Santa Barbara County is home to some of the best wineries in California. With its unique microclimates and diverse soils, the region produces various varietals that please any wine lover’s palate. From crisp whites to bold reds, Santa Barbara wineries offer a little something for everyone.

One of the best things about visiting wineries in Santa Barbara is the opportunity to experience the region’s beautiful scenery. Many wineries are located in picturesque settings, such as rolling hills or near the coast, making them the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine. In addition to wine tastings, many wineries offer tours of their facilities, allowing visitors to learn more about the winemaking process and the winery’s history. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just looking for a fun day trip, Santa Barbara’s wineries are a must-visit destination.

Santa Barbara County Wineries

Santa Barbara County is home to some of the best wineries in California. The region is known for its exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah wines. With over 200 wineries and vineyards, Santa Barbara County has a lot to offer wine enthusiasts.

One of the most popular wineries in Santa Barbara County is the Fess Parker Winery. It was founded by the late actor Fess Parker, who played Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on TV. The winery produces award-winning wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Visitors can enjoy tasting their wines in their beautiful tasting room or take a tour of the vineyard.

Another must-visit winery is the Sanford Winery & Vineyards. The winery was established in 1971 and is one of the pioneers of the Santa Barbara wine region. Their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines are some of the best in the area. Visitors can taste their wines in their tasting room or enjoy a picnic on their beautiful grounds.

For those looking for a unique wine-tasting experience, the Presqu’ile Winery is a great option. The winery in the Santa Maria Valley offers stunning views of the surrounding vineyards. They specialize in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Visitors can enjoy a tasting in their modern room or tour the vineyard.

Other notable wineries in Santa Barbara County include the Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, Au Bon Climat Winery, and the Foxen Vineyard & Winery. Each of these wineries offers a unique wine-tasting experience and produces exceptional wines.

Santa Ynez Valley Wineries

Santa Ynez Valley is a popular wine region in Santa Barbara County, California. It is home to several wineries that offer a unique wine-tasting experience. Here are some of the best wineries in Santa Ynez Valley:

Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard is a family-owned and operated winery that produces award-winning wines. It is located in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley and offers stunning views of the surrounding vineyards. The winery has a tasting room that is open daily, where visitors can sample their wines and learn about the winemaking process.

Website: https://www.fessparker.com/
Address: 116 E Yanonali St Suite A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Happy Canyon Vineyard

Happy Canyon Vineyard is a boutique winery in the eastern part of Santa Ynez Valley. It is known for its Bordeaux-style wines, made from estate-grown grapes. The winery has a tasting room that is open by appointment only, where visitors can taste their wines and enjoy the beautiful views of the vineyards.

Website: https://www.happycanyonvineyard.com/
Address: 30 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Grassini Family Vineyards

Grassini Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery that produces small-lot, handcrafted wines. It is located in the heart of Happy Canyon and offers a unique wine-tasting experience. The winery has a tasting room open by appointment only, where visitors can taste their wines and learn about the winemaking process.

Website: https://www.grassinifamilyvineyards.com/
Address: 24 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Ballard Canyon AVA

Ballard Canyon AVA is a sub-region of Santa Ynez Valley known for its Rhône-style wines. It is home to several wineries, including Stolpman Vineyards, Rusack Vineyards, and Jonata. Visitors can explore the wineries and taste their wines, known for their complexity and depth.

Website: https://www.ballardcanyonava.org/
Address: Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang, Ca, 93463, United States

Overall, Santa Ynez Valley is a must-visit destination for wine lovers. With its stunning views, award-winning wines, and unique wine-tasting experiences, it is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a glass of wine.

Sta. Rita Hills Wineries

Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to several established and successful wineries that produce some of the best Pinot Noir wines in the region. Here are some of the top wineries to visit:

Sanford

With over 40 years of experience, Sanford is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The winery is known for its exceptional Pinot Noir wines, made using traditional methods and aged in French oak barrels.

