Once a rural ranching hinterland, Santa Ynez Valley has emerged over the last two decades as one of America’s most exciting wine destinations. As complement to its wealth of wineries and tasting rooms, the valley’s hospitality offer has exploded. Boutique hotels, creative restaurants, and curated fashion and home goods stores have sprung up around the region’s tiny characterful towns. What Santa Ynez gets right about growing is the careful merger of its historic frontier town cowboy energy with upscale development. The other thing it’s getting right: a focus on sustainable growth — in the vineyard.  

Santa Ynez Valley growers have demonstrated an increasing dedication to sustainable, organic, biodynamic, and now regenerative farming practices. From small minimalist labels to ambitious projects, it’s easier than ever for consumers to vote with their dollars for better environmental and social practices without compromising on taste and pleasure. In fact, this viticultural undertaking now features as a core tenet of Santa Ynez Valley’s wines while helping to climate-proof its grapes. 

While much of California’s famous growing regions face hotter, drier conditions and regular threat of wildfire, Santa Ynez Valley and the larger Santa Barbara County AVA have been spared a measure of wild unpredictable weather now a hallmark of climate change. Santa Barbara County also reaps the benefit of a unique geological feature that regulates temperature, especially in St. Rita Hills: transverse valleys. These east to west (instead of north to south) geological chasms suck the cool Pacific Ocean air inland which slows down ripening and retains acidity. Wine consumers looking for pure, energetic Pinot Noir, fresh yet complex Chardonnay, or earthy and elegant Syrah, should start looking north of Los Angeles instead of San Francisco. 

Santa Ynez Valley wine tastings

For the wine lover, Santa Barbara County’s seven AVAs would keep the most energetic taster busy for months. From Alisos Canyon, Ballard Canyon, and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, to Los Olivos District, Santa Maria Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, and Sta. Rita Hills, the varying climate, grapes, and therefore styles mean even the pickiest wine drinker can find a favorite bottle. 

Wineries engaging in these practices abound. A few fun experiences to check out include an alfresco tasting with terrific organic dishes from the onsite farm at Roblar Winery. For mountaintop vistas, head to organic and biodynamic Grimm’s Bluff in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. In Los Olivos, don’t miss Larry Schaffer’s artisan line-up at Tercero Wines. Down the street, Ernst Storm is turning out precise Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Storm Wines. He also makes the Sta. Rita Hills wines for Donnachadh, next door. Natural wine enthusiasts with a soft spot for Austrian varieties can walk in to Solminer, also in Los Olivos. In Solvang, James Sparks tastes guests on his personal label, King’s Carey, in an unassuming spot off the strip.

If you’re having lunch in Los Alamos, the Casa Dumetz tasting room is the place to stop for boutique wines made under three labels. In Alisos Canyon, exquisite small-batch Rhône-inspired wines can be tasted by appointment at Dovecote Estate Winery. Presqu’ile in Santa Maria Valley is worth the trek for cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful wineries in the region; plan to linger all afternoon on the terrace.

Demetria practices regenerative farming, offering tastings of their biodynamic wines on a leafy patio. For fans of Italian varieties and farm-fresh food, Vega Vineyards and Farm in Buellton ticks the box. Brave & Maiden offers the poshest tasting experience in a contemporary room serving small groups by appointment. The wines, plush and polished, match the ambience.