| If you think Napa Valley is the only wine country | | | | Rita Hills. Some of the major wineries in Santa |
| to see in California, think again. When it comes to | | | | Barbara County include Andrew Murray, Byron |
| spectacular wine growing regions, California's cup | | | | and Fess Parker. |
| truly runneth over. | | | | One thing to remember is that just because you |
| For wine lovers living or visiting the Los Angeles, | | | | don't recognize a label does not mean you |
| Ventura or Santa Barbara areas, a trip to the | | | | shouldn't visit the winery. Many of the wineries in |
| wine growing areas of Santa Barbara Country will | | | | Santa Barbara County (or even Napa Valley, for |
| not disappoint, where you'll find spectacular | | | | that matter) don't distribute their wines to the |
| Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, as well as some | | | | major supermarkets or wine shops. You may |
| Rhone and Italian varietals which are gaining | | | | only find them at the winery, a handful of wine |
| popularity. You'll also find yourself exploring the | | | | stores or select restaurants. Of course, if you find |
| same vineyards and tasting rooms in which the | | | | a wine you like (and you will), many of the |
| characters in the movie "Sideways" found | | | | wineries have websites where you can order the |
| themselves. | | | | wine to be shipped to you. A couple wineries you |
| If visiting from the Los Angeles area, it's advisable | | | | may not have heard about, but definitely should |
| to stay the night. Your choices for lodging range | | | | visit are Cottonwood Canyon and Kenneth Volk, |
| from the upscale Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa | | | | up near Santa Maria. Both have friendly tasting |
| Barbara, with rooms starting at $475 per night, to | | | | rooms and outstanding Chardonnays and Pinot |
| the affordable Best Western Big America Hotel | | | | Noirs. Cottonwood Canyon does charge a tasting |
| and Suites in Santa Maria, where you can get a | | | | fee, while Kenneth Volk gives 5 tastes for free. |
| room beginning at just under $100. Or, if you'd like | | | | You might also wish to visit the wineries which |
| to stay in the motel where Miles and Jack from | | | | were featured in "Sideways." These wineries |
| "Sideways" stayed, you might like the Days Inn | | | | include Fess Parker, Firestone, Kalyra, Foxen and |
| Buellton-Solvang, which begins at $110 per night on | | | | Sanford. |
| the weekends and around $60 during the week. | | | | If you find yourself with limited time, you can also |
| The Days-Inn Buellton-Solvang is located two | | | | visit one of the many shops in the area where |
| miles from Solvang, which is billed as the "Danish | | | | you can sample wines from many different |
| Capital of the USA," and a half mile from the | | | | wineries from one tasting room. Often times |
| Hitching Post II restaurant, also featured in the | | | | these shops include wines from wineries without |
| movie "Sideways" and home to some of the best | | | | tasting rooms of their own. Grand Avenue in Los |
| steaks you'll ever eat. | | | | Olivos has several of these tasting rooms, so if |
| There is, of course, no way you can visit all the | | | | you can't make it to the wineries themselves |
| wineries in Santa Barbara County in one weekend, | | | | you'll still be able to taste the best Santa Barbara |
| there are just way too many. You might want to | | | | County has to offer. |
| choose one of the wine producing areas or | | | | Whenever taking wine tasting tours in California |
| appellations in Santa Barbara County and visit as | | | | it's always wise to appoint a designated drive, and |
| many wineries as you can in those areas. These | | | | remember to eat and drinking plenty of water |
| areas and appellations include Santa Maria Valley, | | | | during the day. |
| Los Alamos Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa | | | | |