See recommendations below for wine tasting in each area including
Los Olivos
Santa Ynez
Solvang
Santa Barbara
Foxen Canyon
Los Alamos
Santa Rita Hills
Lompoc
The Wine Routes of Santa Barbara County
Foxen Canyon: Start at either Los Olivos and go north towards Santa Maria or come down Foxen Canyon Road from the north by first going up the 101 freeway and exiting in the Orcutt area.
Los Alamos: Drive 15 minutes north on the 101 for a nice and beautiful half-day trip of food, wine, and antique shopping.
Los Olivos: The highest concentration of tasting rooms around, no need to go anywhere else if you like variety, there’s also food and shopping.
Lompoc: Smaller winemakers in an industrial area, but do not let that deter you; there is a great quality here to choose from.
Santa Rita Hills: Wide open spaces with much beauty and tradition, well worth the drive to access the many estates.
Buellton: Have lunch at Industrial Eats and stop by the legendary Ken Brown tasting room on the way.
Solvang: Very busy with tourists, with many tasting rooms to go with the windmills and eateries.
Santa Ynez: Estates on one end, with smaller tasting rooms in town on another, there are also options along Route 154 towards Los Olivos.
Santa Barbara: The urban wine trail is mostly about those located in the ‘funk zone’ but you also have tasting rooms in the midtown area, as well as the ‘Mill’ area.
LOS OLIVOS TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Stolpman Vineyards
Stolpman Vineyards focuses on estate-grown Syrah and Sangiovese among several other varietals. In addition to the classic Stolpman style, the lighter-bodied line of wines under the “Stolpman So Fresh” label are made without Sulfur using low-extraction Carbonic fermentation. The Combe label, our partnership with Rajat Parr, focuses on Trousseau and Chenin Blanc.
Grapes are grown in the Ballard Canyon AVA without herbicide and minimal organic fungicide. We strive to withhold irrigation from our vines for a greater concentration of flavor and to allow the vines to balance themselves. Vineyard Manager Ruben Solorzano pushes the viticultural limits with many own-rooted plantings at an extremely tight 6,000 vines per acre density.
Tasting Room
2434 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos
Tasting Room
Daily 11am - 5pm
Principal Varieties
Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petite Syrah, Rousanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier
Phone Number
(805) 688-0400
Website
Grimm’s Bluff
Grimm’s Bluff itself is a dedication to quality, heritage, and place. Founded by Rick and Aurora Grimm in 2010, Grimm’s Bluff was built with the intention of making premium wine with respect to time and process. Sitting 300 ft above the Santa Ynez riverbed, the Estate consists of 16.5 acres of Demeter-certified, biodynamically farmed Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. The wines produced are a tribute to the Old World with their character and finesse.
Tasting Room Address
2445 Alamo Pintado Ave. Suite #102, Los Olivos
Tasting Room Hours
Sunday – Thursday : 11am-5pm, Friday – Saturday 11am-6pm
Private Ranch Tours
By Appointment Only
Reserve a Private Ranch Tour
Principal Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Website
Phone Number
(805) 691-9065
Brewer-Clifton
“It is our primary goal and priority to deliver the essence of that vineyard as clearly and honestly as possible.” At Brewer–Clifton, there is an utmost respect for nature. We believe that when working with a product of nature, it is necessary to always maintain an awareness of the elements and phenomena that are beyond our total understanding and control. If at any time that level of sensitivity is lessened, we risk the unavoidable degradation of the very goals that we are trying to pursue. As such, any intervention in the natural evolution of the product must be carried out with the utmost attentiveness and care.
Tasting Room Address
Tasting Room Hours
Thursay - Monday: 10am - 4 pm, By Appointment (Click to Reserve)
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Website
Phone Number
Tercero Wines
Tercero Wines specializes in hand-crafted, small lot Rhone variety red and white wines using grapes exclusively from leading Santa Barbara County vineyards. We have been crafting wines since 2006 and take pride in the fact that we work with fantastic fruit grown by fantastic folks. We at Tercero firmly believe that there is no better place in the state of California for producing the varieties and style of wines that we produce than here in Santa Barbara County. It is our goal to ‘show’ this in the wines that we produce. We concentrate on single-variety wines such as Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignane, Grenache, and more. We also produce a fantastic Mourvedre Rose and an unbaked red wine called Aberration that we prefer to serve slightly chilled.
