About
While Napa and Sonoma are synonymous with California wine, Santa Barbara is the new kid on the block and was voted 2021 Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. When you are ready to sample the area's best on your Central Coast vacay, go with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours.
The visionary for this unique company is Michael Cohen, who created Santa Barbara Adventure Company (SBACo) in 1998. But before delving into wine tasting, Michael initially ran tours of the area by himself in the company's van.
As the wine industry of the Central Coast grew, so did SBACo by expanding into wine tours. Michael hired passionate locals and wine enthusiasts and launched the Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours.
Their tours showcase the best of Santa Barbara Wine Country, featuring dozens of partner wineries in all 7 AVAs. On your tour, you'll sample world-class varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenach, to name a few.
On your Central Coast getaway, let Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours take the hassle and guesswork out of visiting the area's top wineries.
Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours: Fun Facts & Cool Features
One time-saving feature of Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours is that they pick you up at your rental. This door-to-door service is convenient and is a perk that customers rank high in their reviews.
A fun fact is that Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours is going "green" with the inclusion of their first all-electric vans. Like their other vehicles, these are high-end vehicles with comfortable seats, windows with 360° views, and air conditioning. You'll also be supplied water and snacks and enjoy music and the driver's commentary over a top-end sound system.
What is appealing about their tour packages is there is something for every budget. All tours can be booked as shared or private, with the latter being more expensive. A budget-friendly option is the Wine Country Shuttle. You still get door-to-door pickup but are responsible for the tasting fees at the vineyards and your meals.
The best feature is that they make your wine-tasting tour stress-free and fun. For the Ynez Wine and Cupcake & Wine tours, your fee covers being shuttled to and from your rental, tasty meals at local eateries, wine tasting fees, a knowledgeable/courteous driver, and learning about winemaking.
While the tours are geared toward couples or small groups, they can accommodate corporate outings with 100 participants or an intimate bachelorette outing. The bottom line is if you dream it, they can make it into reality.
Visiting Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours during a Central Coast vacation is an exceptional way to explore the area's diverse wine selections. With its breathtaking scenery, insightful tours, and passionate winemakers, this experience will leave lasting memories.
Getting There
While the tours offer shuttle pickup, here are step-by-step driving directions to their office in Santa Barbara:
- Head north on State St.
- Continue on State St until you reach US-101 N.
- Merge onto US-101 N and stay on for approximately 10 miles.
- Take the exit for CA-154 N toward Los Olivos/Santa Ynez Valley.
- Follow CA-154 N for about 5 miles, enjoying the scenic views.
- Turn right onto Foxen Canyon Rd.
- Continue on Foxen Canyon Rd for about 6 miles.
- Turn left onto Santa Maria Mesa Rd, and after a short distance, you will see the signage for Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours.
- Address: 2280 E Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Local Tips
- Check their website for weekday discount codes.
- Purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy back at your Casago vacation rental.
- Bring your ID!
- Watch the local event calendars for special wine festivals.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as some vineyards require walking through uneven terrain.
