Eve Chimes In: Favorite Wineries In and Around Santa Ynez

What’s so special about the Santa Ynez wine area in the Central Coast? Besides the fact that they are closer for us to drive to than other notable wine producing areas, like Paso Robles and Napa Valley, they also boast several AVAs, American Viticulture Areas. This means that due to the different climates and soils – Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills and Syrah from Stolpman Vineyards being two notable areas – in these AVAs they can produce a varied number of wine grapes and styles for most palates. So there is something for everyone! Also to keep in mind, besides Santa Ynez wineries they are practically a stone’s throw from winery tasting rooms in Sta. Rita Hills, Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara and Lompoc.

Storm Wines and Roblar Winery and Vineyard
Wow, two wineries I haven’t visited are highlighted today by publishers Moe and Linda Hafizi. I searched around and have learned: Roblar is #5 out of the 10 best wineries in Santa Ynez according to Yelp, and Ernst Storm, hailing from South Africa, makes the wines for his namesake winery. I also asked pals via social media about these wineries. Synopsis: Storm is known for their great Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Friends like both a crisp and a buttery Chardonnay and a Syrah Cabernet blend at Roblar, also known for a friendly staff, great wedding venue and club member dinners.

More Great Wineries To Visit

There are so many wineries that we’ve visited over the years it’s very hard to narrow down a list, but I’ll give it a try. These are wineries I have visited and had memorable tasting experiences: Stolpman, Kempe and Barbieri, Bella Cavalli, Lucas and Lewellen, Lincourt, Buttonwood, Rideau, Beckmen, Crawford, Foley, Zaca Mesa, Tercero, Brewer-Clifton, Liquid Farm, Ampelos, Zotovich, Montemar, Jalama, Longoria, Alma Rosa, Fess Parker and Taste of Santa Rita Hills.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

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