa Barbara magazine, and Santa Barbara Seasons, among others.

Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini – photo credit Suzanne Lanza
420 East Highway 246, Buellton, CA 93427
For further information, the public can visit:
www.hpwines.com
follow Hitching Post Wines:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HitchingPost2
Twitter: @HitchingPost2
Instagram: @hitchingpost2
For information on the Hitching Post 2 restaurant, visit:
www.hitchingpost2.com
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