Tasting Room Address
2445 Alamo Pintado Ave Unit 105, Los Olivos
Tasting Room Hours
We are open Thursday through Monday from Noon until 5ish, but are more than happy to meet you there at other times by appointment.
Principal Varieties
Red & White Rhone blends, Carignane, Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier
Phone Number
805-245-9584
Website
Storm Wines
Rooted in the hills of Santa Barbara County, Storm Wines emphasizes old world influences and new world techniques.
The Mediterranean climate, diverse soils, and exciting new opportunities in this budding Central Coast wine region have combined to drive Ernst’s passion for producing his wine. You’re invited to experience the unique personality of both vintage and site in Storm Wines.
Tasting Room Address
2948 San Marcos Ave., APT 101, Los Olivos
Tasting Room Hours
Wednesday - Monday: 11am - 5pm, Reservations are not required, but encouraged.
Make a Reservation
Phone Number
(805) 350-9456
Principal Varieties
Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Grenache Rosé, Syrah
Website
Story Of Soil
As a small winery, we can put more time attention, and care into our wines (than the larger wineries can afford to really). So, in order to make wines of the highest quality, we 1. select vineyards that are farmed with the greatest level of care. 2. Focus on single varietal and single vineyard. A single vineyard allows us to focus on “the place” the grapes are farmed and a single varietal will show how each varietal is affected by the place (i.e. soil and microclimate). 3. Keep lots small. This gives the opportunity for gentle processing with minimal intervention. (This also grants us the freedom to have a little more fun with experimentation which, in theory, should give us more complex and interesting wines.) and finally 4. (the most important) we put our hearts and souls into the making of this wine.
Tasting Room Address
2928 San Marcos Avenue, Los Olivos
Tasting Room Hours
Tastings available 7 days a week, Mon-Thurs (12:00pm - 5:00pm) & Fri-Sun (11:00am - 5:00pm)
Principal Varieties
Grenache, Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
(805) 686-1302
SANTA YNEZ TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Brave & Maiden Estate
Join us for an intimate seated tasting experience where your own designated host will guide you through our portfolio of limited-production wines. Tastings can be enjoyed inside our magnificent tasting room or outside in the courtyard overlooking our sustainably farmed vineyard. To provide our unhurried, personal wine-tasting experiences, we do request advance appointments. Walk-ins will be considered as availability permits. We can accept parties of up to 6 guests. Please call to inquire about group reservations.
Tasting Room Address
649 N Refugio Road, Santa Ynez
Tasting Room Hours
By Appointment Only. Click Here to Book.
Principal Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petite Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
(805) 693-2989
McKinney Family Vineyards
This small family of three made their dreams a reality when they moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in 1994, long before most of today’s vineyards had even been planted, and before the iconic movie Sideways was filmed. Little did they know then, the alluring pull of vines and fine wine would soon lead them into the wine industry.
Tasting Room Address
Tasting Room Hours
Tastings are offered 7 days a week from 11 AM – 5 PM, by reservation only.
Principal Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
((805) 395-2093
Carr Winery
Established in 1999. Carr Vineyards & Winery specializes in limited-production wines from Santa Barbara County. Owner and Winemaker Ryan Carr also oversees the management of over 100 acres of vineyards, allowing him to handcraft each vintage from grapes grown to his specification. Varietals include Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, and Cabernet Franc.
Tasting Room Address
3563 Numancia St. #101
Santa Ynez
Tasting Room Hours
Open Daily
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Phone Number
805-688-5757
Principal Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
Website
SANTA BARBARA TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Grassini Family Vineyards
Grassini Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated boutique winery that specializes in the handcrafted production of wines made exclusively from Bordeaux varietals. We focus on farming our estate vineyard to its fullest potential using renewable and sustainable resources. A hands-on artisan approach helps us to make wines that represent the uniqueness of this special site and climate.
Tasting Room Address
24 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA
Tasting Room Hours
Daily 12pm - 6pm (last tasting at 5:30pm)
Phone Number
(805) 897-3366
Winery Tastings
Daily one-on-one tasting appointments for $45 per person at the winery available on Thursday-Monday. (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.) To reserve, e-mail or call the winery directly. Details below.
