Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [335]
Also just east of Hwy 246 is the Hitching Post II restaurant Click here, which offers tastings of its own well-regarded pinots at the bar from 4pm to 6pm nightly. It’s $8 for a taste of seven wines.
Los Olivos Wine Trail
The four-block main street in charming Los Olivos is lined with tasting rooms and shops, as well as several restaurants, a luxurious inn and a full-service spa. If you’re short on time, the three tasting rooms listed below will give you a good idea of what the Wine Country has to offer. Ask about shipping wine back to other US states before you assume that you can; not all states allow alcohol to be sent across their borders (ask wineries how some people have gotten around this).
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TOP FIVE PLACES FOR PICNIC FIXINGS
El Rancho Market, Solvang
New Frontiers Natural Marketplace, Solvang
Panino, Los Olivos
Pattibakes, Buellton
Metropulos, Santa Barbara
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Consilience Wine Tasting ( 805-691-1020; www.consiliencewines.com; 2933 Grand Ave; 11am-5pm) This Spanish-style tasting room specializes in vineyard-designated Syrah and Rhône varietals, with some pinot noir and zinfandel as well.
Longoria Wines Tasting Room ( 805-688-0305, 866-759-4637; www.longoriawine.com; 2935 Grand Ave; noon-4:30pm Mon, Wed & Thu, 11am-4:30pm Fri-Sun) Sip your favorite red on the garden patio where flowers burst from wine barrels. Run by one of the county’s most experienced vintners, Longoria’s tasting room specializes in pinot, cabernet-franc blends and Syrah.
Los Olivos Tasting Room ( 805-688-7406, 800-209-8103; www.losolivostastingroom.com; 2905 Grand Ave; 11am-5:30pm) Open since 1987, the first independent tasting room in California sits right on the main drag and specializes in high-end pinot noir from the region’s smaller vineyards. When you phone dial 2934 at the prompt.
Eating
You won’t have any problem finding picnic fare in Santa Barbara County; the region is chock-full of groceries, delis and bakeries serving up portable sandwiches and salads. When picnicking at a winery, it’s polite to buy a bottle of wine before spreading out your blanket on the lawn.
El Rancho Market ( 805-688-4300; 2886 Old Mission Dr, Solvang; sandwiches from $7; 6am-10pm; ) The place to stop if you want to fill a picnic basket, not to mention reintegrate into society after a day of windmills, clogs and abelskiver. An easy pull-off east of downtown Solvang, this grocery is known for its fantastic deli and wine selection. The gumbo is scrumptious.
New Frontiers Natural Marketplace ( 805-693-1746; 1984 Old Mission Dr; sandwiches $7-8; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, to 7pm Sun; ) If you’re trying to keep things organic, stop here for a tasty variety of deli sandwiches; especially nice selection for those wanting a veggie picnic – though carnivores have plenty of options too.
Panino ( 805-688-9304; 2900 Alamo Pintado Ave, downtown Los Olivos; sandwiches under $9; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat & Sun; ) This tiny shop also packs a vegetarian punch, offering nine meat-free sandwiches as well as a healthy selection of gourmet sandwiches such as curried chicken salad and roast turkey with brie. Order at the counter and eat outside at an umbrella-covered table or pack a vineyard-worthy picnic.
Grappolo ( 805-688-6899; 3687 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez; mains lunch $12-17, dinner $13-30; lunch Tue-Sun, dinner daily; ) Serving up crispy pizza, pasta, wonderful salads, rotisserie chicken and grilled meats, Grappolo’s is a local Italian favorite whose chef hails from Tuscany. The crowd is convivial and lovin’ this little restaurant. Don’t be surprised to hear a local tell you it’s the best Italian restaurant on the West Coast.
Los Olivos Café & Wine Merchant ( 805-688-7265; 2879 Grand Ave, Los Olivos; mains lunch $10-15, dinner $10-24) Sideways promoted Los Olivos Café, and now Los Olivos Café promotes Sideways – buy a copy of the book here. With white canopies, a concrete floor and a wisteria-covered trellis, this happenin’ wine bistro swirls