SANTA BARBARA
AREA 5.1 WINERY 137 Anacapa St., Ste. B, Santa Barbara, 805-770-7251, a51wine.com. Unearth secret blends and otherworldly varietals found only at Area 5.1, located along the Urban Wine Trail.
AU BON CLIMAT 813 Anacapa St., Ste. 5B, Santa Barbara, 805-963-7999, aubonclimat.com. For more than 30 years, Jim Clendenen has specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. His downtown tasting room features ABC wines as well as Verdad, Vita Nova, Qupé, Makor, and Barham Mendelsohn.
CARR VINEYARDS AND WINERY 414 N. Salsipuedes St., Santa Barbara, 805-965-7985, carrwinery.com. Situated in a hut that was built in the 1940s, Ryan Carr’s downtown cave is the source of whites and reds from grapes grown on more than 100 acres across Santa Barbara County.
COTTONWOOD CANYON 224 Anacapa St., Ste. 1A, Santa Barbara, 805-963-1221, cottonwoodcanyon.com. The estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir age well.
DEEP SEA WINE TASTING ROOM 217 Stearns Wharf, Ste. G, Santa Barbara, 805-618-1185, conwayfamilywines.com. Located on Stearns Wharf, the Conway family’s nautical-inspired tasting room—a happening spot on the weekend—is home to 15 different wines.
DRAKE WINES 32 Anacapa St., Ste. B and C, Santa Barbara, 805-845-4801, drakewines.com. Andi and Mark Cummins’s Funk Zone tasting room features Drake wines as well as Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noirs from their Chatter label.
FOX WINE CO. 120 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, 805-699-6329, foxwineco.com. With a passion for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah as well as a combined 30-plus years in the wine industry, Sarah and Blair Fox started making their own wines entirely by hand.
GRASSINI FAMILY VINEYARDS AND WINERY 813 Anacapa St., Ste. 6, Santa Barbara, 805-897-3366, grassinifamilyvineyards.com. In the historic El Paseo complex, Grassini’s sustainably produced Bordeaux-style Sauvignon Blancs and Cabernet Sauvignons are the draw.
HAPPY CANYON VINEYARDS 30 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, 805-232-3549, happycanyonvineyard.com. The Barrack family produces award-winning Bordeaux varietal wines at the Santa Ynez Valley ranch and vineyard that they call home.
JAFFURS WINE CELLARS 819 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara, 805-962-7003, jaffurswine.com. Craig Jaffurs is well-known for his Roussanne, Viognier, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Syrah.
JAMIE SLONE WINES 23 E. De la Guerra St., Santa Barbara, 805-560-6555, jamiesloanwines.com. Jamie and Kym Slone toured the wine regions of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain before settling in Santa Barbara and establishing their own wine label and tasting room.
KALYRA WINERY 212 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-965-8606, kalyrawinery.com. Australian-born Mike Brown started Kalyra (“a wild and pleasant place” in the Australian Aboriginal language) in 1989. Especially decadent are any of his dessert wines.
KUNIN WINES 28 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-963-9633, kuninwines.com. Winemaker Seth Kunin is known for staying true to the nature of the grapes he uses. Try the 2012 “pape star” Rhône blend ($28)—a heady blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
MAIL ROAD WINES 835 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, 805-451-4440, mailroadwines.com. Pinot Noir sourced exclusively from the Mount Carmel Vineyard located 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara at the geographic center of the St. Rita Hills and the end of none other than Mail Road.
MARGERUM WINE COMPANY 813 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-845-8435, margerumwinecompany.com. Stop by Doug Margerum’s tasting room, which features his own reds and whites as well as others—Cent’Anni, Cimarone, Happy Canyon, and various French and Italian labels.
MUNICIPAL WINEMAKERS 22 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-931-6864, municipalwinemakers.com. With modern sophistication and edgy style, Municipal Winemakers offers free wine delivery for guests who bike to the tasting room. Also ask about their reusable bottles and refill deals.
MWC32 32 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, 805-845-8435, margerumwinecompany.com. Margerum Wine Company’s newest tasting room features reserved and limited production wines as part of the Wine Collection of El Paseo in the illustrious Presidio neighborhood.
OREANA WINERY 205 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-962-5857, oreanawinery.com. Pinot Noir, Syrah, and small lots of sparkling wine are blended, bottled, and stored at this downtown winery and tasting room.
PALI WINE CO. 116 E. Yanonali St., Santa Barbara, 805-560-7254, paliwineco.com. Cofounders Tim Perr and Scott Knight craft small lots of Pinot Noir and other varietals—try the Santa Barbara-inspired Huntington ($22.50), with hints of black cherry, spices, and peppercorn.
RARUS 414 N. Salsipuedes St., Santa Barbara, 805-965-7985, raruswines.com. Henry and Marjorie Schimberg’s Turner Vineyard is the source of Sangiovese grapes, which are processed for Rarus’s vintages, produced and sold at Carr Winery.
