Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon: Santa Barbara Wine Country: Where you are bound to discover your favorites

Recently we enjoyed three Santa Barbara wines (Alma Rosa, El Jabali Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills 2020; Twomey, Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido, Santa Ynez Valley 2015;and Jonata, Fenix, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016). These wines immediately transported me to Santa Barbara Wine Country where the micro-climates and varying terrains allow for diverse grape growing areas.

Santa Barbara Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Given the diversity of micro-climates and varying terrains Santa Barbara County is home to seven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): Santa Maria Valley, California’s second oldest AVA is the most northerly. Santa Ynez Valley AVA has four sub-AVAs (West to East) - Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. Alisos Canyon is the youngest AVA. The Burgundian grapes, pinot noir and chardonnay, thrive in the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley; Rhone grapes like syrah and grenache in Ballard Canyon; and Bordeaux's cabernet sauvignon and merlot in Happy Canyon. You will also find Italian and Spanish varieties, and late harvest and bubbly wines too. We so enjoy exploring Santa Barbara County's wineries at Lompoc, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Los Olivos, Ballard Canyon, and of course Santa Barbara. Before exploring these areas a quick peek at the three wines.

1. Alma Rosa, El Jabali Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills 2020

Alma Rosa, El Jabali Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills 2020 © Spaswinefood

2. Twomey, Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido, Santa Ynez Valley 2015

Twomey, Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido, Santa Ynez Valley 2015 © Spaswinefood

3. Jonata, Fenix, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016

Jonata, Fenix, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016 © Spaswinefood

Indeed these three wines quickly brought back memories of earlier Santa Barbara County wine travels.

Travels in Santa Barbara Wine Country

The following wine travels from Lompoc, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Los Olivos, Ballard Canyon, and of course Santa Barbara:

1. Off to Lompoc: Driving from Buellton to Lompoc we always have a few places on our list, such as Fiddlehead, Ampelos Cellars, Domaine de la Cote, Hilt Estate, D’Alfonso Curran, and Sanford. During a recent visit to the Lompoc area we dropped by Hilt Estate.

Hilt Estate, Lompoc © Spaswinefood

Hilt Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines were indeed the perfect way to kick-off our Santa Barbara County wine travels.

Hilt Estate Chardonnay & Pinot Noir © Spaswinefood

Tasting Hilt Estate Wines © Spaswinefood

While at Hilt Estate we also tasted three 2016 Jonata Wines.

The Jonata Wines were from Ballard Canyon.

1. Jonata, Fenix, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016

Jonata, Fenix, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016 © Spaswinefood

2. Jonata, Todos Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016

Jonata, Todos, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016 © Spaswinefood

3. Jonata, La Sangre, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016

Jonata, La Sangre, Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley 2016 © Spaswinefood

How could one not enjoy these Hilt Estate wines and the 2016 Jonata Wines?

Of course, I did not miss taking in the views of the Hilt Estate vineyard.

Spring Time, Hilt Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Hilt Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Next, it was off to Lompoc's Wine Ghetto, where we stopped at Fiddlehead for a wine tasting.

Fiddlehead Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Welcome to Fiddlehead © Spaswinefood

Along the way to Lompoc we stopped at Sanford & Benedict Vineyards on Santa Rosa Road. The iconic Sanford Winery was founded in 1971 by Richard Sanford. Terlato Wines International assumed ownership in 2005. Sanford Winery at Rancho La Rinconada is within the Santa Rita Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA), founded in 2001.

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Sanford Winery & Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Sanford Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Estate Vineyards, Rancho La Rinconada © Spaswinefood

The setting is absolutely stunning. It has a great two storey level tasting room.

Sanford Winery & Vineyards Tasting Room at Rancho La Rinconada © Spaswinefood

Tasting Room, Sanford Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Later Sanford, pioneer winegrower, and Vineyard Hall of Fame inductee, founded Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards in 2005. Alma Rosa focuses on cool-climate varietals, best suited to the Santa Rita Hills AVA (Pinot Noir,Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris). Alma Rosa's estate vineyards are certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), the first to achieve this recognition in the region. During our last visit we dropped by Alma Rosa's tasting room in Solvang.

Alma Rosa Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Alma Rosa Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

2. Foxen Canyon Wine Trail: If you are planning a Santa Barbara Wine Country escape then a drive down Foxen Canyon Road is a must.

