Best Wineries in Santa Ynez Valley [Must Visit]
Just a 2-hour drive from LA, California, you will find the beautiful little town of Santa Yenz Valley in Santa Barbara County.
With the beautiful views of Santa Yenz Mountain and San Rafael Mountains, Santa Ynez Valley has some of the best wineries for a fun weekend or a special event.
There is something for everyone in the cute little valley, with the best warmth and wine at each winery.
Santa Yenz valley is a perfect holiday destination with great wines, venues, and locally sourced tasty food.
If you are looking for a winery, here is the list of the best wineries in Santa Ynez Valley.
Let’s dive right into it.
The Brander Vineyard
Website: https://www.brander.com/
Contact No: 805.688.2455
Address: 2401 N. Refugio Rd Santa Ynez, CA 93460
A place to pace yourself down, find inner peace and have your best in the time you get. All this is achieved when you visit the Brander Vineyard.
Established in 1975, the place has some of the best vintage and new-age wines that are open for tasting and sale.
There is a beautiful patio where you can enjoy the wine around their estate area, overlooking the beautiful vineyards. Not only the vineyards but can also visit the Brander folk art museum. There is a lot of stuff related to winemaking and local folk art materials.
If you visit Branded Vineyard, try their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and 2021 Sauvignon Blanc LOD. They prefer reservations over walk-ins, and if a group of 6 or above, you must register.
They are open daily from 11 am to 4 pm.
McKinney Family Vineyards
Website: https://mckinneyfamilyvineyards.com/
Contact No: (805) 395-2093
Address: 1575 Edison St.Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Experience what a family can make beautiful wines unparalleled at McKinney Family Vineyards if they come together with all their love and passion. Spread out in a large area,
Mckinney Vineyards is located where you can enjoy the weather and a mindblowing view of the San Rafael and Santa Ynez mountains.
Matt Mckinney owns this vineyard, and he, along with his parents and cooperative co-workers, provides a beautiful experience. They produce 7 to 9 types of different wines, all with organic methods that enable a tasty and unique yield.
Quite a few movies and show scenes have been shot here.
If you ever visit them, try their 2012 The Beast, 2020 Blood of love, and 2021 Rose of Sangiovese.
Tasting and tours are offered by reservation only They are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm.
Sunstone Winery
Website: https://sunstonewinery.com/
Contact No: 805-688-9463
Address: 125 Refugio RoadSanta Ynez, CA 93460
Rustic and filled with vintage-looking beauty. This is what you will get to experience at Sunstone winery.
It is a short, around 30-minute ride from Santa Barbara. Sunstone winery makes wine tasting experience because of its vivid French courtyards, rustic stone barrel caves, and excellent wines,
Kids and dogs are allowed, but they should always be supervised. Abd outside food is also allowed her. You must taste their red and white wines of 2021 Viognier SBC and 2020 Eros.
Several local events take place here which are worth the visit.
If you are going to visit Sunstone Winery, then reservations are not required but highly recommended. If it is, a group of 11 people or above will be a private tasting experience.
They are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm.
Roblar Winery and Vineyards
Website: https://roblarwinery.com/
Contact No: (805)-686-2603
Address: 3010 Roblar Ave, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Roblar winery, spread around 40 acres of area, is perfect for relaxing weekends and grand weddings or other celebrations. This is not said by any critic but is proven when they were announced the best winery as of 2022 by Independent Santa Barbara.
It has a beautiful venue for your precious movements, surrounded by vineyards and beautiful decor. Not just weddings but also held corporate events as well. Their wine-tasting experience will provide you with knowledge about wine and winemaking.
And the service is extremely hospitable. If you are visiting here, try their Grenache 2020 Estate, Chardonnay 2021 Gold, and Sparling Blanc de Blanc- North Coast.
They are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm. And a visit is allowed only by reservation.
Gainey Vineyard
Website: https://gaineyvineyard.com/
Contact No: +1 805-688-0558
Address: 3950 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Owned by the Gainey family for around 60 years and the heritage passed down by generations, Gainey Vineyard provides one of the most authentic wine-tasting experiences ever. They are fancy, and their wine tasting is quite affordable at the same time.
