YOUR WINE TOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
There’s something magical about sipping a glass of Pinot Noir with ocean breezes in your hair and golden hills on the horizon. Santa Barbara wineries serve up that magic by the glass — along with world-class vintages, scenic vineyards, and tasting rooms that range from upscale to delightfully rustic. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned sipper, this guide was crafted just for you.
From small-batch boutiques tucked into walkable wine towns to estate-heavyweights nestled in sun-drenched valleys and canyons, there’s no shortage of flavor (or personality) in this corner of California wine country. Ready to swirl, sniff, and savor your way through the best wineries in Santa Barbara? Let's pour into it.
Santa Barbara County is a wine lover’s playground. With over 200 wineries, the region offers a kaleidoscope
of varietals and styles, thanks to its rare east-west mountain range that funnels in cool
ocean air — perfect for long, slow grape ripening. From Pinot Noir in
Sta. Rita Hills
to Rhône-style blends in
Ballard Canyon, this is a region defined by diversity and craftsmanship. Whether you’re planning a weekend
getaway or plotting a full-fledged vino adventure, there’s a glass with your name on it.
Specializes in Rhône varietals, particularly Syrah and Grenache, offering a modern tasting
experience in the Foxen Canyon area.
Known for its innovative approach, Babcock produces a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir
and Chardonnay, in a stylish, retro-themed tasting room.
A family-owned estate focusing on biodynamic farming, celebrated for its Syrah and Grenache,
with a picturesque pond-side tasting area.
Offers a selection of Bordeaux and Burgundy-style wines, including Merlot and Chardonnay, with
a rustic tasting room featured in the film "Sideways."
Renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, Brander combines European elegance with a California twist,
offering a variety of white and red wines.
An organic vineyard producing Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, set amidst orchards and
gardens, providing a serene tasting experience.
Established by the late actor Fess Parker, this winery offers a range of varietals, notably
Pinot Noir and Syrah, with a spacious tasting room.
As one of the pioneering estates in the region, Firestone produces Cabernet Sauvignon and
Merlot, offering guided tours and tastings in a historic setting.
Located in the Sta. Rita Hills, Foley specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, featuring a
modern tasting room with panoramic vineyard views.
Divided between two locations, Foxen focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at their
solar-powered winery, offering an intimate tasting experience.
A Spanish-style winery producing estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, offering cellar
tours and a warm, inviting tasting room.
Brings an Australian flair to Santa Barbara, offering a diverse range of wines, including
unique dessert wines, in a laid-back, beach-themed tasting room.
Set in a 100-year-old estate, Koehler offers varietals like Syrah and Viognier, with a relaxed
atmosphere and scenic picnic spots.
Situated in the Sta. Rita Hills, LaFond specializes in Pinot Noir and Syrah, offering tastings
with views of the surrounding vineyards.
Housed in a converted dairy barn, Lincourt focuses on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, providing a
charming and rustic tasting experience.
An estate winery known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, offering guided tours and tastings
in a modern facility with stunning vineyard vistas.
Emphasizes Rhône varietals like Viognier and Syrah, set in a historic adobe home with a rich
Creole heritage influencing its hospitality.
Combines wine tasting with farm-to-table dining, offering varietals like Sauvignon Blanc and
Sangiovese in a picturesque setting.
A pioneer in the region, Sanford is acclaimed for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, offering
tours and tastings in a scenic ranch setting.
Features organic vineyards producing Bordeaux and Rhône-style wines, with a Provençal-inspired
estate offering luxurious tasting experiences.
Specializes in Rhône varietals, particularly Syrah, offering hiking trails through the
vineyard and a historic tasting room.
Santa Barbara wine country doesn’t always require a trek through the vineyards. Sometimes, the
best sips are just steps away—from art-filled storefronts to cozy patios nestled between
boutiques and bakeries.
Los Olivos
and
Santa Ynez
are home to walkable clusters of charming in-town tasting rooms that bring the valley’s best
wines right to the village square. Whether you're after a casual swirl-and-sip or a guided
flight from a seasoned pourer, these towns pack serious varietal punch into just a few blocks.
Expect great wine, great company, and—if you're lucky—a dog or two snoozing near the tasting
bar.
Right in the heart of Los Olivos, this sleek, stainless-steel-accented space is the only one
of its kind in town, featuring a curated selection of their acclaimed Syrahs, Grenaches, and
Viogniers. Visitors can enjoy a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.
This unique tasting room in Santa Ynez doubles as an art gallery, showcasing limited-edition
blends adorned with labels inspired by local artists' works. Visitors can indulge in a sensory
experience, savoring wines like "Rooted" and "Flowers for Monet" while surrounded by vibrant artwork.
Located in Los Olivos, Stolpman Vineyards specializes in Syrah, Roussanne, and unique Rhône
varietals, Stolpman offers wines that authentically express the Ballard Canyon terroir. The
tasting room provides an intimate setting to explore their acclaimed selections.
Danish-themed
Solvang
might look like a fairytale village, but don’t let the windmills fool you — it’s also serious
about wine. The town is ideal for walkable tastings, foodie stops, and spontaneous bottle
buys. Yes, you’ll probably leave with more than you planned. That’s the point.
Nestled in the charming town of Solvang, Alma Rosa Winery offers a serene retreat for wine
enthusiasts. Renowned for their cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Alma Rosa also
delights with Rhône varietals like Syrah and Grenache. The tasting room's ambiance features
recycled materials.
