Central Coast wines, especially the ones produced in the Santa Barbara area , have steadily gained recognition and rave reviews from experts such as Robert Parker for their consistent excellence . But it is not only the quality of the wine that has been improved , there has also been enormous growth in the number of wineries in the locale . Santa Barbara County now is the home of over 200 wineries, in four federally approved appellations : Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria Valley. The sheer variety of wine makers presents a conundrum for the wine tourer : with so many wineries to select from, which ones are the best to visit?

To narrow things down a bit, Santa Ynez Valley is the best of the four appellations for a wine tasting tour because it has the highest density of wineries and is located the closest to the city of Santa Barbara–by far the most civilized place to stay in the area .

For more than a few , the 2004 road film Sideways put the Santa Ynez Valley on the map. There is even a literal “Sideways map,” available online or from the local tourist information office, which guides you to all of the wineries, bars, and restaurants that Miles and Jack made on their crazy road trip of wine tasting and midlife angst. But, even though the Sideways locations made for exciting theater and cinematography, it doesn’t follow that they are the best places to satisfy your craving for great wines.

So, If you are eager to slake your thirst with the great wines the area has , who should you turn to for tips on which wineries pour out the most impressive libations ? The most likely individual, of course , would be a well-versed native . By happenstance , I happen to be familiar with just such an individual . It just so happens that my father–for quite a few years the president of the Santa Barbara Wine Society–has been visiting the area’s wineries to imbibe their product for the past 45 years, during which time the Santa Barbara wine industry grew from practicaly nonexistent to being the wine lover’s mecca it is today. His recommendations follow :

“The very best winery in Santa Barbara city is Jaffurs Wine Cellars, on Montecito Street near Milpas. It is kind of funky, but they make truly great syrah and you will often be able to talk to the winemakers. The rest are over in Santa Ynez Valley, and for ambiance and good wine I would recommend Gainey Vineyards (both reds and whites), Sunstone Winery (reds), Blackjack Ranch Vineyards (reds), and Rideau Vineyard (reds and whites). These wineries are all situated within reasonable proximity of each other. The best places for wine and a picnic are Beckman Vineyards (reds) and Rideau. I would suggest Kalyra (reds and whites) in the valley (it’s near Sunstone) to the younger set because it’s fun, but a bit noisy. For someone who wants to drive farther out, I would recommend Brander Vineyard (whites), Curtis Winery (whites), Fess Parker Winery (reds and whites), and Zaca Mesa (reds).”

For more free and impartial information about Beautiful Santa Barbara California, its wineries, attractions, restaurants, hotels and wine country tours, click on the link.

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Italian Star

Pinot Bianco 2007 and Pinot Grigio 2007 – Terlano TerlanoCantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinor Grigio 2007From vineyards at between 250-300 m on gravel and sandy clay soils this is a Pinot Grigio to banish memories of thin tasteless versions of this wine so often encountered. A fruity bouquet of ripe honeydew melon with a soft full palate balanced with a long clean fresh finish.Pinor Bianco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 44.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 20.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano Now

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano x2

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 38.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano x2 Now

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Grigio – Terlano x2

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Grigio 2007From vineyards at between 250-300 m on gravel and sandy clay soils this is a Pinot Grigio to banish memories of thin tasteless versions of this wine so often encountered. A fruity bouquet of ripe honeydew melon with a soft full palate balanced with a long clean fresh finish.
Price: GBP 39.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Grigio – Terlano x2 Now

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Italian Star

Pinot Bianco 2007 and Pinot Grigio 2007 – Terlano TerlanoCantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinor Grigio 2007From vineyards at between 250-300 m on gravel and sandy clay soils this is a Pinot Grigio to banish memories of thin tasteless versions of this wine so often encountered. A fruity bouquet of ripe honeydew melon with a soft full palate balanced with a long clean fresh finish.Pinor Bianco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 44.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – Italian Star Now

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano x2

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 38.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano x2 Now

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano x3

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 49.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano x3 Now

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Grigio – Terlano x2

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Grigio 2007From vineyards at between 250-300 m on gravel and sandy clay soils this is a Pinot Grigio to banish memories of thin tasteless versions of this wine so often encountered. A fruity bouquet of ripe honeydew melon with a soft full palate balanced with a long clean fresh finish.
Price: GBP 39.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Grigio – Terlano x2 Now

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 20.99

Please click here to order Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano Now