Taste Wine at the best Santa Barbara wineries. Santa Barbara is known for its world class wines. Plan a tour today in this stunning California wine region. Most wineries are small, family run businesses. Santa Barbara is probably most known for its top quality Chardonnay, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. However, many other varietals are produced here. You will find excellent wines of every varietal as you tour Santa Barbara wineries.
Santa Barbara County captured the attention of the country as a wine country destination when the movie, “Sideways” was released. Much of the movie was filmed on location in Santa Barbara County. The movie, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for best picture, sparked an interest in wine tasting in general; and in Santa Barbara wines in particular. Tourists have been flocking to taste the wines and visit the locations where the movie was shot.
Best Wine Tasting Deals in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Wineries
Alexander & Wayne
Address: 2922 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA
Telephone: (805) 688-9665
Open daily 11 AM – 6 PM
These wines are sold almost exclusively directly to the customer. This is a small Central Coast winery producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Arthur Earl
Address: 2922 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA
Telephone: (805) 693-1771
Open daily for central coast wine tasting 11 AM – 6 PM
This is a small production winery that specializes in Viognier, Syrah, Nebbiolo, and Zinfandel.
Ariste Winery & Tasting Studio
Address: 2049 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA
Open daily for central coast wine tasting 11 AM – 5 PM
This winery features blends with beautiful labels displaying impressionist art.
Au Bon Climat
Address: 813 Anacapa St. #5B, Santa Barbara, CA
Telephone: (805) 963-7999
Open weekdays noon to 6 and weekends 11 AM – 6PM.
Au Bon specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You can sample Au Bon Climat wines in downtown Solvang at “Tastes of the Valleys”.
Babcock Winery & Vineyard
Address: 5175 E. Hwy. 246, Lompoc, CA 93436
Telephone: (805) 736-1455
Open Fri.-Sun. 10:30 AM – 4 PM; Mon. Noon – 4 PM
Bryan Babcock has been producing wines since 1984. He has been named one of the “Top Ten Small Production Wine Makers of the World” by the James Beard Foundation. His wines include: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Bordeaux blend called Fathom. Definitely stop at Babcock while wine tasting at Santa Barbara wineries!
Beckmen Vineyards
2670 Ontiveros Rd., Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-8664
Open daily for central coast wine tasting 11 AM – 5 PM
Steve enjoyed their Purisima Mountain Syrah that had a hint of coffee. We both loved their 2000 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah. It was smooth and well balanced with flavors of berries, black pepper, and mocha.
Bedford Winery
Address: 448 Bell St., Los Alamos, CA 93440
Telephone: (805) 344-2107
Open daily for central coast wine tasting 11 AM – 5 PM
This California winery produces the following wines Pinot Gris, Mourvedre, Syrah, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, and Cabernet Franc.
Bernat Vineyards & Winery
2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA
(805) 688-7265
Open daily for central coast wine tasting 11 AM – 8 PM
This is a small family owned winery.
Blackjack Ranch
Address: 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone: (805) 686-9922
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
This was one of the Santa Barbara wineries shown in the movie “Sideways”. It’s where Miles and Jack enjoyed the Blackjack Ranch Maximus Syrah. It has a strong aroma of blackberries and smoke, is complex, balanced and “yummy”. We also enjoyed their Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah called Allusion.
Brander Vineyard
2401 N. Refugio Rd., Santa Ynez, CA
688-2455
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
This winery has been producing wine since 1977. The focus at Brander Vineyard is Sauvignon Blanc and red Bordeaux varietals.
Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard
1500 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, CA 83463
(805) 688-3032
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
Wines include: Merlot, Syrah Rose, Syrah, Marsanne, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Hawk Red.
Cambria Estate Vineyard & Winery
5475 Chardonnay, Santa Maria, CA
(805) 938-7318
Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM
The flagship wines from Cambria are Katherine’s Chardonnay, Julia’s Pinot Noir, and Tepusquet Syrah. These three wines account for 90% of their production. Definitely stop at Cambria Estate while wine tasting at Santa Barbara wineries.
Carina Cellars
Address: 2900 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA 93411
Telephone: (805) 688-2459
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
This winery produces wines from high quality grapes purchased from area growers. Wines include Viognier, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and various blends.
Carr Vineyards & Winery
Address: 414 N. Salsipuedes St., Santa Barbara, CA
Telephone: (805)965-7985
Open daily Noon – 6PM; Thurs.-Sat. Noon – 8PM
Enjoy wines by the glass or flights. Wine on tap at this downtown Santa Barbara winery. They have a second tasting room in Santa Ynez.
Chimere Winery
Address: 425 Bell St., Los Alamos, CA 93440
Telephone: (805) 735-2196
Open Weekends for central coast wine tasting Noon – 5 PM
This winery produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Port, and Orange Muscat. The winery was established in 1989.
Consilence
Address:1584 Misson Dr., Solvang, CA
Telephone: (805) 691-1020
Open daily Noon – 5 PM
Producing handcrafted wines since 1997, their wines include Syrah, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Grenache.
