How to Spend a Day in the Santa Barbara Wine Country

The movie "Sideways" has increased the popularity of the Santa Barbara wine country, where the laid back style and bucolic scenery remain its charm, especially compared to its Northern California wine country counterpart. The wine is excellent, too. The terrain is easily navigable with plenty of back roads to explore.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Map out an itinerary. The wine country is north of the City of Santa Barbara and south of Santa Maria. Either city serves as an entry to the wine country and a place to spend the night. There are many accommodations in the wine country, too. Many websites and guide books carry information on the many wineries. Using a map, circle about 5 to 6 wineries of interest.

2. Don’t drink and drive. Not just because Hwy. 154, a winding mountain road connecting Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez. Assign a designated driver. If no one wants the job, join a tour, or hire a vehicle. Bicycling is an option, too, for the very experienced cyclist.

3. Eat a hearty breakfast. Once the tasting starts it is easy to forget about food, which could lead to disastrous results. Pack some snacks, or a picnic lunch, too. There isn’t much food available out on the winery trail, other than water crackers and some novelty olives and tapenades sold at wineries. Bringing along some bottled waters is a good idea, too.

4. Pace yourself. Wineries typically open at 10 a.m. and close between 4 and 6 p.m. The point is to enjoy the particular wines and mood of a winery, not to see how many wineries can be visited.

5. Bring your wallet. Typically, a tasting costs between $5 and $20 for a flight of 4 to 8 wines. Sometimes the wine glass is given as a souvenir.
   
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Tips & Warnings

• Don’t be shy about asking pourers and other winery personnel for restaurant or other winery recommendations.
• Summer and some days in the other seasons can be blistering hot in the Santa Barbara Wine Country. Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. In the cooler months, dress in layers—while the shade can be downright cold, in the sun is hot.

Resources

• Taking a leisurely country drive allows you to fully appreciate the winemaking experience while viewing the ever changing seasons.
• A day of wine tasting involves more than the art of sniffing robust aromas or sipping ruby reds. A modicum of preparation is best.