What You Need To Know About Going Wine Tasting In Santa Barbara After COVID-19
/It’s 2021, and the wineries of Santa Barbara are calling to us! After spending months in our houses, we could all use an escape to the coastal wine region of Santa Barbara County. Whether you’re ready to go wine tasting overlooking the glistening ocean in downtown (the Funk Zone) of Santa Barbara, or the sunny countryside of Santa Ynez Valley, we’ve compiled some facts you’ll need to know before visiting.
Are Santa Barbara Wineries Open?
How Has Wine Tasting Changed In Santa Barbara County Due To COVID-19?
What Are Some Of The Key Wine Tasting Areas In Santa Barbara?
What Kind Of Experience Should I Expect From Wine Tasting?
What Are Wine Tours & Items Needed For Them?
What Is The Average Tasting Fee In Santa Barbara?
What Are The Must-Visit Wineries In Santa Barbara?
What Are Some Of The Best Restaurants In Downtown Santa Barbara?
Where Can I Stay In Santa Barbara County?
Gainey Vineyard
Are Santa Barbara Wineries Open?
Due to new COVID-19 restrictions, Santa Barbara is sheltering in place, which means wineries in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, and regions within it like Santa Maria Valley, Solvang, Lompoc, and Los Olivos are not open for outdoor or indoor tasting. This will be re-assessed regularly, so check back with us soon!
However, just because wineries are closed for onsite tasting, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good bottle of Santa Barbara wine. There are dozens of wineries in Santa Barbara County offering virtual tastings, and most wineries are still open for pickup and to-go purchases of their wine. Here are 3 exceptional wineries offering virtual tasting (click on them to learn more).
Roblar Winery
How Has Wine Tasting Changed In Santa Barbara County Due To COVID-19?
Here are a couple of things you should know when the Shelter in Place order has been removed from Santa Barbara County, and wineries start hosting outdoor tastings.
Most wineries are only accepting groups of up to 6-8 people to adhere to safety guidelines. Check ahead on their website to see how many they can accommodate or give them a quick call.
Speaking of calling, you’ll want to make a reservation at the winery. Wineries have limited space (especially with the socially distancing guidelines) and are highly sought after by locals and visitors alike. This means that most wineries will prioritize seating and attending to those with reservations first. There are even some wineries that will only take reservations and turn away any walk-ins.
Your tasting may be limited to less than an hour to accommodate all of the reservations. Tasting time varies from winery to winery, so double-check with the winery before you try to plan a three-hour wine tasting experience.
Even once the Shelter In Place Order has lifted, some wineries will not open for tastings, or they may offer wines for glass or bottle purchase during this time. Be sure to call or check their website before you visit.
Santa Barbara Wineries
What Are Some Of The Key Wine Tasting Areas In Santa Barbara?
If you're looking for variety in your wine tasting experience, Santa Barbara County is the perfect stop for you. Within this Central Coast county, there are five different wine tasting regions. Below you'll discover more about each area and the wine tasting experiences each offer.
The Funk Zone:
In the bustling downtown of Santa Barbara, just a ten-minute walk from the beach, is the Funk Zone. Surrounded by restaurants, art galleries, and coffee shops, you'll find a collection of boutique tasting rooms. With over a dozen wine tasting rooms clustered together in Santa Barbara, it's the ideal stop for those looking to taste a wide variety of wines without spending a lot of time traveling. Break up your wine tasting experience with lunch at one of the many restaurants within walking distance from the tasting rooms.
Santa Ynez Valley:
This large valley is more inland than its coastal counterpart, the Funk Zone. With its location nestled in Santa Barbara's hills, Santa Ynez is well known for its tranquil, warm countryside. It's also one of the largest regions in Santa Barbara. It's so big that there are three sub-regions within the valley. These include Happy Canyon, Ballard Canyon, and the Sta Rita Hills. Here you are quite literally surrounded by vineyards. You won't find any restaurants within walking distance here, so we highly recommended packing a lunch, or arranging a catered meal. There's also quite a bit of traveling required to get to the valley, so we recommend having a playlist ready for your travels.
