Region 4 ships explore Chateau Picard
By Commodore Dave Mason
SANTA YNEZ — A dozen members from STARFLEET’s Region 4 kept their eyes out for retired Adm. Jean-Luc Picard as we explored LaBarre, France – without stepping outside of Southern California.
Members of the USS Angeles, USS Chumash and USS Wessex beamed down April 18 to Sunstone Winery, the Santa Ynez site that served as Chateau Picard on “Star Trek: Picard.” The rural Santa Barbara County winery consists of a home on the top of a hill, which served as the interior and exterior of Picard’s home, and a vineyard and winery down below.
We spent a sunny and somewhat hot afternoon at a large picnic table under a big umbrella, sampling red and white wines and feasting on sandwiches, cookies and other treats we brought. Many of us came in uniform for photo ops at this sacred “Star Trek” filming site.
While we didn’t see the admiral (played, of course, by Sir Patrick Stewart) or his pit bull named Number One, we did spot a large crowd that clinked wine glasses, played games and brought dogs small and large.
It was a great opportunity to meet members of the USS Chumash, the region’s newest chapter that is based in Nipomo in San Luis Obispo County, just north of Santa Barbara County.
Lt. Cmdr. Rose Kaye, commanding officer of the USS Chumash, presented everyone with copies of STARFLEET’s certificate honoring USS Chumash’s full-fledged status as a ship following its shakedown cruise with the USS Wessex as its mother ship. She also presented all of us with USS Chumash stickers, featuring a logo incorporating a bear, and tiles with the chapter’s name printed by a laser printer.
“The launch of the USS Chumash, NX-74704, represents a notable milestone in STARFLEET history,” Vice Adm. Steven Bowers, the outgoing chief of SFI Shakedown Operations, said in the 2025 announcement of the club reaching its full-fledged status in STARFLEET.
“Based in Nipomo, California, Earth, Sol Sector, the USS Chumash is expected to encounter uncharted territories, alien species, and cosmic phenomena. Under the capable command of CMDR Rose Kaye and with LCDR Paul Kaye serving as Executive Officer, the crew will carve their path among the stars, significantly contributing to the ongoing legacy of STARFLEET,” said Steven, who was later succeeded by the current chief of shakedown operations, Vice Adm. Thomas Donohoe.
As Paul and others listened at Sunstone, Rose talked about her ship’s activities, including its table at Santa Maria Comic Con in early May at the Santa Barbara County Fairgrounds. Among those listening was Rear Adm. Ron Coleman, commanding officer of the USS Wessex and STARFLEET’s chief of operations.
Later, the three USS Angeles members at the event – Capt. Christopher Mulrooney, Lt. j.g. Lisa Sobien and I – took photos and a special video in the vineyard.
Christopher Mulrooney and Lisa Sobien beam down AprI 18 to Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, which served as the filming site for Chateau Picard on “Star Trek: Picard.” (Photos by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)
Members of the USS Angeles, USS Chumash and USS Wessex gather at Sunstone Winery, the Santa Ynez site that served as Chateau Picard on “Star Trek: Picard.”
USS Chumash members visit Chateau Picard.
Retired Adm. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) lives here on “Star Trek: Picard.” The home is part of Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, a filming site for the Paramount+ series.
Three STARFLEET commanding officers gather at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez: from left, Dave Mason of the USS Angeles, Rose Kaye of the USS Chumash and Ron Coleman of the USS Wessex. (Photo by Christopher Mulrooney / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)
Rose Kaye, commanding officer of the USS Chumash, talks about her club’s activities during a gathering at Sunstone Winery. At left is Paul Kaye, the club’s first officer.