Explore Best Wineries with a View in Santa Barbara,

Malibu, Santa Ynez, Santa Monica & Temecula Valley

 

 The Best Santa Barbara Wineries to Visit with a View

Top-Rated Wineries and Vineyards in Santa Barbara (2023)

There are many great reasons to do a wine tasting trip (or two or three) in Santa Barbara County, among them the world-class wine, the nearly year-round great weather, and the vast amount of choice you have for wineries to visit.

Santa Barbara County is home to some of the most exciting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah in California. Much of that success is thanks to a geological oddity: Coastal valleys that run west to east (as opposed to north to south), and serve as superhighways for chilly ocean air. Combine that with a wonderfully varied terrain, complex terroirs, and a passionate community of grape growers and winemakers, and it’s no wonder that Santa Barbara County — and its appellations of Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon, and Ballard Canyon — is so popular among consumers and respected among professionals. Here are 10 of the best wineries to visit in the Santa Barbara area

 

The Best Santa Monica Wineries to Visit with a View

Top-Rated Wineries and Vineyards in Santa Monica (2023)

 

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is just off the 101 Freeway, approximately 51 miles from downtown Los Angeles and 85 miles from Orange County.  Hidden in the canyons are numerous vineyards. Most are small; however, a few are commercial enterprises—best known Santa Monica Mountain Wineries, Malibu Family Wines, and Rosenthal Malibu Estate.

 

The Santa Monica Mountains have quite a few vineyards. Most are on a small scale and are hobbies to their owners. The mountains have dry summers and mild to cool winters. Not exactly the perfect place to grow wine. Acreage is scarce, the climate is tricky and getting enough water is challenging.

Many Santa Monica Mountain Wineries do not make wine commercially, they only share it with family and friends. Those producing enough wine to sell commercially do so through their websites or local outlets.

Santa Monica Mountains vineyards produce wine using a custom winery. The crush winery takes care of processing, fermentation, aging, bottling, and labeling, freeing up the local growers to tend to their vineyards.

Cornell Tasting Room on Mulholland Hwy is a great place to sample wine from independent Santa Monica Mountain Wineries. Several more extensive vineyards have tasting rooms including Rosenthal Estate and Malibu Family Wines.

During the 1850s Los Angeles County was the center of the production in California with 43 wineries producing four million gallons of wine.  Rapid urban growth, Prohibition, an epidemic of a vine-killing disease, and the rise of Napa and Sonoma soon wiped out all but one Los Angeles area wineries. Only still survives, San Antonio Winery in downtown Los Angeles.

 

With year-round access and the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop, the Santa Monica Mountains is a perfect destination with its blend of soft rolling hills, rugged mountains, wooded backcountry, sandy beaches, and rocky shores covered with scrub and abundant wildlife.

Located in a Mediterranean ecosystem just minutes from the urban sprawl of downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains are L. A.’s backyard. They are the most significant urban national park in the United States.

The area provides a seamless system of federal, state, and local parklands, with places for numerous outdoor activities and Santa Monica Mountain Wineries.

Southern California include Malibu, Temecula Valley and San Diego County. Temecula Valley, with its 35 wineries and growing reputation for wine tourism, especially stands out as an example of how Southern California has grown in stature within the California wine industry in just the past decade.

If you are looking to make a special occasion one to remember for a lifetime, that’s what our specialty is. Our Los Angeles wine tour is an amazing way to celebrate a special occasion, family get-together, birthday, or any celebration. The local Los Angeles wine tasting venues are very accommodating which makes our Los Angeles wine tour a favorite for American Luxury Limousine customers. The local Los Angeles wine tasting culture has become a fun affair. Groups from all over the world, visiting Los Angeles call us daily. All it takes to fall in love with Los Angeles wine is a single sip. It is really that good!! Don’t just take our word for it, read our many five star reviews, talk to one of our wine tour specialists, and book your Los Angeles wine tour today. Nothing says fun like a Los Angeles Wine Tasting adventure!

The Best Temecula Valley Wineries to Visit

Top-Rated Wineries and Vineyards in Temecula (2023)

Temecula Valley, within 1 hr 41 min drive  (91.9 miles) via I-15 North and CA-91 and 1 hour’s drive of San Diego, Palm Springs or Orange County, bills itself as Southern California’s Wine Country. Though it got a later start than its better known northern California counterparts—pioneers like Mount Palomar and Callaway set up shop in the late 1960s—the Temecula Valley today is home to nearly 40 wineries. There is also a thriving “wine country” scene here with resorts, restaurants, tours and activities geared toward wine tourism. The scenery alone is a draw, with rolling hills and seasonal snow-capped peaks. Many Temecula wineries take advantage of the grape-loving warm days and cool nights (many are at altitude and affected by the Pacific Ocean fogs and breezes) to produce extensive portfolios of different wines. There is surely something here for everyone’s taste.

If you’re looking for the best wineries in Temecula, there are a few things you should know. For starters, grapes were first planted in the region in 1820 by Mission San Luis Rey friars, but the first modern commercial vineyard was planted in 1968. Today, more than 40 licensed wineries and 80 growers offer wine from more than two dozen different grape varieties. Italian, Rhone, and Spanish varieties do especially well in the Mediterranean-like climate. Whether you love viognier, syrah, vermentino, aglianico, or malbec, you’ll find these varieties and more in Temecula. More than 90 percent of the wines are sold directly to consumers here, so it’s also a great place to stock your wine cellar with California wines.

Harvest season begins in mid-August until late October, but Temecula is a year-round wine destination. Before visiting, check the websites to verify potential seasonal changes since some of the smaller wineries are not open every day. Many wineries feature outstanding restaurants or bistros that are a welcome place to relax and enjoy a meal in between tastings or vineyard and winery tours. Some also feature picnic areas and allow leashed pets on their outdoor grounds so you still can enjoy the ambiance if you’re traveling with your dog. Ahead, our picks for the best wineries in Temecula.

Temecula Valley Wine Country invites you to savor the hundreds of award-winning wines offered by world famous wineries while enjoying the irresistible charm of our friendly tasting rooms. Although times may vary, most of the wineries are open daily for visitors from 10am to 5pm. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made via the vineyard. Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available

 

The Best  Santa Maria Valley Wineries to Visit 

Top-Rated Wineries and Vineyards in Santa Maria (2023)

The Santa Maria Valley, just north of Santa Barbara, offers one of California’s most scenic drives along the 101, but most visitors are surprised to find that this region also turns out some of the state’s most desired wines. The transverse mountains, coupled with a cooler climate, set the wines of this region apart from the state’s more popular wine destinations.

 The Santa Maria Valley is home to several wineries and vineyards growing 65 different varietals of grapes. From the world-class pinot noir to the deeply-nuanced Bordeaux’s, the city offers some real quality. And what’s better than enjoying the combined package of the authentic Santa Maria Style Barbecue and the locally grown Wine amidst the laid-back, peaceful environment. Have a look at our choicest pick for the 8 Most popular Wineries and Vineyards in Santa Maria.

Foxen Canyon Wine Trail The perfect way to taste wine from the oldest appellation in Santa Barbara County can be found on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. Meandering roads connect Santa Maria Valley to Los Olivos with breathtaking views and 14 tucked-away vineyards along a 30-mile road. Our region’s flagship varietals — cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah, plus Bordeaux-style wines from neighboring regions offer a vintage for every wine lover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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