Phone Number
(895) 883-8118
Principal Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvigon
Website
Longoria Wines
Established in 1982, Longoria Wines is a small family-owned winery producing acclaimed artisanal wines from some of the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County. Pioneer winemaker Rick Longoria has been involved in the local wine industry since 1976. His wines are distinctive for their purity of varietal and site expression, balance, and compatibility with food.
Tasting Room Address (Santa Barbara)
732 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tasting Room Hours (Santa Barbara)
Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday: 12pm - 6pm, Friday & Saturday: 12pm - 7pm
Make an Appointment
Principal Varieties
Albariño, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Graciano, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Red Bordeaux Blends, Syrah, Tempranillo
Website
Phone Number
805-736-9700
Whitcraft Winery
Chris and Kathleen (Barnato) Whitcraft started Whitcraft Winery in 1985. Chris hosted a local wine radio program in Santa Barbara County for more than ten years and learned his craft from some of the best winemakers in California - Joe Heitz (Heitz Cellars), Dick Graff (Founded Chalone Winery and its AVA), and Burt Williams (Williams Selyem & Morning Dew Ranch) to name a few. What began as a hobby grew into both a passion and a lifestyle, the commitment to which is present to this day in every bottle of our wine.
This passion for wine was passed on to their children, Drake and Alyssa. While Chris passed in 2014, Drake continues to carry on the tradition of excellent winemaking within the Whitcraft family.
Tasting Room Address (Santa Barbara)
36 A S. CALLE CESAR CHAVEZ
Tasting Room Hours (Santa Barbara)
Friday thru Sunday, 11-4 pm
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Website
Phone Number
805.730.1680
FOXEN CANYON TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Foxen Vineyard & Winery
Bill Wathen and Dick Doré have been making wine together since 1985 when they founded FOXEN at the historic Rancho Tinaquaic in northern Santa Barbara County. Since that time, their dedication has remained the same – the creation of very small-production, vineyard-designated wines using a “minimalist” approach to winemaking.
FOXEN 7200 (aka The Shack) Tasting Room Address (Bordeaux and Italian-style wines)
7200 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria
Tasting Room Hours
Open Friday/Saturday/Sunday, 11am to 4pm, by reservation and walk-in upon availability
Tasting Room Address
7600 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria
Tasting Room Hours
Open Daily, 11am to 4pm, by reservation and walk-in upon availability
Make Reservation
Principal Varieties
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
Presqu’ile Vineyard & Winery
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is a small, family-run winery dedicated to making exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Designed and planted to create a diverse tapestry of vineyard blocks, the sustainably certified, 73-acre Presqu’ile Vineyard features an array of clones, exposures and elevations. Made using this estate fruit, and grapes from a handful of the finest vineyards in the valley, Presqu’ile’s wines capture the essence of their vineyards and vintage, and have earned acclaim for their elegance and balance.
Tasting Room Address
5391 Presquile Drive, Santa Maria
Tasting Room Hours
Wednesday through Sunday 11am – 5pm by reservation only. Please book online or call for availability. As of 7/3/20, all seating is outdoors per COVID-19 safety procedures. Groups are limited to six people and masks are required for entry.
Book Tasting Online
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Gamay, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
Lumen Wines
In 2012 Will Henry and Lane Tanner ran into each other in the Santa Maria Valley, and realized that they shared a common vision: to make wines from the best cool-climate vineyards in Santa Barbara County, and to follow a regimen consistent with California’s early days of hands-on, honest winemaking. The duo asserts that the most balanced (and thus memorable) wines are made from fruit that is picked relatively early on the harvest calendar, the end result being a wine that is livelier on the palate, deeper in complexity, lower in alcohol, and more worthy of cellaring.
Lane has always had a reputation for being the first to call a pick in the vineyard. Even during the 1990’s and 2000’s, at a time when most of her peers were chasing Parker scores and pushing harvest times ever later, Lane held fast to her winemaking philosophy – scores or no scores. Ironically, her winemaking style has now come back into vogue.