Lompoc Wine Ghetto:
Similar to the Funk Zone, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto has almost a dozen boutique tasting rooms that are all in walking distance from one another. You can find these wineries in an industrial park complex within the city limits. (Similar to Tin City in Paso Robles.) While you won't find the beach within walking distance, you'll undoubtedly find some incredible award-winning wines and artisan winemakers.
Los Olivos:
Explore the historic, charming town of Los Olivos as you go wine tasting. Here you'll find quaint cafes and restaurants within close distance to the tasting rooms, making it easy to spend an entire day discovering and enjoying Los Olivos. Unlike the other regions, this small town offers a novel way to get around - bicycles. Rent your own for the day and spend the day biking from winery to winery. You can also explore the Fox Canyon Wine Trail, which starts in Los Olivos and stretches north into the Santa Maria Valley.
Santa Maria Valley:
Home to most of the wineries on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, a 30 mile stretch between Los Olivos and Santa Maria, you'll find 13 great tasting rooms amidst the rolling hills. A majority of wineries along the trail require a reservation, so make sure you call ahead of time. Like the Santa Ynez Valley, you'll want to make sure to pack or have a catered lunch since most restaurants will require some travel time.
Solvang:
If you've always wanted to visit Denmark, you won't need a plane to get there. Often referred to fondly as a little slice of Denmark, Solvang is a quaint town, unlike any other, at Santa Barbara County's edge. Their downtown boasts of more than 20 tasting rooms. Like the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara, Solvang makes it easy to walk from tasting room to tasting room and then to a restaurant. We highly recommend walking shoes; most of Solvang is pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to explore the city on foot.
Crown Point Vineyards
What Kind Of Experience Should I Expect From Wine Tasting?
A lot can be said about wine tasting, and everyone enjoys it for different reasons. Some love hearing the history of the winery from the owner. Others enjoying the escape wine tasting in Santa Barbara offers, lounging in the Coastal California sun, with a cool breeze, surrounded by vineyards. Then others look forward to the main activity, most of all, the actual wine tasting. Most enjoy a pleasant combination of all three. The point is there's no one reason to go wine tasting just like there is no right or wrong way to go wine tasting. You could stop by one winery to wine taste and then call it a day, or you could spend an entire afternoon wine tasting at a collection of different wineries.
With such a variety of experiences, we'll seek to cover the standard elements you can expect when wine tasting.
When wine tasting, you'll receive four to five pours of different wines. These are typically only a quarter of glass pours, quite literally giving you a taste of each wine.
Some wineries may offer charcuterie boards that you can purchase to accompany your tasting.
Other wineries may offer a standard tasting and a more immersive experience, such as a Private Library tasting or a vineyard hike and tasting.
When wine tasting with a group, save yourself the trouble and make sure to call the winery ahead of time to place reservations. Without reservations, some wineries are unable to accommodate groups of people on the fly.
What Are Wine Tours & Items Needed For Them?
Wine tours with Obsidian Luxury Services usually include three to four winery stops for wine tasting, with a catered lunch option. You can expect to spend anywhere from 3-6 hours wine tasting in Santa Ynez Valley, and about 3-4 hours wine tasting in Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, Santa Maria Valley, and Solvang.
Our wine tours come in all shapes in sizes. We have a large and varied fleet to accommodate your needs. For example, you could cruise in our Chrysler 300c Luxury Sedan for two, enjoy a trip in our Mercedes Sprinter LandJet for groups up to seven, or take a large group in our Luxury Limousine Bus for up to 24 passengers.
When it comes to preparing for a wine tour, here are some suggestions to help make your experience smooth and enjoyable.
Have a great playlist ready; all of our vehicles are equipped to connect with your phone and play your music.
Bring some sunscreen, the Central Coast is gorgeous, but it is also sunny. A hat and sunglasses are also recommended, especially if you plan on wine tasting outside.
Bring your cameras; some views are quite literally picture-perfect. If you’re planning to use your phone camera, make sure to pack your charger. Our vehicles are almost all equipped with USB charging ports.
Bring snacks; we recommend cheeses, crackers, and chocolate. Or you can ask us to pre-stock your vehicle with snacks and drinks.
Gainey Vineyard
What Is The Average Tasting Fee In Santa Barbara?