Cottonwood Canyon Vineyards & Winery
3940 Dominion Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 937-8463
Open daily 10 AM – 5:30
This is a small winery specializing in Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Curtis Winery
Address: 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, CA 93411
Telephone: (805)686-8999
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
If you taste at this winery, you pay the wine tasting fee and keep the glass. Take the glass down the road to Firestone, where you can then taste for free. Our favorite wine here was the Syrah. It is very smooth with aromas of cherry and plum.
Epiphany Cellars
Address: 2974 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA 93411
Telephone: (805) 686-2424
Open Thurs. – Mon. 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Wines include Syrah, Grenache Rose, Pinot Gris, Rousanne, and Late Harvest Chardonnay.
Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
Address: 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, CA 93411
Telephone: (805) 688-1545 or (800) 841-1104
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
This is a large, attractive wine tasting room in a scenic location. They have many highly rated wines to taste including Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. As you taste wine at Santa Barbara wineries, plan to stop at Fess Parker.
Firestone Vineyard
Address: 500 Zaca Station Rd., Los Olivos, CA 93411
Telephone: (805) 688-3940
Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM
We enjoyed their Vineyard Select Riesling. It was full of fruit but not too sweet. Other wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Merlot. Gewurztraminer, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery
Address: 6121 E. Hwy. 246, Lompoc, CA 93436
Telephone: (805) 688-8554
Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM
Enjoy estate wines from the Santa Rita Hills. Foley produces consistently great wines.
Foxen Vineyard
Address: 7200 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93454
Telephone: (805) 937-4251
Open daily Noon – 4 PM
This is another of the Santa Barbara wineries featured in the hit movie, “Sideways”. Wines produced include Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sangiovese.
Gainey Vineyard
Address: 3950 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Telephone: (805) 688-0558
Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM
This Santa Barbara winery specializes in Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Merlot wines.
Grassini Family Vineyards
Address: 24 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA
Telephone: (805) 897-3366
Open daily Noon to 6 PM.
This dog friendly winery is located in the Historic El Paseo center in downtown Santa Barbara. They focus on producing excellent Bordeaux style wines.
Hitching Post Wines
Address: 406 E. Hwy. 246, Buellton, CA 93427
Telephone: (805) 688-0676
Open daily 4 M – 6 PM
This is a restaurant and a popular wine tasting bar. Come see where the movie “Sideways” was filmed. They do produce their own wines including Pinot Noir, Syrah, and blends. They sometimes have live music on Sunday afternoons.
Jaffurs Wine Cellars
Address: 819 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Telephone: (805) 962-7003
Open daily 11 AM – 6 PM
This is a small family owned Santa Barbara winery that produces limited production wines. Their Rhone varietal wines include Syrah, Grenache, Roussane, and Viognier.
Jamie Slone Wines
Address: 23 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA
Telephone: (805) 560-6555
Open weekdays Noon – 6PM and weekends 11 AM -6 PM
This tasting room is located in the historic El Paseo of the Presidio neighborhood in downtown Santa Barbara. In addition to a wide variety of wines they also serve cheese plates and chocolate.
John Kerr Wines
Address: 2905 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA
Telephone: (805) 688-5337
Open daily 11 AM – 6 PM
This small winery specializes in Chardonnay and Syrah.
Kalyra
Address: 343 Refugio Rd., Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Telephone: (805) 693-8864
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
The Australian owner of this Santa Barbara winery brings some of the wines from Australia. Our favorite was the Barossa Valley Shiraz. Other wines include Roussane/Viognier blend, Chardonnay, Blanc de Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tawny Port, and Orange Muscat. This is one of the Santa Barbara wineries we recommend you be sure to visit.
Kunin Wines
Address: 831 Santa Barbara St.., Santa Barbara, CA
Telephone: (805) 963-9633
Open daily 11AM – 6PM in downtown Santa Barbara.
Koehler Winery
Address: 5360 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, CA
Telephone: (805) 693-8384
Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM
This Santa Barbara winery specializes in estate grown wines. These include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and blends. Our favorite was the Sauvignon Blanc Estate.
Lafond Winery
Address: 6855 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton, CA 93427
Telephone: (805) 688-7921
Open daily 11 AM – 5 PM
This Santa Barbara winery focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
Lincourt Vineyards
Address: 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone: (805) 688-8554
Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM
This Santa Barbara winery specializes in Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Longoria Wines
Address: 415 E. Chesnut, Lompoc, CA
Telephone: (805) 735-9700
Open Wed. through Sat. 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM
This California winery produces Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Bordeaux-style red blends.
Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards
Address: 1645 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone: (805) 686-9336
Open daily for central coast wine tasting 10 AM – 6 PM
Wines include Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat. They also produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Port, Syrah, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. The wine tasting room is in downtown Solvang.
Margerum Wine Company
Address: 59 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA
Telephone: (805) 686-8500
Open by appointment.
