The Family Grapevine

The family history behind Folded Hills Winery

A family legacy deeply rooted in beer coupled with a passion for hospitality has led the Busch family on a new venture: wine.

It all began while Andy was serving as Captain for the USA Polo team at the World Cup and Kim and Andy Busch (of Anheuser-Busch) became enamored with the Santa Barbara lifestyle. So in 2004 they uprooted from St. Louis, Missouri to raise their children on the California coast. With the desire to stay close to the land to share the joys and hard work that accompany ranch life with their children, the bucolic Folded Hills Ranch made for the ideal place for the family to settle.

The unique microclimate and well-preserved organic land at Folded Hills made growing wine an obvious decision. Kim and Andy hired winemaker Angela Osbourne who shares a kindred passion and vision for creating organic wines while maintaining the natural beauty and health of the property. From grape to bottle to glass, Kim and Andy are involved in every detail of the process, and their youngest son, Nick, is also working on the ranch.

In 2011 the team discovered that the land was previously a pre-prohibition vineyard, right where the grapes now grow. Further, the original farmhouse, which currently houses the newly opened estate tasting room, is where the wines used to be made. Seems fitting, right?

The estate tasting room has been restored to boast a cozy, homely feel while persevering its history and allure. It’s furnished with leather and wood accents, beamed ceilings, an indoor fireplace, and my favorite piece, a lamp created with one of Andy’s polo boots. If the view of the vineyards and surrounding mountains draws you outside after (or during) your tasting, a seat on the patio will provide a panoramic outlook on the property. Whether you choose indoors or out, the intimate, rustic decor makes for the ideal setting to recharge and connect with loved ones.

Located right off the 101 Freeway (the first stop on the way to wine country), nestled between Nojoqui Falls Park and the Gaviota Pass, the winery-ranchfarmstead also features a pristine lake, farm animals, and bocce ball courts. While visiting the estate tasting room, guests are welcome to stop by the marketplace to shop for local honey, produce, and wine and feed the goats, pigs, and donkeys.

Folded Hills Winery has also recently established a presence in Santa Barbara—the Folded Hills tasting room in the Lower Village of Montecito. It’s currently the only tasting room in Montecito and located walking distance from Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore and Rosewood Miramar, and right across from the Montecito Inn.

As I arrive I’m greeted by neatly displayed wines and Kim, who wears a cheerful and warm smile. The space, embellished with leather and wood accents, immediately transports me to a farmstead in the Midwest and hospitable, friendly staff enhance this feeling. After a brief tour, we sit at the church pew outfitted with horse bits made by Kim and chat over a glass of August white—a fresh and

rich balance of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne that gives off flavors of ripe stone fruits, green apple, and jasmine flowers.

Next, Kim opens the Estate Whole Cluster Carbonic Wine as she explains the unique process behind its creation. Careful farming of the estate Grenache by Ruben Solarzano resulted in a harvest of healthy fruit perfectly set on their clusters. Respecting Ruben’s work, Angela fermented the wine using intact grape clusters producing a zesty, fresh, light-bodied wine.

As I scan the shelves of wine, with its perfectly blush color, the Lilly Rosé captures my attention. As Kim pours me a glass, an aroma of plumeria blossoms encapsulates my olfactory senses. With the first sip, floral and fruity notes take a front seat. It’s no surprise that this Rosé was recently named “Year’s Best” by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

Intrigued by the labels, I inquire about the significance behind the names of the wines. Kim explains:

“The wines with the logo label are homage to Andy’s family in St. Louis, Missouri. The Lilly Rosé is named after Lilly Anheuser who was born in 1844, and the wine celebrates six generations of Lillies, down to my 3-year-old granddaughter.

Ulysses S. Grant was the first farmsteader of the property where Andy grew up and his family has had it since the late 1800s. The Grant Grenache was named after that farm where we still stay when we visit St. Louis. There is an old log cabin there that Ulysses S. Grant built with his own hands, which is very rare and one of the couple in the United States!

The August is named after August Busch Jr., who is Andy’s dad. August Busch Jr. gave his dad a team of Clydesdales to celebrate the repeal of prohibition in 1933. One of his philosophies was ‘making friends is our business.’ Similarly, at Folded Hills, we feel very strongly about conviviality and coming together.” *

foldedhills.com

Photographed by Silas Fallstich | Written by Kim Hashemi | Recipe & Food Styling by Becky Sue Wilberding, Denisse Salinas & Robin Deem | Recipe & Wine Pairings by Hana-Lee Sedgwick | Linens & Styling by Viktoriya Filippova