The best Santa Barbara wineries to visit

The best wineries

This is one winery for each kind of visit, not a ranking, so start with the kind of day you want.

For critic scores and how to get into the appointment-only names, see cult wineries by appointment.

1. 01

   JebDunnuck.com97points · 2021 PMV Block Six Syrah

   Beckmen Vineyards

   Go for: Picnic by a pond · Los Olivos · $30 for five wines; free for club members · Outside Los Olivos

   Editor's pickGo for: Picnic by a pond · Los Olivos · $30 for five wines; free for club members · Outside Los Olivos

   Beckmen Vineyards

   97 pts JebDunnuck.com on the 2021 PMV Block Six Syrah

   Book bottle service at a private gazebo or dock above the duck ponds and bring a picnic. Tastings aren't poured at the gazebos, and there's a one-bottle minimum for every two people. Santa Barbara County's first biodynamic vineyard; open daily, booking recommended.

   Go if you want a picnic in a gazebo above a pond.

   Open

   MTWTFSSOpen every day. Daily 11am–5pm

   Fee

   $30 for five wines; free for club members

   Booking

   Open daily 11am–5pm; reservations recommended

   Getting there

   On Ontiveros Rd, about 7 min by car from Grand Ave in Los Olivos

   Go for A picnic

   DirectionsVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Picnic by a pond

   Press Jeb Dunnuck gave its 2021 PMV Block Six Syrah 97 points. JebDunnuck.com

   • Santa Barbara County's first biodynamically farmed vineyard
   • Bottle service at private gazebos or a dock; outside food encouraged; no tastings there

   2670 Ontiveros Road, Los Olivos, CA 93441 · 805-688-8664

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2. 02

   Go for: Vineyard views & picnics · Foxen Canyon · $30–45 · Foxen Canyon

   Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards

   The classic picnic stop. You can bring your own food if you taste or buy wine (outside alcohol isn't allowed), leashed dogs are welcome, and cyclists stop here too. The Lounge & Terrace looks over the vineyard. It's open Friday to Sunday and has very few seats, so book that one.

   Go if the kids are along or you didn't book anything.

   Open

   Daily 11am–4pm; Lounge & Terrace Fri–Sun

   Fee

   $30–45

   Booking

   Recommended, not required

   Getting there

   Out on Foxen Canyon Rd, about 24 min by car from Grand Ave in Los Olivos and 30 min from Bell St in Los Alamos

   Go with The dog

   DirectionsVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Vineyard views & picnics

   Connections Ken Brown was Zaca Mesa's first winemaker, planted the county's first Syrah there in 1978 and hired Jim Clendenen, Bob Lindquist and Adam Tolmach. He founded Byron in 1984 and now pours his own label in Buellton. Source

   Picnics

   Yes, with tasting or purchase

   • TREAD flight $30; Reserve flight $45 (waived with $150 purchase)
   • Outside food OK with tasting or purchase; dogs on leash

   6905 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, CA 93441 · 805-688-9339

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3. 03

   Wine Enthusiast95points · 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve

   Roblar Winery & Vineyards

   Winery restaurant · Outside Santa Ynez

   Editor's pickWinery restaurant · Outside Santa Ynez

   Roblar Winery & Vineyards

   95 pts Wine Enthusiast on the 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve

   The pick if you want a proper meal with your tasting. Roblar runs a full restaurant with produce from its own farm next door, serving lunch every day, brunch on Sundays and dinner on Thursdays and Fridays. Dogs are allowed outside on a leash, and kids are welcome. The Farm to Fork Winery Tour runs Friday and Saturday ($95).

   Go if you want a real meal with your tasting.

   Open

   Mon–Wed & Sat 11am–5pm; Thu & Fri 11am–6:30pm; Sun brunch 10am–4pm

   Booking

   Walk-ins as possible; book Thu–Sun

   Getting there

   On Roblar Ave at Hwy 154, about 9 min by car from Sagunto St in Santa Ynez

   Go with The kids · The dog

   DirectionsMenuAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Lunch with your tasting

   Press Matt Kettmann gave its 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve 95 points. Wine Enthusiast

   Dogs: Outside, leashed

   Food

   Full restaurant, 7 days

   • Kid friendly; dogs outside on leash; no outside food
   • Walk-ins as possible; reservations strongly encouraged Thu–Sun and for 6+
   • Farm to Fork Winery Tour & Tasting $95, book 24 hours ahead

   3010 Roblar Ave, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 · 805-686-2603

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4. 04

   $30 tastings, BYO picnic and ranch rides; no cell service

   Demetria Estate

   Go for: A ranch ride with kids and dogs · Foxen Canyon · $30 · Foxen Canyon

   Go for: A ranch ride with kids and dogs · Foxen Canyon · $30 · Foxen Canyon

   Demetria EstateBook

   An estate founded by John Zahoudanis, who grew up on a farm in Greece. It doesn't sell food, so bring a picnic. Kids and leashed dogs are welcome, and you can book a 75-minute ranch ride with Vino Vaqueros. There's no cell service, so set your GPS before you leave.

