Jun 28 2010
The Wineries of Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara California, located nearly 90 miles to the north of Los Angeles , is surely one of the most beautiful cities in the state . Besides sweeping panaramas of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara provides visitors access to the fantastic wineries located in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley, in the southern end of the Central Coast viticultural region.
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.
