Q. What on earth possessed you to start a winery?

     We all loved wine, owned land that was perfect for a vineyard, and felt strongly that Santa Barbara County had the potential to be a world class wine region. (A touch of insanity and a slightly loose grasp of reality didn't hurt either.)

Q. What is a Buttonwood?

     A Buttonwood is a Sycamore, or a London Plane tree, and one of the two trees native to Santa Barbara County. A distinctive feature is the brown, ball-like seed clusters, which hang from the branches on long stems. These balls, or "buttons", are visible in the winter when the trees lose their leaves.

Q. What does that squiggle on the label mean?

     Well, to begin with, we call it "the brush stroke", which seems a little more dignified than "the squiggle". It is the creation of Betty"s daughter, and resident artist, Seyburn Zorthian. Much of Seyburn"s work, including the label, is influenced by her experience in Japan studying with a Sumi (abstract brush stroke) master. And what does it mean? Well, that depends on whom you talk to. Some think it is an abstract image of a grape vine, while others just see it as a strong dynamic movement. Seyburn isn't saying either way!