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Mar 13, 2024 · Kunin Wines. Tying much of recent Santa Barbara wine history together is Kunin Wines. Founded a quarter-century ago by the late Seth Kunin, who died in 2017, it was one of the first tasting rooms in the Funk Zone, the first production winery in Goleta and then one of the first to be booted from the Funk Zone when the ‘hood got popular.
Founded in 1962, Santa Barbara Winery was the area’s first winery since Prohibition, and it remains a hotbed of activity today. But you’ll find plenty of others as well, from recognizable labels to passionate upstarts. Within the city, working wineries reveal that the art of making wine here is a very personal pursuit.
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Santa Barbara wine country offers the wine-curious traveler an authentic experience all its own. Diversity is what defines the authentic vibe of the Santa Barbara wine experience. Amidst a buzzing downtown scene, the urban wine trail is electric, with dozens of tasting rooms and working wineries peppering the city.
- From Ocean to Mountains: A Journey Through Santa Barbara County’s Seven AVAs. Santa Barbara County is home to seven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and nine wine trails!
- Santa Maria Valley. The Santa Maria Valley straddles the boundary of Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. It’s the Central Coast’s oldest wine growing region and home to some of the state’s most historic wines, so to really soak it all in, I suggest trying out the Santa Maria Wine Trolley.
- Santa Rita Hills. Because of its proximity to the coast, this unique growing region sees fog-laden mornings, and sunny afternoons punctuated by a cool ocean breeze.
- Happy Canyon. Found in the easternmost part of the Santa Ynez Valley, Happy Canyon is actually the warmest microclimate in the valley. Because the soils are low in nutrients, you’ll find smaller vines but high quality wine grapes.
- Alma Rosa. Richard Sanford was among the first to extol the virtues of the cool-climate Pinots and Chardonnays from Santa Rita Hills, and his deft touch is still evident in these lovely wines, though Alma Rosa was sold to the Zorich family in 2014.
- Babcock. Hippest tasting room ever? Babcock's hangar-sized "retro-rock-and-roll" venue in Lompoc is chockablock with vintage photos, antler chandeliers, mid-century furnishings, board games, and a party atmosphere.
- Brewer-Clifton. Brewer-Clifton's site-specific Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are critical darlings and consumer favorites, and some of them may be challenging to find in some states, giving all the more reason to stop by and experience them right here.
- Dierberg/Star Lane. Dierberg and Star Lane wines are excellent any time you pop a cork, but even more so when savored in the chic, barn-like setting of the Sta.
Jan 23, 2024 · Established: 2009. Wine Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Grenache. Overview: Over on the east side of the Santa Ynez Valley, Happy Canyon is the warmest and sunniest region in Santa Barbara County. This makes it a great spot for warmer-climate varieties.
Brick Barn has one of the best white wine-tasting lineups in Santa Barbara. Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Albarino are all on the menu. That's a dream come true for serious white lovers. And there is a very solid Chardonnay to round out your tasting. Click Here To Reserve Your Brick Barn Tasting.
