Wine tasting is such a popular pastime that Santa Ynez Valley tasting rooms and wine bars are busier than ever.  Many people who love tasting fine wines also appreciate a fine beer–and now, you can taste boutique, specialty beers at Figueroa Mountain Brewery on Industrial Way in Buellton near the Avant/Terravant facility.
In this section we introduce you to select tasting rooms and wine bars. With our back page map and this section, we’ll take you right to the doors of some of the best tasting rooms in the valley.

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 having the largest deli, stocked with mouth-watering hot and cold items sure to tempt the most finicky gourmet.

El Rancho Market in Solvang now has its own wine tasting bar.

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 assist with wine and food pairings. Ask him about champagnes and sparkling wines; he’s very knowledgeable.
  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 for your designated driver.

Royal Oaks Tasting Room in Solvang located on Copenhagen Drive.

Royal Oaks Tasting Room
www.RoyalOaksWinery.com
 
The Royal Oaks tasting room, one of the best kept secrets in the Santa Ynez Valley, is located on Copenhagen Drive in Solvang, across from Rabobank. Their tasting room specializes in delicious sweet wines–their “Semi-sweet” wine flight includes the ever-so-popular Concord and Niagara wine. During their seasonal releases, you can taste their club member favorites like the Olallieberry, Summer Apricot, and Winter Pear. They have  dry wines too, ranging from Sauvignon Blanc to big red varietals, so stop on by and taste some of the best wines in the valley.
  The tasting room is comfortable and informal–as they say on their website: “When you walk into their tasting room in the heart of Solvang, you’ll immediately understand the Royal Oaks philosophy relating to wine.  1. Wine should be approachable and never intimidating.  2. We make wine that we like to drink.  3. Wine is supposed to be fun!”
  Be sure to ask about the Wine Club to receive wine on a regular basis with great discounts available to members only.

A logo wineglass at Carina Cellars Tasting Room reflects a rosy glow.

LOS OLIVOS

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 passions. 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 at once 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 two appellations: Santa Barbara County Syrah and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
  Carina also shows the work of local artists. Currently, you can see Reflections, an interesting collection of works by a brother and sister, Royanna Robertson and Mike Krone. The pieces are executed in watercolor and oil, and grouped in pairs, each showing the same scene painted by each artist, in a different media and with their own unique sensibility and perspective.
  The tasting room is open daily from 11a.m. to 5p.m. For more information go to www.carinacellars.

Los Olivos Tasting Room &  Wine Shop
www.thelosolivostastingroom.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.

Pacific Ridge Vineyards Tasting Room
www.pacificridgevineyards.com
 
  Pacific Ridge Vineyards is a boutique California winery, producing around 1,500 cases each year of mainly Santa Barbara County appellation wines. They produce many of their wines from fruit grown just north of Santa Barbara, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
  Pacific Ridge Vineyard, on the family estate, consists of four acres of Syrah and Zinfandel. All wines are aged in 100% French oak barrels, from various coopers, forests, and toasting levels.

  The Pacific Ridge winemaking operation has been based in Santa Barbara County since 1995, and the wines are available at their tasting room located at the corner of Grand and Alamo Pintado.
 
  Pacific Ridge Vineyards is owned by Bob Kelly, who is also the winemaker. Bob graduated from UCLA; his vineyard and wine industry education is from UC Davis; he was a fighter pilot for the Navy and is the founder and sole owner of Pacific Ridge. Their new Tasting Room is located at 2890 Grand–at the Flagpole.

BUELLTON

Avant Tasting Room/Terravant Wine Company
 
www.AvantWines.com
  Terravant Wine Company’s spectacular 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

Avant Tapas and Wine is a unique tasting room, which also offers more intimate private tasting

Highway 246 to Industrial Way, turn left and drive to the end of the street, then around their new building to where their
entrance faces the Santa Ynez River. Avant Tasting Room is on the second floor.   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.
  Terravant is a 4700 square foot facility 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, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Lunch, Grazing, Dinner, Winebar, Wine Tasting and Wine Shop; Fridays and Saturdays they stay open til 9 p.m.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.
www.figmtnbrew.com

  Discover the mountain views and tasty brews of Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company. This family owned brewery, located in Buellton, is the dream-turned-reality project of Jim and Jaime Dietenhofer. From the unique flavor combinations to the quality ingredients, each of their Santa Ynez Valley-inspired beers boasts superior drinkability.
  Jaime Dietenhofer fell in love with great craft beers and while a student in the Northwest United States over a decade ago, and wanted to bring the idea home with a Santa Ynez Valley flavor.

  Jaime and his father, Jim, opened Figueroa Mountain Brewery in the winter of 2010 and have built a strong following with their approachable, hand crafted beer.
  In contrast to wine, where the variety of grape determines much of the flavor, a brewer builds a recipe element by element to create the subtle vision you taste in your glass. So raise a mug of one of Figueroa Mountain’s lovingly crafted brews and celebrate the good fortune that led you to this cheery brew pub tucked away at the end of Industrial Way in Buellton. (45 Industrial Way, Buellton).
  The taproom offers eight beers on tap, light food faire, and is family friendly.  You can also find five flat screen TVs, live music on Friday and Saturday, as well as brewery tours on the weekends.  Beer is available to take home with you as well in growlers, or bottles.  You can also find Figueroa Mountain Brews at various locations in the Central Coast.  Please visit www.figmtnbrew.com for locations and more information.