Yes Way, Rosé

Animal activist Gretchen Lieff and Lucky’s owner Gene Montesano have teamed up to create Montlieff Rosé, a combination of their last names.

“Rosé is the fastest growing varietal along the Central Coast and we’re among a number answering the call,” says Gretchen, whose 40-acre Alamo Creek Ranch vineyard in southern San Luis Obispo County produces some of the best.

She is now working with Angela Osbourne, the winemaker for the Folded Hills brand owned by former Santa Barbara Polo Club patron Andy Busch and his wife, Kim, who will be opening a tasting room across from the Montecito Inn next month.

“I am looking forward to working with a woman winemaker on my new label La Lieff,” she says. “Women and wine and rosé. There just seems to be a naturally female essence to the combination of these elements. That’s why I chose the Earth goddess Gaia for the La Lieff label.”

Her new wine with Gene is available by the glass at the Coral Casino, Lucky’s, Tre Lune, Pierre Lafond, and Opal, among others.

I’ll drink to that…