Enjoy an evening of exceptional food, wine and beer on January 16, 2016, in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, located near the charming Danish-style village of Solvang, has partnered with Firestone Walker Brewing and FOXEN Vineyards & Winery to present a carefully curated Culinary Experience & Adventure. This themed dinner brings together wine and beer professionals from the Santa Ynez Valley alongside Executive Chef Pasqual Godé and his culinary team for a memorable multicourse meal.
The dinner is priced at $150 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Guests who choose to extend their stay can take advantage of a special package rate of $350 per night, per person, which includes overnight accommodations on Friday and Saturday plus breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday. The setting at Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort combines rustic ranch charm with refined hospitality, creating an inviting atmosphere for a relaxed, festive evening.
The thoughtfully composed menu highlights local flavors and pairs each course with selections from Firestone Walker and FOXEN. Appetizers include freshly shucked oysters on the half shell accompanied by Firestone-Walker Opal Jelly, paired with FOXEN Brut and Rosé sparkling wines—an effervescent start that cleanses the palate and complements seafood’s briny notes.
From there, the menu continues with rich, savory offerings such as a classic Pasty (pork pie) and seared pork belly. These heartier items are matched with Firestone Walker Unfiltered DBA and FOXEN 2013 Pinot Noir from the St. Rita Hills’ John Sebastiano Vineyard, a pairing that balances the dishes’ fat and texture with structured, fruit-forward red and amber beer notes.
For a central entrée, Chef Godé will present smoked Angus brisket served alongside crisp mac & cheese, Carolina-style coleslaw, Wookey Jack BBQ sauce and toasted black rye bread. This course is paired with Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA and FOXEN 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, offering bold, spicy and tannic elements that hold up to the smoked beef and robust accompaniments.
Dessert selections offer a delightful contrast of sweet and savory. Honey goat cheesecake with a caramelized pecan crust and candied jalapeño pepper brings together creamy, nutty and subtly spicy flavors. The dessert pairing includes Barrelworks 2015 SLOambic and FOXEN 2013 Sweet Ending, dessert-style wines that enhance the cheesecake’s complexity and provide a lingering, satisfying finish to the meal.
Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to engage with beverage professionals from the region, gaining insight into brewing and winemaking techniques as well as how specific pairings were chosen to complement each course. The combination of locally sourced ingredients, expertly paired beverages and the warm, welcoming environment of Alisal Guest Ranch creates an experience that highlights the best of Santa Ynez Valley’s culinary and libation scene.
Reservations are recommended due to limited seating for this special event. Whether attending for the dinner alone or selecting the overnight package to make a weekend of it, guests can expect attentive service, thoughtfully prepared dishes and an elevated tasting experience in a beautiful wine country setting. The collaboration between Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Firestone Walker Brewing and FOXEN Vineyards & Winery showcases the region’s strengths—excellent food, exceptional beverages and genuine hospitality.