Tres Hermanas, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail © Spaswinefood

It is an amazing wine journey along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail where you will find a rich diversity of wines. The north end's cooler climate, with its maritime influences, tends to favor Burgundy style wines, whereas the south end's warmer climate favors Rhone style wines. This makes wine tasting along the 30 mile trail a fascinating journey, as you travel from Santa Maria Valley to Los Olivos, or vice-versa. This post will highlight some of our stops along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Santa Barbara Wine Country. Let's begin our travels at the north end in Santa Maria Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA).

1. Riverbench Vineyard and Winery

Riverbench Vineyard and Winery 6020 Foxen Canyon Road is well known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Riverbench Vineyard was established in 1973. Later a group of local families purchased the vineyard and established a winery. Wine production under the Riverbench label began in 2006.

Riverbench Vineyard, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail © Spaswinefood

We enjoystasting Riverbench's wines whenever I get the opportunity. Perhaps after visiting Riverbench Vineyard and Winery you will continue onto Foxen Winery, Tres Hemanas, Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards, Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard, and others.

The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail © Spaswinefood

2. Foxen Winery and Vineyard

Foxen's original tasting room was at 7200 Foxen Canyon (historic tasting shack) until 2009 when they opened new solar-powered tasting room at 7600 Foxen Canyon Road. Bill Wathen and Dick Doré began producing Foxen wine in 1985. The winery is dedicated to sustainable practice in its production of vineyard designated wines. The winery produces Bordeaux and Californian-Italian style wines.

Foxen 7200, Historic Tasting Shack ©Spaswinefood

Foxen 7200, Historic Tasting Shack © Spaswinefood

7600 Foxen Road © Spaswinefood

Foxen@7600 © Spaswinefood

3. Tres Hermanas Vineyards and Winery
Tres Hermanas Vineyard and Winery was founded in 2001 by Marvin and Paulette Teixeitra when they established a vineyard on the property. They named it Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters) after their three daughters. They produced their first vintage in 2003 and opened their tasting room in 2007.
On the roadside winery sign there are the letters JT, which is the cattle brand started by Marvin's father. Cattle ranching is still ongoing on the property. The Tres Hemanas wine label includes the barn and letters JT.

Springtime, Tres Hermanas Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Tres Hermanas is a young winery with an exciting future ahead.

4. Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards

Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards at 6905 Foxen Canyon is one of the oldest wineries in Santa Barbara County established since prohibition. Its beginning date back to 1972-3. This family owned winery is known for its estate Rhone varietal wines, such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourverde, Viognier and Roussanne. They are especially well known for their Syrah.

Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Over the years this Santa Barbara County pioneer has become the training ground for many great winemakers. Because of this fact some refer to it as Zaca Mesa University.

This popular winery has a very inviting picnic area.

Picnic Area, Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Drop by and check out the latest happenings at the winery.

5. Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard

Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard at 6200 Foxen Canyon Road is quite striking against the Foxen Canyon landscape. As you drive along the road the sign will catch your attention. Fess Parker best known as the actor for Davy Crocket is also know for starting a winery and resort business in Santa Barbara Wine Country.

Welcome to Fess Parker © Spaswinefood

The vineyard looked great when we drove by. The vines were doing great in the springtime sun.

Roses & Vines, Fess Parker Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Fess Parker Vineyard © Spaswinefood

The Foxen Canyon tasting room attracts lots of visitors, as does Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Spa.

Fess Parker Winery and Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

You would need 2-3 days for an in-depth exploration of wineries along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

3. Los Olivos, Ballard Canyon In Los Olivos you will find Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Spa at 2860 Grand Avenue. Los Olivios area is a meca for tasting rooms and wineries. Travelers along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail often stop in Los Olivos for lunch, or dinner. We have many times. Los Olivos Wine Merchant Cafe is a favorite.

Los Olivos Wine Merchant Cafe © Spaswinefood

They are well stocked with wines so you will always find some wine to try.

Wine Time, Los Olivos Wine Merchant Cafe © Spaswinefood

Qupé, Syrah, Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley © Spaswinefood

Of course let's not forget the tasting room and wineries in and around Los Olivos, and Ballard Canyon, which nestled between Los Olivos and Solvang.

