Montecito Wine Company Partners with Award-Winning Le Vigne Winery

Longstanding family relationship brings together wine, community and a shared commitment to first responders

MONTECITO, CA, UNITED STATES, August 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Montecito Wine Company has named Le Vigne Winery of Paso Robles as its winemaking partner for Montecito Cabernet Sauvignon, Butterfly Beach Chardonnay and Miramar Beach Rosé.

The partnership builds on a relationship between the Braid and Filippini families dating to 1973, when the Braid family opened Village Cheese & Wine—now Montecito Gourmet—in Montecito. For more than five decades, the families have worked together through Peacock Cheese Distributing Company, the Filippini family’s specialty cheese and charcuterie business and a sister company of Le Vigne Winery.

“Our families have done business together since my father opened Village Cheese & Wine in 1973,” said Patrick Braid, founder of Montecito Wine Company and owner of Montecito Gourmet. “Partnering with Walter and Le Vigne is a natural continuation of a relationship built on family, trust and a shared passion for exceptional food and wine.”

The Montecito wines were created as a tribute to the first responders who protected the community—and to the 23 lives lost—during the Thomas Fire and January 2018 Montecito mudslides.

During the disaster, Montecito Gourmet kept its doors open to feed first responders and stranded residents, working alongside the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol. The effort was made possible through food donations from Vons, Trader Joe’s and Smart & Final.

“We could not have served our first responders and neighbors without the extraordinary generosity of Vons, Trader Joe’s and Smart & Final, which donated the food that kept our doors open,” Braid said. “That experience became the inspiration for Montecito Wine Company. These wines are our way of remembering the lives lost, honoring those who came to our rescue and continuing to support the people who protect our community.”

A percentage from every bottle sold will benefit One805, a Santa Barbara County nonprofit supporting first responders through mental wellness and equipment grant programs for Fire, Police, and Sheriff personnel across Santa Barbara County.

“The Braid and Filippini families share a long history of bringing people together through food and wine,” said Walter Filippini, owner of Peacock Cheese Distributing Company and Le Vigne Winery. “We are honored to continue that story by making wines that celebrate Montecito while giving back to the first responders who serve the community.”

Le Vigne is a second-generation, family-owned estate whose first Paso Robles grapes were planted in 1982. The winery recently earned four Gold Medals at the 2026 International London Wine Competition. Its Acquarello Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was named Wine of the Year U.S.A., and Le Vigne was named Winery of the Year U.S.A.

The competition evaluates wines on quality, value and packaging through a judging panel of active wine-industry professionals, including buyers, Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine.

Montecito Wine Company will announce additional information about the wines, vintages, and availability.

About Montecito Wine Company

Montecito Wine Company creates handcrafted California wines inspired by the character, beauty and resilience of Montecito. Its wines honor the first responders and community members affected by the Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslides. A percentage from every bottle sold benefits One805.
Visit www.montecitowineco.com

About Le Vigne Winery and Peacock Cheese

Le Vigne Winery is a second-generation, family-owned Paso Robles estate known for its Bordeaux, Rhône and Italian varietal wines. Peacock Cheese Distributing Company, its sister company, supplies specialty cheeses, charcuterie and gourmet foods sourced from around the world.
Visit www.levignewinery.com and www.peacockcheese.com.

About Montecito Gourmet

Established as Village Cheese & Wine in 1973, Montecito Gourmet has served the Montecito community for more than 50 years. The shop serves hand-sliced artisan sandwiches, house-made breakfast items, curated wines, Roman-style pinsas, caviar, and espresso in a relaxed, intimate setting.
Visit www.montecitogourmet.com.

About One805

One805 is a Santa Barbara County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the extraordinary men and women who protect the community every day. Founded after the 2018 Montecito mudflow, One805 is the only organization serving all three primary First Responder agencies—Fire, Police, and Sheriff—in Santa Barbara County. With guidance from the heads of all 11 First Responder departments, One805 provides critical funding for essential equipment, emergency response tools, and mental wellness programs. The organization has raised more than $8.5 million to date, including a $2.7 million Mental Wellness Endowment. One805's upcoming fundraising events include concerts on September 25th and 26th, on Kevin Costner’s “Field of Dreams” in Carpinteria. The line-up includes Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, The Temptations, The Four Tops, George Thorogood, The Fray, Alan Parsons, Slightly Stoopid and the High Kings. Learn more at www.one805.org.


Montecito Wine Company Media Contact:

Patrick Braid
Montecito Brands
+1 805-570-5444
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Patrick Braid Feeds First Responders throughout Montecito Disaster