Wineries Santa Ynez Valley
Since missionaries planted the first grapes here in the early 19th century, through Prohibition to the “modern” era of viticulture that began in the 1960s, Santa Barbara County winemakers have combined traditional, handmade techniques with the latest cutting- edge innovations.
The region is known especially for its outstanding chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah, but also produces superior riesling, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, viognier and many other varietals in more than 70 vineyards. The majority are small operations run by individuals or families.
In Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley is one of three distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), also known as wine appellations—the other two are Santa Maria Valley and Santa (Sta.) Rita Hills—together comprising more than 21,000 acres of vineyards producing more than a million cases of wine annually. The regions east-west orientation of the coastal mountains forms valleys opening directly to the Pacific Ocean. This unique topography allows the flow of fog and sea breezes to shape distinct microclimates, perfect for the cultivation of classic grape varietals resulting in world-class wines.
Area wineries welcome visitors yearround either at the winery or in tasting rooms located throughout the valley. It is easy and fun to do self-directed wine tours or enjoy guided tours in jeeps, vans, limousines or private sedans provided by local companies. For maps and complete information on current vintners, events, winemaker dinners and festivals, contact Santa Barbara County Vintners Association (688-0881, http://www.sbcountywines.com/ Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association (800- 563-3183, http://www.santaynezwinecountry.com/ Foxen Canyon Wine Trail ( www.foxencanyonwinetrail.com ) or Sta. Rita Hills Wine Growers Alliance (www.staritahills. com).
Anthony Dias Blue, Bon Appetit magazines tasting panel director and one of the most influential food and wine critics in the US, had this to say about Santa Barbara Countys wine valleys: “One of Californias most beautiful and exciting viticultural regions lies just 90 minutes north of the seemingly endless urban sprawl of Los Angeles. Santa Barbara is making some of the most thrilling wines in America. From oceancooled valleys to stark mountain vineyards; from racy syrah to velvety pinot noir to the prospect of great cabernet; from rustic ranchers to reclusive celebrities— if any wine region can have it all, its Santa Barbara.”
3555 Roblar Avenue Santa Ynez CA 93460
Tel: 805-688-9000 Toll-Free: 1-800-467-4100 Fax: 805-688-2443
Bridlewood Winery is the Central Coast's most beautiful winery. Come and taste our large stable of Gold Medal award winning wines. Enjoy your visit and stay for a picnic lunch amid the scenic beauty of Santa Ynez Valley. Tours by appointment and tasting daily from 10-5
Casa Cassara WineryP.O. Box 2007
Buellton CA 93427
Tel: 805 688 8691 Fax: 805 693 1121
Casa Cassara Winery sits in the heart of the Santa Rita Hills between Lompoc and Buellton. We passionately make artisan style wines which radiate into Gold medals at every turn. Wines are very limited in production. Give us a call to find them or stop by our official tasting room at the Olive House, 1661 Mission Drive, Solvang. Please look for updates of our winery building progress on our web site.
Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards Tasting Room1645 Copenhagen Drive
Solvang CA 93463
Tel: 805-686-9336 Toll-Free: 1-888-777-6663
1665 Copenhagen Drive
Solvang CA 93463
Tel: 805-686-5506
1562 Alamo Pintado Road
Solvang CA 93463
Tel: 805-688-0717 Fax: 805-688-8048
Tasting room and sales: Open Daily from 11 am until 5 pm We invite you to visit our charming Tasting Room and Winery for the most incredible wine tasting experience in the valley. Set amidst ancient oaks in a historic 1884 two-story Adobe home, as you enter our tasting room, you will feel as though you have stepped back in time to a place that has captured the feel of New Orleans and our owner's Creole heritage. The staff at Rideau Vineyard invites you to visit us and enjoy our award-winning handcrafted wines and experience our warm Southern Hospitality. Check our web site for a current Calendar of Events at www.rideauvineyard.com
Royal Oaks Winery & Tasting Room1651 Copenhagen Drive
Solvang CA 93463
Tel: (805) 693-1740 Fax: (805) 693-1568
One of the Valley's best kept secrets. A boutique winery known for its handcrafted wines at reasonable prices, we offer wines for every palate. Filtered and low in tannins, the wines are elegant and complex. Visit our charming Tasting Room in Solvang. 1651 Copenhagen Dr. 805-693-1740 www.royaloakswinery.com
Sanford Winery & Vineyards7250 Santa Rosa Road
Buellton CA 93427
Tel: 805-688-3300 Toll-Free: 1-800-426-9463 Fax: 805-688-7381
Focused excellence in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay since 1981, Sanford Winery is located 5 miles west of Highway 101 in Buellton, in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. This cool, western most part of the Santa Ynez Valley is ideal for the growing of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, resulting in wines of extraordinary balance and depth. Visitors are welcome to our rustic, creek-side tasting room. Open daily 11:00 to 4:00. Groups of 10 or more by appointment only.
Santa Barbara County Vintners AssociationP.O. Box 1558
Santa Ynez CA 93460
Tel: 805-688-0881 Fax: 805-686-5881
Sponsors of the annual Spring Vintners Festival and Fall Harvest Festival
Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country AssociationP.O. Box 1740
Santa Ynez CA 93460
Toll-Free: 1-800-563-3183 Fax: 805-686-4269
The Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association was founded in 1993 and is comprised of 13 premium wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. Each year the Association sponsors 4 Passport events and 2 Winery Dinners. The events they host build awareness and provide opportunities for consumers to sample the delicious varietals of the Valley.
Sunstone Vineyards & Winery125 North Refugio Road, P.O. Box 1747
Santa Ynez CA 93460
Tel: 805-688-WINE Toll-Free: 1-800-313-WINE Fax: 805-686-1881
Sunstone's organic vineyards and old world tasting room are located on a sun-colored stone embankment overlooking the Santa Ynez River, where you can sample ultra-premium, handcrafted wines. Enjoy your al fresco picnic surrounded by French country ambiance and picturesque scenery. Join Sunstone in celebrating food, wine, family and friends.
Tastes of the Valleys1672 Mission Drive
Solvang CA 93463
Tel: 805-688-7111
Hand-picked wines from boutique producers in "Sideways Country", wines like Ambullneno, Au Bon Climat, Qupe, J. Wilkes, Costa de Oro and Nonno Zito to name but a few. Buy a taste, a glass, a bottle or a case! Adding to the Valley's nightlife, we are open for after dinner tastings. When it comes to wine, we're serious. We're fun. We're serious fun.
Daniel Gehrs Wines2939 Grand Ave.
Los Olivos 805-693-9686
The Daniel Gehrs Wines label was founded in 1990 with production of only 1,000 cases. Although our production increased to 7,500 cases in 2001, the focus remains the same: creating small lots of high quality wines, offered at reasonable prices.
Stolpman Vineyards1659-C Copenhagen Dr.
Solvang
805-688-0400
The vineyards at the Stolpman estate enjoy the warm days and cool nights of Ballard Canyon, which lies 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara County, on California's Central Coast. The combination of climate, southern exposure, and limestone soils makes for a unique terroir suited to growing Syrah, Sangiovese, and Roussanne.
Buttonwood Farm Winery1500 Alamo Pintado Rd.
Solvang
805-688-3032
The warm and sunny setting of our Tasting Room beckons you to taste our wines, relax and sit on the patio or stroll through our garden. There is a $7.50 tasting fee which includes a Riedel crystal stem. Currently we offer samples of Sauvignon Blanc, Devin , Merlot, Hawk Red, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Although we don't pour daily samples of Syrah- Cabernet or Trevin they are available for sale. Visit us at 1500 Alamo Pintado Road daily from 11:00 to 5:00.