Website: https://www.sanfordwinery.com/
Address: 5010 Santa Rosa Road Lompoc, CA 93436

Au Bon Climat

Founded in 1982, Au Bon Climat is a boutique winery that produces small batches of high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. The winery’s Pinot Noir wines are particularly noteworthy, with a rich, earthy flavor profile and a long, smooth finish.

Website: https://aubonclimat.com/
Address: 813 Anacapa St #5b, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Sanguis

Sanguis is a small, family-owned winery that specializes in producing handcrafted, artisanal wines. The winery’s Pinot Noir wines are highly sought after for their complex flavor profiles, often including black cherry, vanilla, and spice notes.

Website: http://www.sanguiswine.com/
Address: 8 Ashley Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA

Whitcraft Winery

Whitcraft Winery is a small, family-owned winery that produces Pinot Noir wines from grapes grown in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The winery’s Pinot Noir wines are known for their bright, fruity flavors and delicate, well-balanced tannins.

Website: https://www.whitcraftwinery.com/
Address: 36A S. Calle Cesar Chavez, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA

Funk Zone Wineries

Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone is a lively and vibrant neighborhood filled with art galleries, surf shops, and wineries. This area has become a popular destination for wine lovers, with several great wineries to explore.

Municipal Winemakers

One of the most popular wineries in the funk zone wineries. This winery is known for its unique and innovative approach to winemaking, and visitors can enjoy various wines in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. The winery also offers a great selection of snacks and small plates to pair with their wines.

Website: https://municipalwinemakers.com/
Address: 22 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Kunin Wines

This winery is known for its exceptional Rhône-style wines; visitors can enjoy tastings in a cozy and intimate setting. The winery also offers a variety of events and classes throughout the year, making it a great destination for wine enthusiasts.

Website: https://www.kuninwines.com/
Address: 831 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Margerum Wine Company

Margerum Wine Company is known for its high-quality wines; visitors can enjoy tastings in a chic and stylish setting. The winery also offers a great selection of food and snacks to pair with its wines, making it a great spot for a leisurely afternoon.

The Funk Zone is a great destination for wine lovers, with several great wineries to explore. Whether you’re looking for innovative and unique wines or classic and traditional styles, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant neighborhood.

Website: https://www.margerumwines.com/
Address: 19 E Mason St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Los Olivos Wineries

Los Olivos is a small town in Santa Barbara County known for its many wineries. The town has a rich history of winemaking, and its wineries are popular among locals and tourists alike.

Alma Rosa

One of the most popular wineries in Los Olivos. This winery is known for its organic and sustainable practices, and critics and wine enthusiasts highly regard its wines. Alma Rosa offers a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.

Website: https://almarosawinery.com/
Address: 1623 Mission Dr Suite M, Solvang, CA 93463, USA

Santa Maria Valley Wineries

Santa Maria Valley is one of the most prominent wine regions in Santa Barbara County, California. It is located in the northern part of the county, and its wineries are known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the region’s unique terroir.

Santa Barbara Winery

The winery was founded in 1962 and is one of the oldest wineries in the region. Santa Barbara Winery is known for its diverse range of wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery also offers a tasting room where visitors can sample its wines and learn about the winemaking process.

Website: https://www.sbwinery.com/
Address: 28 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, Ca 93101

In addition to this winery, there are many other excellent wineries in Santa Maria Valley, each with a unique character and style. Some of the other notable wineries in the region include:

Cambria Estate Vineyard & Winery: Known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
Foxen Vineyard & Winery: Produces a wide range of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
Byron Winery: Specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
Zaca Mesa Winery: Known for its Rhône-style wines, including Syrah and Viognier.

Its stunning scenery, world-class wineries, and exceptional wines make it a true gem of California’s wine country.

Best Tasting Rooms in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is home to some of the best wineries in California. While many people come to the region for the wine, others come for the tasting rooms. Here are some of the best-tasting rooms in Santa Barbara:

Santa Barbara Wine Collective

The Santa Barbara Wine Collective is another popular tasting room located in downtown Santa Barbara. The tasting room features wines from several local wineries and is a great place to try various wines in one place. The tasting room also features a beautiful outdoor patio.