Tasting Room
The Lumen Lounge at Pico Restaurant, 458 Bell St, Los Alamos, CA 93440
Tasting Room Hours
Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-7pm; Sunday: 12pm-5pm
RSVP at Tasting Room
RSVP for a Vineyard Experience
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Pinot Gris
Website
Phone Number
(805) 350-4054
SOLVANG TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards
Alma Rosa Winery is dedicated to making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines that are emblematic of the Sta. Rita Hills’ unique terroir.
Winemaker Samra Morris and Consulting Winemaker Tony Biagi embrace the cool climate impact of the Pacific Ocean breezes that funnel through the Sta. Rita Hills’ east-west transverse mountain range, making layered, vibrant, balanced and terroir-expressive wines. The majority of Alma Rosa’s wines are produced in small quantities of 300 or fewer cases and reflect the essence of specific vineyard sites in the region.
Tasting Room Address
1623 Mission Dr, Suite M, Solvang
Tasting Room Hours
Sunday – Wednesday: 11:00am – 6:00pm, Thursday – Saturday: 11:00am – 7:30pm
Reserve Your Tasting Experience at the Solvang Tasting Room
Reserve Your Ranch House and Vineyard Experiences
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
SANTA RITA HILLS TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Pence Vineyards & Winery
We are a small vineyard and winery in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County, producing Estate grown and organically farmed Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Syrah. We strive to produce wines that are pure and honest, that reflect the beauty of our property and respect the historic traditions of wine. We see self-reliance as a virtue; growing and producing everything ourselves. This philosophy extends to all our other farm operations, which include organically grown grains, heirloom orchards and vegetables, Marcona almonds, Angus Cattle, and olives.
Tasting Room Address
1909 West Highway 246, Buellton, CA
Tasting Room Hours
Private Tours and Tastings by Appointment Only. Open Daily from 11am - 4pm.
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Gamay
Winemaker
Consulting Winemaker: Sashi Moorman; Winemaker: John Faulkner
Website
Phone Number
The Hilt Estate
To understand the wines made by The Hilt Estate, one might need to come visit the hard and harsh conditions under which they are born. The unobstructed, ocean facing east-west valley known as Sta. Rita Hills Valley is a complex AVA. One could divide it into four quadrants: northern-facing, southern-facing, close to the ocean, and further inland from the ocean. With such a frame, The Hilt Estate’s favorite vineyards are in the northern-facing, closest to the ocean, windswept quadrant. These sites are the worst place for a grape grower, but the best ones for a winemaker.
Tasting Room Address
2240 Santa Rosa Road Lompoc, CA 93436
Tasting Room Hours
Tastings Available By Appointment Only. Click to Reserve
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Website
Phone Number
Vega Vineyard & Farm
Established in 1853. After 40 years in the hospitality business, we understand the value of building relationships, sharing a table for special moments over food and wine, and experiencing the beauty and bounty of Santa Barbara Wine Country.
With a concentration on our estate vineyard, we have sought to produce wines that are “a window to a place.” Each one of our wines is different in expression, with its own subtle, yet distinctive character and voice. Each year renews in us an intense drive to understand, react to, and work with the vineyard to allow it to reach its full potential. This process, led by our winemaker, Steve Clifton, is crucial for the execution of successful wines.
Tasting Room Address
Tasting Room Hours
Open Daily, 11am-6pm, walk-ins welcome.
Make an Appointment
Principle Varieties
Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Vermentino
Website
Phone Number
(805) 688-2415
Donnachadh Vineyard & Winery
We strive to make wines that express the beauty of this amazing place. We are inspired by the wines of Burgundy and the Northern Rhone, but want to make wines that recognize the uniqueness of this site. The cool climate and ocean breeze allow the grapes to ripen more slowly, developing rich, complex flavors while still retaining a bright natural acidity. There is a noticeable salinity, too, that further reminds one of the maritime environment that the wines come from. Finally, the varied terrain and soils, from the steep, rocky upper hillside to the gently rolling riverside blocks allow us to develop a lot of complexity and contrast within a relatively small area.
Family owned and organically farmed, Donnachadh Vineyard is located on Santa Rosa Road in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County. The property is 285 acres with approximately 40 acres under vine. We grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and a little bit of Gamay Noir.
