The top-scoring current releases are Jonata's 2023 La Sangre Syrah (98, Jeb Dunnuck) from Ballard Canyon and Crown Point's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (97+, Jeb Dunnuck) from Happy Canyon. For Pinot Noir, start in the Sta. Rita Hills with Babcock, Fess Parker, Alma Rosa and Melville. Every score below links to its source.
This week
- Nov6–8Buellton Fall Festival · Visit Buellton
Avenue of the Flags; Fri 4-10pm, Sat-Sun 12-10pm; carnival rides, live music on two stages; Ales on the Avenue beer and wine tasting Sat (tickets) · Free · by City of Buellton
- FriNov 6NatureTrack Film Festival · Visit NatureTrack Foundation
8th annual; reception 6pm, program 6:45pm at the SYV Grange Hall · $25 · by NatureTrack Foundation
- SatNov 7Alma Rosa Fall Harvest Dinner · Visit Alma Rosa Winery
Winery event; check access on the listing · Not published · by Alma Rosa Winery
- SatNov 7SYV Historical Museum Vaquero Benefit Dinner & Auction · Visit Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
42nd annual · Tickets (early bird from Aug 1) · by Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
How we pick the top-rated wines
We list scores of 95 or more on 2021 and newer vintages from three critics who cover Santa Barbara closely: Jeb Dunnuck, Vinous and Wine Enthusiast. A score only goes up if we found it on the winery's own press, accolades or product page with the critic named. We give the publication, and the reviewer only when the source names one. We don't copy tasting notes. Scores sold only through retailers are left out until a winery or critic page confirms them. This isn't a ranking of wineries to visit. For that, see the best Santa Barbara County wineries.
What are the top-rated Sta. Rita Hills wines?
Cool, foggy west end: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, plus serious Syrah.
| Winery | Wine | Score | Critic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard | 2022 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir | 96 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | fessparker.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Babcock Winery & Vineyards | 2022 Ocean's Ghost Pinot Noir | 95 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | babcockwinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Melville Winery | 2021 Donna's Block Syrah | 98 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | melvillewinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards | 2021 Caracol Pinot Noir | 97 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | almarosawinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Dragonette Cellars | 2021 Pinot Noir (Black Label) | 97 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | dragonettecellars.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Melville Winery | 2021 Anna's Block Pinot Noir | 97 | Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast | melvillewinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards | 2021 El Jabali Pinot Noir | 96 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | almarosawinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards | 2021 Radian Pinot Noir | 96+ | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | almarosawinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Presqu'ile Vineyard & Winery | 2021 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir | 96 | Antonio Galloni, Vinous | presquilewine.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards | 2021 El Jabali Syrah | 95+ | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | almarosawinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Dragonette Cellars | 2021 Pinot Noir (Black Label) | 95 | Antonio Galloni, Vinous | dragonettecellars.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
What are the top-rated Ballard Canyon wines?
The Syrah valley between Buellton and Los Olivos.
| Winery | Wine | Score | Critic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonata | 2023 La Sangre de Jonata Syrah | 98 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (Sept 2025) | jonata.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Jonata | 2023 La Sangre de Jonata Syrah | 97 | Billy Norris, Vinous (Aug 2025) | jonata.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Jonata | 2023 Todos Red Vineyard Blend | 95 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (Sept 2025) | jonata.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Jonata | 2023 Todos Red Vineyard Blend | 95 | Billy Norris, Vinous (Aug 2025) | jonata.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Beckmen Vineyards | 2022 Clone #1 Syrah, Purisima Mountain Vineyard | 95 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | beckmenvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Beckmen Vineyards | 2022 Clone #1 Syrah, Purisima Mountain Vineyard | 95 | Vinous | beckmenvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Beckmen Vineyards | 2021 PMV Block Six Syrah | 97 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | beckmenvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Beckmen Vineyards | 2021 PMV Clone #1 Syrah | 96 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | beckmenvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Beckmen Vineyards | 2021 PMV Block Six Syrah | 95 | Vinous | beckmenvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
What are the top-rated Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara wines?
The warm east end, home to the county's best Cabernet.
| Winery | Wine | Score | Critic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Point | 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon | 97+ | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | crownpointvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Crown Point | 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon | 98 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | crownpointvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Crown Point | 2021 Estate Selection | 97 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | crownpointvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Crown Point | 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon | 96 | Vinous | crownpointvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Crown Point | 2021 Estate Selection | 95 | Vinous | crownpointvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
What are the top-rated Santa Ynez Valley wines?
Valley-wide and Los Olivos District bottlings.
| Winery | Wine | Score | Critic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roblar Winery | 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve | 95 · Editor's Choice | Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast | roblarwinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Beckmen Vineyards | 2021 TLB Cabernet Sauvignon | 96 | Vinous | beckmenvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Beckmen Vineyards | 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | 96 | Vinous | beckmenvineyards.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
What are the top-rated Santa Maria Valley wines?
Just north of the valley: Bien Nacido and Presqu'ile country.
| Winery | Wine | Score | Critic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ojai Vineyard | 2023 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard | 96 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (Aug 2025) | ojaivineyard.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Presqu'ile Vineyard & Winery | 2021 Presqu’ile Vineyard Pinot Noir | 95 | Wine Enthusiast | presquilewine.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
What are the top-rated Santa Barbara County wines?
