Follow The Prince
|
South Central Coast: Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills
The far reaches of the Sta. Rita Hills are about a 30 minute drive from Santa Ynez. Distinct geology and geography combine to form a unique maritime corridor for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The vineyards and wineries are scattered about two east-west oriented valleys (centered around Santa Rosa Road and Highway 246). Many wineries have tasting rooms, and several wineries' tasting rooms are in close proximity in the city of Lompoc at the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Some wineries are on gravel/dirt roads. Refer to the appellation website (staritahills.com) for a good map.
Recommended Wineries
| Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards |
| Address | 7250 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-9090 |
|---|
| Website | almarosawinery.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Quaint shack made famous in the move Sideways. Open daily 11-5. |
|---|
| Production | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay |
|---|
| Winemaker | Christian Roguenant |
|---|
| Owner | Richard and Thekla Sanford |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Alma Rosa Vineyards & Winery |
|---|
|
| Au Bon Climat |
| Address | 1672 Mission Dr., Solvang (tasting room). |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-7111 |
|---|
| Website | aubonclimat.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Tastes of the Valleys, Thursday through Monday, 11-4. The winery at Bien Nacido Vineyard is not open to the public. |
|---|
| Winemaker | Jim Adelman, Jim Clendenen |
|---|
| Owner | Jim Clendenen |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Au Bon Climat |
|---|
|
| Cargasacchi/Point Concepcion Wines |
| Phone | 805-736-7763 |
|---|
| Website | cargasacchi.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Tours and tasting by appointment. |
|---|
| Winemaker | Peter Cargasacchi |
|---|
| Owner | Peter Cargasacchi |
|---|
| Comments | Peter is a well-respected winegrower in the Sta. Rita Hills, and some time spent with him will give you considerable insight about growing and crafting Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. |
|---|
|
| Clos Pepe Vineyards |
| Address | 4777 E Hwy 246, Lompoc |
|---|
| Phone | 805-735-2196 |
|---|
| Website | clospepe.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Tours and tastings by appointment. |
|---|
| Production | 900 cases Pinot Noir and Chardonnay |
|---|
| Winemaker | Wes Hagen |
|---|
| Owner | Stephen Pepe |
|---|
| Comments | Established in 2000 |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Clos Pepe Vineyards |
|---|
|
| Fiddlehead Cellars |
| Address | 1597 E Chestnut Ave., Lompoc |
|---|
| Phone | 530-756-4550 |
|---|
| Website | fiddleheadcellars.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Tours and tasting by appointment. |
|---|
| Production | Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc |
|---|
| Winemaker | Kathy Joseph |
|---|
| Owner | Kathy Joseph |
|---|
| Comments | 97 acres owned. The annual Fiddlefest held at Fiddlestix Vineyard every June is one of my favorite Pinot events. Established in 1999. |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Fiddlehead Cellars |
|---|
|
| Flying Goat Cellars |
| Address | Lompoc "Wine Ghetto" |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-1814 |
|---|
| Website | flyinggoatcellars.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | At Wine Country, 2245 Alama Pintado Ave, Los Olivos, open 11-5 daily. |
|---|
| Production | 2,300 cases Pinot Noir, sparkling wine |
|---|
| Winemaker | Norm Yost |
|---|
| Owner | Norm Yost |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Flying Goat Cellars |
|---|
|
| Gypsy Canyon |
| Address | 4373 E Hwy 246, Lompoc |
|---|
| Phone | 805-737-0204 |
|---|
| Website | gypsycanyon.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | By appointment ($25 with cheese pairing). Tasting in owner's quaint barn. |
|---|
| Production | Pinot Noir and Angelica (dessert wine from Mission grapes. Very small production. |
|---|
| Winemaker | Deborah Hall |
|---|
| Owner | Deborah Hall |
|---|
