Join us as we explore the best of Santa Barbara wine country! As if SB doesn’t have it all, in just 40 minutes from the coast you will be in epic wine country. Take your pick between the sprawling valleys of Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Sta. Rita Hills and the Los Olivos district. This region is known for its production of high-quality wines, especially those made from Rhône grape varieties. They are famous for producing exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs. This sings to my soul after visiting the iconic Burgundy region of France last summer and falling more in love with Pinot Noirs!
The beauty of this area and many wine countries is the focus on elevated farm-to-table food. As you may know, this is the famed region featured in the movie Sideways. In this article, we will round up the best of Santa Barbara wine country and feature the top 5 places we visited. Excellent wine, dine, stay and shop options covered. We know this list will get you started in the right direction, and remember if it’s in our guide, it’s worth your time!
1) The Gate House
We had the most lovely AirBnB stay at The Gate House. Rick and Buffy run a large horse breeding farm and lucky for us they have converted a barn into a comfortable guest house. Their spacious 2 bedroom 1 bath rental is perfect for a couple or group of 4. The location is central for touring the little towns of Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang. All the main rooms heat up nicely and the bedrooms gets very dark, perfect for a good night’s rest. The icing on the cake was walking around the horse stables as the sun was setting. You can even arrange a tour of the farm!
The Gate House exudes charisma and is on point with modern farmhouse decor. Rick and Buffy go above and beyond leaving their guests an array of snacks, water, wine and pantry staples. We especially loved their recommendation to visit the historic stagecoach stop, Cold Springs Tavern. More details on this gem below. As this region is full of ranching tradition, we highly recommended a stay at The Gate House amongst their gorgeous property and horses. You will be charmed!
2) The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern
Who doesn’t love the offerings of an Auberge resort? Even more impressive than The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern which opened on 2016, is the history of this location. It holds significance as one of the oldest operating taverns in California. It was established in 1886 by Felix Mattei as a stagecoach stop along the San Marcos Pass Route. Over the years, it served travelers, ranchers, and locals as a gathering place for food, drink and socializing. Mattei’s Tavern operated during the heyday of stagecoach travel in California. They provided a crucial stopping point for travelers journeying between Santa Barbara and points inland. Its role as a stagecoach stop contributes to its historical significance as a part of California’s transportation history.
We stepped into The Inn at Mattie’s for lunch and landed at their restaurant, The Tavern for lunch. We were transfixed into a glamorous version of the American West. I like to believe many of their trinkets and artwork were preserved from over a century ago. You have your choice of bar, indoor and outdoor seating here. Be sure to make a reservation as this is one of the it spots in downtown Los Olivos. We indulged in their rich mushroom toast and cold mussels in escabeche appetizer. They hit the spot and we were ready to view the rest of the grounds and for wine tasting!
*Pro Tip ~ if you are driving electric there are charging stations in Mattei’s main and back parking areas. The less popular back parking lot charger saved us in a pinch!
3) Babcock Winery & Vineyards
The best of the Santa Barbara wine country roundup would not be complete without a funky, art-forward tasting room. Look no further than Babcock Winery and Vineyards which is located in the stunning Sta. Rita Hills. A neighboring winery was closed and we were lucky to stumble into this vibrant oasis. A little rock and roll, a little vintage and a whole lot of fun! Amongst their magnificent Pinot Noir forward flights, is their well-curated tasting lounge. Here you can buy just about anything under the sun you didn’t know you need. Think vintage furniture, classic records, band t-shirts, gifts and jewelry. After each pour we would tour a corner of their 5,000 square foot barn boutique. How fun! Who doesn’t love a little wine buzz during a browse? 😉
After Babcock Winery & Vineyard fun, we visited The Hilt Estate 15 minutes up the road. A luxurious barn-style tasting room with expansive views of nature all around. Reservations are a must and get ready for more delicious Pinot Noir! If Ralph Lauren entered the wine biz, I believe this is what it would look like. We visited this area in the spring making for lush rolling green hills and plenty of blooming wildflowers.
4) Bar Le Côte
For dinner, look no further than Bar Le Côte located in downtown Los Olivos. Even with a quick search for dining options in the area, you will likely read about Bar Le Côte and their sister restaurant Bell’s. We knew we had to get to one of these iconic establishments during our trip. As we walked by midday, the friendly hostess made us a reservation for dinner that evening. We could tell we were in for a treat with the lunch crowd buzzing. Their chefs and hospitality team boast impressive resumes while focusing on local ingredients and happy employees.
I am a liker of Spanish food, not quite a lover of it…yet. My intense tastebuds are always looking for a bit more spice. However, I must say the paella at Bar Le Côte was some of the best I have ever had. Mind you I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain where paella was invented and had my fair share. This dish was seasoned to perfection, rice was crisp and the mussels added the perfect seafood notes. The serving was perfect for 2 people, even though we easily could have indulged in double. The anchovy and olive appetizer with a lemon burst and the Caesar salad rounded out this meal perfectly. If you have room, don’t skip the dark chocolate pot de crême for dessert. Rich, salty, crumbly, creamy, mic drop. 🤤
5) Cold Springs Tavern
As we conclude this best of the Santa Barbara wine country list, we must tell you about Cold Springs Tavern! Dating back to the 1860s, this tavern has a rich history as another stagecoach stop. It was a resting place for travelers journeying between Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. Over the years, it has retained its rustic charm and character, becoming a beloved destination for locals, motorcyclist and visitors alike. As you conclude your winery visits this is the perfect stop-off as you make your way down the hill towards Santa Barbara.
Enjoy their Old West saloon for a drink or daytime tri-tip sandwiches that have a cult following. Don’t be deterred by the sandwich line on the weekends as they keep it moving. You can also dine-in for a casual lunch or their fine-dining dinner menu. At Cold Springs Tavern time stood still and we could feel the history and how well they have preserved the place. Once again we were charmed, if you are a history lover add Cold Springs to your itinerary!
What is Not to Love?
As we say goodbye to the best of the Santa Barbara wine country, we hope you are ready to visit this glorious region! This concise list covers historic locations, excellent Pinot Noir finds, funky shopping and great eats. What is not to love? The accessibility to anyone in the SoCal region makes it a no-brainer for your next road trip. We hope you fall in love the way we have and please let us know what you find and where you eat.
As wine regions gain popularity, many wineries are requiring reservations. Something unique we love about downtown Los Olivos is that most of the establishments are tasting rooms. You could easily drive up on a whim with limited planning and get your fix of the local wines as you walk the charming streets. We know many more culinary and vino delights await us here, and we cannot wait to return.
In vino veritas,
<3 Rach
PS ~ For another yummy lunch check out Vega Vineyard and Farm where you can even hang with their farm animals, 🤗.
PSS ~ If you are looking for more wine country fun, be sure to check out our Napa article here!