SANGUIS 8 Ashley Ave., Santa Barbara, 805-845-0920, sanguiswine.com. The newest addition to downtown’s urban wine trail, Matthias Pippig’s minimalist winery and tasting room is where he produces and offers (by appointment only) samples of his cool-climate Rhône and Burgundian varietals.
SANTA BARBARA WINERY 202 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-963-3633, sbwinery.com. Established in 1962, Santa Barbara Winery—the oldest in the county—currently produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
SILVER WINES 724 Reddick St., Santa Barbara, 805-963-3052, silverwines.com. Benjamin Silver’s wines capture the complex flavors of fruit he purchases. Tastings are by appointment only.
SUMMERLAND WINERY 2330 Lillie Ave., Summerland, 805-565-9463, summerlandwine.com. Stop by Bilo Zarif’s upscale tasting room and boutique to try the dozen different blends winemaker Etienne Terlinden creates from Central Coast grapes, and shop for wine accessories, home decor, and gourmet food products.
WHITCRAFT WINERY 36 S. Calle Cesar Chavez, Ste. A, Santa Barbara, 805-730-1680, whitcraftwinery.com. Whitcraft has been been on the map and producing high-quality wines since 1985. Now, founder Chris Whitcraft’s son, Drake, focuses on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
SANTA YNEZ
BAEHNER FOURNIER 2840 Montecielo Dr., Santa Ynez, 805-688-7118, bfwine.com. Limited-edition Bordeaux-style wines made with estate-grown grapes sourced from vineyards each named for an encounter with nature—Sunshine, Rainbow, Moonglow, Misty, and Northstar.
BRIDLEWOOD ESTATE WINERY 3555 Roblar Ave., Santa Ynez, 805-688-9000, bridlewoodwinery.com. Bridlewood’s 105-acre, mission-style estate winery is known for its Syrah.
CALZADA RIDGE VINEYARD 3001 Old Calzada Ridge, Santa Ynez, 805-688-0935, calzadaridge.com. Richard and Pamela Harris’s monoculture vineyard only produces limited quantities of the white varietal Viognier.
FONTES & PHILLIPS 3630 Sagunto St., Ste. A1, Santa Ynez, 805-688-2200, fontesandphillipswine.com. Alan Phillips and his wife, Rochelle Fontes-Phillips, founded their winery in 2008 to produce Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, rosé, and Pinot Noir.
GAINEY VINEYARD 3950 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez, 805-688-0558, gaineyvineyard.com. This Spanish-style vineyard, winery, and gourmet tasting room is a relaxing place to spend an afternoon in the valley as well as a great location for a private event.
GREAT OAKS RANCH AND VINEYARD 2450 Calzada Ave., Santa Ynez, 805-686-0895. Well-known winemaker Andrew Murray makes excellent wine out of this vineyard’s Syrah grapes.
IMAGINE WINE 3563 Numancia St., Ste. 103, Santa Ynez, 805-688-1769, imaginewine.com. Winemaker Ross Rankin established Imagine in 2004. Made exclusively from Santa Barbara County fruit, the Paradise Mountain Syrah ($35) is a must try.
ROBLAR WINERY AND VINEYARDS 3010 Roblar Ave., Santa Ynez, 805-686-2603, roblarwinery.com. This viticultural experience in the valley not only boasts 38 acres of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (and sells Syrah and Cabernet Franc as well), but also a commercial kitchen and cooking school, facilities for private events, and vineyard tours.
SUNSTONE VINEYARDS AND WINERY 125 N. Refugio Rd., Santa Ynez, 805-688-9463, sunstonewinery.com. The Rice family’s French country-style property and villa is a great place to take out-of-town guests for wine tasting as well as a beautiful location for private events.
VANDALE VINEYARDS 3040 Box Canyon Rd., Santa Ynez, 805-688-0255. Bruno D’Alfonso blends the Sangiovese grown on Bruce and Beth Vandale’s three-acre vineyard.
SOLVANG
BLACKJACK RANCH VINEYARDS AND WINERY 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 805-686-9922, blackjackranch.com. After inventing, patenting, copyrighting, and trademarking California blackjack (play goes to 22 instead of 21) in 1990, Roger Wisted opened Blackjack Ranch Winery—a 30-year culmination of passion for wine.
BUTTONWOOD FARM WINERY AND VINEYARD 1500 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 805-688-3032, buttonwoodwinery.com. Winemaker Karen Steinwachs stays true to the tradition of sustainable vineyard management and environmental sensitivity while incorporating her own style in creating boutique wines.
CARIVINTAS WINERY 476 First St., Solvang, 805-693-4331, carivintas.com. With a children’s play area and pet-friendly policy, Carivintas makes an afternoon wine tasting an easy family experience.
