December 07, 2017

The Buellton Hitching Post II opened in 1986, but its roots started at the Casmalia Hitching Post in 1952. It was there that Frank & Natalie Ostini brought "Santa Maria Style BBQ" to its peak of perfection and where their children Bill, Bob, Terri and Annette continue to work to this day. When returning from college in 1976, Frank Sr. and Natalie’s son Frank Ostini helped out in the kitchen for what he thought would be a  short stint. Today the younger Frank is the owner of his own restaurant, The Hitching Post II, and is also - along with partner Gray Hartley - co-owner and winemaker of the Hitching Post Winery.

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Lots of people are hooked on Hartley Ostini Hitching Post wines, especially since the Hitching Post II and its wines received international acclaim when the Academy Award® winning movie Sideways debuted in 2004.