Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country
Description
SMALL GROUP/ SHARED WINE TOUR. Sustainable Wine Tours is the Top Rated Santa Barbara Wine Tour on Trip Advisor (and Yelp) - Choose our tour if you are looking for Exclusive access to ultra small production, PRIVATE locations not open to the general public and high end, limited release wine tastings. No Bachelorette. Small Group Wine Tour (MAX OF SIX GUESTS). Perfect for couples looking for a more unique experience beyond the commercial wineries. Never any crowded commercial wineries, standing at a bar or in tasting rooms. Taste top-quality wines and tour the vineyards and barrel rooms often with owners and winemakers themselves. Only one tour per day. Space is extremely limited. • APPOINTMENT-ONLY, PRIVATE LOCATIONS • NO BACHELORETTE/ BACHELOR PARTIES • ALL PRIVATE SEATED TASTINGS • TASTE WITH WINEMAKERS AND OWNERS • NO COMMERCIAL WINERIES, NO TASTING ROOMS • SMALL GROUP TOURS (Max six guests) • LUXURY MERCEDES, customized interior, no crowded bench seating
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up and bring you back to All Santa Barbara Area hotels or residences (AirBnB or VRBO). We pick up directly from your location for our Wine Tour which can include hotels or homes. If you are not staying at a hotel, we also pick up at residences (AirBnB, etc). If you are driving up from Los Angeles (or other cities out of the area) just for the day, we can arrange to meet at a central location in downtown Santa Barbara (easy off the freeway). This location is typically Hotel Californian. Please put this in your pick up location when driving up for the day and we'll reply with exact pick up time once tour is confirmed. The Santa Barbara area includes: Santa Ynez, Solvang, Naples, Isla Vista, Goleta, Ballard, Buelton, Los Olivos Las Cruces, Gaviota, Capitan, Solvang, Gaviota, Isla Visita, Goleta, Misson Canyon, Montecito, Summerland and more.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 21 years.
- Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.
- Eat a complete breakfast.
- Avoid wearing cologne or perfume.
- Bring a water bottle (if you have one) which can be refilled throughout the day to reduce waste.
- Limited release wines that will be tasted can be purchased for carry away or shipped back home.
Reviews(65)
Karina was amazing and knowledgeable. It was a fun and educational few hours for my cousin and I, as well as another couple on the tour. From the explanation of the area to the choice of vineyards, it was well worth the money. The hosts/owners were friendly and engaging. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a unique and memorable experience.
A full day visiting three small wineries!
What a great experience. Karina, my operator, picked me up directly at the place I was staying in Los Olivos. I was the last pickup, as the wineries we went to were not too far from Los Olivos. This was a small group tour, so a maximum of 8 people were on this tasting. There was a nice mix of people on this tour, and as a solo traveler it is always nice to get to talk with people from all over. We went to two outdoor wineries and tasted some beautiful wines, first at Piazza Famiy Wines and then Alma Rosa Vineyards. Both places we tasted a wide range of wines that do well in the Santa Ynez Valley, from Pinot Noir to different whites and also Grenache. At the second stop we had an outdoor lunch consisting of sandwiches we all pre-ordered. Very delicious locally prepared food. The last stop was at Barbieri and Kempe Wines at their Buellton production facility where we had a tasting with Master Sommelier Paolo Barbieri. Truly a fantastic way to end this tour with a master somm!! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who really appreciates wine. I would definitely do this tour again.
I just finished my fifth tour with Sustainable Wine Tours, and somehow each experience is even better than the last. They are truly incredible at what they do. Every tour is thoughtfully personalized to your specific taste in wine, and the small group size (never more than seven people) makes it feel intimate, relaxed, and special from start to finish.What really sets them apart is the exclusive access--you're not just visiting typical tasting rooms open to the public. You actually sit down with the winemakers, hear their stories, and learn about the craft in a way that feels authentic and memorable. On this most recent tour, we even had the unique experience of tasting at a private home, which made the day feel extra special. The details are what elevate everything. Lunch is beautifully served on real plates with linen napkins and a tablecloth--such a thoughtful touch. Along the way, we enjoyed a delicious cheese plate, and the day ended with a perfectly paired chocolate tasting. It's clear they put so much care into every part of the experience. As if that weren't enough, they surprised me with a beautiful wine book as a thank-you for booking my fifth tour--such a meaningful and personal gesture. I can't recommend Sustainable Wine Tours enough. It's not just a wine tour, it's a curated, behind-the-scenes experience you simply won't find elsewhere. I'll absolutely be back again.
We had a lovely day with our driver Carlos. We enjoyed the three wineries we visited, and we learned a lot about Santa Barbara wines.
Had a very enjoyable time with Scott and the various wine vineyards which were visited. Was very impressed to directly interact with the owners and gain insights to their perspectives on wine-making. This couldn’t have been found independently so we appreciate the connections.
Karina was an incredible wine tour guide! She was extremely knowledgeable about the wineries and the region, and she made the entire experience both fun and informative. She took great care of our group throughout the day, making sure everything ran smoothly and that we were comfortable the whole time. Her attention to detail and warm personality really made the tour special. Highly recommend booking a tour if you want a great wine tasting experience! 🍷
We had an amazing all day tour to three beautiful wineries in Santa Barbara county. Our driver, Carlos, was great! I would definitely recommend.
Hi Ginnie! Thank you for taking the time to do a review. I will let Carlos know you gave him a shoutout, and we are happy you had a great time.
We had a wonderful time with our guide Carlos! We did this same tour last tear and loved it so much we came back again this year! We hit 3 different wineries this time with excellent wine and some pretty spectacular views. We were in excellent hands with our tour guide Carlos who not only studied with some of the best sommeliers, but also makes his own wine in Italy! I learned so much from him! He even sent links to books to read (also great restaurant recs) after the tour was over! We'll be back!
Thank you for coming back—so glad you had another great day. Carlos will love hearing this, and we’re happy the wineries, views, and his post-tour book and restaurant recommendations made it extra special. We can’t wait to host you again.
We were looking for a small private wine tasting and this tour really fit the bill. We were able to taste directly with the winemakers, which was a really special experience. These were wines we never would have been able to try without Scott and Sustainable Wine Tours. This was absolutely the best day we had in the Santa Barbara region and would recommend to anyone who has any interest in wine or learning more about wine. Scott was able to customize the tour based on our preferences and experience level and his thoughtfulness really shone through. 10/10 recommend!!
Thank you so much for the 10/10 review. We love that the winemaker tastings were a standout. Scott will be thrilled to hear that his customization and thoughtfulness made it your best day in Santa Barbara. Come back anytime for round two!