CASA CASSARA WINERY & VINEYARD 1607 Mission Dr., Ste. 112, Solvang, 805-688-8691, casacassarawinery.com. Stop by the Valley Station tasting room to sample new releases, purchase wine accessories, and peruse work by local artists.
D’ALFONSO-CURRAN WINES 1557 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-736-9463, dalfonso-curranwines.com. Bruno D’Alfonso and Kris Curran bring decades of winemaking experience to their Curran, DiBruno, and Badge labels.
DASCOMB CELLARS 1659 Copenhagen Dr., Ste. C, Solvang, 805-691-9175, dascombcellars.com. Established in 1999, this charming boutique winery offers Rhône, Burgundy, and Bordeaux-style wines and is known as one of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Santa Barbara County.
FERGUSON CREST fergusoncrest.com. Founded in 2006, Ferguson Crest is a family-run boutique winery set at the highest point in Solvang overlooking the Santa Ynez Valley. Try the crisp, lush Viognier or the spicy and sumptuous Syrah.
LINCOURT VINEYARDS 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 805-688-8554, lincourtwines.com. Bill Foley’s winery creates Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.
LIONS PEAK VINEYARDS 1659 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, 805-693-5466, lionspeakwine.com. Enjoy the award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons or any of the library wines dating as far back as 1994.
LUCAS AND LEWELLEN VINEYARDS AND WINERY 1645 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, 805-686-9336, llwine.com. Winemaker Megan McGrath-Gates and owners Royce Lewellen and Louis Lucas create wines from 400 acres of grapes in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos, and Santa Maria.
PAIGE 23 WINES 805-686-0015. Paige 23 is known for its food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
RIDEAU VINEYARD 1562 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 805-688-0717, rideauvineyard.com. Originally a guest ranch on the stagecoach route between Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara, this property’s historic El Alamo Pintado Adobe, dating back to 1769, is now a tasting room in which Louisiana-born Iris Rideau serves a selection of her Rhône-varietal and award-winning wines.
ROYAL OAKS WINERY 1582 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-693-1740. Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon (for blending), and Merlot are the three varietals grown on the Royal Oaks Vineyard in Santa Ynez, though the winery produces other wines as well.
RUSACK VINEYARDS 1819 Ballard Canyon Rd., Solvang, 805-688-1278, rusackvineyards.com. Geoff Rusack and Alison Wrigley Rusack’s tasting room is a picture-perfect place for a picnic or just sipping wine and enjoying the view.
SEVTAP WINERY 1576 Copenhagen Dr., Ste. 1, Solvang, 805-693-9200, sevtapwinery.com. Sevtap is known for its small-lot, handcrafted Bordeaux varietals.
SHOESTRING VINEYARD AND WINERY 800 E. Hwy. 246, Solvang, 805-693-8612, shoestringwinery.com. Bring a picnic, sit under the olive trees, and enjoy Bill and Roswitha Craig’s award-winning, limited-production Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
SORT THIS OUT CELLARS 1636 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, 805-688-1717, sortthisoutcellars.com. Stop by this retro tasting room to celebrate wine culture in a fun, hip fashion.
TOCCATA 1665 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, 805-686-5506, toccatawines.com. Santa Barbara County wine pioneers Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen have planted Italian varietals Pinot Grigio, Malvasia Bianca, and more at their Toccata Vineyards.
WESTERLY VINEYARDS 690 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 805-963-9696. The proud pioneers of the Happy Canyon area, owners Neil and Francine Afromsky specialize in Bordeaux varietals.
BUELLTON
ALERE VINEYARDS & WINERY 805-929-6625, alerewines.com. Meaning “to nourish” in Latin, Alere shows its Sierra Madre Mountains-based varietals at Avant Tapas and Wine, 35 Industrial Way, Buellton, 805-686-9400, avantwines.com.
ALMA ROSA WINERY AND VINEYARDS 181 Industrial Way, Ste. C, Buellton, 805-688-9090, almarosawinery.com. Stop by Richard and Thekla Sanford’s tasting room on Rancho El Jabali. The couple has been growing grapes in Sta. Rita Hills since 1970, and with fruit from more than 100 certified organic acres, they produce mainly Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.
ARCHIUM 805-233-8006, archiumcellars.com. Rhône varietals made from tiny, concentrated grapes with extremely low yields.
BLUE CAPE CELLARS bluecapecellars.com. Kim Hartleroad produces Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir grown in the Sta. Rita Hills.
COLD HEAVEN CELLARS 92 Second St., Ste. A, Buellton, 805-686-1343, coldheavencellars.com. Founded in 1996, Morgan Clendenen’s winery is dedicated to crafting the finest Viognier, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
CORDON WINE 90 Easy St., Buellton, 805-570-3988, cordonwine.com. Winemaker Etienne Terlinden produces small lots of boutique Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Tastings are by appointment only.
