Blooms Are Starting To POP!

With June heat settling over Santa Barbara County, Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is slowing starting to come to life!

You can see here the sleepy Grosso buds are starting to wake up, with accents of purple progressively overwhelming the monotonous sea of green as the lavender emerges from hibernation. Just look at those buds, you can almost see them changing color!

This July is shaping up to be truly spectacular, but if you're in the Central Coast Valley this weekend, there's still plenty of beauty to behold in the field right now!

Be sure to also check out all the great events we have coming up in July, you could do some yoga out in the field accompanied by a tea party, take a watercolor class or a lavender wreathmaking class, or just enjoy some Charcuterie and Cocktails or a fun honey tasting! This summer at the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is shaping up to be the best ever, be sure to stop by the farmstand for more details!

Time For A Cross Post!

Santa Rita Hills Lavender Guest Blog

by Anna Maria Giambanco DiPietro

There’s just something about an open field of lavender that will stop you right in your tracks. Perhaps it’s the soft hum of honey bees going about their work; The silvery green foliage gently swaying in an afternoon breeze; The herbaceous, earthy scent, wafting through the air, asking you gently to pull over, park, and stay a while. That’s precisely what happened when I first came upon the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm.

Tucked away just off of route 246 in California’s Central Coast Wine Country, Tularosa Road winds its way up into one of the most charming nooks I’ve encountered in Santa Barbara County. Ensconced by the rolling Santa Rita Hills’ vineyards and pastures with their alluvial, calcium-rich soil, the lavender farm brings a slice of Provence to Santa Barbara County.

Known for its myriad healing effects, lavender is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family. According to the New York Botanical Garden, the word “lavender” has its roots in the Latin “lavare,” which means “to wash.” There are 450 cultivars and 28 known species of lavender as I pen this. The plants here at the farm are Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' for essential oil, Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence', Lavandula angustifolia 'Folgate' and Lavandula angustifolia 'Royal Velvet' for culinary use and owner, Denise Neumann shares, “We planted over 3,000 lavender plants back in 2020 and will continue to add more California Native plants and pollinator habitats as we expand.”

The farm was founded by Denise and her son, Lucas in May of 2020; In addition to over 3,000 lavender plants, they grow a rainbow assortment of seasonal specialty cut flowers including poppies, ranunculus, freesia, sunflowers, dahlias to name a few. There are goats, cats, and dogs languidly roaming the fields, and upon entering the property, you may peruse an assortment of bespoke beauty products in a charming farm stand shop, fresh-cut flowers, and a smattering of charming home goods, curated by Denise.

On Saturday July 8, 2023, you may join the Neumann family for their inaugural Farm-to-Table Dinner, ‘Salute to the Region’ featuring top chefs from SY KITCHEN and NELLA paired with wine by Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars and music by solo acoustic guitarist, Grady DiPietro. The set list will feature popular music and classic rock tunes infused with elegant classical Spanish guitar flair.

The event will take place al fresco among the flora and fauna where guests will enjoy fresh local cuisine and sip some of the most beautiful Pinot Noir and Grüner Veltliner that Kathy produces with “admiration for tradition and Old World style married with New World sensibilities.”

In celebrating the region and supporting the community, this event will salute Veggie Rescue, the only nonprofit in Santa Barbara County focused on rescuing fresh, perishable produce and delivering it to nonprofit organizations serving low-income families, seniors, and those facing housing insecurity. A portion of the proceeds from this event will support Veggie Rescue’s work to provide equitable access to nutritious food, which improves the mental and physical health of residents, while also having a positive environmental impact through the reduction of food waste.

Let’s celebrate the “lavender lifestyle” and raise a glass or two in a "salute to the region" for the return of flowers to the “city of arts and flowers”, as Lompoc, California, is known. Tickets are 300$ starting June 1st and include transportation from La Purisima Golf Course to the farm, an all inclusive dinner and dessert with wines, as well as an exclusive lavender swag bag.

If you’re planning to stay the weekend, Hotel Corque has discounted room rates for ‘Salute to the Region’ guests if your reservation is made prior to June 8, 2023. Please note that tickets are for guests aged 21 and up. Purchase tickets here, or give them a call at 805-395-6568.

