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Outdoor Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara County
Outdoor Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County's magnificent landscapes — from coastal hills to valley ranches — make outdoor wine tasting one of the region's greatest pleasures,...
Santa Barbara County's magnificent landscapes — from coastal hills to valley ranches — make outdoor wine tasting one of the region's greatest pleasures, with some of California's most beautiful settings.
Featured Wineries
01
Beckmen Vineyards
The Purisima Mountain Vineyard estate in Ballard Canyon has beautiful organic gardens and outdoor tasting areas surrounded by biodynamic vineyards and hill views that make outdoor tasting here genuinely restorative.
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Bien Nacido Estate
Tasting in the vineyard setting of the legendary Bien Nacido estate is one of California's most authentic outdoor wine experiences — surrounded by the vines that have produced some of the state's greatest wines.
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Rancho Sisquoc Winery
The working cattle ranch provides one of the most expansive and genuinely rural outdoor wine tasting experiences in California — a working landscape of vineyards, horses, and natural beauty that's unlike any other wine estate.
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Foxen Vineyard & Winery
The outdoor setting of the legendary Foxen #7200 shack tasting room is one of California's most authentic — the original tin-roofed farm building surrounded by vineyards represents the region's winemaking heritage without polish or pretension.
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Buttonwood Farm Winery
The organic farm estate in Santa Ynez Valley provides a beautiful outdoor tasting experience surrounded by vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and vineyard rows in a setting of genuine agricultural abundance.
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Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards
The sweeping outdoor areas at this historic Santa Ynez Valley estate include picnic grounds with valley views and a beautiful outdoor chess set that makes outdoor visits particularly enjoyable for groups.
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Gainey Vineyard
The well-maintained estate gardens and outdoor tasting areas at Gainey create a pleasant and accessible outdoor experience in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley.
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Presqu'ile Winery
The modern Santa Maria Valley estate's outdoor terrace overlooks the estate vineyard with views of the surrounding Santa Maria hills in a beautifully designed contemporary setting.
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Browse WinoNotion's complete Santa Barbara directory with tasting room details and visitor tips.
View Santa Barbara Region →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year for outdoor wine tasting in Santa Barbara County?
Spring and fall are ideal — moderate temperatures, beautiful scenery, and comfortable outdoor conditions. Summer can be warm in the Santa Ynez Valley but the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley remain cool year-round. Winter is mild but can be rainy.
Can I have a picnic at Santa Barbara County wineries?
Several Santa Barbara County wineries have picnic areas or permit picnics on their grounds. Zaca Mesa has excellent picnic grounds. Rancho Sisquoc's ranch setting is ideal for a packed lunch. Always confirm with the winery before bringing outside food.
Are there vineyard views at Santa Barbara wineries?
Yes — many Santa Barbara County wineries have beautiful vineyard views, particularly the hillside estates in Ballard Canyon and the Sta. Rita Hills. Bien Nacido's vine rows stretching to the Santa Maria hills, and the Purisima Mountain views from Beckmen Vineyards, are particularly stunning.
What outdoor activities can I combine with Santa Barbara wine tasting?
The Santa Ynez Valley has excellent horseback riding, cycling on quiet ranch roads, and hiking in Los Padres National Forest. The Sta. Rita Hills corridor along Santa Rosa Road is beautiful for cycling. The Gaviota coast an hour south has spectacular ocean hiking. Kayaking and surfing are accessible from Santa Barbara city.