Santa Barbara Wine Trip

I wouldn't stay in Santa Barbara. Get out into th wine country. Wineries we enjoyed, in no particular order:

Au Bon Climat/Qupe
Laetitia
Core
Foxen
Stolpman
Beckmen
Lincourt/Foley
Carina
Tensley
Melville
Clos Pepe
Andrew Murray
Carhartt
Fess Parker
Babcock

There were others, but these were our favorites. If I had to pick our fvorite, it would be Melville.

I'd recommend staying in Santa Ynez area, better than driving back and forth from SB.
Places we've enjoyed are Demetria, Melville, Foley. Also got an email recently about Kris Curran-Bruno D'Alfonso's new facility, which I'm interested in checking out (they used to have a tasting room in Solvang). Good stuff in Lompoc as well, Brewer-Clifton and the lompoc wine ghetto http://www.lompocghetto.com/.
I don't think Sea Smoke does tastings or visits, but if you're on their mailing list they might accommodate you for something.

Sea smoke only does private tastings weekdays twice monthly, and only for long-standing mailing list customers.

bzerko,
We're up in the area every couple of weeks. Ballard Inn and Santa Ynez Inn are both very nice. The Chumash Indians own two hotels in the area which are very nice. We've stayed in them both. The first one is right next to the casino, and the other one is in Solvang. The Solvang one is called Corque, and it is right next to "Root 246", the Bradley Ogden restaurant.
Regarding wineries, I highly recommend the following:

In the Sta Rita Hills/Lompoc area:
Loring
Zotovich
Fiddlehead
Ampelos
Clos Pepe (by appointment only)
Hilliard Bruce (by appointment only)
Lafond

In Los Olivos:
Dragonette
Tensley
Daniel Gehrs (for Ports)
Tercero

In the gerneral area Santa Ynez:
Beckmen
Ken Brown
Prodigal

Not to disagree with anything stated here, but I would definitely second the motion for Lompoc Wine Ghetto, especially Loring. No vineyard atmosphere, but if you're there for the wine, it's great.
I also like Melville. Great QPR.
Definitely spend some time in Los Olivos.

Thanks to everyone (Board-O, Jesseix, TPEwinedrinker, Oenolvr & Deryl1) for your input regarding our upcoming SB wine country trip. Sounds like there's lots to do and wineries to enjoy.

If you do stay in Santa Barbara you have to get a cottage at the Biltmore. After TG it should be nice and cool so the little patios that come with the cottage, and their outdoor fireplaces, should be very cozy and romantic.

Surprised more didn't mention Clos Pepe.

Wes Hagen is as knowledgeable as they come about Pinot, and the area, IMO, and you would definitely profit from arranging an appointment and spending some time with him.

Not your typical 'tasting room' experience (you actually spend wine geek time discussing how the area came to existence, his philosophy, etc.), so if you want something quick, look elsewhere.

If you want something authentic and educational, this is the place!

Have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by klymkev:
Surprised more didn't mention Clos Pepe.

Wes Hagen is as knowledgeable as they come about Pinot, and the area, IMO, and you would definitely profit from arranging an appointment and spending some time with him.

Not your typical 'tasting room' experience (you actually spend wine geek time discussing how the area came to existence, his philosophy, etc.), so if you want something quick, look elsewhere.

If you want something authentic and educational, this is the place!

Have fun!

I would love to visit Clos Pepe but could not get an appointment, or even a reply, when I tried. Do you have to be on their mailing list?

If you are, the August house party is a hoot!

Went there last year for the week after 7/4. Amazing weather - 60 degrees @ noon; 75 @ 5:00P, and we stayed about 5 miles from Los Olivos in an incredible VRBO property.

Board-O's list is spot on; I'd add:

Margerum - need an appointment
Brander - very good SB's, and a sneaky good '07 Reserve Cab from the Happy Canyon appellation
Zaca Mesa

Oh - I'd stop by Foley and Melville on the way between Solvang and Lompoc, too.