Some tours include special meals or traveling arrangements,
but the latest take on wine tasting is Vino Vaqueros,
created and run by professional — and handsome — horsemen Peter Ganibi and Graham Goodfield.
They provide small groups a relaxing horse ride off the
beaten path and through Fess Parker Winery’s vineyard, a nice selection of
wines to taste and a gourmet meal prepared with fresh, local, organic
ingredients.
Ganibi,
a professional polo trainer and player, said he came up with the idea, and Goodfield, owner of Los Padres Outfitters, knew the business.
In the current market, the demand for polo horses had
waned, Ganibi said, and Goodfield
had 20 nice trail horses without much work to do.
The idea was born, and since then, the two have been
working diligently on designing new rides and activities to do with their
guests.
Currently, there are two different rides available, though
four more, including a breakfast ride, are in the works.
“We’ve just heard good things about the experience and the
food — they really like the food,” Ganibi said about the
feedback thus far. “Each ride’s just been a blast.”
Every meal is designed exclusively to the tastes of the
riders. Goodfield and Ganibi
do all the cooking, Ganibi said, which he loves
because he has always been interested in culinary arts and he even attended
culinary school.
“All our produce is from organic, local farms and
ranches,” Ganibi said. “I believe in keeping
everything local, and I think it’s just neat for guests from out of town to
come and taste and feel the valley 100 percent.”
The Journal visited with Peter Ganibi
to talk to him about his new business.
SYVJ: Why did
you decide to start this business?
PG: After I was done playing polo in the
Santa Barbara circuit in October, that’s when the economy kind of went sour,
and I was lucky enough to sell a really nice 3-year-old I trained to a client
from Texas. I thought to myself, “Well, I better figure something out that’s
going to be solid.” I guess I always wanted to have a business of my own
dealing with the general public because sometimes playing polo and training
horses gets lonely.
SYVJ: What is your business background?
PG: I own G1 Polo Horses, which is based
out here in Santa Ynez, and I train clients from around the U.S., or they send
me their horses from around the U.S. I also sell the horses that I get as 2
year olds, and I train them for one to two years. Then, when people come in
July and August to play at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, you get some of the
world’s best polo players there, and that’s my time to sell horses to the top
players, hopefully.
SYVJ: What is the best advice you’ve been given about
owning your own business?
PG: It was a quote from Justin McBride,
and he said, “Don’t get too high on the highs and too low on the lows.”
SYVJ: How do you feel about running your business in this
economic climate?
PG: I feel like this business is going
to do OK. For one, if we can get it going in this climate, we’re going to be
fine in the future. Also, instead of travelers going on elaborate trips to
faraway places, they could be coming up from L.A. to Santa Ynez and
experiencing something close to them that’s fun.
SYVJ: What’s the biggest challenge you think your business
will face?
PG: Marketing. I’m going through it right
now. It gets overwhelming; there are so many options and so many different ways
of spending money. I’m hoping the business takes off from word of mouth,
journalists and help from Fess Parker.
SYVJ: What sets your business apart from your competitors’
businesses?
PG: Well, we’re the only ones doing it
actually here in the valley. There’s one more place up north in Oregon, so we
don’t have too many competitors that are doing the same experience that we
offer. If you want to step off the beaten path and enjoy nature and a nice
gentle horse and great food, I feel like there’s nothing better than that.
SYVJ: What’s the simplest thing you have never learned to
do?
PG: Be frugal.
SYVJ: Who is the smartest person you know?
PG: If it has to do with horses, Ramon
Becerra.
SYVJ: Where do you see your business in one year?
PG: Hopefully booked seven days a week.
SYVJ: In five years?
PG: Hopefully, there’s a waiting list.
Reach Lauren Crecelius at lcrecelius@syvjournal.com