Discover Santa Barbara Wineries

If you’re searching for Santa Barbara wineries, you’re in for a treat. Nestled along California’s Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County is one of the most dynamic and diverse wine regions in the state. 

With cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the west and bold Rhône and Bordeaux varietals from the east, this region has something for every kind of wine lover.

Discover California Wines is an initiative by Wine Institute, an association of more than 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses. You can trust that we are knowledgeable when discussing California wine, including Santa Barbara County. 

In this article, we will share everything you need to know about Santa Barbara County, from the climate, what grapes grow there, the wines they produce and where to visit in real life!

History and Heritage

Santa Barbara County’s viticultural roots extend over two centuries, beginning with the Spanish missionaries who planted the first vineyards in the late 1700s to produce sacramental wine. The Mission Santa Barbara, established in 1786, played a pivotal role in these early endeavors.

The modern era of winemaking in Santa Barbara County began in the 1960s and 1970s, when pioneers recognized the region’s potential for producing high-quality wines. In 1965, soil and climatic studies indicated that the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valleys offered suitable conditions for growing premium wine grapes. 

This realization led to a renaissance in the area’s wine industry, culminating in the establishment of the Santa Maria Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1981 and the Santa Ynez Valley AVA in 1983. Today, Santa Barbara County is home to seven official appellations: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara and Alisos Canyon. Each AVA offers unique characteristics that contribute to the region’s reputation as one of the world’s most diverse wine-growing areas.

Climate, Terroir, Grape Varieties and Wine Styles

Santa Barbara County’s unique geography features transverse valleys that run east to west, allowing calm Pacific Ocean breezes and fog to penetrate inland. This creates a range of microclimates, from the cooler western areas, ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, to the warmer eastern regions, well suited for Bordeaux and Rhône varietals.

In the western parts of the county, the cool climate conditions and reliably dry fall provide grapes with a long, even growing season. This extended “hang time” allows fruit to develop robust and complex flavors while maintaining balance. 

Large diurnal temperature swings — cool nights, foggy mornings and warm afternoons — enable grapes to ripen during the day and retain acidity overnight. The region’s diverse soils, ranging from sandy loam to clay and limestone, further contribute to the distinctive characteristics of Santa Barbara wines.

Santa Barbara County’s varied climate and terroir support the cultivation of numerous grape varieties. In the cooler western regions, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive, producing wines with bright acidity, complex fruit flavors and notable minerality. 

The warmer eastern areas are well-suited for Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Rhône varieties such as Syrah and Grenache, resulting in wines with rich, ripe fruit characteristics and robust structures.

Notable wine styles from the region include crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blancs, elegant and nuanced Pinot Noirs and bold, spicy Syrahs. The diversity of wine styles reflects the county’s complex microclimates and the dedication of its winemakers to expressing the unique qualities of their vineyards.

Santa Barbara County AVAs

Today there are over 275 wineries on over 14,000 acres with seven approved AVAs. The Santa Maria Valley is the northernmost AVA. Ocean fog and wind, plus complex soil conditions create microclimates where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive. 

Below, the Santa Ynez Valley is an overlying AVA that comprises four sub-AVAs (west to east): Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.  

• The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is heavily influenced by morning and afternoon fog and has sedimentary soils with diatomaceous earth and limestone providing the right environment for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.   

• Ballard Canyon is the smallest AVA accounting for only 7,800 acres of winegrapes. Its north/south oriented canyon drives wind and weather conditions make it ideal for growing Rhône varieties; over 50% is Syrah, and an additional 30% are Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache. 

• The most recently approved sub-AVA of the Santa Ynez Valley is the Los Olivos District, located between the Purisima Hills above Solvang and Happy Canyon. Unlike other AVAs in the region, the Los Olivos District is a broad alluvial terrace with relatively uniform topography, geology and soil profile. With a total acreage of 1,121, most of the grapes grown here are Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rhône varieties.

