Santa Barbara is a great location to find terrific wines and wineries. Here are a few examples and a selection from their wine store for your consideration.
Sunstone Winery
(805) 688-9463
The setting of this winery is beautiful. With its courtyard, gardens and lovely tasting room, there is so much to enjoy about a tour of this winery. Located only 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara, this is one of the most beautifully wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. Their 2006 Syrah Estate is the wine of my selection for its lovely ruby red color and a taste similar to baked plums and fresh roasted coffee bean aroma. Some characters of the wine include bing cherries, anise, roasted almonds, and hints of black pepper. You will enjoy the smooth feel of the wine. Your first flavor enjoyment will be the huckleberry jam that adds sweetness to the wine. The finishing flavor is that of chocolate dipped strawberries, anise and black pepper. You can purchase a bottle while on a tour or through the website for $45.00 per bottle.
Kalyra Winery
(805) 693-8864
This winery offers up a flare of Australian wines under the brown label. Owned and operated by Australian, Mike Brown, the grapes for his Brown label wines come from Australia. The wines produced under the Kalyra label are from grapes grown in and around Santa Barbara. Their 2007 Riesling is the wine I have selected. It is a lovely white wine. This is an off-dry Riesling. The fruit, picked at night is pressed into stainless steel tanks so no oak barreling is used as a result. The wine is much crisper and fruity with pear and apricot undertones. It has a subtle sweetness. This is a perfect wine for spicy foods, such a Thai or Chinese. It will even go well with spiced seafood and shellfish. The wine can be purchased during winery tours or online at their website for $18.00 per bottle.
Gainey Vineyards
(805) 688-0558
This vineyard has wonderful picnic area with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. In 1962 the Gainey family acquired 600 acres of which 85 are vineyards today. There is a beautiful tasting room with a demonstration vineyard right outside for tour guests. I have selected their 2006 Syrah a wine of my choice. It is a blend of four varieties of grapes. It has a beautiful red color. It opens with fruity aromas of ripe blackberry, black raspberry, and toasted blueberry. It continues to evolve in the glass to reveal roasted earth and pepper spice flavors with a hint of milk chocolate. The Syrah is a rich, full bodied wine. It s wonderful black fruit flavors are balanced by round, ripe tannins and oak. This wine goes well with roasted chicken or grilled lamb. It will even be a great accompaniment for a juicy burger. You can purchase a bottle while out on a tasting tour or through the website for $16.00 per bottle.
Buttonwood Farm Winery
(805) 688-3032
This is a warm and friendly winery that reflects the lifestyle of its 86 year old owner, Betty Williams. She purchased the property in the 1960’s and began growing grapes in the early 80’s, Today the winery produces 8000 cases per year from 39 acres. The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is the wine I have selected. It is a delicious and refreshing wine. The grapes for this wine grow well without needing a lot of extra care. This is a crisp, refreshing wine. It’s color a lovely pale straw just glistens in the glass. It has a somewhat exotic bouquet of kiwi, guava and lemon-lime. To the taste, the wine is light with flavors of honeydew melon, lemon zest and a hint of fennel complemented by the creamy round textured components from the Semillon. The finish is lasting, and sleek with a citrusy flavor. It’s great with seafood, such as scallops or crab. You can either pick up a bottle on your tour or order it from their online store at their website for only $14.00 per bottle.
Rideau Vineyard
(805) 688-0717
There is English gardens and lawns leading up to the tasting room at this wonderful vineyard. The room has the look and feel of New Orleans, due to the Creole owner, Iris Rideau, who purchased the property in 1989. The winery specializes in Rhone varietal wines. I have selected the 2006 Estate Grenache. This is a wine with lots of character. It has high notes of chocolate, boysenberry and black cherry pie. It promises and delivers broad layers of fruit flavor. Triple cream brie or other rich cheese would go quite well with this wine. You can purchase a bottle while on tour or through the website store for $47.00 per bottle.
I hope this gives you an idea of the wonderful wines around you in the Santa Barbara area. You should make a point of visiting some of these wineries for their tasting in the near future.
