This Saturday, we will be hosting our Hands-On Lavender Distillation Class here at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm — be sure not to miss out on one of the most highly anticipated classes of the Santa Barbara County Lavender season!.
Attendees will be able to work side by side with Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm’s head of distillation as we take the dried buds and turn them into essential oil, learning along the way how steam distillation transforms the plant into pure lavender essential oil and hydrosol.
Under the guidance of our farm team, each guest will learn about:
The scent and structure of freshly cut lavender
How to pack and prepare the copper still
The role of temperature, pressure, and time in extracting quality oil
How to collect, separate, and bottle the final product
Best of all, each participant left will leave with some of the essential oil and hydrosol they helped create — a lasting reminder of a hands-on farm experience Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is known for!
Lunch will be served around mid-day, allowing for thoughtful conversations and reflection under the shade of the oak trees.
🌿 Distillation Is More Than Just a Process
We love sharing this side of lavender — not just the beauty in bloom, but the transformation that happens after harvest. It’s a slow, deliberate process that reflects the heart of what we do here on the farm: connecting people to the plants and practices that nourish both body and spirit.
🍽️ Coming Up: Farm to Table Dinner – July 26
If you aren’t able to attend this class, don’t worry, we will be doing distillations routinely in the field throughout the season, be sure to check out our instagram or here for details on when the next public distillation will occur. There’s other ways to enjoy the beauty of Santa Barbara County like our Farm to Table Dinner on Saturday, July 26 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
With food by Cowboy Flavor Catering Co., this sunset meal hosted by Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is sure to knock your socks off featuring local ingredients, warm hospitality, and a peaceful setting among the lavender. It’s the perfect close to our summer season.
Thank you to everyone who have taken the opportunity to participate in all our incredible summer events — and to those who continue to support our farm and the meaningful work we love to share!
– The Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm Team 💜