| There are several different types of businesses operating under the umbrella of wineries. Some do everything from growing the grapes to throwing the festivals.
The list below features wineries that have their own tasting room. We have visited each one hyperlinked personally and we have shared with you our perception, directions and recommendations.
Buellton
- Mosby Winery
9496 Santa Rosa Rd.
Buellton, CA.
(805) 688 2415
Tasting: 10-4 Mon-Fri;
10-5 Sat.& Sun.
Fee: $ 3 .5 0 includes souvenir glass
Wine Club Available
- Sanford Winery & Vineyards
In Santa Barbara wine country, it all started with Sanford.
In 1971 Sanford Winery and Vineyards discovered an overlooked, grape-growing treasure in the Santa Rita Hills. Recognizing a magical combination of climate and soil conditions much like those in France's famed Burgundy province, Sanford planted the area's first Pinot Noir in its Sanford & Benedict vineyard.
Pinot Noir has thrived in the Santa Rita Hills ever since, and so has Sanford Winery. The pioneering winery's Pinot Noir ranks among the best and most distinctive in the world. And Sanford's leadership helped put Santa Barbara and the Santa Rita Hills on the map of the world's great wine regions. Certified as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2001, today the area is renowned for its Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir.
- Lafond Winery
The Santa Ynez Valley's extended growing season has turned out some fabulous gems, especially from the 2005 vintage which is ready for its close up. Early bud break and a long swing on the vine translated into a rich, supple Pinot Noir and ripe, concentrated Chardonnay — tenets the appellation has long been known for.
What many wine enthusiasts aren't aware of are the cache of offbeat wines crafted from this appellation. Winemaker Bruce McGuire's passion for unsung gems is well documented; in any given year he creates 30+ wines from one harvest, ranging from Nebbiolo to Rose of Syrah, Negrette, White Riesling and Grenache.
Lompoc
- Babcock Vineyards One of California's brightest stars in the field of winemaking is Bryan Babcock. Not only was Bryan selected by the Los Angeles Times as one of the "Ten Best Winemakers of the Year", he was also named by this influential daily as "Most Courageous Winemaker of the Year" for his daring style. Since 1984 Bryan has been producing wines of exceptional quality from his family owned winery located on the far western edge of the Santa Ynez Valley in northern Santa Barbara County.
- Melville
Welcome to Melville Vineyards and Winery! Come by our tasting room and sample our current Estate Line and Small Lot Collection releases.Our Mediterranean-style Winery is located in the Santa Rita Hills appellation in Lompoc, California , in Western Santa Ynez Valley.Visit us! For special events and group tours, please call for a reservation. We look forward to meeting you!
Los Alamos
- Bedford Thompson Winery and Vineyard
There is a reverence for the past in Stephan Bedford and it is evident in the wines he makes. He strives for the best expression of each varietal through hands-on, time-honored techniques, being cautious of passing trends, but allowing for effective innovations. His wines make a confident statement of bold flavors and deep concentration, yet with an underlying refinement.
- Chimere
Los Olivos
- Andrew Murray Vineyards
Andrew Murray fell in love with the emerging Rhône varieties, Syrah and Viognier, in the late '80s while traveling through the Rhône Valley. He took that passion further when he headed out for a short internship in Australia in 1992 to learn more about the famed Australian Shiraz. There he fell so in love with Syrah that he overstayed his planned three months by almost a year.
- Arthur Earl Winery
- Beckmen Vineyards Awed and inspired by a perfect convergence of soil, microclimate, wind and sun, Tom Beckmen purchased a stunning, unplanted 365-acre hillside property overlooking the Santa Ynez Valley in 1996. This land would soon become Purisima Mountain Vineyard, possessing all of the necessary elements to produce world-class Rh?ne varietals.With elevations reaching 1250 feet, the initial planting and farming of PurisimaMountain Vineyard represented one of the most ambitious hillside vineyard endeavors in the history of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Hillside vineyards are not easy to farm, but for Tom and Steve Beckmen, the rewards
that come from the exceptional fruit that they yield are definitely worth it. Find out why by
clicking the links above.
- Brander Vineyard/Domaine Santa Barbara30th Vintage Release
The Brander Vineyard was one of the winemaking pioneers in Santa Barbara County; producing a range of distinctive and flavorful Sauvignon cuvées since 1977.The 30th vintage of the Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley celebrates The Brander Vineyard's commitment to making the best Sauvignon Blanc in California.
- Curtis Winery Under the guidance of Winemaker Chuck Carlson, Curtis Winery is exclusively committed to the crafting of Rhône-style wines. We are inspired by the extraordinary terrain of Santa Barbara County's Santa Ynez Valley, which is today recognized as one of the world's leading appellations for Rhône varietals. Since 1995, Curtis Winery has built a reputation for wines of quality and distinction, with an emphasis on the authentic expression of vineyard and vintage. Our wines hail primarily from our estate vineyards in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, with contributions from select local vineyards. Our Ambassador's Vineyard was planted in 1990 as the cornerstone of our estate. Our Crossroads Vineyard followed in 1997, and is today recognized for producing one of the region's most acclaimed Syrahs. Small blocks of Grenache and Roussanne are also integral to our estate program.
- Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard Our family friend, renowned James Beard award-winning chef and owner of the destination restaurant Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap Texas, Tom Perini has created a distinct dry rub seasoning specifically for each of our featured wines: Santa Barbara County Syrah, Frontier Red Lot 51, and Parker Station Syrah.
We wanted to give you the opportunity to sample this customized Perini Ranch dry rub by including it on bottle neckers that will accompany each of the mentioned Syrahs. Look for these samples along with our wines at participating retailers.
- Firestone Vineyard
Founded in 1972 by father and son, Leonard and Brooks Firestone, Firestone Vineyard has enjoyed 35 years of family stewardship. Recently, so that they might concentrate on their burgeoning beer business and smaller Curtis Winery, the Firestone family decided to sell their iconic winery. In doing so, they turned to fellow Santa Barbara vintner Bill Foley (Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery, Lincourt Vineyards) as the logical next shepherd for the famous property. As the Firestone's identified earlier on, Bill, too, recognized Santa Barbara County as the ideal location for the production of world class wines. Bill has vowed to continue the Firestone tradition in striving for the very best in vineyard management and cutting edge winemaking discipline. The vineyard focuses on optimal physiological balance in the vines yielding wines that are brightly flavored, crisp and delicious. 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. The Firestone Vineyard tasting room offers regular winery tours, delicious wines to sample and an idyllic setting for al fresco picnics. Visit the “new” Firestone Vineyard and experience the vision of hospitality that is shared by Bill Foley and the Firestone Family!
- Daniel Gehrs Wines
- Kahn Winery
- Rancho Sisquoc Winery
All of our wines are produced from grapes grown right here on our 38,000 acre ranch. Unique micro-climates in our vineyards allow us to grow Bordeaux, Burgundian, and Tuscan varietals. Our vineyards comprise over three hundred acres planted on south-facing slopes along the Sisquoc River. Only the best ten percent of the grapes go into our Estate wines.
Come out to the ranch, visit with us, taste our wines and picnic in our serene picnic area adjacent to the tasting room.
- Rusack Winery
- Zaca Mesa Winery
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