HARTLEY-OSTINI HITCHING POST WINERY at the Hitching Post II Restaurant, 406 E. Hwy. 246, Buellton, 805-688-0676, hitchingpost2.com. Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini have been blending Pinot Noir, Syrah, and a Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend since 1979.
KEN BROWN WINES 157 W. Hwy 246, 805-680-9400, kenbrownwines.com. This small family-owned business specializes in Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills. Check out any of Brown’s 2005 vintages—some of the best he’s created in his 30-plus years in the business.
KENNETH-CRAWFORD WINES 59 Industrial Way, Buellton, 805-693-1340. Winemakers Kenneth Gummere and Mark Crawford Horvath work with local vineyards to make Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Grenache.
LAFOND WINERY AND VINEYARDS 6855 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton, 805-688-7921, lafondwinery.com. Tasting is a relaxing event at Lafond, where you can stroll the bucolic grounds while sampling many different wines.
MOSBY WINERY 9496 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton, 805-688-2415, mosbywines.com. Mosby’s lineup includes Dolcetto (a dry, dark red Italian varietal), the Zinfandel-like Teroldego, and Primativo.
PACIFIC RIDGE VINEYARDS 35 Industrial Way, Buellton, 805-245-5198, pacificridgevineyards.com. Visit Avant Tapas and Wine for sips of this winery’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
PENCE RANCH 1909 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-735-7000, penceranch.com. This 200-acre working ranch turned vineyard and winery in western Santa Barbara County is home to 38 acres of organically farmed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
POINT CONCEPCION WINES 420 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-736-7763, pointconcepcionwines.com. Try the ready-to-drink Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
PRODIGAL WINES 92 Second St., Ste. D, Buellton, 805-688-0476, prodigalwines.com. This family-owned and operated winery specializes in Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir sourced from its own Quinta Santa Rosa vineyard and other vineyards within the appellation.
REEVES RANCH VINEYARDS 35 Industrial Way, Buellton, 805-688-9400, reevesranchvineyard.com. Try the satisfying Syrah made with Australian and French influences at Avant Tapas and Wine.
SHAI CELLARS 818-613-7355, shaicellars.com. Shawn Shai Halahmy’s Adome ($35) is available to taste at Avant Tapas and Wine.
STANDING SUN WINES 92 Second St., Unit D, Buellton, 805-904-8072, standingsunwines.com. Actress Laura Wright and her husband John’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and more are aged in neutral French oak barrels for 11 months.
THORNE WINE 7820 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton, 805-693-1483, thornewine.com. Situated in the Sta. Rita Hills, Thorne is one of many small producers creating sophisticated Pinot Noirs.
LOMPOC
AMPELOS CELLARS 312 N. 9th St., Ste. A, Lompoc, 805-736-9957, ampeloscellars.com. Owners Peter and Rebecca Work practice organic and biodynamic farming for their grapes. Ampelos also sells Chien Winess’s current releases.
ARCADIAN WINERY 1515 E. Chestnut Ave. Ste. B, Lompoc, 805-737-3900, arcadianwinery.com. Joe Davis combines traditional methods of producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah with personal techniques that push the limits of expectation.
BABCOCK WINERY AND VINEYARDS 5175 E. Hwy. 246, Lompoc, 805-736-1455, babcockwinery.com. Since 1984, Bryan Babcock has enjoyed acclaim as one of the area’s top winemakers.
BRATCHER WINERY 1515 E. Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, 805-737-3900, bratcherwinery.com. Winemaker Chris Bratcher specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
BREWER-CLIFTON 329 N. F St., Lompoc, 805-735-9184, brewerclifton.com. Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills.
CLOS PEPE ESTATE VINEYARD 4777 E. Hwy. 246, Lompoc, 805-735-2196, clospepe.com. Clos Pepe is a small, family farm that produces limited lots of unoaked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
DE SU PROPIA COSECHA 1501 E. Chestnut Ct., Lompoc, 805-345-9355, desupropiacosecha.com. Chris and Deanna King consider their most important element to be sourcing the best grapes when producing their Rhône Valley and Southern France-inspired Chardonnays and Cabernets.
DIERBERG FAMILY OF WINES 1280 Drum Canyon Rd., Lompoc, 805-697-1466, dierbergvineyard.com, starlanevineyard.com. Stop by the Dierbergs’ Star Lane tasting room to sample selections from their three wine labels: Dierberg (premium Burgundian varietals), Star Lane (Bordeaux-style Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon), and Three Saints (the “great value” label).