This Santa Barbara winery specializes in small production, quality wines. The owner does most of the work himself. Wines include Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Melville Winery
Address: 5185 E. Hwy. 246, Lompoc, CA 93436
Telephone: (805) 735-7030
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 11 AM – 4 PM
This Santa Barbara winery produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. While visiting Santa Barbara wineries, be sure to make a stop at Melville Winery.rimat
Presidio Vineyard & Winery
Address: 1603 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone: (805) 693-8585 or (888) 930-9463
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 11 AM – 6 PM
The wine tasting room is in downtown Solvang. This Santa Barbara winery focuses on making Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
Rancho Sisquoc Winery
Address: 6600 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, CA
Telephone: (805) 934-4332
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 10 AM – 4 PM
Wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Sylvanner, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Wines are estate grown at this Santa Barbara winery.
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Address: 6020 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, CA
Telephone: (805) 937-8340
Open daily 10AM – 4PM
This winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines from a single vineyard growing along the Sisquoc River.
Royal Oaks Winery
Address: 1687 Mission Dr., Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone: (805) 693-1740
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 10 AM – 5:30 PM
This is a boutique winery offering handcrafted wines at reasonable prices. The wine tasting room is in downtown Solvang. Wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir,, Syrah, and Riesling.
Rusack Vineyards
Address: 1819 Ballard Canyon Rd., Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone: (805) 688-1278
Open for central coast wine tasting Thursday through Monday 11 AM – 5 PM
Established in 1995 by Geoff and Alison Rusack. You can enjoy a picnic on the deck of this Santa Barbara winery. Taste wine surrounded by scenic views . Wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Anacapa, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
Sanford Winery
Address: 7250 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton, CA 93427
Telephone: (800) 426-9463
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 11 AM – 4 PM
Established in 1971, this Santa Barbara winery focuses on making excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The handmade adobe winery facility was completed in 2001. The 30 inch thick adobe walls keep the cellar temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees without the use of heating or air conditioning.
Santa Barbara Winery
Address: 202 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Telephone: (805) 963-3633 or (800) 225-3633
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 10 AM – 5 PM
This winery is just 2 blocks from the beach and close to the State Street shopping area in Santa Barbara. They produce a large variety of wines including some really nice Late Harvest Dessert Wines. One of the Santa Barbara wineries you really should taste at!
Shoestring Vineyard and Winery
Address: 800 E. Hwy. 246, Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone: (805) 693-8612
Open for central coast wine tasting Friday – Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM; other times by appointment.
This Santa Barbara winery concentrates on handcrafted Tuscan varietals, Sangiovese, and Syrah.
Stolpman Vineyards & Winery
Address: 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos, CA
Telephone: (805) 688-0400
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 11 AM – 5 PM
Wines include Syrah, Sangiovese, Nebbilo, and Merlot. They also have a great blend of Syrah and Sangiovese called La Croce.
Summerland Winery
Address: 2330 Lillie Ave., Summerland, CA 93067
Telephone: 805) 565-9463
Open Tues.-Thurs. 11 AM – 5 PM; Fri.-Sun. 11 AM – 7 PM
This Santa Barbara winery specializes in producing great Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rhone varietals. Enjoy their seaside setting while wine tasting here.
Sunstone Vineyards & Winery
Address: 125 Refugio, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Telephone: (805) 688-9463
Open for central coast wine tasting daily 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunstone Vineyards uses organically grown grapes. They focus on Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. Our favorite is their blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, and Viognier called Rapsodie Du Soleil, which means “music of the sun”. It has intense jammy flavors and vanilla.
Zaca Mesa Winery
Address: 6905 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, CA
Telephone: (805) 688-9339
Open daily for central coast wine tasting 10 AM – 4 PM
Zaca Mesa Winery was established in 1972. They produce handcrafted wines including the following: Syrah, Roussane, Viognier, and Chardonnay. We were happy with the outgoing, friendly employees who made the wine tasting here fun!
Where to Stay While Visiting Santa Barbara Wineries
If you are looking for Wine Country accommodations in Santa Barbara, consider a unique place that offers “luxury camping”. It’s called El Capitan Canyon. We’ve stayed in one of their cabins that sat along a creek. It felt like camping, but included all of the amenities of home.
Fun Things to Do in Santa Barbara
Take a break from wine tasting at Santa Barbara wineries and enjoy some of the other fun things to do in the area. Suggestions include:
La Cumbre Country Club
- Go Golfing!!
Find fabulous golf courses (both public and private) located in the area. - Beer Tasting
There are a number of craft breweries in the area. If you enjoy good quality craft beer, check them out. - Explore the Santa Barbara Pier
The pier is a happening place with many things to do. Fish from the pier. Bike along the beach. Enjoy a meal overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a cruise. Watch the marine life. Shop for souvenirs.Have you visited any of these Santa Barbara wineries? If you have, we would love to hear about your visit. Please take a moment to leave a comment below.
This post first appeared on Cheers 2 Wine - A Comprehensive Guide To Californi, please read the originial post: here