   Go if the kids or the dog are along and horseback riding sounds better than another flight.

   Open

   MTWTFSSOpen every day. Daily 11am–5pm

   Fee

   $30

   Booking

   Book; walk-ins if space

   Go with The kids · The dog

   Book a tasting · TockVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: A ranch ride with kids and dogs

   Picnics

   Bring your own

   • Reservations encouraged; walk-ins if space permits
   • No food sold; picnics encouraged; kids & leashed dogs welcome
   • 75-minute guided ride (Vino Vaqueros), by reservation

   6701 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, CA 93441 · 805-686-2345

   DirectionsApple MapsInstagramSource

5. 05

   Since2003

   Carhartt Family Wines

   Go for: Laid-back patio in town · Los Olivos · $25 for five wines; waived with a 3-bottle purchase · Los Olivos

   Go for: Laid-back patio in town · Los Olivos · $25 for five wines; waived with a 3-bottle purchase · Los Olivos

   Carhartt Family WinesBook

   Grab a patio seat; the wines come to you. The cabin is small, it's been a Los Olivos fixture since 2003, and it's the only place to buy Carhartt wine apart from its online shop. Friday evenings bring live music, and kids and dogs are welcome.

   Go if you want a laid-back patio, and Friday means live music.

   Open

   MTWTFSSOpen every day. Mon–Wed noon–6pm; Thu–Sun 11am–6:30pm

   Fee

   $25 for five wines; waived with a 3-bottle purchase

   Booking

   Walk-ins always welcome; book Fri–Sun

   Go with The kids · The dog

   Book a tasting · TockVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Laid-back patio in town

   • Kids and dogs welcome

   2939 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, CA 93441 · 805-693-5100

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6. 06

   $55 private seated tasting, Cabernet Sauvignon first

   Brave & Maiden Estate

   Private seated tastings · Refugio Road

   Private seated tastings · Refugio Road

   Brave & Maiden Estate

   Every tasting is a private, hosted, seated appointment, usually indoors, so treat it as the splurge. Expect Cabernet Sauvignon first, with Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc too, just off Highway 246 between Santa Ynez and Solvang. Mention kids or dogs when you book; dogs are seated outside.

   Go if it's a splurge day and Cabernet is your thing.

   Open

   Appointments daily 10am–3:30pm

   Fee

   $55

   Booking

   By appointment

   Getting there

   On Refugio Rd, about 4 min by car from Sagunto St in Santa Ynez

   Go with The dog

   DirectionsVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Private seated splurge

   Dogs: Seated outside; tell them when booking

   Food

   Pre-order cheese & charcuterie

   • Private Seated Tasting $55 (60 min); tour + tasting $100 (90 min)
   • Appointments 10am–3:30pm daily; parties up to 6
   • 48-hour cancellation policy
   • No outside food; boards from Cailloux Cheese Shop can be pre-ordered

   649 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 · 805-693-2989

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7. 07

   JebDunnuck.com98points · 2021 Donna's Block Syrah

   Melville Winery

   Estate winery · Sta. Rita Hills

   Editor's pickEstate winery · Sta. Rita Hills

   Melville WineryBook

   98 pts JebDunnuck.com on the 2021 Donna's Block Syrah

   Five pours of cold-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, farmed organically and sustainably, on Highway 246. You can book ahead. Not driving out? Melville also has a tasting lounge in Santa Barbara at 120 State St.

   Go if cool-climate wine is your thing and you want an estate visit.

   Open

   MTWTFSSOpen every day. Sun–Thu 11am–4pm; Fri–Sat 11am–5pm

   Fee

   $35

   Booking

   Vineyard tours by reservation

   Getting there

   Out on Highway 246, about 12 min by car from Old Town Lompoc

   Book a tasting · TockVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Cool-climate Pinot & Chardonnay

   Connections Greg Brewer co-founded Brewer-Clifton in 1996 and was Melville's winemaker from day one in 1997 through 2015. Diatom, his stripped-back Chardonnay label, is the side project. Source

   Press Jeb Dunnuck gave its 2021 Donna's Block Syrah 98 points. JebDunnuck.com

   • Estate Tasting Flight $35, 5 pours

   5185 E Highway 246, Lompoc, CA 93436 · 805-735-7030

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8. 08

   “Perennial top performers in Santa Barbara County”

   Pioneer estate · Santa Rosa Road

   Sanford Winery & VineyardsBook

   Wine Spectator Wine Spectator profile of the Sta. Rita Hills' Pinot Noir pioneer

   This is where the AVA began. The Sanford & Benedict vineyard, planted in 1971, was the first in the region. Today the estate on Santa Rosa Road offers seated tastings, from the standard estate flight to single-block Pinot Noir comparisons.

