Sanford Winery & Vineyards

Santa Barbara County · Sta. Rita Hills · Sta. Rita Hills AVA
🌄 Scenic Views 🥂 Estate Wines ✅ Walk-ins Welcome
Visit
Pending
Wino Notion Score
Not Yet Reviewed
Editorial review pending
Awaiting
Reviews
Community Review Score
Not Yet Rated
Be the first to review
Hours
Daily 10am-3:30pm
📞
Phone
(805) 688-3300
💰
Tasting Fee
From $25
📅
Reservations
Walk-ins welcome
🌿
Est.
1971

About Sanford Winery & Vineyards

Sanford Winery & Vineyards holds the most historically appellation-discovering significance of any wine estate in Santa Barbara County. Richard Sanford planted the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in the western Santa Barbara County wind corridor in 1971, before any recognized wine growing appellation existed in the area, and before anyone in California wine paid serious attention to the region. His conviction that cool Pacific winds channeling through the Santa Rita Hills produced Pinot Noir of genuinely world-class quality transformed what was considered marginal agricultural land into California's most celebrated cool-climate Pinot Noir appellation.

The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, the specific planting that Richard Sanford established with Michael Benedict in 1971 and that became the founding terroir source for the Sta. Rita Hills' international Pinot Noir reputation, remains one of the most critically acclaimed and most historically consequential single vineyard sites in California. Now owned by the Terlato Wine Group, the estate continues recognition across the estate and La Rinconada single-vineyard expressions.

For wine lovers who want to experience the specific vineyard that essentially discovered and proved the Sta. Rita Hills as a world-class Pinot Noir growing environment, Sanford Winery provides the most historically resonant and appellation-founding-significance Santa Barbara County wine appointment available.

🍷
What Wino Notion Loved
Visit pending, based on winery profile & reputation
Sanford Winery &Sanford Winery & Vineyards holds the most historically appellation-discovering significance of any wine estate in Santa Barbara County.
Richard Sanford plantedRichard Sanford planted the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in the western Santa Barbara County wind corridor in 1971, before any recognized wine growing appellation existed in the area, and before anyone in California wine paid serious attention to the region.
His conviction thatHis conviction that cool Pacific winds channeling through the Santa Rita Hills produced Pinot Noir of genuinely world-class quality transformed what was considered marginal agricultural land into California's most celebrated cool-climate Pinot Noir appellation.
"The historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard estate, Richard Sanford planted the first Pinot Noir vines in what would becom"
Visit Pending

Score Breakdown

Ratings will appear after verified reviews
Wine Quality
Not yet rated
Tasting Experience
Not yet rated
Value for Money
Not yet rated
Family Friendly
Not yet rated
Dog Friendly
Not yet rated
Reviews Across the Web
loading...
Wino Notion
Not yet rated
Awaiting reviews
Google Live
Fetching...
Scores from Google Maps via its official API · Updated every 24 hours · Click any row to view full reviews

Featured Wines

Pinot Noir
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills · Sanford & Benedict
The historically most appellation-discovering Sta. Rita Hills founding vineyard's estate Pinot, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir from the vineyard Richard Sanford planted in 1971 that essentially discovered the Sta. Rita Hills as a world-class Pinot Noir growing environment.
Estate
★★★★☆
Pinot Noir
La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills · La Rinconada
Pinot Noir from Sanford Winery & Vineyards (Sta. Rita Hills, La Rinconada).
Estate
★★★★☆
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Sta. Rita Hills · Sanford Estate
Chardonnay from Sanford Winery & Vineyards (Sta. Rita Hills, Sanford Estate).
Estate
★★★★☆

Tasting Experiences

Visit Website →
🥂
Appellation Founding Estate Walk-In
Taste the wines at Sanford Winery & Vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills. Daily 11am to 4pm, walk-ins welcome.
From $25

Photo Gallery

Recent Reviews from Our Community

No Community Reviews Yet
This winery does not have any published Wino Notion community reviews yet. Be the first to share a recent visit and help other wine travelers know what to expect.
Write the First Review
Share Your Experience at Sanford Winery & Vineyards

More Santa Barbara Wineries

All Santa Barbara →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the tasting room hours at Sanford Winery & Vineyards?

Sanford Winery & Vineyards does not publish verified tasting room hours here. Check the winery website or call before you travel, as hours change seasonally.

Do I need a reservation to visit Sanford Winery & Vineyards?

Sanford Winery & Vineyards generally welcomes walk-ins, though reservations are a good idea on busy weekends.

Is Sanford Winery & Vineyards wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility details are not published for Sanford Winery & Vineyards. Contact the winery directly about access needs.

How much do tastings cost at Sanford Winery & Vineyards?

Tastings at Sanford Winery & Vineyards generally fall in the $$ price range. Check with the winery for current tasting options.

More Santa Barbara wineries

Sanguis Wine · Santa Barbara Winery · Scar of the Sea · Sea Smoke Cellars · Silver Wines · Star Lane Vineyard

Wine tasting deals in Santa Barbara · Browse all wineries