SANTA BARBARA WINE COUNTRY
Santa Barbara County is an inviting wine touring and tasting destination, renowned for its distinguished vintages, quaint settings, friendly vintners, and welcoming locals. Recognized as one of the world’s premium wine-producing regions for chardonnay and pinot noir varietals, the county is home to more than 70 wineries and some 20,000 acres of planted vineyards. The Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys, 30–40 minutes’ drive northwest of Santa Barbara, share a microclimate uniquely suited to growing a wide variety of robust grapes.

Wine culture in the county goes back more than 200 years, when Spanish missionaries brought in the first grapevines from Mexico. However, the proliferation of wineries in the county today owes much to a French Canadian architect named Pierre Lafond. Back in 1962, he established the first post-prohibition commercial winery in Santa Barbara County. Today, wine is the largest agricultural industry in Santa Barbara County, and the region produces wines of international acclaim.

Most wine tasting rooms are open daily (except on major holidays) from 10am until 4 or 5pm. Many wineries have picnic areas open to the public. For a free map with current specifics on winery hours, varietals, tours, and information on nearby accommodations and restaurants, contact the Santa Barbara County Vintners’Association.

Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association
805-688-0881
www.sbcountywines.com