Hundreds of wineries and 6 wine regions means that wine tasting in Santa Barbara County hits a variety of price points. There are a few that offer tastings starting at $15. However, most wineries begin their tastings at $20 to $25, with some in Santa Ynez costing $30. You can add on special food pairings at some wineries and choose a more immersive experience with costs starting at $30 and increasing.
Sunstone Winery
What Are The Must-Visit Wineries In Santa Barbara?
With 6 large wine regions and hundreds of phenomenal wineries to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start. That's why we've curated a listing of four wineries that offer unique, one-of-a-kind experiences, making them must-visit wineries on the Central Coast.
Gainey Winery:
Explore this Spanish-style winery in the countryside of Santa Barbara County. They focus on producing small quantities of high-quality wine ranging from Sauvignon Blanc to Merlots. Not only do they offer an excellent standard tasting paired with gorgeous views and picnic tables, but they also have three in-depth, signature wine tasting experiences that you won't find anywhere else.
1. Blindfold Tasting: Enjoy five limited selection wines while blindfolded using your sense of smell to determine what you're tasting.
2. Vertical of Library Wines Tasting: Taste your way through history. During this tasting, you'll try vintages made throughout the years and learn more about each particular offering.
3. Barrels to Bottles Tasting: Experience the difference between a current release of a limited selection of wines to wines directly from the barrel.
Larner Winery:
With two locations, one in Los Olivos and the other along Ballard Canyon. This boutique estate has an exclusive production of only 800 cases per year. You won't find wine as carefully cultivated and crafted as the wine you'll find here. Their focus is mainly on producing the best Syrah wine; however, they also have a selection of Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier, and the Italian white Malvasia Bianca. You can enjoy two different types of experiences at Larner Winery, one experience at their tasting room in the historic, quaint town of Los Olivos and the other at their Estate in Ballard Canyon.
1. Self-Guided Bike Tour & Tasting: In the small and peaceful town of Los Olivos, you can rent a bike, go on a self-guided tour and see the sights of Los Olivos. Then as you're wrapping up your biking excursion, you can stop at Larner Winery for a patio wine tasting.
2. Estate Vineyard Tour: Set up a personalized experience at Larner Winery's vineyard in Ballard Canyon. Their Estate is perfect for hosting larger groups and touring the sprawling vineyards in the beautiful countryside.
Sunstone Vineyards & Winery:
Step into a Provencal French countryside when you visit Sunstone Winery nestled in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley. Named after the vineyard estate's exposed, sun-dappled shale and stones, Sunstone is a beautifully tranquil retreat. Enjoy a glass of wine in their lavender and rosemary-filled courtyard or at their picnic tables shaded by olive and oak trees. Below you'll find a taste of all of the different experiences offered at this Santa Barbara winery.
1. Private Tasting: Retreat to a semi-private and quiet area of the grand Estate for your wine tasting. You'll have a dedicated wine host, custom wine selection, and personalized menus. (For a minimum of 8 guests.)
2. Oenological History Tasting: Relax in Linda's Library, surrounded by a collection of exclusive library wines. Enjoy a private guided tasting of some of the Estate's finest vintages; this includes tasting 6 library wines. (For 4 to 8 guests.)
3. The Villa Experience: Designed with the ultimate wine tasting experience in mind, unwind inside the Villa or in the Center Courtyard (weather permitting). You'll enjoy a 90-minute experience with a wine tasting of 7 wines, including library wine selections. A gourmet charcuterie platter with assorted meats and cheeses, olive oil and vinegar tasting station, and bottled water is included. (For 6 to 12 guests.)
Firestone Vineyard:
Founded in 1972, the vineyard focuses on optimal physiological balance in the vines yielding brightly flavored, crisp, and delicious wines. Estate Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah vineyards are located on a series of mesas that have gravelly sub-soils, ideally oriented for perfect exposure. You'll find a full day of experiences waiting for you at the Firestone Vineyard Estate.
1. A Full Day Experience: Start your time at the winery with their Reserve Tastings. This includes a flight of 5 excellent estate wines. Then, enjoy a lunch on the lower terrace, overlooking the vibrant vineyard hills. Once you're ready for another round of wine tasting, you can go on their walking tour. Explore the vineyards with a tour guide and enjoy tastings along the way as you discover the history behind the wine in your glass.
Santa Barbara Restaurant
What Are Some Of The Best Restaurants In Downtown Santa Barbara?
