Sunday brunch is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of leisure, luxury, and the joy of the weekend. For those who revel in the finer things in life, this mid-morning repast is an opportunity to indulge in exquisite flavors, elegant settings, and, of course, the effervescent charm of bubbles. Whether you’re hosting at home or heading out to a chic venue, here’s how to elevate your Sunday brunch experience to new heights.

Hosting a Lavish Brunch at Home

1. Curate an Exquisite Menu

The heart of a great brunch lies in its menu. Start with a selection of artisanal pastries, such as freshly baked croissants, buttery Danish pastries, and gluten-free scones. For the main course, consider a sophisticated spread that includes poached eggs with truffle hollandaise, smoked salmon blinis, and a decadent French toast made with brioche.

Complement your dishes with a variety of sides like a refreshing fruit salad featuring exotic fruits, and perhaps a gourmet cheese board with artisanal selections.

2. Set the Scene with Elegance

Transform your dining area into a haven of elegance. Opt for a crisp white tablecloth or a luxurious linen runner. Use fine china, silver cutlery, and crystal glassware to create a visually stunning setting. Fresh flowers, such as peonies or orchids, will add a touch of natural beauty and sophistication.

3. Embrace the Bubbles

No brunch is complete without a selection of sparkling wines. Serve a fine champagne or a premium prosecco, chilled to perfection. Consider offering a selection of fruit purées to create custom bellinis, or a signature cocktail like a classic mimosa with freshly squeezed orange juice.

4. Offer Luxurious Touches

Elevate your brunch with personalized touches. Engage a private chef to prepare a customized menu or hire a sommelier to provide expert guidance on wine pairings. For an extra touch of opulence, consider a live jazz band or a string quartet to provide a melodious backdrop to your meal.

Here are some make-ahead brunch recipe ideas, or consider buying your staple dishes pre-made. Near Rice Ranch in Orcutt, we have two outstanding bakeries: Orcutt Bakery and Cups & Crumbs. Or grab some specialty cheeses and meats, or fun frozen brunch treats at a local grocer.

The Bubblies

We are a bit spoiled, with Rice Ranch being in the middle of the Santa Maria Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA) in Santa Barbara wine country. Renowned sparkling wine (and Pinot Noir) producer Riverbench Vineyard & Winery is on Foxen Canyon, and the gorgeous modern Presqu’ile Winery, also known for Pinot Noir and various sparkling wines, is only 4 miles away. Venture a bit further south, and you’ll find cool, new sparklers as well as heritage ones.

A few ideas:

• set out your sparkling wine with fruit juices for a do-it-yourself mimosa bar
• create a cupcake or donut pairing with the wines
• brown-bag all the bubblies, and have a blind tasting to see which one you truly love best.

Closest Sparkling Wine: Presqu’ile Winery

Presqu’ile specializes in cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are 2 of the main grapes in Champagne, so they are perfectly positioned for French-style sparkling wine. They have 5 sparkling wines in total, but 4 of them are for wine club only.

The Presqu’ile Non Vintage Brut Cuvee Sparkling wine is produced in the traditional méthode champenoise in-house at Presqu’ile, just 4 miles from Rice Ranch. It’s crisp and clean, made from 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir. It was fermented & aged for 5 months, and has that apply, brioche toasty flavor that you expect from Champagne.

Most Sparkling Wine: Riverbench Winery

Riverbench produces 6 different sparklers! They are also the only Champagne maker on the Central Coast to make a 100% Pinot Meunier sparkling wine from their own estate Pinot Meunier grapes. In Champagne, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier are the main grapes for sparkling wines, and Riverbench specializes in all three.

• Demi Sec – This off-dry sparkling has an attractive and pleasant palate of apple and pear.
• Blanc de Noirs – Deep, complex, and suitable for special occasions.
• Blanc de Blancs – Soft and lush, yet bright and fresh, this traditionally made sparkler is a beauty.
• Brut Rosé – Light, fresh, and fruity, this wine is perfect for a warm, sunny day. Pairs nicely with a picnic basket.
• Cork Jumper Cuvee – A unique and delicious blend of the three main grapes used in Champagne, France: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
• Sparkling Pinot Meunier – Santa Barbara County’s only sparkling Pinot Meunier exhibits a stunning palate of berry, caraway, and a touch of yeast.

Heritage Sparkling Wine: Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

Laetitia has the oldest heritage of sparkling wine on the Central Coast, having planted the estate estate vineyards were planted in 1982, and the first wines were released in 1984 under the estate’s former name, Maison Deutz. The French-owned winery in San Luis Obispo County once produced 30,000 cases of sparkling wine annually. Laetitia still produces sparkling wines in the same manner, and with the same French basket press, on display at the tasting room.

• Brut Cuvée – Gala apple, streams of bubbles and soft melon notes meet to create this festive sparkling wine comprised of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, respectively. Lemon chiffon and sultry pear framed by freshly baked challah bread come forward on second approach of our house sparkling wine, great for pairing with pork with an apple-celery root slaw or our winemaker’s favorite: potato chips.
• Cuvée M – A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, this sparkler opens with an enticing orange blossom bouquet and crème brûlée. The palate is dense and creamy with flavors of honeydew melon, Granny Smith apples, and vanilla crème. The full mouthfeel leads to a very round and long finish.
• Sparkling Brut Rose – Composed of our best estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, this alluring sparkler opens with fresh aromas of raspberry, blackberries, and red currants coupled with subtle hints of lime. Round and full in the mouth, flavors of freshly cut peaches and tangerine ride on a balancing acidity, leading to a long and savory mouthwatering finish.

Coolest Sparkling Wine: in Los Alamos

Los Alamos has a free spirit, and so cultivates the same in its wines. There are 2 wineries along Bell Street that produce sparkling wine in smaller quantities. This means they pop up at various times of the year, sell out fast, and tend to be made with more nontraditional grapes.

Lo-Fi’s 2019 Sparkling Pinot Noir was made from Pinot Noir around the SkyView Hotel in the traditional method, but the winemaker is constantly creating new sparklers. Coming this spring is a sparkling Chenin Blanc and a Pét-nat Mondeuse rosé. Keep your eye on this winery, as they may release even more bubbles next year.

A Tribute to Grace’s Gracias Madre is made from Winemaker Angela Osbourne’s favorite wine grape; Grenache. Osbourne makes her bubbly from that grape to accompany laugher, sunsets, and freshly harvested scallops. This Gracias Madre Blanc de Noirs is made in the traditional method, and named in honor of her mother.