Hitching Post Wine's New Tasting Room & Iconic Restaurant

Hitching Post Wine’s New Tasting Room & Iconic Restaurant

I am beyond excited to share that my friends Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley are opening their new tasting room, Hitching Post Wines. This will be located just steps from their adored restaurant, The Hitching Post.

I have been a fan of the Hitching Post Wines since I first met the team at the fabulous World of Pinot Noir Event and after visiting the restaurant during one of my many trips to Los Olivos and that fabulous Cetral Coast California region, I fell in love. Speaking of Los Olivos, check out my Dining, Wine & Hotel Guide to Los Olivos here. 420 East Highway 246, Buellton California.

Leading the Hitching Post Wines team are the creators and two long-time friends, Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini (shown below), who have been making wines in Santa Barbara County, California since 1979.

Long before Hollywood discovered the winemaking landmark and its excellent wines, Gray Hartley, a former Alaskan salmon fisherman and Frank Ostini, chef and owner of the famed Hitching Post 2 Restaurant in Buellton, were brought together by their love of wine and winemaking. Over the years their backyard hobby has turned into a highly acclaimed winemaking enterprise.

“In 1981 they discovered the wonders of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir; since then Pinot has been their primary focus. Their flagship wine is the Hitching Post Highliner. The “Highliner” is the best fishermen in the fleet, and this name honors the great men of the Alaskan Salmon Fishery alongside whom Gray Hartley worked for 28 years. A special wine, Highliner is meant to be the “best of their fleet” of Pinot Noir.” I have tasted various vintages of the Highliner and it’s absolutely beautiful and my favorite Hitching Post Wines. In addition to ten selections of Pinot Noir, Hitching Post produces a dry Rosé called Pinks, a Syrah, and a Merlot-based red named Gen Red.