| Comments | Visit one of the last remaining Mission grape vineyards in California. |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Gypsy Canyon |
|---|
|
| Hartley-Ostini Vintners Hitching Post Wines |
| Address | Central Coast Wine Services, Santa Maria |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-0676 |
|---|
| Website | hitchingpostwines.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Daily 4-6 at Hitching Post II Restaurant, 406 E Hwy 246, Buellton. |
|---|
| Production | 900 cases of Pinot Noir |
|---|
| Winemaker | Gray Hartley |
|---|
| Owner | Frank Ostini, Gray Hartley |
|---|
|
| Ken Brown Wines |
| Address | 2025 Still Meadows Rd., Solvang |
|---|
| Phone | 805-456-0656 |
|---|
| Website | kenbrownwines.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | By appointment. |
|---|
| Production | 2,500 cases Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah |
|---|
| Winemaker | Ken Brown |
|---|
| Owner | Ken and Deborah Brown |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Ken Brown Wines |
|---|
|
| LaFond Winery & Vineyards |
| Address | 6855 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-7921 |
|---|
| Website | lafondwinery.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Open daily 1-5. Beautifully landscaped grounds with picnic tables and views. |
|---|
| Production | Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay |
|---|
| Winemaker | Bruce McGuire |
|---|
| Owner | Pierre Lafond |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Lafond Winery & Vineyards |
|---|
|
| Prodigal Wines |
| Address | PO Box 957, Los Olivos, CA 93441 |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-0476 |
|---|
| Website | prodigalwines.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | By appointment. |
|---|
| Production | Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris. Small production. |
|---|
| Winemaker | Stephen Russell |
|---|
| Owner | Stephen and Mary Russell |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Prodigal Wines |
|---|
|
| Roblar Winery & Vineyards |
| Address | 3010 Roblar Ave, Santa Ynez |
|---|
| Phone | 805-686-2603 |
|---|
| Website | roblarwinery.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Open daily 10-5. Gardens, vista terraces, large indoor/outdoor fireplace, culinary school. |
|---|
| Production | Multiple varietals, mainly Rhone. |
|---|
| Winemaker | Richard Foster |
|---|
| Owner | Richard Foster |
|---|
| Comments | Established in 2007. |
|---|
| PoP coverage | RÅblar Winery & Vineyards |
|---|
|
| Rusack Vineyards |
| Address | 1819 Ballard Canyon Rd., Solvang |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-1278 |
|---|
| Website | rusackvineyards.com |
|---|
| Tasting Room | Open daily 11-5 in summer (winter hours vary). Great spot for picnic with majestic oaks and serenity. |
|---|
| Production | 7,000 cases Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah |
|---|
| Winemaker | John Falcone and Catherine Stephens |
|---|
| Owner | Geoff and Alison Rusack |
|---|
| Comments | 17 acres owned. Established in 1995. |
|---|
| PoP coverage | Rusack Vineyards |
|---|
|
Recommended Lodging
| 1880 Union Hotel |
| Address | 362 Bell St., Los Alamos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-344-2744 |
|---|
| Website | www.1880unionhotel.com |
|---|
| Comments | Built in 1880 as a stagecoach stop. 14 rooms (from $105) with a country home design, some with bathrooms down the hall. Lovely back garden, a sitting room and a rowdy saloon. |
|---|
|
| Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort |
| Address | 1054 Alisal Rd., Solvang |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-6411 |
|---|
| Website | alisal.com |
|---|
| Comments | More a destination resort for families.Horseback riding, golf, swimming. River Alisal Grill (brkfst, lunch, dinner). Beloved by many. |
|---|
|
| Ballard Inn & Restaurant |
| Address | 2436 Baseline Ave., Ballard |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-7770 |
|---|
| Website | ballardinn.com |
|---|
| Comments | 15 romantic rooms. Brkfst included. My favorite lodging in the area. Oustanding restaurant as well. (see under Recommended Restaurants). |
|---|
|
| Best Western Andersons, Motel 6, Santa Ynez Valley Marriott |
| Website | |
|---|
