We hear a lot of glowing reports coming from America's developing wine regions. Willamette Valley, Walla Walla, Sonoma Coast, and Paso Robles come immediately to mind. These are regions that have produced spectacular wines over the past decade or two and are on track to being compared to Napa Valley, Médoc, and the Côte d'Or.
Santa Barbara County is a rising star as well. But unlike most well-known wine touring regions, Santa Barbara County does not boast a single large producer whose products are nationally distributed. This is the land of "boutique" wineries with over-the-top wines, low production, and friendly tasting rooms. Yes, there are large wineries in other regions that have substantial vineyard holdings in Santa Barbara County, but the local wineries there are small and quality oriented.
The vineyard areas are largely in two places: the Santa Ynez Valley (with two appellations) and the Santa Maria Valley to the north. Both these valleys are west-east in orientation and enjoy various amounts of ocean influence. The Santa Ynez Valley enjoys a cool marine climate in the west, where Pinot Noir rules the roost; but the eastern end is Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, and Cabernet country. The Santa Maria Valley is noted for its excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Santa Barbara Wine Trails
There are three "wine trails" in the county. Each offers a spectrum of excellent regional wines and comfortable tasting experiences.
This drive takes you past seven great wineries: Mosby, Sanford, Babcock, Foley, Alma Rosa, Melville and Lafond. Dierberg Winery just opened a new tasting room on nearby Drum Canyon Road. Mosby is a pioneer in Italian varietals and offers rare wines that are hard to find elsewhere: Lagrein, Teroldego, Nebbiolo and others. The other wineries on the La Purisima Wine Trail specialize in Pinot Noir, being in the highly acclaimed Santa Rita Hills appellation, home to some of California's finest examples. This route takes you through some of California's most scenic wine country. The round trip from Buellton (US 101) will occupy a full day. Have lunch in Lompoc or, better yet, picnic at one of the wineries' lovely picnic areas.
This route lies at the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley (known locally as mid-valley) between the quaint Danish town of Solvang and rural/upscale Los Olivos. Here you will find a close assemblage of many of Santa Barbara's better known wineries: Brander, Gainey, Beckman, Foley, Rideau and around ten others. Rideau Winery offers Creole-style hospitality, superb wines, and graciously manicured grounds for a picnic. The Brander Winery will introduce you to some of America's most distinguished Sauvignon Blancs. Since there are so many wineries here, you'll have to narrow your visit down to a manageable number. You'll want to plan some time to stroll around Solvang and perhaps enjoy a Danish lunch.
The wineries here are more spread out, but the drive from Los Olivos to the Santa Maria Mesa will charm you. Excellent wineries abound in this region. Don't miss rustic Foxen Winery, about midway on the trail. Here you will experience some of the finest wines Santa Barbara County has to offer, served up in a rustic barn. Further north, you might visit historic Rancho Sisquoc which offers sweeping views of the Santa Maria Valley. Then on to the big wineries: Byron and Cambria up on the mesa. Bedford Thompson and Cottonwood Canyon are off the beaten path but well worth visiting. The Foxen Canyon wineries offer a fairly full spectrum of wines, but are especially noted for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
A great way to experience the wines of Santa Barbara County in one place is to attend the annual Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival, held each year at River Park in Lompoc. The date for 2008 is April 19 and the tasting runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Most Santa Barbara wineries pour at this outdoor riverside event and you are given a chance to chat with winemakers and sample the products of nearly a hundred wineries in a park setting. The Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival was rated by Los Angeles company BizBash as #3 in the Top Ten Food and Wine events in all of Southern California.
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