The Santa Barbara Wine District is home to more than 100 wineries, most of which have tasting rooms. Some even offer gift shops and restaurants. The 60-mile stretch from Summerland Winery in the south to Santa Maria in the north is divided into six distinct wine trails. Below is a little bit about each.
Instructions
1. Taste wines along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail extends along the Sisquoc River between Los Alamos and Santa Maria. Wineries along this route include Fess Parker, Cambria and Firestone.
2. Stop a while in Solvang. Solvang was settled by Danish immigrants and retains a distinctly Scandinavian feel. The city, located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, is also home to a handful of wineries, including Huber Cellars and Mandolina. Solvang was also the setting for much of the 2004 wine film, "Sideways."
3. Visit Santa Barbara city wineries. Santa Barbara proper is home to a collection of wineries as well as several wine bars and dozens of art galleries. Among Santa Barbara's wineries are Carr Vineyards, Jaffus Wine Cellars and Summerland Winery.
4. Travel the Los Olivos Wine Trail. The Los Olivos Wine Trail extends from the town of Santa Ynez to the Los Alamos Valley. The area's rich soil is home to several dozen wineries. Among them are Andrew Murray, Scott Cellars and Blackjack Ranch.
5. Trek the Santa Ynez Wine Trail. The small, yet fertile, Santa Ynez Valley is home to a number of wineries, including Arista, Gainey Vineyards and Sunstone Winery.
6. Explore Buellton and the Santa Rita Hills Wine Trail. This wine area includes the towns of Buellton and Lompoc as well as the land surrounding the Santa Ynez River from Buellton to the Pacific coast. It, too, was featured in the movie, "Sideways." Among the wineries there are Sanford, Foley Estates and Babcock.
Tags: Wine Trail, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Canyon Wine, Canyon Wine Trail, Foxen Canyon, Foxen Canyon Wine