The Oscar-winning film Sideways was set and filmed in Santa Barbara Wine Country and featured several local wineries and attractions. Today there are over 21,000 acres of vineyards in Santa Barbara County. At more than $118 million, wine grapes are the most valuable crop in the county. The wine industry contributes to the local economy in both the agricultural and tourism sectors. It provides jobs, sponsors cultural activities and creates scenic beauty.
Santa Barbara County is Wine Country for Southern Californians and a great discovery for any traveler. Many of the wineries have tasting rooms in which visitors are invited to learn about the various wines and offer tours to teach guests about the winemaking process. Some wineries host special dinners to demonstrate the pairing of wine with food and they hold events such as concerts, dramatic readings and art shows which are open to the public. Individual wineries make many contributions to the local community, through donations of product, personnel and monetary support.
Santa Barbara County has a history of winemaking and winegrape growing stretching back more than 200 years to before California was a state. From the Mission Era of early California through the Ranchero and Pueblo Era, struggling through Prohibition to the beginning of the modern era of viniculuture that started in the 60’s. Santa Barbara County continues to combine traditional, hand-made techniques, with the latest cutting-edge innovations in grape-growing and winemaking.
The wine industry has enjoyed a renaissance in Santa Barbara County in the last 25 years. Early studies by researchers from U.C. Davis found that Santa Barbara County was cooler than most wine regions of Northern California and that it had an excellent balance of geology, climate, soil and water, giving it great potential as a viticultural area. The first modern vineyards were planted in the Tepusquet area of the Santa Maria Valley in the early 1960s. Shortly thereafter, vineyards were planted in several parts of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Touring the vineyards and wineries of Santa Barbara County is always a tasty sojourn. Tasting rooms and tours are available throughout the area, as well as first-class restaurants and gourmet delicatessens to pack up a picnic.
There are now almost 100 wineries in Santa Barbara County, located mainly in the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Most of the wineries are run by individuals or families. More than a million cases of wine are produced annually.
Spending a day visiting winery tasting rooms is a wonderful way to get to know the County, and is a memorable event all by itself. There’s usually a few extra-special events going on – winemaker’s dinners, reserve tastings, tours of the vineyard, etc, so call ahead to see what bonuses you can include in your trip.
San Luis Obispo Vintners Association
http://www.slowine.com/
Wine growing in San Luis Obispo County stretches back to the missionary days of California viticulture, when the first grapevines were planted by the Franciscan padres who settled California in the 1880s. Today, because of this region’s ideal world-class microclimate and soils, wine grapes are the leading crop in San Luis Obispo County.
There are over 3000 acres of vines in South San Luis Obispo County, and more vineyards are being planted. The climate and soils have been proven to provide the perfect environment for growing and producing ultra premium quality wines.
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