Beginning Friday, June 12th, Santa Barbara Wine Country is fully open (not required to serve food)! Santa Barbara Wine Country welcomes guests back into wineries and tasting rooms with dine-in services and safety measures to keep guests safe as they sip the latest vintages and soak in the beautiful surroundings.
Located less than two hours from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Wine Country is a beautiful wine country escape. Over 200 wineries are part of the picturesque wine region known for producing highly rated, internationally recognized wines. Given its close proximity to LA, Santa Barbara Wine Country is an ideal day trip for SoCal wine lovers ready for a relaxing, outdoor getaway now that the County has opened back up. For lockdown-weary Angelinos, Santa Barbara Wine Country is an easy, two-hour drive where they can escape to rolling vineyards and enjoy exceptional wines.
Wineries and tasting rooms are partnering with food trucks, local caterers, and restaurants. The re-opening is a rare opportunity for restaurants and caterers to show off their farm-to-table offerings aside the County’s award-winning wine. Guests will find sit-down meals with wines by the glass, flight or bottle.
“People are so excited to get out and explore again. They’ve been enjoying wine at home, but nothing compares to a wandering day-trip to see the vineyards, rest your eyes on the gorgeous landscape, and engage with the dynamic people behind the wines,” said CEO of Santa Barbara Vintners, Alison Laslett. “Our wine region is a stone’s throw from Los Angeles, but it feels like a world away. We can offer guests the break they’ve been craving, and with all our outdoor space, our Wine Country has some of the safest social activities people can engage in right now.”
To help ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff, Santa Barbara County wineries and tasting rooms are implementing the following protocols:
- Strict adherence to CDC health and safety guidelines: sanitization, hygiene, face coverings for staff and for guests when not consuming food or wine
- Use of outdoor space and other social distancing practices
- Daily employee wellness screenings and temperature checks
- Reservation systems to manage the number of guests
The Santa Barbara wine region is best known for two things: the exceptional quality of the wines and the laid-back community vibe. From signature Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs worthy of Burgundy to sought-after Rhone and Bordeaux style varietals, there is a wine for every palate with over 50 varietals grown throughout the region. The welcoming laid-back vibe comes from the spirit of the tight-knit wine community. Winemakers are often found behind the counter in tasting rooms, pouring their wines and sharing anecdotes about the latest vintage. Wineries are located within a 30-mile radius throughout the valley and additional boutique tasting rooms are found in downtown Santa Barbara.
For updated information on winery re-openings, click here.
For additional information, visit https://www.sbcountywines.com/.
