29 / SANTA BARBARA WINE COUNTRY
Take it EASY
( 1 ) Plan ahead. Map out a route, checking tasting room hours. The two wineries you’d most like to visit may be 50 miles apart. You’ll also notice that some wineries house their tasting rooms in our small towns while others have chosen retail wine bars and shops to be their official tasting rooms, so your favorites may be right next door to each other. Whether its 50 miles or 50 feet, remember: four or five wineries is still a full day. Most tasting rooms charge for sampling wines. ( 2 ) There is usually something special happening in wine country year round. Check the Association web site for a listing of events at sbcountywines.com. ( 3 ) Please drive carefully and courteously. The pace here is a little slower, so relax and enjoy the drive. It’s part of the experience. There’s no telling when a covey of quail will dart across the road. ( 4 ) A designated driver is encouraged to ensure safety on the road. Over-imbibers will not be served, even if you’re not driving. It’s the law. There are many transportation companies throughout Santa Barbara Wine Country if you prefer to leave the driving to someone else. ( 5 ) Gas up before you head out to the country. It may be a long distance between service stations. With that in mind, you may want to bring a picnic lunch. Most wineries do not serve food, but many have beautiful picnic areas. There are also wonderful places to dine in town, some with outdoor seating. ( 6 ) An overnight stay is always recommended. There are a lot of places to stay when you visit Santa Barbara County – from hotels on the beach, to spa resorts in the countryside to places in town.
VINEYARDS
Great wine starts in the vineyard with great grapes. Blessed with excellent climate, soil and topography, and guided by their care and concern for the land, Santa Barbara County’s winegrowers bring modern growing methods to the age-old art of viticulture, producing some of the finest wine grapes in the world. Allan Hancock College Vineyard
A student vineyard in the Los Alamos Valley researching clones and rootstocks. www.hancockcollege.edu BIEN NACIDO VINEYARDS/SOLOMON HILLS VINEYARDS CENTRAL COAST WINE SERVICES
Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Merlot, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Pinot Gris, Roussanne, and Tocai Friulano. nmiller@nbcsb.com or www.biennacidovineyards.com Black Oak Vineyard
Syrah in the Los Alamos Valley. megreev@hotmail.com BRAVE & MAIDEN ESTATE
Premium quality grapes sustainably farmed. Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Verdot & Syrah. www.braveandmaiden.com DUVARITA Vineyard
We are a family owned, sustainably grown vineyard between La Purisima Mission and the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Our sandy hillsides are perfect for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. duvarita@gmail.com Fe Ciega Vineyard
Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills. bhklehn@earthlink.net HIGHLAND OAKS VINEYARD
Densely planted, hand harvested & field blended. Viognier, Syrah & Grenache thrive on a steep hillside that mimics the Northern Rhône Valley. info@highlandoaksvineyard.com Honea Vineyards
Santa Ynez Valley Arneis, Barbera, Dolcetto, Lagrein, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friulano and Sangiovese. www.honeavineyards.com MOUNT CARMEL
Planted in 1990 as one of the first in this area, these vines are stressed on steep, south facing slopes in limestone and botella clay. Consistantly producing remarkable fruit, the Piazza family currently sells exclusivly to Brewer-Clifton Winery. ronaldjpiazza@aol.com RANCHO BOA VISTA
Vineyard is certified organic and produces Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Petite Syrah & Sryah. SEA SMOKE
Estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine from the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. For more information, visit www.seasmoke.com. SIERRA MADRE VINEYARD
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. www.sierramadrevineyard.com