Santa Barbara

Dear Dad:

You would be in heaven. I’ve been indulging in two of your favorite things—fine Cabs and fast cars—during my road trip around Santa Barbara wine country. I’m test-driving the 2007 Bentley Continental Flying Spur on a tour of area wineries. Think winding country roads carving through sun-kissed valleys, where cows graze sleepily under ancient oak trees.

The wine country stretches for a good 50 miles, from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria. We found the perfect game plan on the Santa Barbara Vintners’ Association Web site (sbcountywines.com). The Foxen Canyon Route led us to my new favorite boutique wineries: Foxen Vineyard (award-winning Pinots) and Rancho Sisquoc (weird name; wonderful red blends).

We felt like A-listers pulling up to wineries in the Bentley; the only thing missing was a driver named Jeeves. I sported my oversize sunglasses to keep everyone guessing. Someone in a passing car even snapped a photo of me in the driver’s seat. Now I see why the Flying Spur is so popular with female drivers: It’s a spacious luxury sedan sporting some serious get-up. When’s the last time you went 0 to 60 in five seconds?

Love,
Your spoiled daughter,
Laura

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