EVENING LAND VINEYARDS 1503 E. Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, 805-736-9656. Winemaker Sashi Moorman showcases the best from the Sta. Rita Hills in savory sips of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS 1597 E. Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, 800-251-1225 (weekdays), 805-742-0204 (weekends), fiddleheadcellars.com. Winemaker Kathy Joseph established Fiddlehead in 1989 to master such varietals as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Today, her wines stem from the Santa Ynez Valley as well as Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
FLYING GOAT CELLARS 1520 E. Chestnut Ct., Unit A, Lompoc, 805-736-9032, flyinggoatcellars.com. Smooth Pinot Noirs and a sparkling wine put this vineyard on the map, and owner Norm Yost prides himself on mastering the details of making wine.
FOLEY ESTATES VINEYARD AND WINERY 6121 E. Hwy. 246, Lompoc, 805-737-6222, foleywines.com. This Rancho Santa Rosa winery reflects Bill Foley and winemaker Lorna Kreutz’s devotion to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
GYPSY CANYON WINERY 1505 E. Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, 805-705-1446, gypsycanyon.com. Deborah Hall creates Angelica from century-old vines—a rare taste of California history—as well as luscious Pinot Noir.
HUBER CELLARS 4892 Hapgood Rd., Lompoc, 805-736-3854, hubercellars.com. With vines planted in 1987, Huber vines are some of the oldest in Sta. Rita Hills. The varietals include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Dornfelder, a German red grape.
JALAMA WINES 308 N. 9th St., Unit C, Lompoc, 805-735-8937. Located in Lompoc’s Wine Ghetto, winemaker Mark Cargasacchi’s tasting room offers five different blends—from the ruby-red 2008 Heartbreak “Joseph Blair” Pinot Noir ($28) to the inky-purple 2007 La Presa Syrah ($36).
KESSLER-HAAK 1700 Gypsy Canyon Dr., Lompoc, 805-735-2283, kesslerhaakwine.com. One of the few Sta. Rita Hills wineries that produce a Riesling as well as sparkling wines.
LA MONTAGNE WINERY 1509 E. Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, 805-291-6643, lamontagnewinery.com. A self-proclaimed business educated foodie; Kimberly Smith puts all of her drive and passion into her wines. Her love and desire to produce Pinot Noir has since led her to create her own Pinot Blanc and Tempranillo.
LA VIE VINEYARDS 308 N. 9th St., Unit D, Lompoc, 805-735-9629, lavievineyards.com. Ariel and Angela Lavie began harvesting their love for wine in 1998. The result: Burgundian-style blends.
LORING WINE COMPANY 1034 W. Aviation Dr., Lompoc, 805-,736-0053, loringwinecompany.com. A part of Lompoc’s Wine Ghetto, this winery stands apart from the rest because of Brian Loring’s 12-year experience with Pinot Noir.
MELVILLE VINEYARDS AND WINERY 5185 E. Hwy. 246, Lompoc, 805-735-7030, melvillewinery.com. Greg Brewer creates Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah at this Mediterranean-style winery in the Sta. Rita Hills.
MONTEMAR 1501 E. Chestnut Ct., Lompoc, 805-735-5000. Handcrafted wines, charcuterie, and a variety of cheeses are just a few of the delicacies offered.
MORETTI WINES 1595 E Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, 805-735-4400, morrettiwines.com. Antonio and Jeni Moretti dedicate themselves to producing European-style wines that are both well balanced and food-friendly. Favorites include Syrah, Pinot Noir, and a flavorful Bianchetto.
PALI WINE CO. 1036 W. Aviation Dr., Lompoc, 805-736-7200, paliwineco.com. Winemakers Tim Perr and Scott Knight craft small lots of Pinot Noir and other varietals—try the Santa Barbara-inspired Huntington ($19), with hints of black cherry, spices, and peppercorn.
PALMINA 1520 E. Chestnut Ct., Lompoc, 805-735-2030, palminawines.com. Steve and Chrystal Clifton’s Palmina is exclusively devoted to producing Italian varietals.
PIEDRASASSI 1501 E. Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, 805-736-6784, piedrasassi.com. This small but serious winery’s 2007 Syrah Rimrock ($46) is well rounded with floral and berry flavors.
PRESIDIO VINEYARD AND WINERY 2755 Purisima Rd., Lompoc, 805-740-9463, presidiowinery.com. This 30-acre vineyard is certified organic and biodynamic.
PRESS GANG CELLARS 805-291-3141, pressgangcellars.com. Tiny lots of Grenache, Syrah, Roussanne, and Sauvignon Blanc all made in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto and inspired by the love of music, surfing, travel, food, and wine.
SAMSARA WINERY 1500 E. Chestnut Ct., Ste. A, Lompoc, 805-331-2292, samsarawine.com. Sanskirt for “the eternal cycle of life, ” Samsara emphasizes winegrowing as opposed to winemaking.
SANFORD WINERY AND VINEYARDS 5010 Santa Rosa Rd., Lompoc, 805-735-5900, sanfordwinery.com. Winemaker Steve Fennell crafts Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir in the handmade adobe winery at Rancho la Rinconada in Sta. Rita Hills.
