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Wine Tasting Routes

Our wine country spans a distance of more than 50 miles from the northern to southern tasting rooms, so please plan for driving time. Explore the breadth and depth of Santa Barbara County by mapping a route, or choosing an area to meander one day and another the next.

We’ve put together some groupings of wineries and tasting rooms that are near to one another to help you with your planning. Plan on visiting four to five in one day, and make sure to take a break for lunch. Hey, wine tasting can be hard work!

Also bear in mind that not all wineries are open every day, and that some will welcome you but do require an appointment. And if you are in a group of eight or more, please check with each winery for any restrictions on large parties.

Santa Maria Valley and Los Alamos Wine Trail

Western hospitality meets world class wine in the Santa Maria and Los Alamos area. The transverse nature of the Santa Maria Valley lends itself to a diverse range of wines produced here. Heading south from Santa Maria, take a leisurely drive along Foxen Canyon to Los Olivos or drive down the 101 and stop in the Western town of Los Alamos. One of our most established areas, Santa Maria Valley is home to fresh produce, bucolic vistas and of course – Santa Maria Style BBQ!

Santa Maria Valley and Los Alamos Wine Trail

Santa Maria Valley and Los Alamos Wine Trail

Buellton & Sta. Rita Hills Wine Trail

Buellton is the eastern gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills appellation and is in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA. The largest custom-crush operation in the area shares geography with tasting rooms in Buellton, located just off Highway 101. Heading further west on either Hwy 246 or Santa Rosa Road, you’ll pass some of the most extreme cool-climate vineyards in the area, and you may recognize many from the film Sideways. This is home to primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, although you will find other interesting cool-climate wines also being featured at tasting rooms. A popular roundtrip driving route is to head west on Santa Rosa Road from the 101 to Lompoc, then come back east back to Buellton on Highway 246.

Buellton & Sta. Rita Hills Wine Trail

Buellton & Sta. Rita Hills Wine Trail

Lompoc Wine Trail

Set in the city known as “The City of Arts and Flowers”, the urban wineries in Lompoc are Santa Barbara County’s most western tasting region. Ironically, Lompoc was founded as a Carrie Nation style Temperance Colony back in 1874, but now boasts an increasing number of wineries and tasting rooms. Considered the western gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, wineries are primarily located in the industrial park affectionately known as the “Wine Ghetto”. While in Lompoc, stroll the area to find the more than 60 murals created by local artists on buildings throughout town. Lompoc can be reached from the South on a scenic drive up Highways 101 and 1. Lompoc also makes a nice midpoint when driving the Santa (Sta.) Rita Hills loop from Buellton.

Lompoc Wine Trail

Lompoc Wine Trail

Los Olivos Promenade

This small village abounds in history, as it was once a welcome stop on the Wells Fargo stagecoach line, and later a terminus for the first railroad in the area. Los Olivos is now a hub for tasting rooms, interspersed with art galleries, boutique shops and cafés. Los Olivos also hosts a number of small festivals throughout the year. A great place to park your car, stroll the tasting rooms and shops, enjoy a little lunch or dinner and just relax!

Los Olivos Promenade

Los Olivos Promenade

Santa Ynez Wine Trail

Nestled in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley appellation, this region shares vineyard space with horse ranches. Anchored by the town of Santa Ynez to the southeast which itself includes tasting opportunities, many of the wineries in this region are set on their estate properties. Peaceful and rolling vistas of ranches and farms mingle with vineyards and tasting rooms along the country roads. Grab a picnic lunch at one of the local delis, as many of the tasting rooms in the Santa Ynez area feature gardens and picnic areas where you can taste at a leisurely, ranch-style pace.

Santa Ynez Wine Trail

Santa Ynez Wine Trail

Solvang Wine Walk

You may think you’ve landed in Denmark when you arrive in Solvang, and that is no coincidence. Known as the “Danish Capital of America”, Solvang is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. The quaint village is full of shops, parks, hotels, bakeries, restaurants and – tasting rooms! A great town to park the car and stroll, make sure to bring your camera, as this is truly a unique town. You’ll find the tasting rooms of Solvang tucked into interesting and uniquely Danish buildings, and make sure to try an aebleskiver as a wine and food pairing while you’re here!

Santa Barbara Urban Trail

The City of Santa Barbara, also known as “The American Riviera”, hugs the beautiful coastline, and many of the wineries and tasting rooms of this region are all within walking distance of a beach. While you won’t find any vineyards in this downtown scene, the tasting rooms are all unique and eclectic. There is a sublime juxtaposition of funky and elegant and of course visitors also have an vast selection of restaurants, entertainment venues and world-class shopping to round out the tasting experience. Santa Barbara is one of the world’s premier destinations, so make a weekend of it and sample the fine wines of the wineries and tasting rooms in downtown Santa Barbara. It is a great to location to start or end your wine tasting tour through Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara Urban Trail

Santa Barbara Urban Trail