The mellow vineyards of the Santa Rita Hills and the Hilliard Bruce estate*

In Santa Barbara, California, 20 miles from the sea, lies the 250-hectare winery Hilliard Bruce, which is surrounded by the Santa Rita Hills. The big bronze gateway opens for appointed visitors only. Past many rosaries and herb gardens, the palm-lined driveway leads to the house of the couple John Hilliard and Christine Bruce, an in Tuscan-style built villa with adjacent horse stables. Since 2004, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are cultivated here – in fact, personally by John and Christine.

The rippling fountain and palm-lined paths welcome me

A stylish mixture of fabrics and materials in the living room – Interior design by Christine Bruce

MyStylery: John, you led the domestic shipyards from Houston for ages, later engaging in the art scene. What caused a Texan tradesman to grow wine in California?
John Hilliard: I had a serious kidney disease, including two kidney transplantations and chemotherapies. I am a fighter, I survived, and I knew, that this was not everything my life had to offer. And as Christine and I had always been passionate gardeners, the idea of growing an own winery arose. At first the plan was Texas…

I love the antique furniture in a mix with modern country style

The ancient door handles – now used as a decoration – come from France

MS: … not the classic area for winegrowing really…
JH: Exactly. When we came here for the first time, we instantly knew that this was the right place. We benefitted from the cool breeze of the pacific. The grapes can be cooled naturally over night and, by the way, are only harvested in the early morning hours and after sunset to keep the aroma of the grapes during the process.

John Hilliard with poodle Wig relaxing on the sofa in the living room, which is also used for wine tasting

MS: Christine and you, both of you are certificated gardeners and also created the parks and orchards. But isn’t winegrowing on a new level?
JH: Especially in a country, where everything is “organic”. We do not take stock in these biodynamical methods. We pit on sustainability and traditional agriculture.

John and Christine infront of the painting “Monkey” by the American artist Donald Roller Wilson*

MS: What does that mean?
JH: We bear in mind the ecological principals, including organisms in their environment. Our winery is completely solar-powered. A specific aquifer waters the vines to save water. We comply the “SIP Certified Standards”, an independent control system, which is incentive for us. And we only grow 50 hectares of wine, so that we can keep the project small and the quality high.

Christine’s piano with a view into the rose garden

Christine Bruce sits down with us, grey-bluish paint on hands and check shirt.

CB: Sorry, I just had to paint a table for the kitchen.
JH: Christine has an incredible sense for interior. She arranged the house and the hall for the winetastings and chose colors and fabrics. The horse stables were also built to her specifications.

In this newly built hall the wine of Hilliard Bruce is produced

MS: Christine, you studied music and were a successful keyboard player in R&B bands. An unusual career for someone who is a horse breeder and vintner today.
CB: I grew up in the countryside and loved playing in the garden since I was a child. When I could not see anything at night, I took a lamp and placed it next to the patch. For me, there is nothing better than the smell of fresh mint, the living nature and to work with my hands.
JH: We are here now and happy. Our life motto comes from the german-american author Robert Green Ingersoll, which is also printed on all our wine labels: “Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so.”  BvH

The main entrance next to the horse stables

The oak barrels from France cost $ 1,200 a piece and after five years they have to be exchanged for new ones

Floating islands keep the lake algae-free

Tip:

The beautiful tasting room is open by appointment only

Contact Hilliard Bruce:

2097 Vineyard View Lane,
Lompoc, CA 93438,
USA
+1 305-979-2601

www.hilliardbruce.com

Photos marked* and featured pic by Jeremy Ball, www.bottlebranding.com

The post A visit to Hilliard Bruce Wine Estate in California appeared first on My Stylery.

IBIZA LOVE Part V

Even the colorful entrance of the World Family Shop has something seductive

Since my first visit to the hippy market of Las Dalias I’m in love with the colorful creations of the Spanish label World Family. Shoes, bags, clothes – everything comes in gorgeous colors, elaborately embroidered and decorated. It’s great that the entire World Family Collection is now under one roof – including beautiful home accessories and small furniture for our home. If you drive the street 733 towards San Juan, the World Family shop is at the height of kilometer 17, right next to Can Curune. Then it’s about either passing the accelerator and proceeding quickly – or getting out your credit card and shop.

A nice couple: Alok and Merel founded in the mid-90s their label World Family Ibiza

World Family is actually a family business behind Alok and Merel, standing with their children and grandmother Joke. Alok, who came in the mid-90s from Barcelona to Ibiza, where he met Merel, a former Dutch model, both looking for a new beginning. They made a tepee, where they lived together with their children coming from previous relationships and the three common as patchwork family.

The amber-colored bag is from the new collection. A moderate hippie look that also works well at home

Sweet: In leather framed, colorful clutch with embroidery and fringed pompons

Cool Leather Boots – for a perfect Ibiza look

Their first findings, which they had discovered on a trip to Morocco, they were selling on the beach of Benirras directly from the back of their rickety Mercedes transporter. Later, they managed to get a stand at the famous hippy market of Las Dalias – that was a breakthrough for their current success with a total of three stores in Ibiza and a showroom in Barcelona.

Aren’t they extremely chic? Turquoise peacock chairs and matching side table

In spite of the demand, each part of the World Family Collection is produced 100% handmade, designed by Merel, lovingly decorated with Indian borders and Moroccan beads. And why have Alok and Merel called their label “World Family”? “Because we all have different backgrounds with own traditions, customs and habits. But we all have in common, that we share this beautiful planet called earth.” BvH

I love these colorful cushions!

Interior and Fashion under one roof – to me, this is the perfect store!

Help, I can not decide!

Even from the outside the World Family Store is an eye catcher

In love with this elaborate embroidered dress. Is this possible? Cecilie says: Yes!

Adiós, World Family, we will be back!

Contact World Family Ibiza:

Crta. San Juan, km 17
07810 San Juan, Ibiza

www.worldfamilyibiza.com

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