Crush Your Santa Barbara County Wine Country Trip: The Ultimate Vacation Planner

Just two hours north of Rodeo Drive and the alluring pull of Malibu and the Hollywood Hills, lies the not so well hidden secret of Santa Barbara County wine country.

Compared to its counterpart: the Goliath Napa Valley wine powerhouse, Santa Barbara County takes on a whole new perspective to wine making and what exactly entails fine wine. In fact, to those of you in the know, SBC has received just as high of scores by the most widely acclaimed critics as Napa over the last 10 years. With it’s rolling hills, horse ranches, vineyards, and wineries, the Santa Ynez Valley will easily steal hearts and take prisoners of love along with it. This won’t be your last trip to SBC Wine County…. not after applying the notes in this article.

I know. I grew up here. I also grew up in Los Angeles until the age of 10 before moving to this pristine country.

Over the past 21 years since the debut of the Oscar Nominated movie Sideways, there has been an explosion in the Santa Barbara County wine scene. In 2004 before the movie’s debut, there were little more than 20 wineries in the whole area. Fast forward to today and there is now over 200 bonded wineries! It’s safe to say this movement has more to it than just Hollywood Hype alone… the truth is, there is some stellar wine in SBC.

So let’s get to the good stuff: Where do I stay? What wineries should I go to? And what else can I do while I’m there?

Glad you asked!!!

This is your one stop shop article for everything you need to know about Santa Barbara County wine trips.

#1. Where do I stay?

The most important part of any vacation is the bed you will be sleeping in. So let’s dial in the best options from Opulence & Affluence to Divine Austerity - do it your way.

I. Santa Barbara

• San Ysidro Ranch
• The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
• Rosewood Miramar Beach
• El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel
• Kimpton Canary Hotel
• Hotel California
• Hilton Santa Barbara - Beachfront Resort

II. Santa Ynez Valley

• The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern - Los Olivos
• Fess Parker Inn - Los Olivos
• The Genevieve Hotel - Santa Ynez
• Hotel Ynez - Santa Ynez
• The Landsby - Solvang
• Alisal Ranch

#2. Wineries to Visit (Ranked by Wine Quality, Ambiance, Staff, Scenery and the Overall Experience)

• Crown Point Vineyards - Happy Canyon
• Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard - Happy Canyon
• Brave & Maiden Estate - Santa Ynez
• The Hilt - Sta. Rita Hills
• Pence Vineyards & Winery - Sta. Rita Hills

#3. Wine Tour Companies - take the stress out of planning your wine country itinerary and enjoy a luxury & safe experience through Santa Barbara wine country.

• Sustainable Wine Tours
• Coastal Concierge
• Villa Wine Tours
• Appellation Wine Tours
• Wellington Coach Tours