Wine is quickly becoming as synonymous with Santa Barbara County as Napa Valley or the Bordeaux region of France. In fact, wine grapes have become so important to our local economy that they ranked as the third most valuable crop in 2008, bringing in just over 86 million dollars. While the film, “Sideways” brought the Hollywood Spotlight to our wine country; both locals and visitors alike had been enjoying local vintages long before the film’s popularity.
An afternoon spent wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley is a wonderful way to discover new wines and wineries. The large number of wineries and the wide array of wines they produce make it likely that even those who do not consider themselves wine-drinkers will find a variety that they enjoy. Most wineries have a tasting room that is open and reservations are not usually required. Some wineries are more laid-back than others, and almost all have a signature wine that is their claim to fame. Ultimately, the wine tasting experience all comes down to personal preference in ambience and of course in the wine itself.
When going wine tasting, transportation can become an issue, as volunteers for designated drivers can be quite hard to come by. For a little extra money, a wine tasting tour can be arranged, solving all transportation issues. Additionally, the tour guide can help you decide on which wineries to visit and even educate those wanting to more about the wine making process and what makes our area such a great wine destination.
If an entire afternoon spent drinking wine sounds like a bit much, Santa Barbara is also home to come great specialty wine stores. Both East Beach Wine and Renegade Wines have retail locations in Santa Barbara with great selections and knowledgeable staff to help find the perfect bottle for every taste and occasion.
Wine has become part of the fabric of Santa Barbara life both as an important local industry and as another way to enjoy our beautiful area. Some may want to spend a whole weekend tasting and sampling as many local varieties as possible. Others may just want to have a better idea of what to look for during the next trip to the grocery store. Either way, the links below should provide a good start to enjoying some of Santa Barbara’s local wines. And yes, its fine if you want to try the Merlot.