SCOTT CELLARS 316 N. F St., Lompoc, 805-736-6161, scottcellars.com. Winemaker and owner Peter Scott Fraser focuses on balanced blends. Cuvee J (from $24) is his signature blend of Zinfandel and Syrah.
SEA SMOKE ESTATE VINEYARDS 1604 N. O St., Lompoc, 805-737-1600, seasmoke.com. Winemaker Don Schroder makes Pinot Noir from this 106-acre Sta. Rita Hills vineyard.
STOLPMAN VINEYARDS 1700 Industrial Way, Ste. B, Lompoc, 805-736-5000, stolpmanvineyards.com. Thomas Stolpman dedicates himself to sensible farming and winemaking at the vineyard he has deemed one of the greatest viticultural sites on earth.
TURIYA 805-478-7016, turiyawines.com. A one-woman operation that produces less than 300 cases annually of red blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese.
TYLER WINERY 300 N 12th St., Ste. 4A, Lompoc, 805-741-7281, tylerwinery.com. Delicacy and balance are Justin Willett’s key ingredients to creating the perfect Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
ZOTOVICH CELLARS 300 N. 12th St., Ste. 1D, Lompoc, 805-736-1600, zotovichcellars.com. Fermented in stainless steal vessels, the family-owned winery’s 2010 Viognier ($28) boasts Asian pear and honeysuckle flavors.
LOS OLIVOS
ALTA MARIA VINEYARDS 2933 Grand Ave., Ste. A, Los Olivos, 805-686-1144, altamaria.com. James Ontiveros and Paul Wilkins’s tasting room showcases their Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as their exclusive label, Autonom.
ALEXANDER AND WAYNE 2922 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-9665, arthurearl.com. This winery excels at traditional whites and reds.
ANDREW MURRAY VINEYARDS 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-686-9604, andrewmurrayvineyards.com. Well-known winemaker Andrew Murray shows his exceptional handcrafted, artisanal Rhône varietals at his sleek tasting room.
ARTHUR EARL 2922 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-693-1771, arthurearl.com. Whether you prefer whites such as Malvasia Bianca, or reds such as Tempranillo, Arthur Earl has as many as 15 different wines available at the tasting room located in downtown Los Olivos.
ARTISTE WINERY AND TASTING STUDIO 2948 Grand Ave., Ste. E, Los Olivos, 805-686-2626, artiste.com. At this “tasting studio, ” you try vintages and create art on canvases or in sketchbooks set around the room while you’re at it.
BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2670 Ontiveros Rd., Los Olivos, 805-688-8664, beckmenvineyards.com. From a 365-acre vineyard, Steve Beckmen harvests and produces Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and others.
BIN 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-693-8537. Home to a variety of Central Coast wines, Bin 2860 also offers a variety of international wines ranging from Germany to South Africa. In addition to tasting, the shop offers wine education classes.
BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2902 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos, 805-691-1678, blairfoxcellars.com. After working at various wineries locally and in Australia, Santa Barbara native Blair Fox founded his own winery to produce delicious Rhône-style Viognier and Syrah.
THE BRANDER VINEYARD 2401 N. Refugio Rd., Los Olivos, 805-688-2455, brander.com. Taste Fred Brander’s famed Sauvignon Blanc as well as his Bordeaux-style reds.
BROPHY CLARK CELLARS 805-296-3017, brophyclarkcellars.com. Husband and wife John Clark and Kelley Brophy Clark founded their winery in 1996 to create delicious whites and reds.
BYRON VINEYARD AND WINERY 2367 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, 805-938-7365, byronwines.com. In 1984, Ken Brown pioneered the production of Pinot Noir on the Central Coast. The winery now offers more than 170 different types of Pinot Noirs, which can be sampled and purchased at the tasting room.
CARHARTT VINEYARD 2990 Grand Ave., Ste. A, Los Olivos, 805-693-5100, carharttvineyard.com. Stop by the “World’s Smallest Tasting Room” and enjoy a smooth glass of Brooke and Mike Carhartt’s Sauvignon Blanc or estate Syrah.
CARINA CELLARS 2900 Grand Ave., Ste. A, Los Olivos, 805-688-2459, carinacellars.com. Try Joey Tensley’s 2006 Mourvèdre, Central Coast ($36)—its flavors of clove, thyme, cranberries, cherries, and cocoa go well with barbecued meats and grilled veggies for a great fall party.
CLEB WINES 805-588-1995. Lino Garcia and Joey Tensley’s intimate winery produces just 500 cases of white and red wines each vintage.
CONSILIENCE WINES 2923 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-691-1020, consiliencewines.com. One of Brett Escalera’s top sellers is his Zinfandel-based port ($26)—perfect for pairing with chocolate after an autumn feast.
COQUELICOT ESTATE VINEYARD 2884 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-1500, coquelicotwines.com. Bernard Rosenson established this organic, family-run winery in 2005. The tasting room is located in what once to be a blacksmith shop in 1886.
