Celebrate 'Sideways' 20th Anniversary at the Restaurant Where Miles Changed Wine For Decades

It happens once in a generation. Pop culture and entertainment collide, a meme is made, and history is forever altered. Santa Barbara County has a hand in the wine world being changed for decades thanks to a love-to-hate him character placed in a cult-classic film written by Rex Pickett, and directed Alexander Payne. It's the reason you didn't drink any Merlot for the last 20 years. It made many Santa Barbara County wineries into house-hold names across the USA. Today we can make light of the impact SIDEWAYS had on the wine industry and consumer habits. Today we can celebrate.

This Sunday, September 15th join Hitching Post for an amazing, multi-course dinner held under tent, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film SIDEWAYS. Among the entrees is smoked duck paired with the rare Hitching Post 2001 Highliner Pinot Noir that made its debut in the movie along with the just released 2021 Highliner-SIDEWAYS 20th Anniversary commemorative bottling. The evening will begin at 5pm with a reception of passed appetizers followed by an impressive four course meal. Chef Winemaker Frank Ostini & Winemaker Gray Hartley will be on hand to share their SIDEWAYS experiences and whimsical stories.

Tickets are $150 per person

Reserve with Open Table Experience

THE MENU

Grilled Corn Quesadilla ~ Spicy Chicken Sausage ~ Ceviche Tostada

wine pairing: Hitching Post Pinks Parté 2023

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail

wine pairing: Hitching Post Chenin Blanc “Forerunner” 2021

Smoked Duck Salad

wine pairing: Hitching Post “Highliner” Pinot Noir 2021

SIDEWAYS 20th Anniversary Hitching Post “Highliner” Pinot Noir 2001 Magnum

Buffet of Beef, Chicken, Fish, Grilled Veggies

wine pairing: Hitching Post Pinot Noir Bien Nacido 2018

Hitching Post Pinot Noir Bien Nacido 2013

wine pairing: Hitching Post Merlot Blend Four Top 2021

Hitching Post Gewürztraminer Late Harvest 2009

The History of Hitching Post x Sideways

"Setting the Stage: The Hitching Post Restaurants have been part of the Ostini Family since 1952 in Casmalia, CA, and 1986 in Buellton. In 1981, my home winemaker friend Gray Hartley and I were smitten by Pinot Noir, and it became my goal to make and serve Pinot as my family's "house wine." The HP label started in 1984 and was initially sold only at the Hitching Post. The brand grew slowly to 4000 cases when SIDEWAYS happened.

Our Journey with SIDEWAYS began in 1998 when Rex Pickett, the writer of the novel, would often visit our bar during his trips from Southern California. He shared his plans to write a book about our region, its wines, wineries, restaurants, and people with the bartender and a waitress. I was always a skeptic and never thought it would see the light of day. But boy, was I proven wrong!

Only in June 2003 did we realize that SIDEWAYS would be a movie as location scouts began combing the Santa Ynez Valley. Rex really had written a novel, and director Alexander Payne had picked up that manuscript. They were to film in many places Rex had visited and written into his soon-to-be book. The Hitching Post was one of those places.

Still skeptical, I wasn't sure the HP should be part of this film. Would they treat the Hitching Post, all my friends, our wines, and our region with honor and respect? After reading the script, my concerns deepened.

I met with producer Michael London, co-producer George Parra , and finally director Alexander Payne to discuss my reservations. He took note of my views, although I knew he wasn't going to change his movie on my account. But I was convinced he was a sensitive, creative, and very talented director. I knew we should be involved.

Before filming started, actress Virginia Madsen , a waitress in the HP, spent time in our kitchen and bar to get the feel of what that job was like and who we were. We brought her and actress Sandra Oh to our winery to show them how we make wine. We also took them to Au Bon Climat winery, where they enjoyed a famous Jim Clendenen lunch.

SIDEWAYS was filmed in our region over ten weeks in October/November 2003 and at the Hitching Post for three days. We were braced for an uncomfortable experience, having heard that Hollywood filmmakers would trample our location and all of us in their way. Instead, everyone was considerate and a pleasure to work with. They were all so glad to be working on this quality film with such an outstanding director in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. We continue to be thrilled and grateful to be part of SIDEWAYS, then and forever."

Frank Ostini
August 15, 2024