Santa Barbara History: Earthquake of 1812

On December 21, 1812, one of the largest earthquakes in California history completely destroyed the first Mission along with most of Santa Barbara. With an estimated magnitude of 7.2, and a hypothesized epicenter near Santa Cruz Island, the quake also produced a tsunami which carried water all the way to modern-day Anapamu Street, and carried a ship a half-mile up Refugio Canyon. The earthquake devastated the small early city.

Following the devastating earthquake, the Mission padres decided to build a larger and more elaborate Mission complex, which is the one that survives to the present day. While the church was ready in 1820, the bell towers were not finished until 1833.

Longoria Wines

Longoria Wines
(Los Olivos)
daily 11am - 4.30pm
2935 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos

866-RLWINES or (805) 688-0305

Upon his arrival to the local wine scene in 1976, Rick Longoria tasted the first vintage of Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict’s wines from their young vineyard in what is now known at the Santa Rita Hills. He has been a fan of this viticultural region ever since. He has been producing wine from a variety of vineyards in this area since 1984. In 1998, he realized his dream of planting a vineyard in this great appellation and has been gratified to see the outstanding wines produced from these grapes. Fe Ciega Vineyard, consisting of eight acres of Pinot Noir, is located on a south facing slope of the Santa Rita Hills, north of the Santa Ynez River at the far western edge of the appellation. In 2008, another clone of Pinot Noir was planted at Fe Ciega, in addition to a block of Chardonnay vines. 

In 1998, Rick established the first commercial winery in the city of Lompoc, in an industrial park near the east entrance to the city. This facility is not open to the public, although Longoria Wines can be tasted and purchased at his tasting room in Los Olivos. 

After 32 years of winemaking, Rick’s goal remains the same: to produce the best wines possible year after year. Because of this, Longoria Wines remains one of the smallest wineries in the area, averaging 3,500 cases annually.

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