Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez & Lompoc

Wine tasting in Santa Barbara County (Don't say SB city proper, I don't want Sissy to get on this blog and get mad at me.) is filled with options. Stay on the pier and visit a tasting room or go down the street and drink Santa Barbara Winery's Pinot Grigio in their warehouse winery located just off Cabrillo Boulevard. Most folks will hop in the car and take the 45 minute drive north to Santa Ynez and visit the winery's directly. One of the most often asked questions I get is which winery's to visit. So here are my suggestions. Head over the 154 to the 246 towards Solvang. Turn left onto Refugio road. Go about 1-2 miles to the Santa Ynez River to Sunstone Vineyards & Winery: http;//www.sunstonewinery.com .



This winery is a spectacular place to begin your tour of the wine country and this is a truly beautiful location. The wines are all organic and the Rice family is a delight. You can typically meet them in the tasting room. Once you have purchased several cases reverse course back down Refugio road to 246, turn left to Alamo Pintado road. Right on Alamo Pintado about 1/2 mile to Buttonwood Farm. This is just a simple tasting room, but the wines and hospitality are wonderful. Once done here, continue down Alamo Pintado to Grand Ave in Los Olivos. This is the heart of tasting rooms. Many, many wineries here. But first stop and have some lunch. There is a deli and several cafes. If you are savvy, buy a sandwich at the deli and hop over to Longoria Wines and buy a bottle of their lovely Chardonnay and enjoy in their picnic area. If you are lucky Rick's wife Diana may join you.



Head out of Los Olivos to the 154 to Foxen Canyon Road: Follow the signs to Firestone, Fess Parker, and Zaca Mesa. A must stop is at Foxen Vineyard which is a wooden Barnlike shack on the side of the road. A truly great stop. Pinot's are fantastic and the comraderie around the glass is fantastic. At this point turn around and head back to Highway 154 and either return home or if you were savvy and made some appointments you could head on to Lompoc's Ghetto and meet the winemakers as they make their wine. Kathy of Fiddlehead will welcome you and they have a full tasting room: www.fiddleheadcellars.com from there you can explore and with a little luck and perserverence you will find your own lovely spots to write me about. Enjoy.