First of all, I think local guys like Larry Schaffer and Brian Loring are in the best position to advise you on this. I would not miss a chance to visit either of those guys. That said, my wife and I love going to Los Olivos and Santa Barbara. Here’s what we have discovered that we liked best (so far) when we go for the Late-April SB Vinters Weekend (which it sounds like you’re attending)
Here’s our typical itinerary to get the best of everything…
SATURDAY
MORNING
Breakfast: It’s worth trying the Buellton Danish-style pancakes at Ellen’s Danish Pancake House if you don’t mind a touch of unique diner food.
This heads you in the right direction to hit…
Ste Rita Hills Tasting Rooms / Vineyard (Between Buellton and Lompoc)
Clos Pepe
Dierberg
Babcock (Babcock is the coolest and they do an open house one of the two days with some library wines available for tasting: Upcoming Festive Events – Babcock Winery )
Then back to Buellton for lunch at…
Lunch: Industrial Eats in Buellton, hands down
Then back to Los Olivos for Tasting Rooms…
Los Olivos Tasting Rooms
Tercero
Larner
Dragonette
Stolpman
Los Olivos Dinner: Do Sides Hardware over Los Olivos Wine Merchant (better food) if you can only do one. But also check to see if THE BEAR AND STAR has opened at Fess Parker hotel in Los Olivos by the time you go. They are supposed to have amazing food (wagyu beef etc.) once they open OR you may want to attend the Saturday Night “Big Bottle Bash” dinner in Solvang: Big Bottle Bash - SANTA BARBARA VINTNERS FESTIVAL
SUNDAY
MORNING
The Educational Hike and Wine Tasting at Stolpman Vineyards
We did this last year and loved it. Beautiful vineyards, nice villa. Peter Stolpman, his Dad, and wine-grower Ruben Solarzano (of Coastal Vineyard Care, and who manages vineyards for some of Central Cali’s biggest labels) do a great job talking to the guests about what they are doing from the ground to the glass.
http://shop.stolpmanvineyards.com/res-374422/Educational-Vineyard-Hike-424.html
LarnerFete
Last year Larner Vineyard had a winemaker BBQ called LarnerFete. 7 wineries who purchase fruit from the vineyard were there: Jaffurs, Kaena, Larner (obv.), Tercero, McPrice Meyers, Central Coast Group Project & Casa Dumetz. Check with Larry Shaffer from Tercero and see if they are doing one again. Doing the hike, then the BBQ would be wonderful, efficient, relaxing and honestly all that outdoor fresh air and walking is a great way to detox from a lot of Friday and Saturday eating and drinking… while continuing to do more eating and drinking. lol.
NOTES:
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Really Handy Tasting Room Maps
http://www.sbcountywines.com/wine-tasting-routes.html#losolivos
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I would not do winery tasting rooms in Santa Barbara itself because I prefer going out to the vineyards. For that reason we also skip Lompoc’s wine ghetto. That said, if you find yourself in Santa Barbara here is what we have liked in town:
SB Tasting Rooms: Grassini, Riverbench, Jaffurs (this more a production facility than a tasting room, btw)
SB Restaurants: Stonehouse at San Ysidro, or The Lark (next to Les Marchands and the somm sometimes raids their cellar for special wines)
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Brewer-Clifton, which does more balanced pinots instead of fruit pie pinots, does do barrel tasting and/or vineyard visits by appointment. Inquire here if that’s of interest:
Visit | By Greg Brewer
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Cambria tasting room is 30-40 mins up from Santa Ynez at 5475 Chardonnay Lane, Santa Maria, CA 93454. Paul Lato is also up there at 2705 Aviation Blvd Suite 100, Santa Maria CA
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There is a nice Olive Oil tasting place our there in Santa Ynez too:
Greek Olive Oil Lady 2450 Alamo Pintado Road
Here are her instructions if you go: “Please make sure you insert “Road” as GPS will, unfortunately,
default to Alamo Pintado Avenue which is about one mile from us!
You will also need to input “Solvang” (even though we’re technically in
Los Olivos—someone please tell GOOGLE!) Our cross streets are
Santa Barbara Avenue & Grand Avenue. Call us if you get lost, 800.307.0447”
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JONATA in Buellton is available weekdays only by appointment
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If you are a beer person (I no longer am), the Firestone Barrelworks facility is there and supposedly amazing.
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Also, I am not sure, but Uber may have its Wine service where you get a driver for the day. It can be cheaper and more flexible than paying for other services, or requiring party members to not drink. YOu’ll know when you get into the area and check the Uber app. If it’s available it’ll show up. They have it in San Luis Obispo. Not 100% sure about Santa Ynez.
Some Accommodations Stuff:
Santa Ynez Inn - approx $600/nt
- This is an upscale bed and breakfast vibe hotel/inn
- If you want more the ‘countryside’ getaway vibe
Ballard Inn - A bit less expensive, less modern/luxe than Santa Ynez Inn but very cozy
about $285/nt
Mirabelle Inn - Solvang - Kinda cute but kinda touristy Danish style town
http://mirabelleinn.com - Very cute B&B with upscale touches - amazing Weekday special $149/nt
Good Coffee/Cappuccino
Downtown Santa Barbara: HandleBar Coffee (Good)
Santa Ynez: Corner House Coffee (Decent)
Just know that WHATEVER you do you will miss out on something else because there is so much to do.
And know that no matter what you choose to do you will have an amazing time.
Have fun!
Barry