The Best Wineries and Restaurants in California’s Santa Ynez Valley

World-class wines and a locavore dining scene beckon in California’s Santa Ynez Valley.

Less than two hours’ drive north-west of Los Angeles, the Santa Ynez Valley – a vast winemaking region encompassing towns including Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and the main hub, Santa Barbara – found fame in the early 2000s as the backdrop to the cult wine-centric film Sideways. Beyond its celebrated pinot noir, you’ll find standout chardonnay and Rhône varietals thanks to diverse terroirs across seven viticultural areas. With more than 300 wineries to discover, explore the region on a bespoke tour with Destination Vine or sip and stroll along Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail.

The wineries

Folded Hills

The first vineyard on the way into wine country and the closest to the ocean, Folded Hills in Gaviota has a proudly sustainable ethos. “Because we listened to the land and did what the land wanted, it has provided us with these incredible grapes,” says co-owner Kim Busch. Try grenache and syrah at the Homestead, where you can set off on a guided hike of the property, or visit the Montecito tasting room, only 10 minutes from El Encanto.

Margerum Wine Company

In downtown Santa Barbara, Margerum’s tasting room offers more than just exceptional syrah, riesling and sauvignon blanc at its sleek urban space. Owner Doug Margerum’s restaurant background shines through, ensuring food takes equal importance to the more than 30 wines available for tasting. Pair a flight with bites such as smoked duck toast with cherry mostarda.

Potek Winery

Potek Winery, also in Santa Barbara, shares a lively courtyard with Third Window Brewery. Winemaker David Potter honed his skills in Australia, where he worked vintages at renowned producers Henschke in the Barossa and the Yarra Valley’s Coldstream Hills. Here he applies traditional French techniques to locally sourced grapes to create elegant, terroir-driven wines, including a fine pinot noir and syrah. Enjoy a flight of four drops in the rustic, alfresco tasting room.

The restaurants

The Lark

This vibrant eatery, in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone (part of the Urban Wine Trail), celebrates nature’s bounty with a creative menu by chef Jason Paluska. Hero dishes include brussels sprouts elevated by sesame, garum, date and lime, and indulgent brown-butter cornbread. The restaurant is located inside a repurposed historic fish market and its décor blends vintage railway artefacts with modern industrial touches, honouring the Pullman train that inspired its name.

Stonehouse

Nestled within the San Ysidro Ranch, Stonehouse radiates romance and elegance. Savour a menu that features local spiny lobster, organic veggies and housemade pasta in the historic dining room or on the terrace under twinking lights, all paired with wines selected by sommelier David Fainberg. A pre- or post-dinner tour of the impressive 14,000-bottle cellar is a must (and should be booked ahead).

The stay

El Encanto

Perched in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara and the ocean, this luxurious Spanish-colonial and Californian Craftsman-style retreat features 90 contemporary suites, rooms and bungalows, some with leafy private terraces, plus an onsite spa. Once a haven for old-Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable, Hedy Lamarr and Carole Lombard, today it’s just as appealing to oenophiles thanks to a private or small-group 50 Shades of Pinot experience in which guests paint with wine pigments while enjoying fine vintages and charcuterie.