THE TRUTH: Where does the Santa Ynez-Santa Barbara-Lompoc-Los Olivos wine country region start for you? Around Buellton? Summerland? Thousand Oaks? It's an area rich in grapes and growers, so putting a definitive sign or marker saying you've reached a starting point doesn't seem necessary. Still we were taken a bit aback when we learned that Four Brix is set to open what is being billed as Ventura's "only full-fledged winery." That's the city of Ventura. Of course, there are other wine-rich businesses and shops in the area, so call Four Brix's new digs an excellent complement to an excellent area. Plus, they're an urban winery, and as long as we live to love wine we'll still be a little bewitched by the concept.
THE DETAILS: Opening weekend is Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept. 18; all sorts of festive things'll be going down (and yep, a lot of festiveness will arrive via glasses). Tastings are ten dollars. One last add: Four Brix is part of the Ventura County Wine Trail. Honest, we can't decide if we like the term "urban winery" or "wine trail" better.