• Located at the far eastern end you’ll find Happy Canyon. The weather in this AVA is much warmer, which creates ideal conditions for later ripening varieties. Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc thrive on its rolling hills with high slopes and varied soils. 
• The newest AVA, Alisos Canyon, is located near Los Alamos, a tiny historic town that’s made its mark as a must-visit foodie (and if we’re really being honest, hipster) destination. The weather there is heavily influenced by its proximity to the ocean. Its unique soils which include sandstone and shale, coupled with a rare strip of limestone, make this appellation ideal for Rhône varieties. 

Santa Barbara Wine Regions To Explore

With so many choices, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when planning a wine tasting adventure in Santa Barbara. Don’t worry — we’ll help you make sense of it. The Santa Barbara wine country is sprawling, and many of the wineries are located north/east of the city of Santa Barbara. Here are areas to know:

Buellton Wine Trail
The gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, you’ll find everything from estate vineyards to “garagiste” tasting rooms here. There is plenty of lodging and easy access off of Highway 101, making this ideal for a road trip stopover. 

• Hitching Post Wines 

Foxen Canyon
A winding country road that heads from Los Olivos towards Los Alamos with plenty of estate vineyards offering tastings. 

• Koehler Winery 
• Foxen Vineyards 
• Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards

Lompoc Wine Trail
Most of the wineries here are conveniently located together in an industrial park. 

• Ampelos Cellars
• Fiddlehead Cellars 
• Flying Goat Cellars 
• Longoria Wines 

Los Olivos Promenade
This quaint and historic town, once a stop on the Wells Fargo Stagecoach Line, is now a hub for several tasting rooms, art galleries, boutique shops and excellent restaurants. 

• Carhartt Vineyard & Winery 
• Dragonette Cellars
• Liquid Farm
• Terre et Sang

Santa Maria Valley
The Santa Maria Valley has one of the coolest climates due to the unusual east/west orientation of the valley (and the reason the aforementioned movie is called Sideways). 

• Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard 
• Presqu’ile Vineyard & Winery
• Rancho Sisquoc 

Santa Ynez Valley
Here you’ll find both vineyards and horse ranches on this picturesque trail. You can taste in the town of Santa Ynez itself, or grab a picnic from one of the local delis and head out to one of the estate wineries along the country roads. 

• Crosshatch Winery
• Crown Point Vineyards 

Solvang
Coined the “Danish Capital of America,” this quirky 100-year-old village has shops, hotels, bakeries and restaurants. 

• Alma Rosa Winery 

Sta. Rita Hills Wine Trail
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay rule the roost in this cool climate appellation, but you will also find other interesting wines there. Head west on Santa Rosa Road from the 101 towards Lompoc, then make the return trip to Buellton on Highway 246. 

• Melville Winery 
• Sanford Winery  

Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
The city of Santa Barbara has several eclectic wineries and tasting rooms to choose from, many of which are located in the “Funk Zone.” in the past few years, this artsy downtown area has seen an uptick of wineries, breweries and distilleries, as well as chef-driven restaurants. 

• Au Bon Climat Winery
• Grassini Family Vineyards 
• Kunin Wines 
• Margerum Wine Company 

Read more about Santa Barbara wineries and plan your next visit.

Few things pair better with Santa Barbara wine than vibrant, flavorful cuisine. One perfect match? Cajun Bell Peppers with Dirty Rice, a savory, spicy dish that sings alongside the region’s refreshing rosés or zesty Sauvignon Blancs.

The slight sweetness and acidity in a Santa Barbara County rosé help temper the heat of Cajun spices. At the same time, the citrus and herbal notes in a Sauvignon Blanc highlight the smoky, savory elements of the dirty rice. Pour a glass, gather your friends and enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes is Santa Barbara County known for?
Thanks to its varied microclimates and terroir, the region is known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.

Where can I go wine tasting in Santa Barbara?
Wine tasting is available across the county, including urban tasting rooms in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, and vineyard experiences in Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys.

Is Santa Barbara wine sustainable?
Yes, many wineries embrace sustainability. Ampelos Cellars, for example, is certified organic, biodynamic and SIP Certified®.