Tasting Room Address
2938 San Marcos Ave Ste 101, Los Olivos
Tasting Room Hours
Thursday – Monday: 11am-5pm
Make a Reservation (Encouraged for Groups over 4)
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Gamay Noir
Website
Phone Number
805-699-5802
Peake Ranch
The Peake Ranch property is nestled in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County on the winding, pastoral bluffs of Buellton. Our charming tasting room offers a variety of experiences, including intimate indoor seating arrangements and a large outdoor patio overlooking our beautiful vista of rolling hillsides and vineyards. Once owned by famed artist Channing Peake, the ranch will delight guests with the historic tasting room which was notably portrayed in the film Sideways.
Tasting Room Address
7290 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton, CA 93427
Tasting Room Hours
Thursday - Monday: 11am to 5pm Tuesday - Wednesday: Closed
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
(805) 688-7093
Spear Winery
A TRUE VINEYARD TASTING EXPERIENCE IN THE SANTA RITA HILLS
Spear Vineyards & Winery is a family owned, sustainable and certified organic vineyard nestled in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills Appellation. At Spear, our hope is to craft wines that transparently communicate our estate vineyard’s voice with the utmost lucidity and sincerity. We invite you to join our soil to glass experience.
Tasting Room Address
6700 E Highway 246
Lompoc
Tasting Room Hours
10:00am - 5:00pm (Last @ 4pm), Thu - Mon
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
((805) 735-2190
LOS ALAMOS TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Bedford Winery
It is a winery for the adventurous who seek the uncommon, value authenticity, and are captivated by character. Along with barrel-fermented Chardonnays and signature Syrahs, there is always the surprise of lesser-known or forgotten varietals such as a Tempranillo or Pinot Gris to ponder, along with intriguing red blends.
Tasting Room Address
448 Bell Street (off HWY 101), Los Alamos
Tasting Room Hours
Daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
805-344-2107
LOMPOC TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Ampelos Cellars
We purchased 82 acres in 1999 in what became Sta. Rita Hills appellation, and named it “Ampelos,” which is the Greek word for vine. The name is due to, we believe all great wines start in the vineyard. Also we have close ties with Greece; we were married there and own a small bed & breakfast, called Ampelos Hotel, on the island of Folegandros.
.Waking up from the dream is the belief that a farmer must know his fruit, and we are resolute in our passion to produce hands-on, minimally invasive wines that both whisper and shout about the terroir. Our vineyard is the 1st in the US to be certified organic, sustainable and biodynamic. Our commitment to eco-friendly, organic farming and wine making is evident in every sip.
Tasting Room Address
312 North 9th Street Lompoc
Tasting Room Hours
Thursday - Sunday 11:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 11am - 4pm
Principal Varieties
Viogner, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache
Website
Phone Number
805-736-9957
Sandhi
Sandhi is a small-production California winery focusing on select vineyards from the Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. Sandhi was founded in 2010 by Rajat Parr, the wine director for Michael Mina Restaurants, and winemaker, Sashi Moorman.
Sandhi represents a union essential to the production of wine: the collaboration between man, earth, and vine. The willing participation of all three elements is necessary to make great wine, and the winegrower must make this collaboration rich and nourishing for all involved. An understanding of these joint efforts informs Sandhi’s exploration of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines throughout the Santa Barbara County terroir.
Tasting Room Address
1712 Industrial Way, Suite B Lompoc,
Tasting Room Hours
By Appointment Only (e-mail below)
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Website
Phone Number
(805) 500-8337
Fiddlehead Cellars
Over 30 years, trailblazing owner-winemaker Kathy Joseph set off on a quest to pioneer once-considered underdog wine varietals, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and our newly planted Gruner Veltliner to give them new life and present them with passion and flawless execution. At Fiddlehead we take pride in small-batch, barrel-select wine-making driven by elegance, texture, a sense of place, and the idea of discovery. We are enthusiastically dedicated to small-tailored productions, sustainable farming, and thoughtful sourcing with distinction and without compromise. Our estate “Fiddlestix Vineyard” in the Sta. Rita Hills and the Alloro Vineyard nestled in the Willamette Valley are locations where vine-age and Kathy’s experience provide a wonderful canvas for Fiddlehead’s perpetually memorable wines.