COGHLAN VINEYARD & JEWELERS 2366 Alamo Pintado Rd., Los Olivos, 805-686-2395. At Coghlan Vineyard & Jewelers, taste beautifully handcrafted wines while exploring one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry.
CURTIS WINERY 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-686-8999, curtiswinery.com. Curtis Winery is exclusively committed to crafting Rhône-style varietals.
DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2939 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-693-9686, danielgehrswines.com. This tasting room embodies history and wine. Built in 1904, Heather Cottage opened as the French-country style Daniel Gehrs tasting room in 2000.
DEMETRIA ESTATE WINES 6701 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-686-2345, demetriaestate.com. Established in 2005, this family-owned winery produces artful wines crafted by Michael Roth, who uses low yields, sustainable and biodynamic farming practices, and gentle winemaking procedures.
DRAGONETTE CELLARS 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, 805-693-0077, dragonettecellars.com. Dragonette Cellars’ logo captures the medieval philosophy that wine is “drinkable gold.”
EPIPHANY CELLARS 2947 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-2424, epiphanycellars.com. Established in 1999 by Eli Parker, Epiphany continues to provide the central coast with quality wine made in the hills of Santa Barbara County and surrounding areas.
EVAN’S RANCH 2901 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 888-424-6398, evansranchwines.com. One of three Gainey ranches, Evan’s Ranch focuses on growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, making it the cooler cousin to Gainey’s Home Ranch, which features Cabernets and Merlots that grow better in warmer climates.
FESS PARKER WINERY AND VINEYARD 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-688-1545, fessparkerwines.com. Founded by the late actor/entrepreneur Fess Parker, this vineyard and winery—a perfect spot for a picnic or private event—crafts uncompromising wines.
FIRESTONE VINEYARD 5017 Zaca Station Rd., Los Olivos, 805-688-3940, firestonewine.com. The Firestones (famous for beer, local politics, and at one point, tires) founded their Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon-producing vineyard in 1972.
KAENA WINE COMPANY 2890 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-4069, kaenawine.com. Hawaiian for “potential for greatness,” Kaena is operated by Hawaiian native Mikael Sigouin. Starting with just three barrels in 2001, Kaena now produces 500 cases of mainly Grenache yearly.
KOEHLER WINERY 5360 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-693-8384, koehlerwinery.com. Situated on the celebrated Foxen Canyon Trail in the Santa Ynez Valley, Koehler Winery consists of a 100-acre estate planted with 30-year-old vines.
LARNER 2900 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-8148, larnerwine.com. Larner is a family-run boutique estate with a limited production of 900 cases per year and known for the award-wining fruit that has set the vineyard apart as a Californian Grand Cru.
LONGORIA WINES 2935 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 866-759-4637, longoriawine.com. Rick Longoria specializes in European-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Located in one of the oldest buildings in Los Olivos, the intimate tasting room a great spot for a relaxing experience.
OAK SAVANNA VINEYARD 5095 Zaca Station Rd., Los Olivos, 805-686-9604, andrewmurrayvineyards.com. Oak Savanna Vineyard specializes in limited amounts of Chardonnay and a red blend.
QUPE 2963 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-4200, qupe.com. Owner/winemaker Bob Lindquist makes fabulous Rhône varietals and Chardonnay.
REFUGIO RANCH 2990 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-5400, refugioranch.com. The Gleason family’s 440-acre Refugio Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley AVA produces nine different grapes.
SAARLOOS & SONS 2971 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-1200, saarloosandsons.com. This family’s vintages are labeled with unusual names such as 194Five the Union, a Syrah-Cabernet blend.
SANDHI WINES 805-618-2707, sandhiwines.com. Sandhi is named after the ancient Sanskrit word meaning “collaboration, ” which represents the partnership of the label’s creators—Mina Group restaurants wine director Rajat Parr; Charles Banks, the former owner of Jonata Wines and Screaming Eagle; and esteemed winemaker Sashi Moorman—as well as the connection between man, earth, and vine.
STOLPMAN VINEYARDS 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-0400, stolpmanvineyards.com. Syrah is one of the premier grapes of this Ballard Canyon vineyard.
TENSLEY WINES 2900 Grand Ave., Ste. B, Los Olivos, 805-688-6761, tensleywines.com. The family-owned Tensley Wines was established in 1998 and specializes in Syrah.
TESSA MARIE WINES 2901 Grand Ave., Ste. C, Los Olivos, 805-688-6081, tessamariewines.com. Granddaughter of the late actor/vintner Fess Parker, Tessa Marie Parker sources most of her fruit from some of the most esteemed vineyards in the Santa Barbara County. Her specialty is Sangiovese.
