At the time of this writing, forty-one Santa Barbara County wineries are welcoming tourists to come and taste their products. Many tasting rooms are clustered together in the cities of Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, and Solvang so you can get a pretty good taste of Santa Barbara without leaving the amenities of the city - great hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, and cultural activities. The quaint town of Los Olivos provides some of the best experiences of this type. Richard Longoria (former Gainey winemaker) has his own tasting room right downtown, as do Andrew Murray, and Los Olivos Vintners. And nearby is the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium, where you can taste and purchase the products of many of Santa Barbara County's best small wineries.
Buellton/Solvang is a rapidly growing center of wine tourism. In these neighboring towns, you'll find the tasting rooms of Arthur Earl, Buttonwood Farm, Foley Estates, Hitching Post, Mosby, Rideau, and Rusack.
Santa Barbara County is home to two of the Central Coast's famous Wine Trails. These routes de vins provide a number of visiting experiences within a few minutes drive of each other. The Santa Ynez Wine Trail takes you to Gainey, Sunstone, Lin Court, Buttonwood, Rideau, Foley, Beckman, and Brander.
The better known Foxen Canyon Wine Trail meanders through a historic and scenic California region, connecting the town of Los Olivos to the Santa Maria Valley. You'll be able to experience the wines of Firestone, Curtis, Fess Parker, Zaca Mesa, Bedford Thompson, Foxen, and Rancho Sisquoc. A short drive up to the Santa Maria Mesa will allow you to include Byron and Cambria.
If you go:
You can pick up a wine touring map and guide at many of the Santa Barbara County wineries; or you can write to the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association at P.O. Box 1558, Santa Ynez, CA 93460-1558.Here are a few suggested stops (south to north). Don't miss the Gainey Vineyard on Highway 246. Gainey is a producer of some of the world's best Chardonnay and their lineup is extensive, excellent, and well priced. While in the area, stop in at Brander, famous for Bordeaux varietals and especially for their delicious Sauvignon Blancs.
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