Plan your visit
Wine tasting in Santa Barbara County: what to know
Straight answers to the questions people ask before a wine day here, counted from our 199 verified places to visit. The numbers change as our listings do.
Do I need a reservation to taste?
It depends on the place. Of the 199 places to visit we list, 64 welcome walk-ins, 51 recommend booking ahead and 47 receive guests by appointment. The rest don't say; every listing shows what the winery itself states.
Which wineries are open on Monday and Tuesday?
106 places post opening hours on Mondays and 70 on Tuesdays. The most choice on a Monday is in Los Olivos, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, and Solvang.
Open Monday in Los OlivosOpen Monday in LompocOpen Monday in Santa BarbaraOpen Monday in Solvang
Can I go wine tasting without a car, by train?
Yes. 27 tasting rooms are within 1.2 km (about a 15-minute walk) of the Santa Barbara Amtrak station at 209 State Street, among them Melville Winery Santa Barbara Tasting Lounge, Paradise Springs Winery, Margerum Santa Barbara Tasting Room, The Society: State & Mason, Riverbench Vineyard & Winery – Santa Barbara Tasting Room, and Pali Wine Co..
How many wineries can I visit in a day?
We suggest three or four stops. In Los Olivos many tasting rooms are a few minutes' walk apart along Grand Avenue; estate wineries in the hills are a drive apart, so leave time between them and plan a safe ride. Plan Wine Day puts your stops in order with the drive times and who is open on your date.
Can I bring my dog?
43 places say on their own websites that dogs are welcome. Rules differ from place to place, so check the listing before you bring them.
Are any wineries open after 5pm?
65 places stay open past 5pm on at least one day of the week, by their posted hours.
Where are most of the tasting rooms?
The towns with the most places to visit on our list: Los Olivos (46), Lompoc (33), Santa Barbara (30), Solvang (24), and Buellton (22).
What are Santa Barbara County's wine regions?
There are 7 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the county: Santa Maria Valley (1981), Alisos Canyon (2020), Santa Ynez Valley (1983), Sta. Rita Hills (2001), Ballard Canyon (2013), Los Olivos District (2016), and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara (2009). Each year is when the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) established it.
What wine events are coming up?
Coming up: Santa Barbara Fall Tasting Festival (Sat, Nov 7 · 2pm); Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure (13th Annual) (Feb 12 – 13); Buellton Wine & Chili Festival (Sun, Mar 14 · 12pm). In all, 33 wine events are on our calendar.
Every number on this page is counted from listings we have checked against each winery's own website. Hours and policies change, so check with the winery before you set out.