TRE ANELLI 2923 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-691-1020, treanelliwine.com. Tre Anelli combines Italian and Spanish lure with Santa Barbara County grapes for a modern yet rustic tasting endeavor.
VERDAD 2963 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-4200, verdadwines.com. With this label, Bob Lindquist and Louisa Sawyer Lindquist spotlight Spanish varietals.
WEATHERBORNE WINE CORP. weatherborne.com. Minimalist winemaking with a limited-production of Pinot Noir. Bright and lively with sweet fruit and an intriguing darker undertow, try the Sta. Rita Hills 2012 Pinot Noir ($35.)
ZACA MESA WINERY AND VINEYARDS 6905 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-688-9339, zacamesa.com. Pack a picnic, play a game of chess on the life-size chessboard, or take a scenic stroll on the hiking trail. Call the tasting room for information on special tasting events and winemaker’s dinners.
LOS ALAMOS
BEDFORD WINERY 448 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-2107, bedfordwinery.com. With an ambiance for rich conversation, the tasting room features a deeper wine experience through the knowledgeable staff willing to deliver their customers a one-on-one articulation of each wine.
CASA DUMETZ WINES 388 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-1900, casadumetzwines.com. Owner and winemaker Sonja Magdevski incorporates her lifetimes of travel experiences to produce vibrant wines that showcase the balanced nature of the grapes, the harvest, and the seasons in the Los Alamos community.
GOGI WINES 362 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-2744, unionhotelvictmansion.com. Created in Lompoc at Ampelos Cellars, each of Kurt Russell’s GoGi wines are mastered to deliver a wonderfully floral quality to both the nose and the palate.
HUDSON BELLAMY 362 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-344-2744, hudsonbellamywines.com. Kate Hudson and Matthew Bellamy began their production of wine after contracting the same passion for growing grapes and making wine that they first saw in Kurt Russell, maker of GoGi wines. Now both GoGi and Hudson Bellamy are available exclusively at the 1880 Union Hotel Wine Saloon.
MUNICIPAL WINEMAKERS 425 Bell St., Los Alamos, 805-931-6864, municipalwinemakers.com. With locations in both Santa Barbara and Los Alamos, owner Dave Potter shares his personal enjoyment of rustic wines.
SANTA MARIA
BRUCHER AND GOLDEN BEAR WINERY 2115 S. Blosser Rd., No. 118, Santa Maria, 805-347-8720, brucherwinery.com. Since taking over the winery in 2010, Janis and Mike Schmidt have been finding the best possible harvests while producing artisanal wines to “delight the senses.”
CAMBRIA ESTATE WINERY 5475 Chardonnay Ln., Santa Maria, 805-938-7318, cambriawines.com. Enjoy a slow-paced day of elegance filled with gourmet cheeses and other specialty items paired with tasty Cambria wine.
COSTA DE ORO WINERY 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria, 805-922-1468, cdowinery.com. Located beside a lush mountain and valley, Costa De Oro creates a friendly atmosphere for all their visitors.
COTTONWOOD CANYON VINEYARD AND WINERY 3940 Dominion Rd., Santa Maria, 805-937-8463, cottonwoodcanyon.com. Although small, this ultra-premium winery never fails to delight.
FOXEN VINEYARD 7200 Foxen Canyon Rd. and 7600 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, 805-937-4251, foxenvineyard.com. The Foxen boys remain loyal to their original goals: the creation of small production, sustainably-farmed, vineyard-focused wines using a straightforward and minimalist approach to winemaking.
PRESQU’ILE 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, 805-937-8110, presquilewine.com. Indulge in the creations of the Murphy family’s estate production of Santa Maria Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Santa Barbara County Sauvignon Blanc.
RANCHO SISQUOC WINERY 6600 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, 805-934-4332, rancho sisquoc.com. Sarah Holt Mullins believes in crafting quality wines in small quantities. She manages 12 varietals and blends from Sauvignon Blanc to Merlot.
RIVERBENCH WINERY 6020 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, 805-937-8340, riverbench.com. Winemaker Clarissa Nagy’s love for the aromas of Pinot Noir is what drives her to continue to refine Riverbench wines.
TRES HERMANAS VINEYARD AND WINERY 9660 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, 805-937-8451, treshermanawinery.com. Marvin and Paulette Teixeira offer guests private barrel tastings with winemaker Mark Horvath.
OJAI
CASA BARRANCA WINERY 208 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, 805-640-1255, casabarranca.com. This certified organic winery is dedicated to employing winemaking practices sans toxic solvents and cleaners.
OJAI ALISAL VINEYARD 475 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, 805-640-7987, ojaialisal.com. Viognier, Grenache, Syrah, and Malbec are just some
varietals produced at the magical Ojai Alisal Vineyard.
OJAI VINEYARD 109 S. Montgomery St., Ojai, 805-798-3947, ojaivineyard.com. Adam and Helen Tolmach produce wines from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier grapes.