SANTA RITA HILLS TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Pence Vineyards & Winery
We are a small vineyard and winery in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County, producing Estate grown and organically farmed Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Syrah. We strive to produce wines that are pure and honest, that reflect the beauty of our property and respect the historic traditions of wine. We see self-reliance as a virtue; growing and producing everything ourselves. This philosophy extends to all our other farm operations, which include organically grown grains, heirloom orchards and vegetables, Marcona almonds, Angus Cattle, and olives.
Tasting Room Address
1909 West Highway 246, Buellton, CA
Tasting Room Hours
Private Tours and Tastings by Appointment Only. Open Daily from 11am - 4pm.
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Gamay
Website
Phone Number
The Hilt Estate
To understand the wines made by The Hilt Estate, one might need to come visit the hard and harsh conditions under which they are born. The unobstructed, ocean facing east-west valley known as Sta. Rita Hills Valley is a complex AVA. One could divide it into four quadrants: northern-facing, southern-facing, close to the ocean, and further inland from the ocean. With such a frame, The Hilt Estate’s favorite vineyards are in the northern-facing, closest to the ocean, windswept quadrant. These sites are the worst place for a grape grower, but the best ones for a winemaker.
Tasting Room Address
2240 Santa Rosa Road Lompoc, CA 93436
Tasting Room Hours
Tastings Available By Appointment Only. Click to Reserve
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Website
Phone Number
Vega Vineyard & Farm
Established in 1853. After 40 years in the hospitality business, we understand the value of building relationships, sharing a table for special moments over food and wine, and experiencing the beauty and bounty of Santa Barbara Wine Country.
With a concentration on our estate vineyard, we have sought to produce wines that are “a window to a place.” Each one of our wines is different in expression, with its own subtle, yet distinctive character and voice. Each year renews in us an intense drive to understand, react to, and work with the vineyard to allow it to reach its full potential. This process, led by our winemaker, Steve Clifton, is crucial for the execution of successful wines.
Tasting Room Address
Tasting Room Hours
Open Daily, 11am-6pm, walk-ins welcome.
Make an Appointment
Principle Varieties
Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Vermentino
Website
Phone Number
(805) 688-2415
Donnachadh Vineyard & Winery
We strive to make wines that express the beauty of this amazing place. We are inspired by the wines of Burgundy and the Northern Rhone, but want to make wines that recognize the uniqueness of this site. The cool climate and ocean breeze allow the grapes to ripen more slowly, developing rich, complex flavors while still retaining a bright natural acidity. There is a noticeable salinity, too, that further reminds one of the maritime environment that the wines come from. Finally, the varied terrain and soils, from the steep, rocky upper hillside to the gently rolling riverside blocks allow us to develop a lot of complexity and contrast within a relatively small area.
Family owned and organically farmed, Donnachadh Vineyard is located on Santa Rosa Road in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County. The property is 285 acres with approximately 40 acres under vine. We grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and a little bit of Gamay Noir.
Tasting Room Address
2938 San Marcos Ave Ste 101, Los Olivos
Tasting Room Hours
Thursday – Monday: 11am-5pm
Make a Reservation (Encouraged for Groups over 4)
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Gamay Noir
Website
Phone Number
805-699-5802
Peake Ranch
The Peake Ranch property is nestled in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County on the winding, pastoral bluffs of Buellton. Our charming tasting room offers a variety of experiences, including intimate indoor seating arrangements and a large outdoor patio overlooking our beautiful vista of rolling hillsides and vineyards. Once owned by famed artist Channing Peake, the ranch will delight guests with the historic tasting room which was notably portrayed in the film Sideways.
Tasting Room Address
7290 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton, CA 93427
Tasting Room Hours
Thursday - Monday: 11am to 5pm Tuesday - Wednesday: Closed
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
(805) 688-7093
Spear Winery
A TRUE VINEYARD TASTING EXPERIENCE IN THE SANTA RITA HILLS
Spear Vineyards & Winery is a family owned, sustainable and certified organic vineyard nestled in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills Appellation. At Spear, our hope is to craft wines that transparently communicate our estate vineyard’s voice with the utmost lucidity and sincerity. We invite you to join our soil to glass experience.
Tasting Room Address
Tasting Room Hours
10:00am - 5:00pm (Last @ 4pm), Thu - Mon
Principal Varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Website
Phone Number
((805) 735-2190