Tasting Room Address
1597 E Chestnut Avenue, Lompoc
Tasting Room Hours
Monday -Friday: Appointment Only, Saturday: 2-5 pm, and Sunday: 2 pm-5 pm
Make Reservation
Principal Varieties
Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
Website
Phone Number
(805) 735-7728
Visit one of the many women winemakers in the area
Jessica Gasca - Story of soil
Dana Volk - D. Volk
Alice Anderson - Amevive Wine
Karen Steinwachs - Buttonwood Winery
Alison Thomson - Lepiane Wines
Adrienne St. John - Rideau Vineyard
Angela Soleno - Turiya Wines
Brit Zotovich - Dreamcôte Wine Co.
Helen Falcone - Falcone Family Vineyards
Kat Gaffney - Spear Vineyards & Winery
Sarah Holt Mullins - Rancho Sisquoc Winery
Sandra Newman - Cebada Wine
McKenna Giardine - E11even Wines
Gretchen Voelcker - Luna Hart Wines
Anna Clifford and Jill DelaRiva Russell - Cambria Wines
Kathy Joseph - Fiddlehead Cellars
Sonja Magdevski - Clementine Carter
Wine tasting with beautiful vistas
Reserve a guided wine tour with one of these great options
Official Wine Regions (AVA’S) of Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria AVA
The region’s first officially approved American Viticultural Area (AVA) enjoys extremely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates. Consider Santa Maria Valley, the northernmost appellation in Santa Barbara County. The region’s first officially approved AVA enjoys extremely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are two varieties that especially benefit from the ocean’s influence and are AVA’s flagship wines. Other great varieties such as Syrah and Pinot Blanc grow amazingly, too.
Santa Rita Hills AVA
Sta. Rita Hills is a sub-AVA of the greater Santa Ynez Valley appellation. One of the smaller AVAs in California, the eastern edge of Sta. Rita Hills is about four miles west of Highway 101 in Buellton and continues to the western boundary, about two miles east of Highway 1 in Lompoc. The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to over 59 vineyards, totaling 2,700 hundred acres planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and 18 other cool climate wine grape varieties.
Santa Ynez Valley AVA
The Santa Ynez Valley is a long, east-west corridor, with very cool temperatures on the coast that become progressively warmer inland. Consequently, several varietals do well, from Pinot Noir in the west to Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc in the east. Rhone varietals such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Roussanne, and Viognier also thrive in the Santa Ynez.
Happy Canyon AVA
Its inland position means a significantly warmer climate that ensures complete maturation for later ripening varieties. The rolling terrain, high slopes and varied soils of this region are best suited for growing Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc, creating rich, concentrated wines. Syrah and other Rhône varieties also flourish here. Head to this Happy for the vistas but call ahead for access to these exclusive vineyards.
Los Olivos AVA
The AVA includes 1,121 acres planted to vines in 47 vineyards, making it the largest concentration of vineyards in a sub-appellation, with many of the valley’s heritage vineyards located here. The grapes are principally. Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rhone varietals take prominence, although the AVA also includes Spanish and Italian varietals… The boundaries of the AVA encompass the townships of Ballard, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, and Solvang.
Ballard Canyon AVA
The north-south oriented canyon provides a unique weather pattern of wind, fog, and maritime influence, giving each wine a fingerprint of the specific place. Ballard Canyon encompasses a small geographical area totaling 7,800 acres, of which only 550 acres are currently planted to vineyards. It is nestled between the towns of Solvang and Los Olivos. Over half of Ballard Canyon’s planted acreage is Syrah and an additional 30% of acres are planted to other Rhone varietals including Grenache, Viognier, and Roussanne.
Alisos Canyon AVA
The Alisos Canyon AVA exhibits a unique viticultural influence of the San Antonio Creek Valley which runs directly from the mouth of Alisos and Comasa Canyons to the Pacific Ocean 20 miles to the west. The ingress of cooling marine winds and fog along the San Antonio Creek Valley helps define the climate of Alisos Canyon AVA.
Non-official Santa Barbara County Wine Regions
Lompoc
Close to Santa Rita Hills nearby and home to more than 20 tasting rooms in the “wine ghetto”
Los Alamos
Warmer than Santa Maria but cooler than Santa Ynez with various varietals.
Chardonnay, Grenache, Syrah, Pinot Noir