 Frequently-Asked Questions
Trip Tips
Plan your visit: Don’t spend your visit circling the
50 miles of Santa Barbara Wine Country- Use our online maps
and searchable database to select a route of wine tasting just
for you! There are no restaurants at the tasting rooms, so
plan to have lunch in town or pack a picnic. Even if the wineries
you choose are close to one another, tasting at four wineries
is a full day. Consider spending one day in one area and another
elsewhere. You ’ll have a much more enjoyable trip.
How do I go about planning a day for a large group in wine
country?
First, select a wine tasting route. Next you will
want to check with each winery on the route for their group
policy. Most require reservations for groups of 8 or more.
When should I buy festival or event tickets and make hotel
reservations?
You’ll want to book several months in advance
on holiday and festival weekends or in the busy summer
season.
What is the best time of year to visit?
Santa Barbara County
is gorgeous year round! In January and February, you’ll
see pruning, and in the springtime its bud break. Summertime
is a bit more crowded with visitors, and fall is a great
time to get in on the harvest action.
What about major holidays?
Generally wineries are closed the day of major holidays
(Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day,
New Years Day, Easter Sunday) and are open with regular
hours year
round. To be sure to avoid being disappointed, after
choosing a wine tasting route, contact your “can’t
miss” wineries.
How far is wine country from the city of Santa Barbara?
The
City of Santa Barbara has winery production and tasting
rooms but these are not in vineyard settings. Santa Ynez Valley
is
approximately 45 minutes from Santa Barbara via Route
154 and 1 hour via Highway 101. Santa Maria Valley is past
Santa Ynez
Valley which translates to a little over an hour’s drive
from Santa Barbara.
Can I bring my pets?
Wineries love pets
and often have their own, but most do not allow visitor
pets on their grounds
and in their tasting rooms. After selecting a route,
contact those
wineries on the selected route for their pet policies.
There are various pet lodges in the area: River Edge
Pet Lodge (Lompoc-
(805) 740-1000); Happy Dogs Doggie Day Care (Buellton-
(805) 686-9402; and, Buellton Veterinary Clinic’s Bed n’ Breakfast
(805) 688-2334.
What should I wear?
Our wine country is a
land of many microclimates, from the cool west ocean
influenced weather (sweaters & jackets)
to the east (short sleeves and shorts) and everything
in-between Be prepared and dress in layers. Nights are
generally quite
cool so a wrap and light jacket will keep you comfortable.
Even for evening, casual to almost dressy is appropriate.
 Quick Facts
How many wineries are in Santa Barbara
County?
We have approximately 110 member wineries and
109 tasting rooms in the area.
What varieties are grown and what type of wine is
produced in Santa Barbara County?
There are approximately 55 varieties of grapes
grown in our 4 AVA ’s.
Where can I buy Santa Barbara County Wine?
Santa Barbara
County Wine is distributed nationally and internationally.
Contact your favorite wineries and they will let you
know where and how to purchase their wines.
I want to carry Santa Barbara County wines in my shop or restaurant.
How can I identify availability in my market? Individual wineries
can connect you to their distributors in the area.
I live out of state; can I bring wine home?
You cannot take
a bottle of wine on board an airplane with you. You can, however,
ask the winery to sell you a wine shipper in which to pack
your wine and check it as luggage. Many wineries are also able
to ship to states that offer them a license to do so.
What does a tasting cost?
Most tasting rooms charge a fee for
tasting wines. Fees generally range from $4 per person
to $18 per person for a tasting.
Most wineries are more than happy for two people to share
a tasting
Over imbibers will not be served, even if you’re not
driving. It ’s the law.
Make your day stress free! Consider a designated driver,
taxi or limo service or a touring company and taste responsibly.
|
