Santa Barbara Winery

I can be skeptical.  Wineries named after the town they are in immediately conjure up images of a tourist spot first, winery second.  However, after visiting Jaffurs winery in downtown Santa Barbara a few weeks back and tasting some really great wines, I decided that the advice I received from one of the customers to also visit the Santa Barbara Winery might not be bad advice at all.

So, yesterday, I set aside some time and stepped into the tasting room of the Santa Barbara Winery.  Like my experience at Jaffurs, it's almost surreal to walk into a winery that is located amidst a semi-industrial business area instead of at the end of a winding path in the country.  It's surreal because, once I was in the doorway, I could have been anywhere. 

Stacks of oak barrels provided a serious backdrop to the rectangular tasting area that allowed customers to gather on all for sides amidst walls decorated with current and past vintages, gifts, and several awards bestowed on the Santa Barbara Winery over the years.

To start with, I love a tasting fee of only $5 - AND I get to keep the glass!  Sign me up. 

Of course, that's not the focus here but it does speak of customer service and appreciation. 

But, at the Santa Barbara Winery, it's not about the glass.  It's about the wine. 

I started the tasting with the 2008 Sauvingon Blanc - a very tasting wine with some very nice tropical fruit nuances framed in soft acidity - I got hungry the moment I tasted it.

From there, I tasted two Chardonnays - the 2008 Santa Barbara Country, fermented in stainless steel, and the 2007 Santa Rita Hills, fermented in oak.  The SBC Chardonnay was crisp and fruit-forward with a very delicious toasty vanilla note on the finish.  The SRH had similar characteristics but was was immediately more suited to aging and was full-bodied from start to finish. 

Subsequently, I moved on to the Reds with a taste of the 2005 LaFond Pinot Noir.  I love this style of Pinot with the slight strawberry and spice on the nose with a lively mouth feel and soft tannins on the finish.  I would have loved a glass of this to enjoy on their modest but inviting patio. 

From there, things got fun.  I love those wines that just 'go with anything' and the next taste was right up my alley.  The 2008 California ZCS (Zinfandel, Carignane, and Sangiovese) is flat out delightful.  It's a Delicious wine that doesn't need food but would pretty much go with anything you can throw on a grill.  This is the wine you want to have just lying around for everyday drinking or to keep that dynamic conversation carrying on into the night.

Finally, I tasted the Primitivo.  As a tenacious fan of Zinfandel, I loved this wine.  It sailed through from start to finish with those fantastic spices and fruit that are truly food friendly but with a structure that will only evolve over the next few years.  Delicious!

This is where I stop.  My appreciation to the fine and friendly folks pouring the wine and engaging in very enthusiastic conversation about their wines and even pulling out a map to show me where the grapes came from.  It was fun.  And whether I was a tourist, a blogger, or just someone looking to taste some good wine, I can truly recommend a stop at the Santa Barbara Winery. 

Hang out. 

Chat.

Taste.

Enjoy.

Cheers!