On their honeymoon in Spain, Charlie and Kathleen Schaffer found themselves lingering over glasses of sherry — captivated not just by the taste, but by the stories. In Andalucía, each varietal carries centuries of craft, place, and patience. Names like Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez aren’t simply styles of wine; they’re living histories shaped by time. That reverence for tradition left a mark. Years later, as their hospitality footprint expanded, the Schaffers named several of their LLCs after those very sherries — Oloroso, Fino and Ximenez — as a quiet tribute to the artistry and heritage that first inspired them.
That same spirit now lives within Solera & Co., the group’s newest chapter following the acquisition of Catering Connection and Pure Joy in Santa Barbara. The name itself draws from the traditional solera method of winemaking — a system where the old enriches the new and the new reinvigorates the old. It’s a philosophy that mirrors what the company is building: a hospitality organization where legacy and innovation work in harmony, preserving what has made these companies trusted for generations while thoughtfully elevating what’s possible.
For food lovers and event hosts alike, this evolution isn’t about change for the sake of change — it’s about depth. It’s about honoring culinary foundations shaped by fine-dining rigor while embracing fresh creativity, new talent, and expanded resources. Much like a well-aged sherry layered over time, Solera & Co. represents continuity with character — a blending of histories that results in something richer, more nuanced, and distinctly of this moment in Santa Barbara’s culinary landscape.
