Vineyard Recommendations for Santa Ynez Valley?

Hi, I'm planning a Santa Barbara County getaway for my girlfriend and I for the second weekend in March. We are both wine lovers, and I wanted to sort of plan our own little one-day wine tour, hitting some of the best vineyards in that region (Los Olivos, Ballard, Santa Ynez, Buellton, Solvang), maybe three to four different stops. I'd like to stay away from the more crowded, commercialized vineyards if at all possible and focus on smaller-production, hidden gems. Through initial research, I've only seem to come across the former (ie, Firestone, Sanford, etc.) and larger ones that seem to come recommended (ie, Gainey, Bridlewood, Zaca Mesa, etc.). I guess my question is two-fold: 1) which of the larger wineries are must-sees and which are the ones to avoid due to overcrowding or other concerns, and 2) are there any hidden gem, smaller-production wineries that anyone can recommend for a pleasant experience. We're staying at the Eagle Inn in Santa Barbara, and would be doing this wine excursion on a Friday. Thanks so much, looking forward to responses!

Zach Kreinbrink

just got back. have breakfast at Essau's. head to los olivos. several tasting rooms. my real fav was Tensley. Brander is pretty good also - not far away. maybe dinner at Jade. must visit the queen of the missions - santa barbara. the court house is really amazing. don't just do wine; enjoy the town also.

It's been a long time for me, but Melville, though snazzy, was the worth the trip, as was Sanford (though Richard was still there at that time). Bedford-Thompson (mainly Syrah), really sweet folk and they pour in what is essentially their kitchen. Foxen...but not always open, and it's true the tasting room or rooms (there used to be 2) in Los Olivos are a best bet in terms of coverage. Rabbit something, near Foxen, good QPR. And though a splurge, the Ballard Inn (in Ballard, chiasmatically enough) is an oasis of quiet, if a touch over the top in terms of the whole B&B thing.

Josh

Realistically, you have to make a careful plan for the route to fit in 4 top wineries.

I would go to Beckmen, maybe Brander, then the Qupe and Carina/Tensley tasting rooms in Los Olivos. Plan lunch in the area. Then either head up to Foxen or out 246 to Melville and Foley.

I regret not making it to Beckmen, Sanford and Foxen. I had two days for tastings. If you go to Melville (I like some of their Pinot Noirs), be sure to visit Babcock next door. I especially liked Babcock Nook and Cranny Syrah which is only sold at the winery or through their "Terroirs" wine club. Foxen was recommended to me for unoaked Chardonnay and Viognier. Agree about Los Olivos tasting rooms (include Daniel Gehrs) and I enjoyed meals at Los Olivos Cafe and at Hitching Post II in Buellton. I didn't make it to Ballard Inn but that would be a splurge evening. There are also some tasting wine bars in Solvang. Lompoc has Fiddlehead tasting room and possibly some others and you can also ship wines home from UPS or Fedex in Lompoc if your state is a legal shipping state. The Fiddlehead tasting room was small and was overrun with a bridal party the day I was there but might be okay in March. Check which wineries/tasting rooms are open Fridays. You probably won't have time for much more than Los Olivos or the ones along Highway 246 which includes Melville and Babcock. See also this site: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/sant ... eries.html

We like to stop at Tastes of the Valleys in Solvang. They have a wide selection of local wines to taste if you can't get to the all the wineries you desire.

[Jenise]

I would go to Beckmen, maybe Brander, then the Qupe and Carina/Tensley tasting rooms in Los Olivos. Plan lunch in the area. Then either head up to Foxen or out 246 to Melville and Foley.

Concur with all these choices. Beckman and Qupe make some of the best syrahs in California, Brander makes a sauvignon blanc that I just adore, and Melville and Foley are terrific with chardonnay and pinot noir.

Of those you mentioned, Sanford used to be a great tasting room experience, small and not commercial at all where Zaca Mesa is heavily so and I don't recommend either it or the wines. Gainey's not bad, but not special. Can't reccomend Firestone. Oh, don't even consider Fess Parker--not that I had to tell you that. Highly commercial.

[Jenise]

I would go to Beckmen, maybe Brander, then the Qupe and Carina/Tensley tasting rooms in Los Olivos. Plan lunch in the area. Then either head up to Foxen or out 246 to Melville and Foley.

Concur with all these choices. Beckman and Qupe make some of the best syrahs in California, Brander makes a sauvignon blanc that I just adore, and Melville and Foley are terrific with chardonnay and pinot noir.

Of those you mentioned, Sanford used to be a great tasting room experience of the kind you seek, small and not commercial at all where Zaca Mesa is heavily so and I don't recommend either it or the wines. Gainey's not bad, but not special. Can't reccomend Firestone. Oh, don't even consider Fess Parker--not that I had to tell you that. Highly commercial.

Hi Zack,

I have visited wineries in the Buellton area. I would definitely reccomend Clos Pepe Estate winery tour. Of all the winery tours and tastings (10 total) we went on in California during our vacation last April Clos Pepe Estates was the best by far for me. Wes Hagen, the winemaker, is a very knowledgeable host who will give a background talk on the geology and soils of the Santa Rita Hills area plus the botany and history of grapes. He really only makes chardonnays and pinot noirs, but they are excellent ones. He only does tours with small groups and you have to make a reservation to get the tour. The tasting is done with cheese and you get to taste a number of wines. All this is for free. He even gave us a free bottle of rose after our tour. Plus his tasting includes his estate olive oil which we really loved. The only drawback to this tour is he just offers it at 10:30 in the morning and you can not just drop in for a tasting, you must make a reservation (Wes Hagen, Winegrower wes@clospepe.com).

[Jenise]

Hi Zack,

I have visited wineries in the Buellton area. I would definitely reccomend Clos Pepe Estate winery tour. Of all the winery tours and tastings (10 total) we went on in California during our vacation last April Clos Pepe Estates was the best by far for me. Wes Hagen, the winemaker, is a very knowledgeable host who will give a background talk on the geology and soils of the Santa Rita Hills area plus the botany and history of grapes. He really only makes chardonnays and pinot noirs, but they are excellent ones. He only does tours with small groups and you have to make a reservation to get the tour. The tasting is done with cheese and you get to taste a number of wines. All this is for free. He even gave us a free bottle of rose after our tour. Plus his tasting includes his estate olive oil which we really loved. The only drawback to this tour is he just offers it at 10:30 in the morning and you can not just drop in for a tasting, you must make a reservation (Wes Hagen, Winegrower wes@clospepe.com).

Good information, Tom: I'll add that I once spent a weekend picking grapes on Wes' estate. A very impressive individual and he couldn't have been more fun and entertaining--I'll bet his tour is a hoot. Too bad that the time's so fixed, though, makes it hard to get in two wineries pre-lunch.

Good information, Tom: I'll add that I once spent a weekend picking grapes on Wes' estate. A very impressive individual and he couldn't have been more fun and entertaining--I'll bet his tour is a hoot. Too bad that the time's so fixed, though, makes it hard to get in two wineries pre-lunch.

Hi Jenise,

I agree with your observation on limitations of the time, so I asked Wes about his 10:30 timing. It is intentional on his part. Wes said he only wanted people to visit who really wanted to visit his winery and the 10:30 time was one way to ensure only serious winos come to visit. I respect that opinion and I did not try to go to another winery first as I wanted to have a fresh palate for his tasting. I was glad I did.