Santa Barbara’s Wine Country

Santa Barbara California, located about 90 miles north on the Ventura Freeway from L.A. , is said to be one of the most scenic cities in the state . Besides unparalleled panaramas of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara offers imbibers access to the quality wineries located in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley, in the southern end of the Central Coast viticultural region.

Central Coast wines, especially those of the Santa Barbara area , have steadily won recognition and favor for their constantly improving quality . But it is not only the quality of the wine that has been raised , there has also been a dramatic increase in the number of wineries in the locale . Santa Barbara County now is the home of over 200 wineries, in four distinct appellations : Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria Valley. The vast variety of wineries presents a problem to solve for the visitor : with so many wineries to chose 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 nearest to the city of Santa Barbara– undoubtedly the most comfortable place to stay in the region .

For a large number of movie goers , the 2004 film Sideways put the Santa Ynez Valley on the map. There is even an actual “Sideways map,” available online or from the local tourist information office, which guides you to all of the locations that Miles and Jack made on their desperate road trip of wine tasting and midlife angst. But, even though the Sideways locations made for great theater and cinematography, they are not necessarily the most favorable places to satisfy your craving for smashing wines.

So, If you are eager to wet your whistle with the great wines the area can offer , who should you turn to for tips on which wineries pour out the most satisfying libations ? The most likely informant , without doubt , would be a knowledgeable inhabitant of the local area . As luck would have it , I happen to be on excellent terms with just such an individual . By a happy coincidence, 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 local wine industry grew from insignificance to being the wine lover’s mecca it is at present. 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 impressive 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 suggest 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 somebody 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).”

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