Voted the "Best Tasting Room in the Santa Ynez Valley," Lucas & Lewellen offers a diverse
portfolio of estate-grown wines. From robust Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to crisp Chardonnay
and Sauvignon Blanc, their selection caters to a variety of palates.
The Santa Barbara wine region is a geographical marvel — a place where rugged coastlines meet gentle valleys, and foggy mornings fade into sun-soaked afternoons. That coastal influence, paired with diverse soil types and elevations, gives winemakers a rich canvas to work with. The result? A reputation for premium vintages and one of the most dynamic wine scenes in the country.
The
Santa Maria Valley, in particular, is a star player — known for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
With a wine history dating back to the 1970s and a spirit of innovation that continues today,
wineries near Santa Barbara have become destinations for both casual sippers and serious
collectors.
These are the wineries Santa Barbara fans rave about — whether for the views, the vintages, or the vibe.
Tucked into the
Santa Ynez Valley, this French-inspired estate feels worlds away. Expect biodynamic farming, crafted
Rhône-style blends, and tasting rooms built with reclaimed European stone. A frequent stop
for Santa Barbara wine tours,
Sunstone Winery
blends sustainability with storybook ambiance.
Founded by actor Fess Parker (yes, Davy Crockett), this family-run estate delivers down-home
hospitality and standout wines. Set in rolling vineyards,
Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard’s
Syrah and Pinot have become local legends — and their picnic lawn is hard to beat.
Situated along the Santa Rita Hills,
Foley Estates
is a showstopper — with estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that showcase the crisp
minerality and marine influence this valley is known for. The estate’s elegant tasting room
and vineyard vistas create a perfectly polished Santa Barbara wineries experience that
balances luxury and approachability.
As one of the first estate wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley, Firestone helped pioneer the
region’s modern wine movement. Known for full-bodied Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and bold
blends,
Firestone Vineyard
offers sweeping views, deep wine knowledge, and classic vineyard charm in every sip.
A family-owned gem with deep roots in the Santa Barbara wine region,
Gainey Estate Vineyards is all about elegance and authenticity. Their crafted Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
shine alongside estate-grown reds — all served in a stunning canyon-adjacent setting. Don’t
miss their barrel tastings or the chance to tour the vineyard on a guided walk.
Wine tasting in Santa Barbara isn’t just sipping — it’s an experience. Many wineries in Santa Barbara county offer tours, private tastings, food pairings, and barrel samplings. Whether you’re going solo, planning a group getaway, or booking a bachelorette bash, there’s a tasting style to match your mood and palate.
Beyond the tasting rooms lie the vineyards — where the real magic happens. The combination of
canyon breezes, valley sun, and marine fog creates one of the most diverse terroirs in the
state.
“Terroir” is wine speak for the alchemy of climate, soil, and topography — and in Santa
Barbara, it’s a game-changer. From sandy riverbeds in
Happy Canyon
to limestone-rich slopes in Ballard Canyon, each plot gives grapes a distinct identity. That’s
why a Chardonnay from Santa Maria doesn’t taste like one from Sta. Rita. And that’s why you’ll
want to taste them both.
Santa Barbara wineries love to celebrate — and you’re invited.
Planning ahead = more time sipping, less time Googling.
Here’s the thing — you could cobble together a wine tour on your own, armed with Google Maps and wishful thinking... or you could let Grapeline do what we do best: make your wine tasting adventure smooth, seamless, and seriously sip-worthy.
Whether you're vibing with Los Olivos charm, Solvang’s Danish dazzle, or the cool-climate gems of Santa Maria, we’ll help you zero in on the right wine trail. Our shared wine tasting excursions offer a curated route with handpicked wineries, while our private group wine tours are tailored to your tastes, pace, and crew size.
Ideal itinerary? Think 3 to 4 wineries per day, with time for tasting flights, food pairings, and maybe even a mid-day toast to how great your day’s going. We'll build in the downtime and handle the drive — you just show up ready to swirl and smile.
Some fan-favorite stops include
Sunstone,
Fess Parker, and
Zaca Mesa.
There are more than 20,000 acres of planted vineyards and over 200 wineries across the region.
Most are within a 45-minute to 1-hour drive — perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
If you’re chasing that sweet spot of perfect weather, fewer crowds, and vineyard magic, September and October are the months to mark on your calendar. The coastal breezes are still warm, the summer tourists have thinned, and it’s peak harvest season—meaning the vineyards are alive with activity (and aromas). You'll get the golden light, the grape clusters hanging heavy on the vines, and the kind of easy-breezy wine country vibe that Santa Barbara was made for.
A weekend will give you a solid taste — pun intended. But a 3- or 4-day escape lets you
explore multiple valleys, visit more wineries, and unwind between tastings. Browse
Santa Barbara hotels and inns
to help plan your stay; there are even wine tour packages you can check out.
Prices vary based on tour type and group size. Shared tours start around $140 per person.
Private options offer flexibility — see our
Santa Barbara private wine tours
page for details. You can also select from several
wine tour gift certificates
for that special occasion.
Think wine country casual — comfortable shoes, layers for shifting temps, and sunglasses. Bonus points for a wide-brim hat and sun-safe style.
Want to know more? Check out the
Grapeline wine tour blog
for great insights and
join Club Kay to earn wine tour rewards.
