Whether you are a curious wine traveler or serious wine enthusiast, if you are looking for an authentic wine tasting experience without having to leave Santa Barbara, we have you covered. There’s no greater way to get to know this city than by taking a stroll among the maze of tasting rooms, mixing with the locals while you sip a renowned vintage and take it all in.

Unlike other regions that are known for the handful of grapes they grow well, all varieties thrive in Santa Barbara County:
- Burgundian grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- Rhone grapes like Syrah and Grenache
- Bordeaux heavyweights like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Are you ready to taste the magic that makes Santa Barbara a world-class winemaking region?

About the experience - 2 stop (1:45pm-3:30pm) or 3 stop (1:45pm-4:30pm):

On Sunday afternoons at 1:45pm, choose from either a 2 stop (1:45pm-3:30pm) or 3 stop (1:45pm-4:30pm) journey for the ultimate oenophile experience (21 and over).

Gratuity for your guide has not been included in the ticket price and therefore left to your discretion.

Sip #1 and Savor - first stop - 45 mins:

6 glass wine tasting

We kick things off with a wine flight of 3 whites and 3 reds from the collection of favorite varietals handcrafted and poured by the wine maker himself. It is definitely not your typical wine tasting!

Sensory experience using aroma wheel

We begin with the sensory experience using the aroma wheel while tasting the 3 whites. Smelling wine before tasting is important, as smell affects how we process flavor in the brain. Smelling wine also informs several wine characteristics: its primary scent, its wine alcohol content, secondary aromas, and its general acidity level. A wine's primary scent will indicate the type of grapes used. ⁠The aromatic experience takes pinpointing wine notes to the next level. By using actual aromatic elements found in different varietals you can more easily isolate specific profile characteristics that you may not have previously experienced. 

Wine & Food Pairing - Savory Bites

Next we learn why the proper balance of acid, spice, fruit, and tannins in their 3 Santa Ynez Valley red wines accentuates and complements the elements of the savory bites of the artisanal, Italian 3 part pizza. Each section of the pizza from the sauce to the cheese and its toppings pair perfectly with each of the varietals. 

Stroll - Santa Barbara Public Market down to La Arcada Plaza - 15 mins:
Afterwards we stroll down to our next stop to continue our adventure.
Along the way, your guide will point out specific places of interest.

Arlington VillageThe Granada TheatreMuseum of Art

Sip #2 - second stop - 45 mins:

Pick your favorite!

Nestled nicely in the La Arcada Plaza with an attractive wall of wines as a backdrop to a very glam lounge-like tasting room, our second stop begins with a 5 glass traditional wine tasting handcrafted by a Master Sommelier. You will learn about their Rhône and Bordeaux varietals, vineyards and wine styles.  The wine offerings range from beautiful soft whites to big full red wines like Syrah, Petite Syrah, and Cab Franc. Your guide's personal favorite is an amazing Cab Franc Rosé which is dry and light bodied. You can taste and smell the subtle notes and aromas of passion fruit, orange peels and sour cherries.

Learn about varietals and wine styles

Stroll - La Arcada Plaza down to the Historic Presidio Neighborhood - 15 mins:

Afterwards we stroll down to our next stop to conclude our adventure.
Along the way, your guide will point out specific places of interest.

La Arcada PlazaThe Lobero TheatreShops at El PaseoWine Tasting rooms at El Paseo

Sip #3 - last stop - 45 mins:

Perfect atmosphere for wine tasting

Located in the Historic Presidio Neighborhood, which is the birthplace of Santa Barbara, this family owned small business has an outside patio that is the perfect atmosphere for wine tasting. Everyone who works there has a knowledge of wine and the wine making process. They will walk you through a specifically prepared 4 glass wine flight. The grapes are from Colson Canyon and Santa Rita Hills which are considered to be the best in the Santa Barbara area.

Fun fact: the wine maker also works at Tensley in Los Olivos, which was voted #5 on Jeb Dunnuck's list of the top 100 best wines in the world for 2021: https://jebdunnuck.com/2021/12/top-100-wines-of-2021

Lounge atmosphere for wine tasting

NOTE:
The cut off time for booking same day is 11:45am.
If booking same day, please text your host and guide Joseph Soltis for confirmation at 908.295.4712.

Check in with Joseph outside the front door of the Santa Barbara Public Market.

Santa Barbara Public Market

Please arrive no earlier than 1:35pm but no later than 1:40pm.

About your Tour Guide:
Joseph is a gifted storyteller, foodie, oenophile and history buff. Prepare to indulge yourself in all things delectable with a bespoke curated itinerary for the discerning traveler. We take the guesswork out of where to go and what to do so you can relax and enjoy more time during your stay.

Escape the ordinary and get introduced to the culture and lifestyle of Santa Barbara as you explore it in an immersive manner with a local tour guide. Gain an insider perspective on the arts, gastronomy and history during your meaningful discovery on one of our tours: wine tasting, food tasting or architectural walking tours. Enjoy each adventure by itself or combine them for an extraordinarily memorable day.