2023 Santa Barbara Wine Country Guide
Here are my suggestions for the best Hotels, Wineries, Tasting Rooms, and Restaurants in Santa Barbara Wine Country. This is an ever-growing list, so check back often and let me know if you have any favorites I need to check out.
PLACES TO STAY:
Solvang: I love Solvang so much! Solvang is a Danish village in the middle of Santa Barbara wine country. It is a trip and it’s amazing! They have Danish bakeries, stores, and windmills everywhere! They also have wine tasting rooms and a slew of bars & restaurants. So, I prefer to stay in Solvang if I am with a few friends and I know we will be interested in evening activities.
Hotel Corque ($$$): Boutique hotel, great location.
The Landsby ($$$): Bougie! They have a great restaurant - Mad & Vin which has a lounge area as well .
Vinland Hotel & Lounge ($$): Convenient location! They have a bar and a pool. *Dog-Friendly*
Wine Valley Inn & Cottages ($$): Affordable option, nightly rate includes a daily breakfast, as well as an evening wine reception. Onsite Spa!
Located directly off the 101, Buellton is a very convenient place to stay. It has some of my favorite restaurants and is a great central location to go wine tasting from – however, something to consider - it is not as walkable as Solvang & Los Alamos. If you want to partake in any nighttime festivities, you will likely have to Uber. Buellton is a great option, however, if you would prefer a quiet night at the hotel after a day of wine tasting!
Santa Ynez Valley Marriott ($$$): Modern amenities, nice pool! *Bonus: You can use Marriot (Bonvoy) points *Dog-Friendly*
Sideways Inn ($$): Convenient location right off the 101, pool! Walking distance to the Hitching Post II! *This was the hotel featured in the movie Sideways. *Dog-Friendly*
Charming! That’s the best way to describe Los Olivos. It’s just the cutest little town. You feel like you are on a movie/tv set when you are walking around. They have so many extraordinary tasting rooms and a plethora of incredible restaurants. I would recommend Los Olivos for a romantic weekend getaway rather than a place to rage with friends. I really want to live here one day, so let me know if you can arrange that!
Fess Parker Wine Country Inn ($$$$): FANCY! They have a spa and their restaurant, Nella Kitchen, is quite the hot spot.
Wow! That’s what I can say about Los Alamos! I consider it the Las Vegas of wine country. I can’t really get into the details of why, but people do love to have a good time in Los Alamos! It’s a tiny little town with (seriously) one street and an Old West vibe. But they certainly know how to pack the fun into a small area! They have so many phenomenal restaurants that you can spend a whole weekend just in Los Alamos. Los Alamos is great if you want to be within walking distance of nice restaurants, but also want a chill locale with not too many people.
Skyview ($$$) Luxury boutique hotel! Heated pool along with a full-service restaurant - Norman.
The Alamo Motel ($$): Chic roadside motel! They have the cutest beer & wine bar located right in their courtyard. *Dog-Friendly*
WINERIES & TASTING ROOMS:
Alma Rosa: Fantastic Pinot Noir & Chardonnay made by a female winemaker! They have a lovely tasting room in Buellton – but I highly recommend booking a private wine and cheese experience at their ranch house located in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills. *Favorite Wine – Bentrock Pinot Noir
Andrew Murray Vineyards: Beautiful winery located on Foxen wine trail, features Rhone varietals *Favorite Wine – Roasted Slope Syrah
Babcock: Fun tasting room/winery off Route 246 in Lompoc, Pinot heaven, great place to buy souvenirs when you are tipsy! *Favorite Wine – Ocean’s Ghost Pinot Noir
Brave & Maiden: Beautiful winery featuring Bordeaux-style wines in Santa Ynez – modern, smart space. You will want to stock up on their delicious Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc here!
Brick Barn Wine Estate: Located in Buellton – right off Route 246. Lovely outdoor space. So many great wines – love their Viognier, Grenache Rosé and of course – their Pinot and Chardonnay
Camins2Dreams: Tasting room located in Lompoc (appt only). Women owned and operated - they focus on Syrah and Grüner and make truly special wine with grapes sourced from some of the best vineyards. *Favorite Wine – Zotovich Vineyard Syrah
Coquelicot Tasting Room: Charming tasting room in Los Olivos. Certified organic winery with a unique selection of wine - need to try their Carbonic Sangiovese. *Favorite Wine – 2018 Estate Syrah
Demetria: Off the Foxen Wine Trail – Gorgeous views! Biodynamic Rhone and Burgundy wines. While they have good Pinots – I’m all about the Rhone varietals here *Favorite Wine: Pantheon (GSM)
Dovecote Estate Winery: Located in the newly minted Alisos Canyon AVA. Book a tasting at their pond – which is the most relaxing place to drink wine! I could never choose a favorite among their Syrah, Grenache Blanc, and Viognier!
Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard: Located off Foxen Canyon. Fun place to go with a group, nice outdoor location – opens early! *Favorite Wine – Big Easy (Syrah, Petite Syrah, Grenache)
Folded Hills: Located directly off the 101 Freeway in Gaviota! Great Rhone Varietals! Unique tasting experiences – including a full tour of the ranch to visit all of the animals! I love tasting down at the peaceful lake. *Favorite Wine: August Red (Syrah/Grenache)
Foxen: Located off of Foxen Canyon (obvi). Such a cool experience to taste at the “Shack”. Amazing Pinot – but also some unique varietals. *Favorite Wine: Pajarito (Petit Verdot/Merlot)
Grassini Family Vineyards: Located in the Happy Canyon AVA. Stunning place – Bordeaux Varietals. *Favorite Wine: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Grimm’s Bluff: Located in the Happy Canyon AVA. I recommend doing a full tour at the winery. Biodynamic winery. Bordeaux Varietals. *Favorite Wine: Contango Cabernet Sauvignon
Happy Canyon Vineyards: Located in the Happy Canyon AVA, they have a tasting room in Santa Barbara – but you need to taste at the vineyard – surrounded by vines and horses. Beautiful Bordeaux Blends. *Favorite Wine: Barrack Family Ten-Goal Cabernet Sauvignon
Holus Bolus: Cute tasting room in Los Olivos. High-quality, small batch wine made from Chardonnay, Roussanne, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. *Favorite Wine: Amy and Peter Made This, Pinot Noir
Kaena: They have a tasting room in Los Olivos – but I recommend visiting their beautiful ranch location in Solvang (make sure to visit the goats!) Kaena is a boutique winery that makes fabulous Grenache – but you also need to try their Bordeaux options. *Favorite Wine: 2019 Cuvée Lucille (Grenache/Syrah)
Liquid Farm: With a Tasting Room in Los Olivos, Liquid Farm produces fantastic Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They allow their wine to develop with little intervention and no winery manipulation. *Favorite Wine: Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir
Peake Ranch: Located in the Sta. Rita Hills – fairly new tasting room – very modern. Lovely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. *Favorite Wine: Bellis Noir (Grenache, Syrah, Pinot Noir)
Pence Vineyards: Located off Rte. 246 Beautiful Tasting experiences, great Pinot and Chard – but also try the Syrah! They have the cutest dogs and you may also have a peacock sighting there. *Favorite Wine: Sebastiano Syrah
Melville: Further down Rte. 246 from Pence. Estate winery, bougie tasting room! Fantastic Pinot Noir! *Favorite Wine: Anna’s Block Estate Pinot Noir
Roblar Winery: Located in Santa Ynez, Roblar offers a wide variety of wines! They have Bordeaux blends, Sangiovese, GSMs, everything! They also have a talented chef who has created a fabulous Sunday Brunch menu so you can enjoy brunch favorites in their beautiful outdoor space. *Favorite Wine: Sangre de Dioses (Blend of Sangiovese, Grenache, Cabernet)
Sanford Winery: Iconic Sta. Rita Hills winery. Gorgeous location! Famous for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. *Favorite Wine: Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir
Spear: Located on Rte. 246. Family-owned, sustainable, and organic winery. *Favorite Wine: Gnesa Vineyard Stainless Chardonnay
Story of Soil: Women-owned winery with a wonderful tasting room located in Los Olivos. Focus is on single varietal and single vineyard wines. They have a beautiful selection of Pinot Noir, but they also make a lovely Grüner that I am quite fond of. *Favorite Wine: La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir
Tribute to Grace: Small tasting room in Los Alamos, all wines are single-vineyard 100% Grenache made by a super talented female winemaker. *Favorite Wine: Whole Cluster Grenache
Tyler Winery: Located on Rte. 246 in Sta. Rita Hills, beautiful Chardonnay & Pinot Noir – book a private tasting at their Mae Vineyard Estate. *Favorite Wine: Mae Estate Chardonnay
RESTAURANTS:
Buellton:
Industrial Eats ($$): Truly a lunchtime gem! Amazing Pizzas, Salads, and Sandwiches. *Favorite Dish: Prosciutto, Taleggio, Parmesan, Arugula Pizza
Hitching Post Tasting Room ($$): Favorite lunch spot – perfect outdoor place for delicious burgers and wine! *Favorite Dish: Oak Grilled Cheeseburger
Hitching Post ($$$): Yes – Hitching Post again – but this is the indoor restaurant – and for dinner! Fantastic steaks and wine! One of the few places I order dessert as well (the chocolate cake & ice cream!) $$$
Los Alamos:
Bell’s ($$$$): French-inspired Bistro - perfect for lunch or dinner! This place is special and has a Michelin star! *Favorite Dish: Santa Barbara Sea Urchin Mille Crêpe (add the Caviar – trust me)
Bob’s Well Bread ($): Perfect breakfast spot – their bread/pastries are divine! Perfect lunch sandwiches! *Favorite Dish: Baguette, Prosciutto and Egg Sandwich
Pico ($$$): Open for dinner each night and Brunch on the weekends. Farm-to-table restaurant. Fantastic cocktails! *Favorite Dish: Steak Frites
Los Olivos:
Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café ($$): Love this place for lunch!! (it’s open for dinner too) Extensive wine list. Nice patio seating. *Favorite Dish: Steak Cobb
Mattei’s Tavern ($$$$): New spot in town open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. This place has so much history and a ranch-inspired menu. Amazing wine list and beautiful open kitchen that is helmed by the uber-talented Chef Rhoda Magbitang. *Favorite Dish: Tavern Strip Steak
Nella ($$$): Hot Spot! Italian-inspired dishes. Phenomenal Cocktails! They have an assortment of Roman style Pinsas that are all delicious!
Solvang:
First & Oak ($$$): Located in the Mirabelle Inn. Intimate patio seating *Favorite Dish: Duck Wings (Smoked Sweet and Spicy, Chile & Peach Agrodolce, Fresh Chives)
Mad & Vin ($$$): Located in the The Landsby hotel. Open for Breakfast, Brunch, and Dinner. Wine-country inspired cuisine *Favorite Dish: Short Rib Breakfast Burrito
Solvang Restaurant ($): Super-charming! My favorite breakfast spot in wine country! *Favorite Dish: Aebleskiver
