El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara Launches New Programming in Celebration of the Spring Season

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, a serene hideaway nestled above the Pacific Ocean in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, invites oenophiles to toast to Spring with a selection of new adventures for the season, taking hotel guests on authentic wine journeys, all set amongst nature. Through this new programming, El Encanto will take guests on delicious discoveries with celebrated wineries paired with immersive experiences, from horseback riding through the valley to painting classes at El Encanto’s tranquil Lily Pond.

Available exclusively for El Encanto guests, a few of the seasonal highlights in the calendar include:

CENTRAL COAST RANCH TO WINERY EXPERIENCE

Those seeking an adventurous excursion can embark on a ranch to winery journey at the renowned Fess Parker estate and connect with the finest landscape and produce on the Central Coast. Guests will begin their day with a stunning scenic breakfast before being whisked away from El Encanto by private car to the Santa Ynez Valley. A 75-minute horseback trek through the valley awaits them, before arriving at Fess Parker Winery. Savor a delectable wine tasting, accompanied by an irresistible cheeseboard spread and enjoy the gift of a bottle of Fess Parker pinot noir to take home. As the day comes to a close, guests will return to El Encanto for the ultimate wind down—a soothing spa massage and a glass of bubbles.

50 SHADES OF PINOT

The full-bodied richness and variety of red wine makes it a thrilling medium for artistic expression. Guests will discover the nuance in shade and depth under the guidance of a wine painting expert as you create your own masterful painting with hues of gold, pink and burgundy. This special experience takes place in the lush setting of El Encanto’s Chef’s Garden, or guests can opt for the privacy of their own patio. The course will include a curated selection of wine by local vintners for participating guests to sip and enjoy during the experience – a perfect way to tap into their creative spirit.

TERROIR TOURS

Wine enthusiasts will delight in El Encanto’s brand new Terroir Tours, where they will experience the best of Santa Barbara Wine Country with a custom tour alongside El Encanto’s sustainable winemakers. Terroir Tours will include visiting winemakers such as Luna Hart, Story of Soil, Donnachadh Vineyards and Stolpman Vineyards, to name a few, where they will enjoy a curated wine and culinary experience crafted specially for El Encanto guests.

For more information, please visit Belmond.com/elencanto or contact reservations.ele@belmond.com.