Santa Barbara wine tasting spans coastal tasting rooms, downtown cellars and sprawling vineyards in Santa Ynez and Santa Maria. Whether you’re into self-guided sips or curated tours, this guide breaks down three distinct ways to experience Santa Barbara wine country.
Santa barbara’s Urban Wine Trail
“Urban” in Santa Barbara speak really refers to “in town,” be it Montecito, the waterfront, downtown or Goleta. Several tour companies lead guided tours of the more than 30 urban wineries, but they’re also easily experienced “a la carte” via the Urban Wine Trail.
Not sure where to start? The Valley Project in the Funk Zone is a great place to literally get the lay of the land with a tasting structured around Santa Barbara County’s six American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Visit neighboring Fox Wine Co. for a trio of tasting menus highlighting small lot, limited quantity wines.
If you’re sightseeing downtown, stop into Au Bon Climat, Loubud Wines and Jamie Slone Wines for the quintessential Santa Barbara paseo experience. In the more industrial part of town near Milpas, the Carr Winery Barrel Room is a lively social spot with a stellar patio for day and evening tasters to enjoy. Less than three blocks away, Jaffurs Wine Cellars makes some of the smoothest syrah around. And when in the Good Land (a.k.a. Goleta), beeline for SAMsARA.
wine tours in the sANTA YNEZ VALLEY
Exploring Santa Barbara wine country is seamless with several trusted tour companies offering curated routes, expert guides and easy transportation into the Santa Ynez Valley. Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours is a longstanding favorite, known for its wine and cupcake pairings and flexible wine country shuttle with free time in Los Olivos.
Rooted Vine Tours provides boutique, sommelier-guided experiences that spotlight small-production wineries and regional terroir. Sustainable Wine Tours focuses on private and small-group visits to organic, biodynamic and low-intervention estates that aren’t open to the general public.
For highly customized days, Destination Vine crafts private, personalized itineraries tailored to guest tastes and preferred wine styles. Coastal Concierge offers fully customized outings with luxury transportation and flexible scheduling, ideal for groups, celebrations and travelers wanting a seamless, door-to-door experience. Together, these operators offer a range of ways to experience the Santa Ynez Valley, one sip at a time.
Santa Maria Valley Tasting Rooms
The Travel Channel may have named Santa Maria Valley among the “Top 10 Destination for Wine Snobs,” but you won’t find an ounce of snobbery here. The Santa Maria region — Santa Barbara Wine Country’s northernmost AVA — could not be more friendly and laid back. Think denim, cowboy boots, amazing tri-tip barbecue joints and welcoming locals. Santa Maria also happens to be home to some of the oldest and revered vineyards on the Central Coast. It’s renowned for its pinot noir, chardonnay and syrah varietals. The region’s 30-plus tasting rooms, including Presqu’ile and Riverbench, present an enticing mix of rural wineries and in-town tasting rooms in Orcutt.
what to know about santa barbara wine
What are the best wineries in Santa Barbara for first-time visitors?
Top valley picks include Sunstone, Zaca Mesa and Melville, known for scenic estates and standout Rhône and pinot varietals. Fess Parker, Folded Hills and Buttonwood also offer approachable tastings with beautiful vineyard views. For those staying in town, Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail makes it easy to sample the region’s best without leaving the city. Try Grassini, Pali Wine Co. and Margerum Wine Company, all offering a taste of Santa Barbara wine country right in the heart of downtown.
When is the best time for wine tasting in Santa Barbara County?
Fall (September through November) is ideal during harvest season, while winter and early spring offer quieter, more relaxed visits.
Can I go wine tasting in Santa Barbara without a car?
Yes. Downtown’s Urban Wine Trail is walkable, and guided wine tours make it easy to explore valley wineries car-free.
