Santa Barbara is a wine taster’s paradise. Set some 90 miles up the Ventura Freeway from L.A., it is surely one of the most attractive cities in the state . Besides sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara gives wine fans access to the outstanding wineries located in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley, in the southern end of the Central Coast viticultural region, which is home to a large number of outstanding wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms.
Central Coast wines, especially wines of the Santa Barbara area , have more and more gained recognition and high repute for their constantly improving quality . But it is not only the quality of the wine that has been raised , there has also been huge growth in the number of wineries in the area . Santa Barbara County now has over 100 wineries, in four appellations : Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria Valley. The vast variety of wine makers presents a poser for the wine tourer : with such a variety of wineries to chose from, which ones should I visit?
To narrow things down a bit, Santa Ynez Valley is the best of the four appellations for a wine tasting tour because it has the highest concentration of wineries and is located the nearest to the city of Santa Barbara– by leaps and bounds the most civilized place to stay in the area .
For most people , the 2004 flick Sideways put the Santa Ynez Valley on the map. There is even an actual “Sideways map,” available online or from the local tourist information office, which guides you to all of the wineries, bars, and restaurants that Miles and Jack made on their desperate road trip of wine tasting and midlife angst. But, even though the Sideways locations made for enjoyable theater and filming, it doesn’t follow that they are the most favorable places to taste smashing wines.
So, If you are dying to get a taste of the great wines the region has , who should you ask for tips on which wineries provide the most satisfying vino ? The most likely person, undoubtedly , would be a well-versed native . Luckily for the reader , I happen to be well acquainted with just such an individual . It just so happens that my father–for a while the president of the Santa Barbara Wine Society–has been visiting Santa Barbara County wineries to tipple their wares for the past 45 years, during which time the local wine industry grew from practicaly nonexistent to being the major player it is at present. His recommendations follow :
“The very best winery in Santa Barbara city is Jaffurs Wine Cellars, on Montecito Street near Milpas. It is kind of funky, but they make truly impressive syrah and you will often be able to talk to the winemakers. The rest are over in Santa Ynez Valley, and for ambiance and good wine I would suggest Gainey Vineyards (both reds and whites), Sunstone Winery (reds), Blackjack Ranch Vineyards (reds), and Rideau Vineyard (reds and whites). These wineries are all situated reasonably near each other. The best places for wine and a picnic lunch are Beckman Vineyards (reds) and Rideau. I would recommend Kalyra (reds and whites) in the valley (it’s near Sunstone) to the younger set because it’s fun, but a bit noisy. For someone who wants to drive farther out, I would recommend Brander Vineyard (whites), Curtis Winery (whites), Fess Parker Winery (reds and whites), and Zaca Mesa (reds).”
Want to learn more about Beautiful Santa Barbara California, its wineries, restaurants, hotels and wine country tours? Then visit Santa Barbara Wine Tasting at http://santabarbarawinetasting.net.
