Santa Ynez Wine Country by Van

We'll take care of all the details while you enjoy the heart of the Santa Ynez wine country, home to several very popular California vintners. This trip is a great opportunity to sample and learn about the region's best wines.

Your group will be picked up by air-conditioned van in the morning at a prearranged meeting spot. We will preview the day and head up to our first winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. Once there, winery staff takes us for a barrel room tour and tastings before we head out to the next stop. Your guides will cover local human history and insight into wine region along the way.

Lunch will be served in the shade at a favorite winery. Your guides will prepare an enjoyable "deli spread" with lots of options, including crisp, locally grown veggies, deli quality lunchmeat, and a selection of fresh bread and fixings. Cold beverages and bottled water will be provided throughout the tour.

We generally visit 3 of our local favorites in the area. Each winery has its unique vintages and award winning selections. Winery staff offer insight into specific blends and selections, and several wineries extend discounts on wine purchases to our guests.

We are usually done by 4pm, heading back to town. Departure and arrival times are flexible. The trip has received rave reviews from guests. We have done similar tours for wine and travel writers, corporate groups, bachelorette and birthday parties, as well as families and tourists. We offer private tours where you can choose the wineries for an extra fee.

Cost: $140. Summer Special-$95 per person!
3 person minimum.

Fees include: Air-conditioned van service, all wine tasting fees (private tastings available for groups of 10+), barrel room tour, enjoyable lunch, cold beverages, knowledgeable guide, discussion on wine making as well as natural and human history.

New! Wine Blending in Santa Barbara
Our knowledgeable guides will shuttle your group to a local winery where you'll get to blend wines, design your own labels and participate in bottling your unique blend. This is a great opportunity bond as a group while sampling and learning about local wines and the wine making process.

The winery owner will greet your group upon arrival. After introducing you to the guiding principles of wine blending, your group will be split into teams and the competition will begin.

Each team will be given 3 or more varieties to work with, as well as any necessary tools. Teams will strive to create the best blend while utilizing terminology and concepts employed by wine makers and sommeliers. Ultimately the team must come to a consensus on which blend best represents their efforts and will out perform the blends of their competitors. The winery will judge the blends and provide feedback.

Afterward each team will design their own label and participate in the bottling process. Each team member will go home with a bottle of their special blend. This activity will not only educate participants about the wine making process, but will also sharpen negotiating skills, improve team communication, and foster team cooperation and collaboration while having fun.

Fees include: Air-conditioned shuttle service from your hotel to the winery, facilitated wine blending activity as described, one bottle of wine per participant. Cold beverages and bottled water will be provided throughout the tour. Reservations are required.

Also see information about our wine country tours by bike.