Santa Barbara CA recommendations

Also try Tensley Wines 2900 Grand Avenue Suite B Los Olivos, CA 93441 Really nice people and some world class Syrahs.

There's a section on SB rec is FAQ:

I'd just add I've yet to meet a Fess Parker w> My wife and I are going to SB in a few days, and we may have time to

Thumbs up to Melville and Tensley. I would also HIGHLY recommend you seek out and taste the wines from CORE. Their website

says "Every Saturday: Taste CORE at East Beach Wine in Santa Barbara. Come by and taste CORE at Wine Country in Los Olivos." Dave Corey and his wife Becky are making some great wines- particularly their Elevation Sensation and Hard CORE bottlings. One other suggestion: eat at Patrick's Side Street Cafe in Los Olivos, and try the paella.

In Santa Barbara you can visit the Wine Cask, and any of the folks there (especially Wendy) can make top recommendations for which wineries to visit.

cheers, e. _____________________

There are only a few wineries right around SB. There are numerous wineries 25-40 miles to the north.

The first group is around the Solvang and Buellton area. West side of 101: Sanford is an old ranch house and doesn't look like much but they do have some very nice Chardonnay's and Pinot's. There are a few wineries further down the road that are all good.

Melville and Babcock are next door to each other also west of 101. They both have some excellent wines but some are quite pricey.

East side of 101: Rideau which is one of my favorites. They have two levels of tasting. I opted for the $10 premium wine tasting. Their wines are outstanding.

Between Solvang and Santa Maria is the Foxen Trail route with several wineries and some very scenic countryside.

Firestone: Yes, the tire people own a winery, brewery and restaurant! Decent wines at fair prices. If you taste here you can also taste at nearby Curtis winery for free (or vis-versa).

Fess Parker: Beautiful winery, picnic grounds and gift shop. Their wines are decent but nothing great.

Foxen: Smallest winery around! Just an open barn on the side of the road. Not really any parking lot so just park off the roadway. Doesn't look like much at all but their wines are 1st class.

Cambria: One of my favorites. Very nice winery with a great view of the valley. Most of their wines tasted are not available outside the region. These wines are superb but some are pricey. Nearby is Kenneth Volk which is worth a stop. Next door is Byron but currently they do not offer tasting.

Cottonwood Canyon: This winery pairs their tastings with small pieces of cheese, peppers etc. They bottle age most of their wines longer than most so expect to see 1998-2002 releases here.

Firestone Brewery in Buellton just off the 101 is a great place for lunch or dinner. Great food and great beer.

Visit Solvang for some very fun window shopping. Theres also a few wineries mixed in among the stores. To the north is Los Olivos which is another fun small town to stop for lunch on the way to Foxen trail.

If you have time visit the wineries of Edna Valley which is just west of Pismo Beach. Very pretty area for a day of wine tasting with about a dozen or so wineries.

Nice writeup, Miles. I will incorporate those recommendations into my next update of the FAQ. On the subject of Sanford: have you (or anyone else) tasted their wines since the sale of the winery? I've heard some speculation of a loss in quality, but would like to get some firsthand data.

Mark Lipton

I was there last spring and will be there again in March. I was aware of the sale but have not heard whats been changed as far as winemakers.

Thanks to all. This gives me plenty of information to get started. Not sure yet how much spare time I will have, but we plan to visit at least a couple of wineries. I will report upon my return.

Andy

I thought the husband was a tow-truck driver, not a biker.

Dana

Check out Winerybound.com

It lists w> My wife and I are going to SB in a few days, and we may have time to

"ferment" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

"Check out *my* website Winerybound.com *We* list wineries from with google mapas and give instant directions. Good Luck!"

FIXED.

"mapas"?

Wow, I don't even know how to respond to being attacked by a complete stranger because I offered advice to someone who requested it.

Please fix your damage with counseling and leave the wine world alone. It certainly has enough individuals who act like they know more than they do, in addition to presenting themselves as more intelligent while they pick apart people and products of the industry.

My sincerest apologies for using this forum to address this issue due to rudeness. The reaction of me taking the time to drive one individual to my site, when in fact it's much more important for me to find venues to drive thousands, only show me your lack of business understanding in addition to kindness in human nature.

Heather Truchot Founder W> "ferment" wrote

innews: snipped-for-privacy@h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

here:

Maybe you are not aware of the etiquette here, Heather, but enovidh is correct. Full disclosure is appropriate here if you do not wish to be considered a spammer.

Thanks for the link all the same.

Andy

innews: snipped-for-privacy@h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

here:

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