They have a gorgeous venue for weddings and other celebratory events wherein all services are commendable. They provide both normal and private wine testing. But unlike other wineries, they provide a fascinating virtual taste-making with the help of cute kits.
You must try out their 2021 Limited Selection RIesling and 2020 Limited Merlot. They also sell their merchandise which is helpful and lavish.
They are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm.
Kalyra Winery
Website: https://www.kalyrawinery.com/
Contact No: (805) 693-8864
Address: 343 N. Refugio Road Santa Ynez
The best thing about wine is that independent cultures find common ground through their skills and flavors generated while making wine. Kalyra Winery is one of the beautiful examples of the same in the Santa Ynez valley.
Run by an Australian-born wine-maker, settled in California, providing you wines of both worlds. They have a peaceful patio where you can taste their wines. This is also where the famous movie “Sideways” was shot.
If you visit them, walk-ins are allowed, but they prefer reservations. Especially if you are in a group of 6 or above.
They are open from Tuesday to Sunday. They are open from 12 pm to 5 pm from Tuesday to Friday. And on Saturday and Sunday, they are open from 11 am to 5 pm.
Vincent Vineyards & Winery
Website: https://www.vincentvineyards.com/
Contact No: +1 805-691-4200
Address: 2370 N. Refugio Road | Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Vincent is one of the finest wineries in Santa Ynez, with gorgeous vineyards, wonderful tasting rooms, and award-winning wines. A large estate where you can enjoy with all your family with friends and kids alike. They have made their estate more friendly towards the families.
They provide some of the best wines with a distinctive tasting experience. They were also awarded the Best winery in 2021. You must try some of their classic wines of Cabernet Franc, V Cuvee, and other Bordeaux varieties.
They are open from Thursday to Monday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Check their website for more information, or you can contact them by calling the given number.
Brave & Maiden Estate
Website: https://braveandmaiden.com/
Contact No: (805) 693-2989
Address: 649 North Refugio Road,Santa Ynez, California 93460
Brave & Maiden Estate is another winery and vineyard alongside Refugio road, which should be a must-visit if you like vintage aesthetics. This is place is a marvelous blend of Skillful Architecture, comfortable wine-tasting arrangements, and a perfect place for your special events.
They also have some delicious cheese and a Charcuterie board to be a companion while you are wine-tasting. You should ask to taste their 2019 Limited Merlot and 2019 Cabernet Franc.
Guests, up to 6 people without reservations, are allowed in the estate. Kids and pets are allowed, provided they are handled with care and aren’t a problem to other guests. They are open daily from 10 am to 3:30 pm.
Carr Winery
Website: https://carrwinery.com/
Contact No: 805-688-5757.
Address: 3563 Numancia St. #101,Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Carr winery has a vineyard in Santa Barbara and a beautiful tasting and storage room in Santa Ynez. A large area of 3800 sq ft. is filled with all the facilities and amenities to enjoy the beautiful tasting experience in Carr Winery.
A large U shape bar gives the perfect retro vibe for a winery, also with a beautiful patio and grounds available for corporate events, anniversaries, and other such events. There is also a music and art gallery near Carr Vineyard and the winery at Santa Barbara.
You should try their wines of 2021 Carr Viognier and 2020 Carr Pinot Noir, 667. They are open daily from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Grassini Family Vineyards
Website: https://www.grassinifamilyvineyards.com/
Contact No: (805) 897-3366
Address: 24 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Grassini Family Vineyards is one of the largest family heritage vineyards in Santa Ynez and the entire Santa Barbara County. A majestic and picturesque Italian style wines, Villa, beautiful courtyard for tasting, and wonderful weddings and events.
You can also go through a beautiful tour and tasting experience in their vineyards spread over 15 acres of recently planted vines.
In this winery tour and tasting, you will be acknowledged by the Grassini family’s methods of growing vines until making wine. The staff is knowledgeable and humble. You should, without fail, try their 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon and Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc.
Accommodation is available, but you must make early reservations for that. Reservations for tasting are recommended. They are open daily from 11 am to 3 pm.
Final Thoughts
I hope you know the various Wineries you can visit while traveling to Santa Ynez or Santa Barbara county or if you live in LA and are planning a fun and quick getaway.
We have a conclusive list of wineries from other states as well. You can take a look at them as well.