With a unique climate the countryside surrounding Santa Barbara are home to some of the best wines in the world. While getting out and exploring the beauty of Santa Barbara wine country should definitely be on your California wish list if you want to taste some of the best vintages Santa Barbara has to offer you don’t even have to leave town. With over 30 tasting rooms in town, most of which are located in the trendy and very walkable Funk Zone ( a 10 block area of boutiques , cafes and restaurants near the beach) the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail is a great way to experience wine country in the heart of Santa Barbara. Whether you’re new to wine or a serious oeniphile wine tasting in Santa Barbara along the Urban Wine Trail is a must for any visit to Santa Barbara.
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Santa Barbara Winery
One of the biggest tasting rooms in Santa Barbara is also one of its oldest. Santa Barbara Winery opened in 1962 by Pierre Lafond, was the first winery in Santa Barbara to open after prohibition. Today you can visit the relaxed and welcoming tasting room to sample their award winning chardonnays and pinot noirs or explore their more exotic offerings like primitivo and lagrein.
Magerum Winery
While pinot noir and grenache grace many a Santa Barbara tasting room Magerum Wine Company has made a name for itself with their world class whites. Margerum’s Sybarite sauvignon blanc has a bright clean minerality while their 2019 White Rhone White Blend (a blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Picpoul Blanc) garnered a spot as one of Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines of 2020.
Pali Wine Co.
The sleek, yet airy tasting room of Pali Wine Co. is a must for lovers of pinot noir. Try Pali’s pinot flight to discover the full expression of this grape across different vintages and terroirs. Pali also has an extensive list of chardonnays and rosés along with sustainably farmed and natural wines making this a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
River Bench Winery
A block from Santa Barbara Winery and Pali Wine Company the cozy tasting room at Riverbench Winery features a curated selection of sustainable farmed wines from their vineyards in the Santa Maria AVA. Sample a flight of five of their pinot noirs or chardonnays or opt for one of their champagne style sparkling wines like their citrusy Blanc de Blanc.
Melville Winery Tasting Room
This relaxed, dog tasting room on State Street features Melville Winery’s wines grown in the Santa Rita Hills north of Santa Barbara. Enjoy glasses and flights or grab your favorite bottle of Melville’s range of pinot noir, syrah and chardonnay. If you’re lucky you can get a sip of Melville’s limited release rosé pinot noir.
The Santa Barbara Wine Collective
Santa Barbara Wine Collective aims to highlight the terroir and microclimates that make Santa Barbara wine country special. Featuring five different wineries including Fess Parker, Notary Public, Ca’Del Grevino , The Pairing & The Hilt and Babcock Winery the knowledgeable staff can show you how diverse the wines from Santa Barbara can be.
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Catherine says
I’ve always wanted to go to Santa Barbara but never realized they have a wine trail! It’s one more reason for me to go!!! Cheers xo
Tiffany Pence says
I am all over those Pinot Noirs! Having all those tasting rooms close to one another is a dream come true! No need for tranportation! Now the question is: where do I stay so I can stumble back to my fluffy hotel bed?
Krista says
This certainly looks like a really fun trail to go on if you love wine! I don’t think I’ve been on a wine route like this before so it’s one to add to the list!
GloriaLi says
I would be so game for this. It’s exactly the kind of trail that I would sign up for.