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Meet Vintners of Sideways Fame

Hitching Post II owner makes famed wines with ex-fisherman colleague

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 18, 2008 12:34 PM CDT
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(Newser) – If you’ve seen the movie Sideways, you likely remember the Hitching Post II: the Santa Barbara County restaurant where Paul Giamatti nervously meets his future love. But even the most dedicated oenophile may not know that Hitching Post owner Frank Ostini and colleague Gray Hartley have been making wine nearly 30 years, Gourmet reports, after teaching themselves how.

They met by chance and wound up in wine-making nearly by accident, but the results, particularly their famed pinot noirs, are impressive. The partners stay true to their roots, even naming some wines after fishing terms in reference to Hartley’s 27-year-career as an Alaskan salmon fisherman. And fans of Sideways will appreciate the fact that they still make their first wine—a merlot. "Our joke is that we’re making merlot tongue-in-cheek," Ostini said.

Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Paul Giamatti in Sideways. Madsen plays a waitress at the Hitching Post II.
Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Paul Giamatti in Sideways. Madsen plays a waitress at the Hitching Post II.   (KRT Photos)
The owner of the Hitching Post II, which is practically a character unto itself in the wine-lovers' movie Sideways, makes a line of wines of his own.
The owner of the Hitching Post II, which is practically a character unto itself in the wine-lovers' movie Sideways, makes a line of wines of his own.   ((c) davitydave)
Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church sample a wine in Sideways.
Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church sample a wine in "Sideways."   (Rotten Tomatoes)
Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giamatti in Sideways. The Hitching Post II features prominently in the movie.
Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giamatti in Sideways. The Hitching Post II features prominently in the movie.   (KRT Photos)
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Wineries soak up 'Sideways' fame
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Hitching Post II online
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Take the 'Sideways' wine tour
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wine • restaurant • wineries • pinot noir • restaurateurs • Sideways • merlot • Santa Barbara County • Hitching Post II

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