| Comments | Typical hotel accommodations close to Highway 101. Avoid Days Inn Windmill featured in Sideways. |
|---|
|
| Cabins at Jalama Beach |
| Website | countyofsb.org/parks |
|---|
| Comments | 7 newer pine cabins at Jalama Beach near Santa Barbara with magnificent ocean views. The cabins sleep 4 to 6 and have kitchens and baths. From $100 plus a $20 reservation fee, 2 nights minimum. |
|---|
|
| Chumash Casino Resort |
| Address | 3400 E Highway 246, Santa Ynez |
|---|
| Phone | 805-686-4152 |
|---|
| Website | chumashcasino.com |
|---|
| Comments | Luxurious hotel that is affordable. Casino, Willows Restaurant (steak and seafood). |
|---|
|
| El Capitan Canyon |
| Phone | 805-685-3887 |
|---|
| Website | elcapitancanyon.com |
|---|
| Comments | Comfortable cabin camping and resort in the Santa Barbara foothills. Glamping (glamourous camping). |
|---|
|
| Fess Parkers Wine Country Inn & Spa |
| Address | 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-7788 |
|---|
| Website | fessparker.com |
|---|
| Comments | Deluxe and expensive B&B lodging with DaVine spa. Marcellas Restaurant is new in 2008 (formerly Wine Cask). |
|---|
|
| Hadsten House Inn & Spa |
| Address | 1450 Mission Dr., Solvang |
|---|
| Phone | 800-457-5373 |
|---|
| Website | hadstenhouse.com |
|---|
| Comments | Newly renovated and located in downtown Solvang. Solvang is pretty kitschy and touristy to me, but some enjoy the ambiance. Hygge Restaurant is in the Hadsten House. |
|---|
|
| Hotel Corque |
| Address | 400 Alisal Road |
|---|
| Phone | 800-624-5572 |
|---|
| Website | www.hotelcorque.com |
|---|
| Comments | A boutique hotel owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Excellent restaurant by noted chef Bradley Ogden: Root 246. Rooms have state-of-the-art amenities. Perfect location to explore Santa Ynez Valley. |
|---|
|
| Santa Ynez Inn |
| Address | 3627 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-5588 |
|---|
| Website | santaynezinn.com |
|---|
| Comments | Victorian styled 14 room B&B. Cooked breakfast. |
|---|
|
| Victorian Mansion Bed & Breakfast |
| Address | 362 Bell St., Los Alamos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-344-1300 |
|---|
| Website | www.thevick.com |
|---|
| Comments | Union Hotel is a restored Wells Fargo Depot dating to 1880. The Victorian Mansion was built in 1864 and moved to its present location in 1980. There are six eclectic fantasy-themed suites. All of the original murals have been restored as part of a complete restoration in 2007. |
|---|
|
Recommended Restaurants
| Avant Tapas and Wine |
| Address | 35 Industrial Way, Buellton (Terravant Wine Co) |
|---|
| Phone | 805-686-9400 x5 |
|---|
| Website | |
|---|
| Comments | 30 wines by half glass or glass using key card. Comfortable room looking out on winery with videos of winemaking constantly showing. Home to Ken Brown, Hitching Post, others. Excellent small plates. Open 11:00-8:00 Thursday thru Sunday. |
|---|
|
| Ballard Inn & Restaurant |
| Address | 2436 Baseline Ave., Ballard |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-7770 |
|---|
| Website | ballardinn.com |
|---|
| Comments | Budi Kazalis fusion cuisine. Intimate dining and superb wine list and service. Wine-tasting bar Fri-Sun, 12-4:30 (Kenneth-Crawford, Ken Brown, Lane Tanner, etc.). Very highly recommended. |
|---|
|
| Brothers Restaurant at Mattei's Tavern |
| Address | Hwy 154 at Grand Ave., Los Olivos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-4820 |
|---|
| Website | matteistavern.com |
|---|
| Comments | 19th century stagecoach stop. |
|---|
|
| Cold Spring Tavern |
| Address | 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara (off Hwy 154 between Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara)) |
|---|
| Phone | 805-967-0066 |
|---|
| Website | coldspringtavern.com |
|---|
| Comments | BLD in an 1860's stagecoach stop. Tri-tip sandwiches a specialty. Live music frequent. Favorite of young winemakers and cellar rats. Indoor and outdoor dining. |
|---|
|
| Full of Life Flatbread |
| Address | 225 West Bell St., Los Alamos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-344-4400 |
|---|
| Website | fulloflifefoods.com |
|---|
