What to Eat (and Drink) in Santa Ynez Valley
Sometimes a getaway is just… necessary. But when you don’t want to deal with crowded airports or stressful travel itineraries, a weekend escape just a few hours away by car is the perfect stress-free option.
Santa Ynez Valley is a MINI VACATION that feels different enough to be engaging, but familiar enough to be rejuvenating.
We love talking about Santa Ynez Valley because of this exact reason. (In fact, last year we wrote about a 48-hour girl’s trip we took, complete with horses, croissants, and olive oil tastings!)
But this year, ahead of the Taste of Santa Ynez Valley festival coming up on November 3-6, we wanted to focus on food, and, well… wine.
SYV boasts the greatest concentration of wineries in Santa Barbara County!
Tucked away along California’s central coast wine region, SYV is home to six towns and their many organic farms, charming small businesses, breathtaking scenery, mouthwatering wine, and so much more.
WINE
Brave & Maiden Estate
Wine lovers from across the world are flocking to Brave & Maiden for some of California’s most enjoyable wine on their stunningly-kept grounds. Featuring unmatched hospitality and the opportunity to join as a member, visitors can sit for a wine tasting (by appointment only) in their grand lodge with floor to ceiling windows offering picture-perfect views.
HOT TIP: Before our wine tasting we took a vineyard yoga class at the property with Vineyard Yoga SYV, which offers yoga and meditation classes throughout the county.
Tyler Winery
A SYV favorite since 2005, Tyler Winery’s vineyard brings unparalleled experiences to indulge in California’s beauty, landscape, and wines. Owner Justin and his wife Amanda have continued to captivate their guests with an unforgettably intimate experience on the estate. This dream team prioritizes the environment and strives to source locally whenever possible.
Spear Winery
Another SYV staple, Spear is proud to be family-owned and sustainable, putting their customers at the heart of all they do. Pop in for a tour of their wine-making process, or travel to the vineyards to taste test the actual grapes before they are harvested. Spear spotlights the “soil to glass” experience, and is home to several local wines including Casa Dumetz’s labels, Clementine Carter and The Feminist Party.
Casa Dumetz
If you tasted and fell in love with one of Casa Dumetz’s wines, you must pop into their Los Alamos shop. Run by the lovely Sonja Magdevski, we promise, it just might be the coolest wine shop you’ve ever seen.
EAT
Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe
Indulge in a movie-famous farm-to-table experience centered around Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and sourced directly from their very own farm. Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe was famously featured in the film Sideways and has continued to nurture fruitful relationships with local farmers and merchants to create incredible meals for guests. (We even got to tour their biodynamic farm and pick vegetables that the amazing Chef Brooke used for our dinner!)
The Lucky Hen Larder
Santa Ynez’s The Lucky Hen Larder is a perfect pitstop before or after your drive to and fro. Famous for their sandwiches, their food is made in small batches fresh daily without anything artificial. Their Larder & Cheese shop creates custom charcuterie boards that pair well with their curated selection of wine. (Los Olivos’ Storm Wines is our favorite!)
Also, have you ever made your own charcuterie board? It’s a blast!
Bell’s Los Alamos
The vibes are immaculate, and the French-inspired menu is somehow even more impressive. Bell’s draws national attention and has collected accolades for their classic bistro fare and eclectic wine list. Voted “Best New Chef” by Food & Wine, Daisy Ryan’s approach to Bell’s menus will have you coming back for more in no time. We kept it simple with their famous Egg Salad Sandwich for our main course, but splurged and ordered Chicken Liver Mousse, Bell’s Terrine, and Santa Barbara Uni with Regis Ova Caviar & Mille Crepe for the table!
Pico at the Los Alamos General Store
This hip spot serves locally-sourced, upscale comfort food with the backdrop of a classic general store. Pico made a splash upon opening as another incredible place to get fresh, unforgettable eats on Bell Street in Los Alamos.
Full of LifE FLATBREAD
Visitors and locals alike can’t get enough of this Los Alamos culinary scene pioneer. As one of the most well-loved destinations in SYV, Full of Life’s wood-fired pizzas and locally-sourced eats are never a bad idea and are sure to delight anytime (but especially after a day spent touring wineries)! And since you can order online, they’re one of the best options for visitors looking to keep cozy at their hotel during a getaway.
Ranch Room at Alisal Ranch
If you’ve never enjoyed a farm-fresh meal on a ranch, you can’t pass on the opportunity to explore Alisal Ranch and their exquisite dining options on the property. The Ranch Room is open for breakfast and dinner, offering a traditional ‘country-formal’ setting during evening meals to continue long standing traditions on the ranch. (Fully embrace a cozy flannel and cowboy boots here!) Dine for breakfast, and then head out on a private horseback ride through the Giant Sycamores and California Live Oaks. That view, tho!