The perfect wine tasting day: start your mornings in Los Olivos, picnic lunch in a vineyard gazing at mountain views, then cruise to Los Alamos. We prefer non-mainstream, boutiquey wineries but very well done.
1. Stolpman Vineyards
Tasting Room: 2434 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos CA 93441 (map)
Vineyard: 2323 Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang CA 93463 (map, website)
Tom and Pete Stolpman are probably one of our favorite people in the Santa Ynez wine valley. The vineyards started in 1990, with passion and total dedication to an investment that the family can enjoy. After decades of careful development, Stolpman Vineyards now bottles wine from approximately 90% of the 152 acres under vine. Our favorites are their Sangiovese and a delicious barrels under the label “Angeli.” When you stop by the tasting room, make sure to walk away with a few bottles for your wine collections at home. You’ll thank us when you’ve got vino friends coming over for dinner, or holiday guests to impress! (read more)
2. Cimarone Wines
Tasting Room: 2982 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441 (map, website)
As Jetset Times personally discovered, Cimarone Wines are gems that highlight every wine lover’s passion for Bordeaux and Rhone. Pricilla and Roger Higgins originally moved to Southern California from the UK, simply exploring the idea of having a small vineyard, “just for fun.” In order to produce a series of consistently high-quality wine, Cimarone has teamed up with some of the best in the industry. The result of each bottle is: clean, in-depth elegance, unwavering balance between fruit-forward traits and strong finishes. With a new tasting room recently opened in August 2012, you won’t regret bringing a few bottles back home to store or to enjoy right away! (read more)
3. Gainey Vineyard
3950 E Hwy 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (map, website)
If you’ve devoted an entire day to wine tasting, then a lunch break to picnic at Gainey Vineyards is a treat we highly recommend! The Gainey family has been farming in the Santa Ynez Valley since 1962, the picnic area has a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains. The family has 600 acres of land with 85 acres of vineyards. Each year, they produce 18,000 cases annually, with the demo vineyard just outside of the tasting room. We’re not the only fans of this picnic area, the space is also used for famous musicians to hold outdoor concerts. Spanish-style Tasting Room is open daily from 10am to 5pm. We offer winery tours daily at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Tastings are conducted continuously between 10am and 4:30pm, $15 per person. Reservations are required for groups of 8 or more.
4. Babi’s Casa Dumetz Wines
Tasting Room: 448 Bell St, Los Alamos, CA 93440 (map, website)
Casa Dumetz Wines is known to farm a small vineyard in Malibu on which it grows Pinot Noir. Owner, Babi (also wife of actor Emilio Estevez) sources other varietals from the Santa Ynez Valley. Casa Dumetz’s production is composed of small handcrafted lots that sell out quickly. We recommend spending an afternoon here, then shop around in Los Alamos to check out authentic antique stores.
5. Bedford Winery
Tasting Room: 448 Bell St, Los Alamos, CA 93440 (map, website)
Right next door to Babi’s is Bedford Winery, founded by experts who truly know the inside and out of fantastic wines. The tasting room is completely off the beaten path, but do take the time to check it out while you’re in Los Alamos. Bedford is all about the adventurous that seek the uncommon, it values authenticity, and completely captivated by character. Along with barrel fermented Chardonnays and signature Syrahs, experiment the surprise of lesser known Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc, or a dry Gewürztraminer.
* BONUS RECOMMENDATION:
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Taproom in Buellton: 620 McMurray Rd, Buellton, CA 93427 (map, website)
Just in case you’re not a big wine guy, here’s a taproom you’ve gotta try! After checking out where the movie, Sideways, was filmed, you can grab the best burgers and beers at Firestone Walker Brewing Company. Erica Nolan, FWBC’s Communications Director explained to us, “If you’re not from the Central Coast the 805 Ale is a must try beer as it is currently only sold in the 805 area code and therefore is not distributed like our other beers, it is an easy drinking blonde ale that embodies the laid-back nature of residents of the Central Coast and is perfect for even a novice beer drinker.” Dinners are served 7 days a week from 5pm-9pm, and lunch on Friday-Sunday 11am-4:30pm. (read more)
* Barrelworks is a brand new facility that showcases a wild ale program and highlights rare barrel aged offerings. Please note, beers are not brewed in Buellton, but it’s nice to enjoy a great beer and burger in this lovely town.