Website: https://www.santabarbarawinecollective.com/
Address: 131 Anacapa St c, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States

Deep Sea Tasting Room

The Deep Sea Tasting Room is located on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and features stunning ocean views. The tasting room is part of the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail and features wines from several local wineries. The tasting room is a great place to stop for a glass of wine while exploring the harbor.

Website: https://www.conwayfamilywines.com/
Address: 217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Wine Clubs and Memberships

Santa Barbara is home to some of the best wineries in the world, and many offer wine clubs and memberships for those who want to enjoy their wines regularly. Becoming a club member or wine club member is an excellent way to stay up to date with the latest releases and get exclusive access to limited-edition wines.

One of the best things about joining a wine club is the savings. Most wineries offer discounts on wine purchases for club members, ranging from 10% to 30%. In addition to discounts, many wine clubs offer free tastings, invitations to special events, and access to wines unavailable to the general public.

The prices for wine club memberships vary depending on the winery and membership level. Some clubs offer multiple membership levels, each with its benefits and prices. For example, the Tolosa Vineyards wine club offers three levels of membership: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Silver membership costs 50 per shipment and includes two bottles of wine, while the Platinum membership costs 150 and includes six bottles.

Club members can expect to receive regular shipments of wine, usually every three to six months. The winemaker carefully selects the wines in each shipment which are often a mix of new releases and award-winning favorites. Members can customize their shipments to include only red or white wines or a mix of both.

Top Varietals to Taste

Santa Barbara County is home to some of the best wineries in California, offering a wide variety of wines that are sure to please any wine enthusiast. Here are some of the top varietals to taste when visiting the wineries of Santa Barbara:

Syrah: Santa Barbara is known for its exceptional Syrah, often described as having a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of black fruit, spice, and pepper. Some of the best Syrah in the region come from the Ballard Canyon AVA, where the warm days and cool nights create the perfect growing conditions for this grape.
Chardonnay: Chardonnay is another popular varietal in Santa Barbara, known for its bright acidity and crisp, refreshing taste. Many of the wineries in the region produce Chardonnay using a combination of oak and stainless steel, resulting in a rich and complex wine.
Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is a delicate grape that requires just the right growing conditions to thrive, and Santa Barbara’s cool coastal climate is ideal for this varietal. Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara is often described as having a silky texture with flavors of red fruit, earth, and spice.
Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing white wine perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. Santa Barbara’s Sauvignon Blanc is known for its bright acidity and citrusy flavors, with a hint of grassiness that adds complexity to the wine.
Viognier: Viognier is a lesser-known varietal gaining popularity in Santa Barbara. This white wine is known for its floral aromas and flavors of stone fruit, with a rich, full-bodied texture that makes it a great pairing for spicy foods.
Grenache: Grenache is a versatile grape that can produce red and rosé wines. Santa Barbara’s Grenache is often described as having a bright, fruity flavor with a hint of spice, making it a great pairing for various dishes.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic varietal grown worldwide, and Santa Barbara is no exception. The region’s Cabernet Sauvignon is often described as having a bold, full-bodied flavor with black fruit, chocolate, and tobacco notes.
Vermentino: Vermentino is a crisp, refreshing white wine perfect for sipping on a hot day. Santa Barbara’s Vermentino is known for its bright acidity and citrus and green apple flavors, with a hint of minerality that adds complexity to the wine.
Rhone varietals: Santa Barbara is known for its Rhone varietals, which include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Viognier. These wines are often described as having a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of black fruit, spice, and pepper, making them a great pairing for hearty meat dishes.

Conclusion

Santa Barbara is a wine lover’s paradise with many wineries. Visitors can enjoy an unforgettable wine country experience at the many wineries in the area.

One of the standout wineries in Santa Barbara is Paradise Springs Winery, which offers a great wine selection and a beautiful setting. Visitors can taste their delicious wines while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding vineyards.

Santa Barbara has plenty of options for those looking for good wine. Many wineries in the area are known for producing great wine, with a focus on quality and taste. Wine lovers will not be disappointed with the selection available in Santa Barbara.