| Comments | Artisan flatbread pizzas. Ingredients organically grown within 400 miles. Organic frozen flatbread pizza maker during the day, transforms into a restaurant four nights a week (Thurs-Sun). Popular spot for area winemakers. Candied apples are signature dessert. Dinner Fri-Sun only. Nothing over $25. |
|---|
|
| Hitching Post II Restaurant |
| Address | 406 E Hwy 246, Buellton |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-0676 |
|---|
| Website | hitchingpost2.com |
|---|
| Comments | Long-standing tradition in the Santa Ynez Valley. Home of Harley-Ostini Hitching Post Wines which you can sample and purchase. Very popular since the movie Sideways. Steaks, ostrich, grilled artichokes. |
|---|
|
| Jalama Beach Café |
| Address | 400 E Ocean Ave, Hwy 1, Lompoc |
|---|
| Phone | 805-735-8205 |
|---|
| Website | |
|---|
| Comments | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Great hamburgers "Jalama burger"). Central Coast wine list with most wines under $30. Winemaker dinners. |
|---|
|
| Los Olivos Café & Wine Merchant |
| Address | 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-7265 |
|---|
| Website | losolivoscafe.com |
|---|
| Comments | California cuisine and Central Coast wines. Wine store. Featured in Sideways. |
|---|
|
| Root 246 |
| Address | 420 Alisal Rd., Solvang |
|---|
| Phone | 805-686-8681 |
|---|
| Website | root-246.com |
|---|
| Website | hotelcorque.com |
|---|
| Comments | Bradley Ogden is the consultant for this restaurant located at Hotel Corque in Solvang. The Chumash Indians purchased the old Royal Scandinavian Inn and refurbished it. The fresh American cuisine is executed by Chef Jonathan Hall, a protege of Ogden's. Contemporary with two bars. |
|---|
|
| Sissy's Uptown Cafe |
| Address | 112 South 1 St., Lompoc |
|---|
| Phone | sissysuptowncafe.com |
|---|
| Website | |
|---|
| Comments | Grilled sandwiches, inexpensive. 300 different local wines with some limited production and hard to find bottlings. Wine tastings including Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noirs for $3 per taste. |
|---|
|
| SY Burrito |
| Address | 1051 Edison St., Santa Ynez (inside the Rio Market) |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-0750 |
|---|
| Website | syburrito.com |
|---|
|
| The Cold Spring Tavern |
| Address | Route 154, 10 minutes north of Santa Barbara (lookfor the sign). |
|---|
| Phone | 805-961-0066 |
|---|
| Website | www.coldspringtavern.com |
|---|
| Comments | A stagecoach stop in the 1880s. Order the tri tip sandwich. Many bikers on Sundays. |
|---|
|
| The Porch Restaurant at Los Olivos Grocery |
| Address | 2621 Hwy 154, Santa Ynez |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-5115 |
|---|
| Website | losolivosgrocery.com |
|---|
| Comments | Casual, wine at retail. Gourmet grocery. |
|---|
|
| The Vineyard House |
| Address | 3631 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-7265 |
|---|
| Website | thevineyardhouse.com |
|---|
| Comments | California regional cuisine. Patio seating. L&D. Located adjacent to the Santa Ynez Inn. |
|---|
|
Picnic Supplies
| Bell Street Farm |
| Address | 406 Bell St., Los Alamos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-344-4609 |
|---|
| Website | www.bellstreetfarm.com |
|---|
| Comments | A market/restaurant serving sandwiches, salads and rotisserie chicken Fridays-Mondays 10:00 - 6:00. |
|---|
|
| Epicurean Picnic |
| Address | 1582 Mission Dr., Solvang |
|---|
| Website | |
|---|
| Comments | 100 artisan gourmet cheeses and specialty meats. |
|---|
|
|
|
| Panino |
| Address | 475 1st Street, Solvang; 2900 Grand Ave, Los Olivos |
|---|
| Phone | 805-688-0608 |
|---|
| Website | www.paninorestaurants.com |
|---|
| Comments | A family-owned restaurant chain serving Italian inspired soups, salads and sandwiches in Santa Barbara County. |
|---|
|
Wine Country Tours
|
|
| Cloud Climber Jeep Tours |
| Website | www.ccjeeps.com |
|---|
| Comments | Tours to the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains and over wine country back roads to get to vineyards and tasting rooms. |
|---|
|
| Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours |
| Website | www.winecountrycycling.com |
|---|
| Comments | Cycling trips and tours in various wine tasting areas for every level of rider. |
|---|
|
Appellation Websites
|