   Go if you care about history and want to compare single-block Pinots.

   Open

   MTWTFSSOpen every day. Daily 10am–4pm

   Fee

   $40

   Booking

   Open daily 10am–4pm; reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome

   Getting there

   Out on Santa Rosa Rd, about 22 min by car from Old Town Lompoc

   Go with The dog

   Book a tasting · TockVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Wine history

   Connections Richard Sanford planted Sanford & Benedict in 1971, the first vineyard in what became the Sta. Rita Hills. After the Terlato family took control of Sanford Winery in the mid-2000s, he and Thekla Sanford started Alma Rosa in 2005. Today the Terlatos farm the old vineyard, and both wineries carry the story. Source

   Press Wine Spectator profile of the Sta. Rita Hills' Pinot Noir pioneer: "perennial top performers in Santa Barbara County". James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, Aug 28 2025

   • Estate Tasting $40, about 60 minutes
   • Dogs welcome; under-21s must be on the reservation

   5010 Santa Rosa Road, Lompoc, CA 93436 · 805-735-5900

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9. 09

   $25 flight in The Shack, Foxen Winery's 1860s blacksmith shop

   FOXEN

   Go for: Old-school ranch winery · Foxen Canyon · From $25 · Foxen Canyon

   Go for: Old-school ranch winery · Foxen Canyon · From $25 · Foxen Canyon

   FOXENBook

   Finish at Foxen Winery, on the ranch sea captain Benjamin Foxen took in 1837 and the family whose name the canyon carries. The main tasting room is open daily, and The Shack, an 1860s blacksmith shop down the road at 7200 Foxen Canyon Road, opens Friday to Sunday for a separate flight. Kids and leashed dogs are welcome, there are EV chargers, and you should pre-book a ride home: ride-shares are hard to get out here.

   Go if you want history and the kids or dog along: Foxen's Shack began as the ranch's 1860s blacksmith shop.

   Open

   MTWTFSSOpen every day. Daily 11am–4pm; The Shack Fri–Sun

   Fee

   From $25

   Booking

   Walk-ins OK for 6 or fewer

   Go with The kids · The dog

   BookVisitAdd to My Trip

   More details

   Go for: Old-school ranch winery

   Picnics

   Snacks sold; bring a picnic

   • "Classic" flight $25 (1–1.5 hrs)
   • No reservation needed for 6 or fewer; email for larger groups
   • Kids and leashed dogs welcome; snacks sold, picnics encouraged
   • About 55 miles / 1 hr 20 min from downtown Santa Barbara

   7600 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454

   DirectionsApple MapsClubInstagramSource

Are there wineries in Santa Barbara itself?

Yes, but in the city you're tasting, not walking vineyards. The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail counts more than twenty wineries in four city neighborhoods, the Funk Zone, the Presidio, Midtown and Downtown, plus Goleta ^[a]. The Funk Zone, the old warehouse blocks between downtown and the waterfront, has the most: Melville pours its Sta. Rita Hills estate wines two blocks from the beach, Fess Parker brings its Los Olivos family wines to Yanonali Street, and Deep Sea pours on Stearns Wharf ^{[a] [b]}. The Urban Wine Trail calls Santa Barbara Winery, also in the Funk Zone, the county's oldest winery.

The estates on this page are over the Santa Ynez Mountains. Drive times from 120 State Street in the Funk Zone, without traffic:

Staying in town without a car? Our Santa Barbara wine tasting guide covers the Urban Wine Trail rooms, with hours, and Santa Barbara wine tours lists drivers for the valley. Heading straight for the vines? Our Santa Ynez Valley wineries plan maps the valley's tasting day town by town.

Critics' top recent releases

These are the highest-scoring current releases (2022 and 2023 vintages) from Jeb Dunnuck, Vinous and Wine Enthusiast. Each score comes from the winery's own site, credited to the critic. Scores change with each new vintage, so check the winery before you buy. For the full list by area, see top-rated Santa Ynez Valley wines.

