Santa Ynez Valley Guest Tour of the Solvang Tasting Rooms

Wine tasting has become such a popular pastime that Santa Ynez Valley tasting rooms and wine bars are busier than ever. They host some of the most enjoyable and exciting wine tasting experiences you can find anywhere.
Most of the tasting rooms introduce visitors to the unique tastes of their own winery, while the wine bars and shops provide wines from a number of different wineries. All have friendly and savvy staff making sure your wine tasting experience is both enjoyable and educational. To keep your adventure safe and pleasant, we urge you to have a designated driver or to use one of several available taxi services.
In our new Valley-wide wine section we introduce you to select tasting rooms and wine stores in each community. With our back page wineries map and this section, we’ll take you right to the doors of some of the best tasting rooms and wine shops in the valley, starting with our friendly neighborhood market.

SOLVANG

El Rancho Market
www.elranchomarket.com
El Rancho Market is located on Highway 246, just west of the intersection with Refugio Road. This family-owned store carries the best fresh produce, meat, cheeses and breads, all in one.
El Rancho Market is renowned in the Valley for the largest deli, stocked with mouth-watering hot and cold items to tempt the most finicky gourmet.

El Rancho Market's offers a wine tasting bar.

El Rancho Market in Solvang now has its own wine tasting bar on Friday and Saturday afternoons with a wine expert.

This is a great place to pick up custom made sandwiches for a picnic. They have a wonderful salad bar, and fresh sushi made daily.
  Their wine selection is one of the best in the Valley and features hard to find wines and spirits. Look for their Wine Director, David Cane, who can answer all your questions and will assist with wine and food pairings. Don’t miss the exclusive El Rancho wines made by some of the Central Coast’s best award-winning winemakers. On Saturdays from noon or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. you can taste a selection of wines from this area and around the world.
  El Rancho also has a coffeehouse, “The Coffee Spot,” where you can get that latte or mocha with a pastry. You can enjoy a wide assortment of coffees, teas, ice blendeds and smoothies, as well as fresh baked pastries And the store serves breakfast burritos and more from 7a.m. on.
  Saturday mornings are going to be extra special this summer, with live music by local artists in front of the store where you can sit and enjoy your breakfast, snack and coffee or any of El Rancho’s other fine quality items.

Royal Oaks Tasting Room in Solvang located on Copenhagen Drive.

Royal Oaks Tasting Room
www.RoyalOaksWinery.com
Continue to Copenhagen and turn right, to the Royal Oaks Tasting Room, one of the best kept secrets in the Santa Ynez Valley, at the corner of First and Copenhagen. The Royal Oaks vineyards were planted in 1998. Their varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Semillon. They also produce Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and a Bordeaux blend called “Aristocrat.” Their wines are less tannic, less acidic and less oaky than many others, so they are silky-soft on your palate.
In 2003, they added semi-sweet wines including White Riesling, Niagara and a delicious Summer Apricot. The tasting room is comfortable and informal, and each month different artists’ works are displayed. You’ll find a nice assortment of wine related gifts and winery logo garments. Be sure to ask about The Wine Club to receive wine on a regular basis with great discounts available to members only.

LOS OLIVOS

Los Olivos Tasting Room & Wine Shop
www.losoolivoswines.com
Established in 1987, this is California’s first independent tasting room. In tune with the artistic character of Los Olivos, the sign outside advertises “Consumable Art.” The tasting room represents the artistic creations of many wineries and winemakers in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties that do not have their own tasting rooms. Owner Chris Benzinger will be happy to share some of the history of the quaint building that houses his tasting room.

Los Olivos Tasting Room & Wine Shop - California's first independent tasting room.

There are usually nine wines open for tasting on the antique, English oak, Irish pub bar. Some of the 45+ different wine labels available for purchase are truly boutique with anywhere from 40 to 2000 cases produced. The shop has traditionally specialized in premier Central Coast Pinot Noirs and Syrahs as well as many other varietals.
Labels represented include Carhartt, Curran, Labyrinth, Lane Tanner, Ojai, Palmina, Westerly and more. You can also purchase wines directly from their website. E-mail your contact information, and they will get back to you within 24 hours to take your order.

