Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/253609
february 2014 / the tasting panel / 85 L os Alamos, aka "Lost Almost," was once, twice, three times lost, but now is found. This Santa Barbara County cowboy town is on its way to staking a claim on the map of culinary and wine destinations in the Santa Ynez Valley. After 30 years hibernation this once one-horse-town has several notable farm-fresh-to-table restaurants, 70 vineyards and tasting rooms, 20 of which are in town or less than ten miles away, art galleries, antique shops, ceramics and loads of country charm and history. The camaraderie and sense of community in Los Alamos, Spanish for "the cottonwoods," is palpable. Business owners take a personal stake in preserving its history, charm and authenticity. 1880 Union Hotel, a 14-room B&B, is the town's historic show- piece, saved from foreclosure by present owners Dan and Ana Thompson in 2009. "The last owner was in over her head and really didn't know how to run it, which really hurt the town," explains Dan, who owns four other Main Street properties. "Many of the hotel's antiques were sold off. A car that was iconic to the hotel, even the liquor license. Many original antiques still exist and we've replaced more through local antique shops." Almost Lost, But Now They're Found FROM A ONE- HORSE TOWN TO A DESTINATION IN CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST WINE COUNTRY, LOS ALAMOS IS A FIND by Dianne Porchia / photos by Rob Brown At The Station: Designer Tony Cano with proprietor Sean McGrath and Karen Readey. At the Union Hotel Bar with house drink The Union Blue. TP0214_68-108.indd 85 1/23/14 9:41 PM