Just north of the city of Santa Barbara is the Santa Ynez Valley bustling with some of the best Santa Barbara wineries in and amongst the towns of Solvang, Buellton and Los Olivos.
Taking a wine tour to Santa Barbara wineries is a great option as all of the details are handled for you and includes: tasting fees, a picnic lunch, pick up and drop off from your accommodations (no worrying about a designated driver!) in Santa Barbara and a friendly host.
While downtown Santa Barbara does have tasting rooms, there are no vineyards and if you are looking to get the full experience, heading up to wine country is definitely the way to go. If you are planning for a couple, a group of friends, or even a bachelorette party, we can help you cater your experience to be exactly what you’re looking for to visit Santa Barbara wineries. There’s so many great options, these are just a few of our favorites, be sure to tell us your faves in the comments!
Here are a few of our favorite Santa Barbara wineries:
1. Brander
- A mini-castle experience with a unique history and a friendly tasting room cat
Brander greets you with a smile and excitement to tell you all about their unique Argentinian history. Enjoy the indoor tasting room with their friendly cat, Millie, or venture out to the lovely patio and garden.
2. Saarloos and Sons
- The hippest tasting room in Santa Ynez
This is also where we go for our Wine and Cupcake tour, which is to die for. Saarloos and Sons is family-owned, with unique bottles named after members of the family tree. Their tasting room is a total party – just an all-around fun place to be.
3. Vincent
- Our absolute favorite place to sit down outside with a glass of wine
We can’t say enough about Vincent. You have to sit on the patio, when you look up you are fully immersed in the grapevines and wine country just doesn’t get as good as this. Take a walk down their hallway for some pretty interesting history as well. This is one of our favorite Santa Barbara wineries.
5. Rideau
- Prettiest garden in the valley, perfect for photos and sipping wine with friends
If sitting in a garden sippin’ wine is all you really want, this is the place for you. Some of our favorite photos we’ve ever captured at Santa Barbara wineries have been at Rideau! Bicycle through their beautiful pine-lined entrance way on our wine and bike tour.
6. Roblar
- Beautiful venue both inside and outside the building
Roblar has a breathtaking venue, inside and out. Insider tip: if you get the tasting room manager as your pourer, it will surely be a hoot, his name is Billy.
7. Dragonette
- Unbeatable wine, lovely setting in the center of Los Olivos
Dragonette has high-end, seriously incredible wine. They are small, but are recognized for their unbeatable varietals and win awards time and time again. This is also located in the heart of Los Olivos, so you can enjoy a little shopping and sight-seeing before or after your tasting. Pinot Noirs, Sauvignon Blancs and Rhône are some of their most popular.
These are just a few of our favorites. There are so many amazing options in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. What are some of your favorites? Tell us in the comments!
