California has plenty of places to enjoy great wine, and Santa Barbara is one of them. Nestled between the central coast and the Santa Ynez Mountains, both the views and wine are impressive.
We’ve put together a list of the best places to taste local and international wine in Santa Barbara.
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The Best Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara
AU Bon Climat
Here you’ll find a few ways to taste wine, with personal pre-built flights or a guided tasting.
That includes a one-on-one meeting with a member of their knowledgeable staff in a variety of unique package options.
You’ll also find descriptive tasting notes to guide you through their wine selections.
With over 100 wines for sale that cover both new releases and an extensive library of ols favorites, they’re bound to have something you’ll love.
Enjoy the comfortable atmosphere while sipping on local flavors at Au Bon Climat.
- Location: 813 Anacapa St, Ste 5b, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Carr Winery
Enjoy the classic feel of a working winery while enjoying wine served in tastings, by the glass, or on tap.
Their Standard Tasting flight contains 5 hand-picked favorites from different growing regions around the Santa Ynez Valley.
Reservations are required due to limited space, but you’d be a fool to pass up this great spot. Indoors you’ll find dark wood, leather, and dimly lit areas, perfect for date night.
Outside on the patio is comfortable and tasteful seating, including spots around fire pits and twinkling lights strung around the area. Taste some of the best of Santa Ynez Valley all in one spot.
- Location: 414 N. Salsipuedes St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Deep Sea Tasting Room
This tasting room, presented by Conway Family Wines is in a can’t miss location. You’ll find them on Stearns Wharf, where you’ll find unbeatable panoramic ocean views and an expansive outdoor deck.
Both of which complement the wine perfectly. Here you’ll find local family-owned sustainable products that can be enjoyed in a tasting flight, by the glass, or bottle.
Their selections include a variety of red, white, and rose.
You can even bring your furry friend along to enjoy. No reservation is required, so grab a friend and stop in to enjoy seaside views and impeccable California wine.
- Location: 1591 Spinnaker Dr Suite 115, Ventura, CA 93001
J Wilkes Tasting Room
Another can’t miss tasting room located ocean-side, J Wilkes, is located on the beach near Stearns Wharf.
Here you’ll find a mix of laid-back and upscale with stunning views and a portfolio of unique central coast wines.
A tasting is recommended, and their pre-built flights each offer a different experience, and one even includes chocolate.
But J Wilkes welcomes guests to stop in for their happy hour or even just because. Reservations are recommended because, with views and flavors like these, spots fill up quickly.
- Location: 35 State St, Ste B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Kunin Wines
Located within the historic Presidio Neighborhood, you’ll have the opportunity to taste and learn all about Kunin Wines.
Deep and robust reds, along with crisp whites and intriguing rose, are just some of the styles you’ll find on their tasting menu.
The staff is friendly and loves to answer questions about whatever they’re pouring. The venue itself is clean and modern without being pretentious.
Their patio is a great place to enjoy a tasting with a friend in the California sun. Dogs are welcome, too, so bring the whole crew and taste the best of what Kunin has to offer.
- Location: 831 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Margerum Wine Co & Barden Wines
You’ll find this wine-tasting experience a few steps from the waterfront and the Hotel Californian.
Wines are available by the glass or in tasting flights both inside of the expansive venue as well as outdoors on their heated patio.
Along with the wine, you’ll find small bites and shareable items for when you need to grab a bite.
Their extensive list should have something you love and when you find it, take a bottle home from the retail shop.
In case you’d like a more curated experience, check out their wine dinner events for a full guided pairing.
- Location: 19 E Mason St, Santa Barbara, CA
Riverbench Santa Barbara Tasting Room
Riverbench brand wines offer delectable selections of Santa Barbara County wines, including varietals of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines.
Their small portfolio of wines are all sustainably farmed from their rivers-side vineyard located near the Sisquoc River.
Their menu inside the tasting room includes wines by the glass or in pre-built flights for you to choose from.
Enjoy table-side service while you relax on plush leather sofas. Grab a date or a group of friends and enjoy great local wine in a comfortable setting.
- Location: 137 Anacapa St, Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Sanguis
The seaside city is filled with great local wine, and Sanguis is no different. Just a few minutes drive from the rest of downtown, they offer private tastings of five recent selections (library wines available upon request).
Reservations are required, as it also includes a tour of the winery. Their wines all come with clever names, and they have quite a few vintages available for purchase.
Syrah, Cab Sauv, and blends make up the majority of their menu, with a few other styles available as well. Enjoy complexity and innovation within Santa Barabara wine with Sanguis.
- Location: 8 Ashley Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Santa Barbara Wine Collective
Bringing together a diverse collection of fine wine from throughout Santa Barbara County.
You’ll find a place to not only hang out with old friends but make new ones and discover the best of local wine production all under the same roof.
Their wine selections include pre-crafted flights with comedic names that continuously change.
Or, if you’re in the mood for a full glass, feel free to sample from their extensive wine list that includes reds, white, and rose options.
Find something you love. Buy the bottle and take it home with you. Make sure to stop in for fun events like weekly trivia too.
- Location: 131 Anacapa St, Ste C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara Winery
Named after the city itself, this winery has been around since the 60s and will give you a true taste of Santa Barbara.
The tasting room is open daily and doesn’t require a reservation to taste some of their delicious award-winning wine.
Among the list are reds, whites, and other vintages, all created and produced by the Lafond family, only two blocks from the ocean side.
They hold multiple certifications surrounding their sustainable products and production practices.
This casual, tasteful space curates a wonderful environment to sip on local wine while taking in the weather and flavors of Santa Barbara.
- Location: 28 Anacapa St, Ste A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Final Thoughts
Being placed between the ocean and mountains has really done something for wine growing and production in Santa Barbara county.
Enjoy local views and flavors while stopping at one, or more, of these great wine-tasting spots located on the central coast.