Nothing pairs quite as well with a day of wine tasting in Santa Barbara than a good meal, as you watch the sunset on glistening ocean waves. Below we’ll share three restaurants loved by locals and visitors in the heart of the county, in the city of Santa Barbara.
Bibi Ji:
Bibi Ji offers locals and visitors an approachable and modern twist on traditional Indian cuisine with an electrifying atmosphere. Located on historic State Street in Downtown Santa Barbara, surrounded by wine tasting rooms, handcrafted artisanal shops, and contemporary art galleries, the critically-acclaimed restaurant opened its doors in February 2018 and has quickly become a community staple. Renown for serving the best sea urchin, you won’t find another restaurant with dishes like this on the Central Coast.
The Lark:
In the heart of the Santa Barbara Funk Zone, sits The Lark a local favorite. Enjoy an urban atmosphere composed of vintage and repurposed decor that gives a nod to the neighborhood’s history. The Lark prides itself on local sourcing and procuring responsibly grown, high-quality ingredients for their dishes. Their food is served family-style with the intent to have meals shared among the guests.
Sama Sama Kitchen:
Experience the innovative flavors at this Southeast Asian fusion style restaurant on State Street in Santa Barbara. Open only for dinners, Sama Sama Kitchen offers an impressive array of mouth-watering dishes and cocktails. Their food has made such a statement that they have earned a prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand endorsement.
The Landsby
Where Can I Stay In Santa Barbara County?
Since there are 6 main wine regions in Santa Barbara County, we’ll highlight a lodging option for each area. So, that way, no matter where you plan on exploring in this part of the Central Coast, you’ll have an easy reference for a nearby, highly-reviewed hotel.
The Eagle Inn | Funk Zone Santa Barbara:
Modeled after Spanish-Colonial architecture, the Eagle Inn sits in the Funk Zone, only a walk away from the beachside and wine tasting rooms. The inn’s guest rooms are equipped with a wide array of luxuries like large whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, and balconies. Suitable for large families, rooms at The Eagle Inn are clean and spacious. They’re also known as one of the most romantic hotels in the town of Santa Barbara. Honeymooners will find a variety of romantic packages and unique lodging options to choose from.
Santa Ynez Inn | Santa Ynez Valley:
In the heart of Santa Barbara wine country lies the Santa Ynez Inn. Designed after a historic turn-of-the-century inn and equipped with all the conveniences of a modern, luxury hotel, the inn features a bespoke experience for travelers looking for a unique environment. Guests will enjoy gourmet breakfasts, wine hour, and late tea & cookies served daily in the elegant parlor.
Hilton Garden Inn | Lompoc Wine Ghetto:
Only minutes away from more than a dozen wine tasting rooms is the Hilton Garden Inn. Their hotel is also only five miles from La Purisima Mission and Vandenberg Air Force Base is a 15-minute drive away. With plenty of space for events and meetings, this hotel makes it easy to go from working hard to playing hard in wine country.
Fess Parker Wine Country Inn | Los Olivos:
In the quaint, historic town of Los Olivos, you’ll find Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. Enjoy a wine tasting for two, complimentary when staying at the inn. Kick up your feet after a long day of wine tasting in Los Olivos in front of your personal fireplace. Other amenities include an on-site gym and a heated pool.
Wine Stone Inn | Santa Maria Valley:
Wine Stone Inn was established as a place where friends can visit and feel at home in a Santa Maria Valley neighborhood of friendly people, casual pubs, and eateries. Located in nostalgic Old Town Orcutt, minutes away from the city of Santa Maria, this 12-room boutique hotel aspires to be the perfect escape in the wine country of Santa Barbara County. The beautifully crafted property has a country-meets-industry vibe, coupled with luxury 4-star guest rooms.
The Landsby | Solvang:
This stunning 51-room boutique hotel offers warm hospitality and refined, stylish accommodations in the Danish-inspired town of Solvang. The Landsby features a clean contemporary design, with a hint of traditional Scandinavian aesthetic. The completely remodeled, bright, and open guestrooms are finished with blonde woods, brushed brass accents, and elegant but comfortable hand-crafted furnishings complete with updated bathrooms, 47-inch flat-screen HDTVs, minibars, and stunning artwork commissioned from regional artists.