Dave,
Contact me next time you’re in the area - though I’m not usually open Wednesdays, but if I’m around, I’ll make it in for you.
Cheers.
Some of the best QPR juice in California comes out of Santa Ynez just don’t go in focusing to replicate Bordeaux or Napa styles. Despite that there are some people making good juice in that style.
I never liked Pinit Noir until trying who knows how many various examples out of Sanata Barbara.
If new to the area start in Los Olivos and walk around to the various tasting rooms. Stolpman is where I go first. You can easily spend your whole day in Los Olivos alone discovering high quality wine.
I recently stopped by Liquid Farm while driving through Los Olivos. It happened to be one of the only places open after 5 p.m. More importantly, however, I was really impressed with all of their wine. I’m usually very fussy about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but I thought all of their wines were great. They have a nice atmosphere in the tasting room too.
It is true you have to get your tasting in early and there is not much nightlife.
If you are looking for something to do once the tasting rooms close the Chumash casino is close. I was surprised how packed it is no matter the time.
I’m working Tue-Fri in Santa Barbara next week. Flying in around noon on Monday so I’m planning to get a couple of tastings in the afternoon. What’s the one spot in Los Olivos I shouldn’t miss (beside Tercero)? It’s been over 10 years since I’ve been in the area and I’m feeling somewhat nostalgic so I’d like to eat dinner at The Hitching Post II. Can you eat at the bar there or should I make a reservation?
In the area, I strongly recommend Peake Ranch Winery.
Spent a day in Los Olivios, and been tasting my way through the SB wineries for the past few weeks.
In Los Olivios, the theme of the day was “cellar temp” red wine, which made tasting somewhat difficult. We went to 7 tasting rooms, and I think all but 1 were serving red at 55 or 60F… ugh.
Samsara really good out (I later found out they had a 2nd location in Goleta). Story of Soil is worth a visit as well. I liked the Sangiovese at Stolpman. Liquid Farm does a nice low-alcohol rose (in addition to a lot of Chardonnay’s)- nice tasting room as others have noted. Dragonette Cellars had a nice John Sebastiano Pinot that I picked up too.
In Santa Barbara proper, Au Bon Climat is a classic of course (and still reasonably priced @ $50 for single-vineyard wines), and Whitcraft was an interesting recent discovery. Microproducer, 1500-2000 cases, all sub-13% alcohol, minimal intervention, very burgundian wines.
Pali has a ton of great single vineyard bottlings, including the Turner Vineyard which I really enjoyed.
I need to check out Whitcraft again in the near future…
Matt,
You were literally on both sides of my tasting room and across the street when you were in Los Olivos - bummed you didn’t stop in.
And yep, folks around hear tend to pour all of their wines too cold IMHO.
Cheers.
Tim,
Looking forward to your visit. Its tough to recommend not knowing what you may or may not like, but if you want to hit tasting rooms that are ‘newer’, I would recommend;
Holus Bolus
Carucci
Samsara
Solminer
Story of Soil
F2
As far as the Hitching Post goes, you normally don’t have to make rezzies BUT you will be here during Restaurant Week. And if you want a burger or pulled pork sandwich on Tues/Wed night, you’ll need to request the ‘bar’ side.
Cheers.
That looks perfect. Will drive there from SBA then hit Tercero after. I get bored/tired when doing more than two tastings in a day. Any recommendations for maybe an hour long hike/walk in the area before dinner?
Any recommendations for maybe an hour long hike/walk in the area before dinner?
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There’s a negative (-1.0) low tide on Tuesday 1/21 at 2pm. There are some awesome and often completely empty beaches with more rocky features, bluffs and cliffs than Santa Barbara proper in Gaviota, and you could see some fun wildlife, tidepools etc. Just outside of Los Olivos (literally across the highway), the road goes up towards Figueroa Mountain and there are some fun hikes right off the road.
You’ll need to check when the tasting rooms are open, most are closed Monday and many open only Thurs thru Sun.
I went to Story of Soil today, and I was really impressed! GREAT Gamay and Pinots, all made with no new oak (at least the ones we tried).
Tim - you can eat at the bar at Hitching Post. I would strongly recommend a tasting at Tyler Winery if they’re open while you’re there. You’d have to drive to Lompoc but it’s well worth the visit.
Seconding this recommendation. Peake Ranch is making some outstanding wine.
Just started the initial stages of planning a trip to Los Olivos in May. This thread is going to be a huge help!
Can’t second this recommendation enough. Unbelievable property, really great wines - far exceeded expectations across the board, but particularly on Chardonnay production. Watch for them next BerserkerDay, and I’ll be pimping them HARD as I walked out with half a case - a real gem in the region, NOT to miss.
I concur. We visited for a tasting at the end of February. Well made Pinot and Chardonnay. Bought a mixed case. Will order again without hesitation.
Might as well wait for BerserkerDay!! 