I've been visiting Santa Barbara for years from Los Angeles, going at least once a month at one time. The smoothies, healthy food, bike rides, the beach, and lazy lifestyle are a draw for a nice getaway.
Today, I'm learning what it takes to go for a day and discover downtown Santa Barbara wines all within walking distance. When businesses open up and you're comfortable getting back on the train, a day trip from Los Angeles on the train is even more fun and might just be the ticket for you! I can even tell you which car to sit in for the best ride if you ask. However, this time Richard and I drove.
Santa Barbara 2019
If you’re just slightly familiar with Santa Barbara, you know that there are different neighborhoods that differ when it comes to wine tastings. Some neighborhoods you’ll only find one tasting room. I’ve only tried the wines in the downtown (Presidio), Funk Zone and Midtown neighborhoods. I’m very familiar with Goleta but I’ve never been to that wine tasting room.
Here are my recommendations based on wine, atmosphere, and location if you’re trying to decide where to go for wine tasting.
For the Best Wine:
For wine drinkers who are more serious and are typically looking to collect wines from the area, the Presidio neighborhood is for you and right across the street from “the Paseo” where there are many different restaurants and main shops.
In this neighborhood, Grassini Family Vineyards tasting room is an amazing find. As we walked towards our reservation, I even heard someone mentioning nice things about their wines. (Reservations are required right now during COVID-19 for most tasting rooms. Please inquire before stopping by.)
Grassini Family Vineyards Tasting Patio Area
Grassini, tucked away in these hacienda hallways, is where you’ll find their prized Estate Merlot that is truly exceptional. Their Merlot grape production is kept as their single 93 point rating wine. You’ll find their vineyard in the Happy Canyon AVA which has private tours, a pond, a picnic area and more tastings. They also seem to be a visit to experience for the whole day.
Another great winery in the Presidio neighborhood is Au Bon Climat, a boutique winery with artisan wine. Their production is from small lots and are crafted wines. Some of their wines are also maintained in barrels for 5 years - as long as they need to be.
We just had their 2017 Tocai Fruilano Borgo Buon Natale that we picked up for $18 and I have to say, it was truly a nice crafted wine; elegant and in my opinion, a very well (or crafted) wine. I told Richard it seemed like a high-end wine.
Carr Winery in Midtown Santa Barbara is another winery where each of their wines are from different vineyards they manage and they’re really fabulous. It’s a great place to try specific different vineyards from Santa Ynez in one place. From Rosé to Cabernet Franc to Sangiovese all from selected vineyards that are serviced by Carr Vineyards Inc.
Carr Winery also has a refill program if you return their wine growler bottle which makes for a keepsake to chill water in too. We had their 2017 Il Padrino bottled one year ago on 8/24/19 which is unfortunately no longer available right now. However, they have a 2018 vintage for $30 that you can get refilled for $25. And right now they’re open.
Carr Winery’s outdoor patio allows you to taste their wines outside even though they have a fantastic indoor wine room. I found some of their wines at a local store just yesterday but if you want a taste of different vineyards from this region, this winery has it.
The Miramar Rosewood Resort in Montecito just south of downtown. A comfortable vibe on the ocean.
For Best Atmosphere:
Well this depends. If you’re looking to have a good time in the downtown area with vibrant music and outdoor foods to resemble an outdoor festival, the Funk Zone is where you want to be. There are not only wine tastings but beer tastings, a butcher with food to pair your drinks with, and spirits. There are also “funky”artisanal and antique shops to stroll through between tastings that I found expensive but fun to stroll through and just admire the great collections. (Sorry, the only photos I have are with girlfriends and of course, I just can’t post any of those photos;)
The wines in this neighborhood are an evolution so if you’re not looking to add wines to your extensive library den collection but just want to sip and enjoy, labels like Area 51, Santa Barbara Wine Collective and Municipal Winemakers is just the ticket. The labels to the wines in this area are colorful and a fun buy to take on a picnic. For a steakhouse dinner, maybe not so much but who’s judging?
For Best Location:
The train is one of Santa Barbara’s best coastal-town feature making it so accessible. I love this man!
Depending on where you’re staying or driving, there are a lot of wineries within walking distance in Downtown Santa Barbara and can be done by foot. However, this can done by completing 10,000 steps before having to walk back to the train station.
If you’re staying in town and you have the time to walk around for 2 days, you can walk to at least the 3 main neighborhoods; the Funk Zone, Presidio and Midtown neighborhoods.
If you have one day and you’re arriving by train, I would recommend walking towards the Presidio neighborhood before walking back to the Fun Zone for dinner and music. You’re right there to hop back on the train. The location of this Fun Zone being adjacent to the train station is perfect for that.
Foxen Canyon Road in the Santa Ynez Valley - one of the best scenic drives in California.
Another idea is to drive about 45 min north to the Santa Ynez Valley and visit the small quaint towns of Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton and Santa Ynez. Visit a winery, have a picnic, go fishing and just enjoy the feel of a smaller town while popping into the wineries. This is outside any of the zones in Santa Barbara and as Richard got frustrated with the Funk zone not being his cup of tea, we decided to just get back in the car and drive north.
However, realizing it was another 45 minutes north of Los Angeles from where we were driving from for the day, we turned back around and hung out in the Downtown zone.
And I’m glad we did!