Santa Barbara County, a gem in California’s Central Coast, is renowned for its diverse wine regions and exceptional wineries. From the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley to the cooler coastal areas, this region offers an array of experiences for wine enthusiasts. Here’s a guide to some of the must-visit wineries in Santa Barbara County (in my opinion), each with its own unique charm and character.
1. Dragonette Cellars
Located in the town of Los Olivos, north of Santa Barbara, Dragonette is one of my favorite producers in the area. Founded by brothers John and Steve Dragonette and friend Brandon Sparks-Gillis in 2005, Dragonette sources fruit from some of the best vineyards in Santa Barbara County.
Visiting their tasting room is always a great experience—expect knowledgeable staff and incredible wines. Don’t miss their Pinot Noir (especially from Radian Vineyard), Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Tip: Book a winery tour at their Buelton production facility to see where the magic happens.
Located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Sandhi was founded by celebrated winemakers Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman. The winery focuses on crafting elegant and expressive wines, with standout Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Sandhi uses sustainable farming and minimal intervention techniques to let the region’s unique terroir shine through. We had a great time visiting their vineyards and learning what sets Sandhi apart. Shout out to Sean who we had a blast hanging out with, getting shown around the vines and the winery.
A small, boutique winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, MarBeso is producing high-quality, small-lot wines with a focus on sustainable farming and terroir-driven character.
They offer a unique lineup, including a Grüner Veltliner/Vermentino blend (skin-contact orange wine) and a Pinot Noir from Ascona Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains—probably one of my favorite wines of the year. Their Spear Vineyard Chardonnay is also delicious.
Based in Los Olivos, Story of Soil focuses on sustainable practices and showcasing the character of their vineyards’ soil. Their commitment to minimal intervention and quality winemaking shines through every bottle.
A personal favorite is their Grüner Veltliner from Fiddlestix Vineyard, but they also produce excellent Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Grenache.
Jesse and Avery at Sea Creatures are among the most laid-back and knowledgeable people I’ve met in the wine world. Passionate about Pinot Noir and the Santa Barbara region, they produce wines that reflect terroir with minimal intervention.
Under the Sea Creatures label, they focus solely on Pinot Noir—including a white Blanc de Gnar, a rosé of Pinot, and classic single vineyard reds. Their other label, La-Bas, features some killer wines like a couple different Gamay Noir bottlings and a new GSP blend (Grenache, Syrah, Pinot Noir).
Santa Barbara County is a treasure trove for wine lovers, offering a wide range of wineries—each with its own story and style. Whether you’re exploring cooler coastal zones or the warmer inland valleys, there’s truly something for every palate.
Note: Some of these wineries require appointments, so be sure to check their websites before visiting.
Mid 2025 Update:
I wrote this last year for a friend’s website (check Taylor out on Instagram and Substack) and wanted to repost it on here since I’ve started my own site. I went and updated some of the wines in the original post that aren’t available or that changed. Here are a couple more recommendations to check out around Santa Barbara County. They are on the list to post some more in depth reviews later! Click on their names to find out more.
Donnachadh Wines: Located in Los Olivos near Dragonette. Amazing Pinot Noir and Gamay.
Holus Bolus: Also in Los Olivos, they do some cool wines but I love their Syrahs.
Cote of Paint: Another small production and minimal intervention producer. Contact them on instagram to find their wines, they don’t have a tasting room (YET).
Luna Hart/Piazza: Gretchen is making some amazing wines like a skin contact Sauv Blanc, a sparkling Grüner, and a Carbonic Graciano.
Idola Wines: Ran into them at the Natural Coast Wine Festival earlier this year and was a big fan. Small production, minimal intervention.
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