Santa Barbara Wineries, with over 200 options, is a bustling wine scene for for tourists and connoisseurs alike.
To make your visit seamless, we’ve handpicked a selection of Santa Barbara wineries. Enjoy your exploration of these gems of Santa Barbara’s wine industry.
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Make The Most of Your Santa Barbara Wineries Tour
There are companies that offer tours through the wine country, and for peace of mind, we recommend looking into using one of them. Not only will they have knowledge of the area, but they’ll also give you a driver and ensure that your trip is handled in a manner that is enjoyable while ensuring your safety at all times.
Our 5 tips for a Santa Barbara winery tour include:
- Eating a good meal beforehand and planning snacks
- Staying hydrated between tastings
- Using a driver or shuttle service to drive you around
- Keeping it to a maximum of 3 wineries a day
- Making a booking beforehand
Take A Look At Some Of The Best Wineries In Santa Barbara
Now that we’ve got the general housekeeping out of the way, it’s time for the fun part – sharing our favourite wineries in Santa Barbra with you.
Presqu’ile Winery
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This winery is off the beaten track and offers outdoor wine tastings. The cool coastal breezes facilitate the slow ripening of the grapes used to make their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines that have the perfect acidic balance.
Municipal Winemakers
Authenticity is key when it comes to this winery. Their goal is to be as unpretentious as possible which fits in perfectly with the urban beach environment around it. Interesting fact, it used to be a surf shop back in the day. That should give you an indication of just how laid back and unpretentious the tasting room actually is. Be that as it may, there’s nothing underrated about their wines and should be on your list of things to see.
Saarloos and Sons
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Designed to have a homey feel, this winery tasting room is incredibly welcoming and relaxing. The space has a patio, two tasting bars, a fireplace and even a little cupcake bakery.
Rusack Vineyards
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This tasting experience showcases the more rural side of winemaking. From the winding country roads to the stone walls used to mark off fields, it’s a different experience altogether. Part of what makes this landscape so picture-perfect has to be the rolling vines that stretch out in front of you. You then make it to the winery where you’ll have the chance to take in the views from their massive deck while enjoying a glass of wine.
Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
This winery is a brand that’s pretty famous in Santa Barbara. This is because Fess was a TV star in the 50s and 60s, playing the roles of Davey Crocket and Daniel Boone. Initially, he bought the property to farm cattle and a few grapes. Little did he know that it would turn into a thriving winery. Stunning patios and luscious green lawns are there just waiting to be enjoyed as you sip the wine on offer.
Sunstone Winery
If you’re looking for a scenic spot to spend the day and relax with a bottle of wine, this is certainly one of the best places to do so. The large lawns are the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic or cheese plat that complements one of the many wines available. They’ve even introduced a wine and brownie pairing, which is a win in our books.
Bridlewood Winery
If you were to picture a wine tasting, the stereotypical wine tasting scenario, that’s exactly what Bridlewood offers. It’s an experience from the moment you enter the grounds, driving to the house on a small hill, surrounded by stunning green lawns. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic and wine tasting.
Brander Vineyard
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If you were already heading to Bridlewood, you may as well as Brander to your list. Even though these two wineries are close to one another, they offer two completely different experiences. Brander is more of an old soul in all aspects of their operations. Be that as it may, the winery has some amazing Cabernet Sauvignon and v that they have been working on perfecting for decades. Many would agree that they are on the brink of doing exactly that.
Margerum Wine Company
This small tasting room is located right next to the Wine Cask restaurant in the Presidio neighbourhood. Here you will be greeted by an enthusiastic team and have access to some of the best wines the region has to offer. Named after Doug Margerum who was part of the movement to growing and producing Rhone varietal wines, it’s easy to see why these high quality wines are sought after by many.
Brick Barn Estates
Located between Buellton and Lompoc, this winery is often missed by travellers when it really shouldn’t be. Situated in a former Arabian horse ranch and surrounded by rolling hills, it’s truly a sight to behold. White wines are their speciality, and if that’s your cup of tea then you should pay them a visit.
And That’s Our List Of Best Santa Barbara Wineries
Santa Barbara is home to so many amazing wineries, and if you pay attention to the tour list, you’ll notice that they’re all distinctly different. This means that if you are planning to go wine-tasting, it’s bound to be a memorable experience.
Born amidst the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, Chloe’s love for wine was instilled from a young age. This passion led her to the picturesque wine regions of France, where she immersed herself in the rich wine culture and traditions.
Chloe’s dedication to the craft culminated in her becoming a wine sommelier, a testament to her deep knowledge and appreciation for wines.