Happy Memorial Day!

It’s Memorial Day Weekend here at Santa RIta Hills Lavender Farm, and to honor our fallen service members we are offering a 10% discount on all products in the farmstand to all our active duty and veterans who visit the field while on holiday here in Santa Barbara County.

We will also be open Friday to Monday this weekend from 11am - 5pm, be sure to stop by and see the field the sweet peas are bursting and the dahlias are starting to pop!

Aren’t they phenomenal? Be sure to stop by and get your own shots!

Another Great Festival!

Yesterday Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm was in Paso Robles for the annual Lavender and Olive Festival, it was so much fun!

As always, the mobile farmstand was looking really nice, that metal garden shelving really spruced up the booth!

While the festival was a little outside Santa Barbara County, it's always nice to see other places and meet new people!

We are back to our regular off season hours, come check us out today between 11am-5pm, the lavender is just starting to pop ND the seasonal flowers field is looking phenomenal even though it's in transition, be sure to stop on by!

On the Road Again! Farm Stand Closed Saturday May 20th

Everyone at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm hopes you had a happy Mother’s day, and with us getting back into the groove of things we are taking the farmstand on the road again!

This time we will be at the Olive and Lavender Festival in Paso Robles, its sure to be a blast, if your in San Luis Obispo County be sure to stop by and check out the mobile farmstand.

Unfortunately, this means that the farm will be closed Saturday May 20th. Don't be disappointed, we will be open Sunday May 21st from 11-4pm, so be sure to stop by then if you want to check out everything that's in bloom!

Happy Mothers Day ♡

It's Mothers day and we and Santa Rita Hills Lavender is looking perfect for an afternoon stroll among the flowers with the mother in your life!

Our roses are blooming in full now the scent the smell, truly phenomenal!

Just look at those sweet peas, they just take your breath away! I know sweet peas are all over the fields of Santa Barbara County, but seeing some of the unique colors of our sweet peas is a real treat!

You might even spy some of our peonies hiding amongst all the sweet peas! Truly stunning to behold.

Also be sure to stop by the farmstand, after all,lavender is sure to brighten every mothers day!

Popping up at Sunstone Winery!

Once again, we at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm have the Wanderlust, and have taken the farmstand on the road!

Today we are at Sunstone Winery for their Mothers Day Market! Come stop by and treat yourself and your mother to one of Santa Barbara Counties premier wineries! They've got a food truck too so if you feel a little hungry come check it out!

Don't worry though, the farmstand is still open today from 11 to 4 so if youcant get to Sunstone Winery today, be sure to check out the farm!

Buellton Brewfest A Big Success!

Yesterday the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm took the farmstand on the road and set up shop at the 10th Annual Buellton Brewfest, and boy was it a blast! We were slammed all day, it was jam packed and one customer told me there were about 2500 people who showed up, it felt to us like half of Santa Barbara County was there!

It was great to meet all the locals who took the time to check out our booth during the fest, and want to let everyone know the farmstand is open today from 11am-4pm

if you missed us yesterday be sure to stop by, the seasons flowers are looking marvelous, and the lavender is just beginning to wake up from winter hibernation, exciting!

Be sure to also check out our events page to get your early bird tickets for the Farm to Table Dinner as part of our July Living the Lavender Lifestyle Celebration!

It's the Buellton Brewfest!

Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is excited to let everyone know we will be setting up the mobile farmstand at the 10th Annual Buellton Brewfest!

This event is certain to be a blast, if you’re in Santa Barbara County this weekend be sure to come by and check out all the great brews, be stop by the booth to say hi as well! Since we will be swamped by the event this weekend we will be closed for Saturday May 6th. Don’t worry though, we will be open Sunday, so be sure to to stop by the farmstand then, or see us live at Brewfest!

Lavender Infused Honey Is Back!

The bees are producing again here at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm, and with that comes the return of our lavender infused honey! So delicious, the chapperelle honey with a hint of Provence is so decadent, it’s got to be tasted to believe!