Blends and wines without a single sub-area on our sources.
| Winery | Wine | Score | Critic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard | 2023 Clone 115 Pinot Noir | 95 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | fessparker.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard | 2023 Rodney's Vineyard Syrah | 95 | Wine Enthusiast | fessparker.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
| Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards | 2021 Attente Red Wine | 99 | Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com | almarosawinery.com, as of Oct 17, 2026 |
Famous vineyards, top bottlings
One vineyard can sit behind several labels. These are the vineyards behind the county's biggest scores, who farms them and where to taste them.
| Vineyard | Who farms it | Top verified bottlings |
|---|---|---|
| Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley, planted 1973 | Miller family (Bob and Steve Miller; bought 1969) Bien Nacido Estate (from the 2005 vintage); tasting room: The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido, 3503 Rancho Tepusquet Rd |
|
| Thompson Vineyard Alisos Canyon (Los Alamos area), planted 1989-1991 | Rowles family (Dovecote Estate) since 2014; planted by David Thompson on the Thompson ranch, now Dovecote Ranch, Alisos Canyon Rd Dovecote Estate (estate winery on the vineyard; first fully standalone vintage 2018) |
|
| Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills, planted 1971 | Terlato family (bought 2007) Sanford Winery |
|
| Mt. Carmel Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills, planted 1989 | Piazza family (Ron Piazza planted it) Mail Road (estate program; Matt Dees, partner) | Taste it through Mail Road (estate program; Matt Dees, partner) |
| Stolpman Vineyards Ballard Canyon, planted 1992 | Stolpman family (Tom and Marilyn bought 1990; Pete Stolpman runs it) Stolpman Vineyards (Sashi Moorman winemaker from 2001; Kyle Knapp head winemaker now) | Taste it through Sine Qua Non, The Ojai Vineyard, Jaffurs |
| Larner Vineyard Ballard Canyon, planted 1999 | Larner family (bought 1997; Michael Larner winemaker) Larner (from 2009) | Taste it through Jaffurs, Paul Lato (Cinematique Syrah) |
| Clos Pepe Sta. Rita Hills | Clos Pepe Estate (on hiatus from 2015 when the vineyard was leased out) | Taste it through Clos Pepe Estate (on hiatus from 2015 when the vineyard was leased out) |
| Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills | Taste it through the estate |
Where to taste: Bien Nacido at The Gatehouse and Paul Lato on the Santa Maria Valley page, Sanford in the Sta. Rita Hills, and Stolpman and Larner fruit in Los Olivos. Jaffurs pours at 819 E. Montecito St in Santa Barbara, and its 96-point 2015 Upslope blended Bien Nacido, Larner and Thompson barrels.
Can you taste these wines?
Some, at the tasting room. Beckmen, Fess Parker, Alma Rosa, Melville, Babcock, Gainey and Roblar all pour for walk-ins or bookings; check each winery's page for fees and hours. Jonata and Crown Point are harder to get into. See cult wineries by appointment. For the Pinot side, plan a day on the Sta. Rita Hills loop.
Plan your day
- MorningBreakfast first: Best coffee in the Santa Ynez ValleyBy town, plus where to work
- MiddayGo tasting: Santa Barbara County wine tastingAu Bon Climat in town, or the vines
- EveningBook dinner: Find a tableTables you can book online, by occasion
- LateNight out: Solvang happy hoursSpritzes, Industry Night, 8pm deals
- OvernightFind a bed: Stay at a winery in the Santa Ynez ValleyVillas, vineyard houses, cottages
Good to know
What are the best Santa Ynez Valley wines right now? By critic score, the 2023 La Sangre de Jonata Syrah (98, Jeb Dunnuck) and Crown Point's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (97+, Jeb Dunnuck) top the current releases we could verify. Among 2021s, Alma Rosa's Attente scored 99 from Jeb Dunnuck.
Where do these scores come from? Jeb Dunnuck (JebDunnuck.com), Vinous and Wine Enthusiast. We only use a score when we found it on the winery's own site credited to the critic, and we link that page. Retailer-only scores are left out until we can verify them.
Why is there no Robert Parker score? Robert Parker retired in 2019. Recent Wine Advocate reviews of Santa Barbara wines come from other reviewers, and none of the Wine Advocate scores we found for 2021 or newer vintages could be verified on a winery page.
When will the 2024 vintage scores be added? 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 on its own site.
Quick answers
Which Santa Barbara County wineries are top rated?
On this list, 11 wineries have at least one 2021-or-newer wine scored 95 or more. The most frequent names are Crown Point, Alma Rosa, Beckmen, Jonata and Fess Parker.
Sources
tap to open
- Each winery's own press, accolades or product page, linked beside every score.
- Jeb Dunnuck, "Santa Barbara County: The Concentrated 2024s and a First Look at 2025" and "Sta. Rita Hills: American Grand Crus and Brilliant 2024s," JebDunnuck.com, Sept 29, 2026 (subscriber reports, so no scores from them yet).