Jeb Dunnuck published his 2024-vintage Santa Barbara County and Sta. Rita Hills reports on Sept 29, 2026. We add those scores as each winery publishes them.

The best views

Zaca Mesa's Lounge & Terrace looks out over its vineyard on Foxen Canyon Road. It's only open Friday to Sunday and seats are limited, so book. Beckmen has private gazebos and a dock above its duck ponds. They're booked as bottle service, not tastings, and you can bring a picnic. In Santa Ynez, Gainey pours on terraces surrounded by vines. To make a day of the views, drive the whole Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

With kids or dogs

Demetria welcomes kids and leashed dogs, and you can bring a picnic. Carhartt says "Kids and dogs are welcome." FOXEN takes both too, but asks you to include children in your reservation. Sanford welcomes dogs, and anyone under 21 must be on the booking. Roblar is kid friendly and allows dogs outside on a leash. For more, see Los Olivos tasting rooms (SAMsARA welcomes both) and dog-friendly Solvang.

How many wineries

More than 265, according to the Santa Barbara Vintners. They're spread across seven AVAs: the Santa Maria Valley, the Santa Ynez Valley and its four sub-AVAs (Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara), and the newest, Alisos Canyon, near Los Alamos. For a shortlist inside the valley, see Santa Ynez Valley wineries; for the north end, see Santa Maria Valley wineries, including the wineries with caves. To taste without driving, start in the city on the Urban Wine Trail.

The grapes

Look at what's planted. The Vintners' figures put Chardonnay first, at about 3,200 acres, and Pinot Noir second, at about 2,900. Sauvignon Blanc (878) and Syrah (835) follow, then Cabernet Sauvignon (499) and Grenache (265). The county's valleys run east to west rather than north to south, which creates many microclimates. That's why it can grow more than 75 varieties, from cool-climate Pinot and Chardonnay in the Sta. Rita Hills to Syrah and Cabernet. Our county tasting guide covers the styles.

Good to know

What grapes grow best in Santa Barbara County? By planted acreage, Chardonnay (about 3,200 acres) and Pinot Noir (about 2,900) lead by far. Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah come next, at about 880 and 835 acres. The cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills are best known for Pinot and Chardonnay.

Quick answers

What are the best wineries in Santa Barbara County?

Pick the day first. Go to Zaca Mesa or Beckmen for views and picnics, Roblar for lunch, and Demetria or Carhartt if you have kids or dogs. Brave & Maiden is the private, seated splurge, Melville is the place for cool-climate Pinot Noir, and Sanford is where the Sta. Rita Hills began.

Which Santa Barbara wineries have the best views?

Zaca Mesa's Lounge & Terrace looks over the vineyard (Friday–Sunday; book ahead). Beckmen rents private gazebos and a dock above its duck ponds for bottle service (bring a picnic), and Gainey pours on outdoor terraces surrounded by vines.

Which Santa Barbara County wineries are family or dog friendly?

Demetria and FOXEN welcome kids and leashed dogs. So do Carhartt and SAMsARA in Los Olivos and Sanford in the Sta. Rita Hills, which asks for under-21s to be on the booking. Roblar is kid friendly and allows dogs outside on a leash. Zaca Mesa welcomes leashed dogs.

How many wineries are in Santa Barbara County?

More than 265, according to the Santa Barbara Vintners, spread across seven AVAs and growing more than 75 grape varieties.

Does Santa Barbara have wineries?

Yes, in two places. In the city, the Urban Wine Trail counts more than twenty wineries pouring in the Funk Zone, the Presidio, Midtown and Downtown, plus Goleta. The vineyards and estates are over the Santa Ynez Mountains in the county's valleys: Santa Ynez is 45 minutes from the Funk Zone by Highway 154, Los Olivos 48 and Solvang 51.

Which winery is closest to Santa Barbara?

In the city, the Funk Zone rooms are a walk from the beach: Melville's tasting lounge is two blocks from the sand, and Deep Sea pours on Stearns Wharf. Of the estates on this page, Brave & Maiden in Santa Ynez is the shortest drive from the Funk Zone, 47 minutes over Highway 154, with Roblar and Carhartt at 49.

What time do Santa Barbara wineries close?

Earlier than you'd think. On their own sites, Sanford closes at 4pm, Zaca Mesa and FOXEN at 4pm, Melville at 4pm (5pm Friday and Saturday), and Beckmen and Demetria at 5pm. Brave & Maiden books appointments between 10am and 3:30pm. Carhartt in Los Olivos pours until 6:30pm Thursday to Sunday, and in the city, Melville's Funk Zone lounge stays open until 7pm (8pm Friday and Saturday).