If you want to try it to see the versatility, taste our Lavender Lemonade this weekend, we used the lavender infused honey instead of sugar! There is definitely nothing like it here in Santa Barbara County, only available now at the farmstand!

Lavender infused honey is just one of the amazing flavors of honey that we do, if you want to try out a sampling of different honeys, come and be a part of our Honey Flights, where we will sample a variety of different honeys with the help of our friends at Bee Wild Collective, get your tickets to the event here, or check out all of our other events we have coming up in July, hurry tickets are selling fast, get yours soon!

It's a 🐝ry Special Day!

While Earth Day is today, we at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm make it our mission to think about how best to restore the natural beauty to the environment everyday. So we choose to instead take this opportunity to celebrate the unsung heros of nature, the bees!

Today in celebration of the bees, we are offering special bee sunglasses or a bee bracelet with any purchase of a jar of our locally sourced honey, hurry supplies won't last be sure to stop by the farmstand to check them out!

And be sure to check out all our amazing honey based products; our Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey soap is amazingly smooth and luscious and our Honey & The Moon Lotion by Tokyo Milk is to die for !

And while supplies last, we have brought back our specialty Lavender Infused Honey, you won't find anything like it in Santa Barbara County, or for that matter, anywhere else in the world!

This weekend is certain to be buzzing with activity, stop by and enjoy nature in all its splendor!

Spring is Coming…

Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is starting to wake up….

It’s amazing the variety of colors we have going on right now around the farmstand, truly a unique experience to the Central Coast and certainly in the Santa Barbara County, the sweet peas are coming in and along with the Italian ranunculus we have already, make for a truly exquisite seasonal bouquet!

The local wildlife is starting to wake up too, and our hives are as busy as one can expect with the season, and have already swarmed twice in a month! Fortunately one of the queens decided she didn’t want to leave so we’ve got a new swarm of bees that we will be adding once Bee Wild Collective finishes all their “bee”sy work.

All of these signs of rebirth portend to our Living the Lavender Lifestyle Month in July to be a truly spectacular experience, be sure to get your tickets early spots are filling quickly and be sure to take advantage of our early bird special for our Farm to Table Dinner to get 50$ off your ticket price, valid till May 1st.

Have a Happy Easter!

With Easter Sunday fast approaching, Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is starting to come alive with all the colors of spring! We were told that cats don’t like lavender, looks like this one didn’t get the memo!

We ended up finishing cleaning up the lower field by the farmstand this week as well. It was alot of work, but the field has never looked better! Well except maybe when it’s in full bloom come late June/ early July. By then it will be THE destination in all of Santa Barbara County!

Be sure to check out the events page to pick up your ticket for one of the amazing experiences amongst the majesty of a lavender field in all its splendor! He certainly seems to enjoy it, you no doubt will as well!

Get Your Bouquet!

Wow are these Italian Ranunculus amazing! Another great harvest at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm, be sure to get your own seasonal bouquet from Santa Barbara County’s premier flower farm!

This weekend is shaping up to be truly glorious, be sure to stop by the farmstand to get yourself your own piece of the farm to take home with you!

Tickets Now On Sale!

Tickets are now available to all of Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm’s “Living the The Lavender Lifestyle” Month best sure to get your tickets fast to one of Santa Barbara Counties most exciting Farm events!

Our July 8th Farm To Table Dinner is sure to be the go - to event for this summer, the food will be prepared by the Chefs of Nella's and S+Y Kitchen and will be sure not to dissapoint. Along with amazing food, we also reached out to Fiddlehead Cellars who will be handling the wine pairings.The event is shaping up to be THE Farm To Table Dinner of the Santa Barbara County area, be sure to get your tickets early, Santa Rita Hills Lavender is offering early bird tickets for $50 off until May 1st, get your place now, don’t miss out! If you can’t make to the farm July 8th, Santa Rita Hills Lavender Far has plenty of other events to celebrate Living the Lavender Lifestlye Month,get your tickets here!

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Veggie Rescue, Putting Good Food to Good Use, if you would like to support them check out their site below.