Carina Cellars and view of their vineyard.

Carina Cellars
www.carinacellars.com
When attorney and businessman David Hardee and winemaker Joey Tensley met in 2002, they were quick to recognize the benefits of combining their passion. With Hardee’s talent for business, Tensley’s talent for wine making, and a shared belief in only the best, Carina Cellars was born.
The winemaking approach is traditional and minimalist, with the resulting wines rich in traditional varietal flavors and aromas–dark, spicy Syrahs and intense, black-curranty Cabernet Sauvignons. Tensley strongly believes in working with growers who share his approach to canopy management, low yields and wine balance.
Carina Cellars produce Viognier, Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache as well as

“Iconoclast,” a blend of the best of two appellations: Santa Barbara County Syrah and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
  Carina Cellars is running an exhibit of work by photographer George Wright. The show, “Three People, Seven Places,” will be on display from April 1st through May 31st. Wright has been photographing the landscape of the Santa Ynez Valley for many years. His unique style plays on the interchange of light, color, water and reflections. The beautiful Santa Ynez Valley has inspired him to capture images of the amazing flower fields, wineries and other notable landscapes of this region.
  Wright’s work continues to be featured at Los Olivos Days, Spring Arts and the Lompoc Flower Festival. His photography is also often exhibited or on permanent display at Santa Ynez Valley wineries and restaurants. Our lovely cover photo is another example of his talent. For more information about Wright’s work or to view some of his images visit www.photosgeorge.com.
  Carina Cellars will celebrate their 6th Annual Futures Wine BBQ at their “old” winery in Buellton on Saturday June 6 from 12-3 p.m. Before moving their winery up to the ranch in Paso Robles, they called the Buellton warehouse their home.
  Come enjoy tasting the 2009 wines while they are still in barrel as well as 35% off all wine purchases. Live music will be provided by blues/rock artists Sean Wiggins and Paul Houston, and a home-style BBQ by De La Saison Catering. Tickets are just $40.00 per person and are going quickly. There are only 50 seats available, so please contact Carolyn Turner to reserve today. You can reach her either by phone at 805-252-0860 or by E-mail at carolyn@carinacellars.com.

BUELLTON

Avant Tasting Room/Terravant Wine Company
www.AvantWines.com
Terravant Wine Company’s spectacular new tasting room, Avant, Tapas and Wine is located at their state-of-the art wine processing facility at 35 Industrial Way in Buellton. To reach Avant/Terravant from the intersection of Buellton’s Avenue of Flags and Highway 246, drive about half a mile west on Highway 246 to Industrial Way, turn left and drive to the end of the street, then around their new building to where the attractive entrance faces the Santa Ynez River. Avant Tasting Room is on the second floor.
The dramatic 4,700 square foot facility enjoys breathtaking views of the Santa Ynez River and the Santa Rita Hills, and internal views of the cellar’s state of the art winemaking equipment.

Avant's tasting room faces the Santa Ynez River and can catch gorgeous sunsets.

  The tasting room features a full commercial kitchen to support the Tapas Menu and Special Events, as well as more intimate private tasting rooms. Avant Tapas and Wine features Terravant’s preeminent AP Vintners and also serves as a showcase for some of the Santa Ynez Valley’s top emerging winemakers. Here you can discover amazing Tapas and Boutique Wines by over 30 vintners.
  The Terravant facility was designed from the ground up to provide the most state-of-the-art custom crush and alternating proprietor services ranging from grape to bottle, but extending to case good storage and fulfillment.
  The 40,000-plus square foot facility has a wine analysis laboratory, winemaking equipment, custom ageing barrels, case goods storage, wine transport and fulfillment services.
  Avant is open Thursday through Sunday for Lunch, Grazing, Dinner, Winebar, Wine Tasting and Wine Shop.