Los Olivos © Spaswinefood

Los Olivos Tasting Rooms © Spaswinefood

Ballard Canyon wineries is another great opportunity to discover Santa Barbara County wines. Since my first tasting Ballard Canyon Syrahs during #WBC14 I have continue to watch these wines evolve. Yes, everyone will have rationale for their favorite Syrah. I particularly like Peter Stolpman, Stolpman Vineyards earlier comment on Syrah style:

"Stylistic variations present themselves based on different soil types, elevations, harvest dates, and winemaking methods. Regardless of the specific vineyard within Ballard Canyon, all of the Syrahs show a high-toned fresh fruit profile compared to the warmer climates of Paso Robles or Napa Valley. On the flipside, Ballard Canyon Syrahs possess more weight and lushness than wines from the Northern Rhone. In this sense, Ballard Canyon lies balanced in the center of the world-wide Syrah continuum."

Patrick Chomisky's SFGate article describes the Ballard Canyon AVA and comments on top sites within the AVA:

"Ballard Canyon is the very definition of Syrah country, possessing more than a dozen top vineyards with that grape. Its best-known sites, Larner, Stolpman, Beckmen and Jonata, represent a quorum of American Syrah perhaps better than any other California wine region; if it was a baseball lineup, it’d be a murderers’ row."

Santa Barbara's Ballard Canyon AVA decided to focus its efforts on producing top quality Syrahs. Boutique wineries in Ballard Canyon AVA achieved this goal by engaging in small scale production of Syrahs with richer aromas and flavors. This decision has come after, not only doing research on what grows best in the AVA but, it is the collective vision for the AVA. In keeping with this goal 50% of the AVA is dedicated to the growing of Syrah.

4. Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail: Wine tasting in Santa Barbara, California is urban wine tasting at its best. A winery tour of Santa Barbara is the perfect way to discover the urban wine scene in this fun beach and wine town. Do not forget the eclectic Funk Zone where you will find artists, winemakers and chefs who have often taken abandoned warehouses and turned them into inviting spaces. The wine places we visited are apart of the Urban Wine Trail. Visiting Santa Barbara wineries, local tasting rooms and chatting with winemakers is urban wine chic at its very best.

Let's take a look at Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail. The historic El Paseo Shopping Center is where we have sampled wines from a number of tasting rooms.

El Paseo Tasting Rooms
During a El Paseo visit we tasted wines from the Margerum Wine Company (specializing in handcrafted wines), Au Bon Climat (known for producing Burgundian style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since 1982), Clendenen Family Vineyards (I still remember that 2005 Santa Maria Valley Nebbiolo produced under their label), Grassini Family Vineyards (third and fourth generation family members continue the production of high quality Happy Canyon wines) and Jamie Slone Wines (handcrafted wines).

Yes, it was a great afternoon for tasting wines produced by Santa Barbara Vintners. The El Paseo is an excellent introduction to the Urban Wine Trail.

Funk Zone

Renting a surrey is a great way to travel in Santa Barbarba's Funk Zone.

Our next stop was the Muncipal Winemakers.

After tasting we hopped back into our surreys and soon we arrived at the Fox Wine Company.

There is also an art gallery adjoining the Fox Wines tasting room. What a perfect setting to taste wines.

Our second last stop was at the waterfront at the Deep Sea Tasting Room.

The Conway Family Wines tasting room is right at the waterfront. What an awesome setting for a tasting room.

Wine tasting ocean side in Santa Barbara is hard to beat.

One of the wines I tasted was a Deep Sea rosé wine.

After the most wonderful vine-filled wine adventure we ended our Santa Barbara wine tour at the Santa Barbara Winery. Founded in 1962 the Santa Barbara Winery has had a long history of making wine in Santa Barbara.

So happy to have visited the Santa Barbara Winery (it is scheduled to close down in 2024).

Clearly, the Urban Wine Trail in Santa Barbara is perhaps the most unique wine tasting opportunity in an urban setting. In fact no trip to Santa Barbara Wine Country is complete without making some stops along the Urban Wine Trail in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara County is undoubtedly a top destination for wine and food. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Santa Barbara County and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my recent vine-filled explorations in California.

CHEERS!

Sharon
Remebering Santa Barbara County Wine Travels

Bulleton, California

Sideways, Bulleton is one of our favorite places to stay.

I invite you to join me in my travels in Santa Barbara Wine Country and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.

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Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon

Monday, March 25, 2024

Santa Barbara Wine Country: Where you are bound to discover your favorites

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