Santa Barbara trip

[Kcwhippet]

We're going out to California the first two weeks of November to see our brand new grandson. As on every trip out there, we plan on spending the last 4 or 5 days visiting a few wineries. Since we've never been there, we decided to give the Santa Barbara area a try. So, the question is - what are the "must see" wineries we should be sure to stop at? We were in Oregon last month and had some great Pinot Noirs, and the Santa Barbara area has a reputation for making some good Pinot Noirs. Which ones should we not miss? Also, any recommendations on other sights we should take in and restaurants to try would be appreciated.

[zenda2]

You might want to look this site over before you visit...and if it was me, I'd stop in here and ask a few questions, taste and buy a few bottles. They're the tasting room for Alban and if you like Syrah or Viognier do try Alban while you're here. I love their stuff.

http://www.sbwines.com/wine.html

Since I like their wine, I'd visit Bonny Doon, Eberle, Jaffurs, Germain-Robin (distillery-good stuff!) & Quady (their 1988 port is good, if you're wanting a bottle to set aside for 21 years for that new grandson), this wine shop will know if any or all of these are open to the public. YMMV. There are several Pinot specialists listed on the site, as well as restaurant suggestions. This ought to help make it a really nice trip.


[This message has been edited by zenda2 (edited 10-11-2001).]

[Innkeeper]

Zaca Mesa and Brander are two of my favorites. If you want to see a beautiful facility as well as decent wine, Firestone. If you get up to Paso Robles (a couple of hours north), the Bonny Doon tasting room that Zenda mentioned is worth the trip, particulaly if you are into herbs and such. On the way back into town you go right by Peachy Canyon if you are into zin. If you go out the highway east, Tobin James is our very fav. To get there you go right by Aerciero/EOS which also has more than wine to offer.

You really don't have to go up to Paso though. There are lots to do and see right in the Santas Barbara, Maria, Ynez area. If you stop at Wine Country in Solvang, they can get you oriented, let you taste wines from different wineries, and will point you in the right direction.

[Kcwhippet]

Zenda - It looks like Los Olivos W&S Emporium is a must stop. Thanks.

IK - Actually, we're driving down from Saratoga and Paso is our first stop for a day. We HAVE to stop for dinner at Ian McPhee's, as well as at a few wineries. Peachy Canyon and Bonny Doon are always musts. We also like to visit Pasquale Mastantuono because he's such a kick. Down in the SB area, Zaca Mesa was a thought, but I've never heard of Brander, so I went out and found their web site. Sounds interesting enough to make that one of our stops. It seems like a lot of the wineries are in Los Olivos.