 Palmina
is more than a winery. It is a philosophy, a
passion and a strongly held belief that
wine is an extension of the plate, a component of a meal
and a means to bring people together. Formed by winemaker
Steve Clifton in 1995, Palmina is named in honor of Steve’s
great friend Paula. Like a grandmother to him, she taught Steve to love cooking, wine
and the Italian lifestyle and was a spark in his
life. After Paula succumbed to breast cancer, Steve found
that her given name on her Italian birth certificate
was Palmina, and the winery was thus fittingly named.
Serendipity intervened in 2000 when Steve became more in contact with Italian winemaker mentors and needed to
find someone who spoke Italian. He was advised a manager at local
restaurant bouchon was fluent and was introduced
to Chrystal Seals, who not only provided the needed translation
but shared his passion for wine and food and all things
Italian. Chrystal soon became involved in all aspects
of Palmina. They were married in Friuli, Italy in the
Spring of 2004.
 Today,
Palmina produces a full range of wines crafted from Italian
varietals grown in Santa Barbara County, California.
Palmina is not trying to emulate the Italian versions
of those wines, but rather translate the history of those grapes to the
growing conditions and vineyard sites of the very unique
characteristics of Santa Barbara County. The wines are
Italian by inspiration with flavors rooted in Santa Barbara, and all are
intended to be a delicious component of a meal.
Palmina wines can be found in restaurants and bottle shops throughout the United States, Canada and Japan as well as directly from the winery, and can be tasted at the tasting room in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Upon release, each wine includes a recipe that Steve and Chrystal create, prepare, taste and love with the season and the wine. |
