Grapes of Santa Barbara County
Grapes of Santa Barbara County
32 grapes, each poured by at least three of the wineries and tasting rooms we list. Pick one to see what it's like, what it goes with, and where to taste it.
Reds
- Pinot Noir106 placesLight to medium body, red cherry and earthy notes, soft and silky.
- Syrah98 placesDark berries, pepper and smoke, with a firm, generous body.
- Grenache64 placesJuicy red fruit, a touch of spice, warm and easygoing.
- Cabernet Sauvignon57 placesFull body, blackcurrant and cedar, with firm tannins.
- Cabernet Franc35 placesMedium body, red fruit with herbal and floral notes.
- Merlot32 placesPlush and round, plum and chocolate notes.
- Mourvèdre22 placesDark and savory, with earthy, meaty notes.
- Sangiovese17 placesBright cherry, savory, with lively acidity.
- Petite Sirah15 placesInky and bold, blueberry and black pepper.
- Petit Verdot13 placesDeep color, violet and dark fruit, often used in blends.
- Malbec10 placesPlum and blackberry, soft and full.
- Tempranillo9 placesCherry, leather and spice, medium to full body.
- Gamay7 placesLight and fresh, red berries, low tannin, great slightly chilled.
- Cinsault5 placesLight and fragrant, strawberry and flowers, lovely in rosé.
- Graciano5 placesDeep color, dark berries and fresh acidity, often in blends.
- Nebbiolo5 placesPale but powerful, rose and tar, high acidity and tannin.
- Pinot Meunier5 placesA cousin of Pinot Noir, fruity and soft, often part of sparkling wine.
- Zinfandel5 placesJammy and spicy, ripe berry fruit.
- Counoise4 placesLight, peppery and bright, a classic blending partner.
Whites
- Chardonnay97 placesFrom crisp and citrusy to rich and buttery, depending on the winemaker.
- Sauvignon Blanc48 placesZesty and fresh, citrus, green apple and herbs.
- Viognier31 placesPerfumed, apricot and honeysuckle, round and soft.
- Chenin Blanc19 placesApple and honey, from dry to sweet, with bright acidity.
- Riesling18 placesAromatic, lime and stone fruit, dry to sweet, refreshing acidity.
- Grenache Blanc15 placesGreen apple and pear, fresh with a little weight.
- Roussanne11 placesTextured and nutty, pear and herbal tea notes.
- Albariño6 placesBright, saline, peach and citrus.
- Grüner Veltliner6 placesCrisp, white pepper and citrus.
- Picpoul Blanc5 placesZesty and lemony, with mouthwatering acidity.
- Gewürztraminer4 placesVery aromatic, lychee, rose and spice.
- Marsanne4 placesRound and rich, almond and pear notes.
- Pinot Grigio4 placesLight and crisp, pear and citrus.