New Faces at Natural Coast Wine Festival

Boucher, Lost Ranch, Elkins, and Ghostnote are pouring with 50-plus other producers in Santa Barbara on April 25.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:11pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a single wine bottle shape in bold, neon colors, conceptually representing the creative energy and innovative spirit of the Natural Coast Wine Festival.The Natural Coast Wine Festival celebrates the growing popularity of natural, sustainable winemaking in Santa Barbara County with a vibrant showcase of up-and-coming producers.Goleta Today

The Natural Coast Wine Festival is finding sell-out success by showcasing wineries that align with the 'natural' style of winemaking, featuring fresh faces like Boucher Wines, Elkins Wines, Ghostnote Wines, and Lost Ranch.

Why it matters

The Natural Coast Wine Festival provides a platform for up-and-coming natural winemakers to connect with consumers and build their brands, while also highlighting the growing popularity of the natural wine movement in Santa Barbara County.

The details

The Natural Coast Wine Festival features over 50 wineries that focus on sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking. Four new producers - Boucher Wines, Elkins Wines, Ghostnote Wines, and Lost Ranch - will be pouring their natural, creative wines at the event on April 25th.

  • The Natural Coast Wine Festival will take place on April 25, 2026.

The players

Ray Boucher

The founder of Boucher Wines, a brand that embodies 'fun and approachable' natural wines after Boucher spent 10 years working in Napa.

Matt Elkins

The winemaker of Elkins Wines, who is focused on making simple, vineyard-driven wines and is excited to showcase a syrah from a new-to-him vineyard just outside the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

Brad Friedman

The founder of Ghostnote Wines, who is aiming to make 'California versions of the wines that have always inspired me, with creativity driving everything from the choice in varieties, vineyards, and winemaking techniques.'

Jasmine and Joseph Wiens

The owners of Lost Ranch, a Temecula-based winery that is focused on organic farming and low-intervention winemaking, bringing their unique perspective to the Natural Coast Wine Festival.

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What they’re saying

“Our brand embodies fun and approachable. After living in Napa for 10 years, we realized it's important that the average consumer can have a bottle of wine any night of the week at a good price point. It doesn't have to be stuffy, confusing, or expensive.”

— Ray Boucher, Founder, Boucher Wines

“My winemaking is not crazy or sexy. My winemaking is simple. I really try to do as little as possible to make sure that it is the vineyard that gets the spotlight.”

— Matt Elkins, Winemaker, Elkins Wines

“I wanted to make something completely different but still rooted in the tradition and respect of the craft. I decided to make the California versions of the wines that have always inspired me, with creativity driving everything from the choice in varieties, vineyards, and winemaking techniques.”

— Brad Friedman, Founder, Ghostnote Wines

“We farm Lost Ranch with the lightest touch possible, working to integrate as seamlessly as possible into the native land. This means farming beyond organically, with a no-spray, no-till philosophy. We graze sheep and foster native cover crops, sharing our land with the natural flora and fauna.”

— Joseph Wiens, Co-owner, Lost Ranch

What’s next

The Natural Coast Wine Festival will take place on April 25, 2026 in Santa Barbara, showcasing over 50 natural and sustainable wineries from across California.

The takeaway

The Natural Coast Wine Festival is providing a platform for a new generation of natural winemakers to connect with consumers and showcase their unique, terroir-driven wines, reflecting the growing demand for more sustainable and creative wine options in Santa Barbara County.