CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : COURTESY OF ALMA ROSA WINERY ; COURTESY OF SKY ’ S THE LIMIT BALLOONING ADVENTURES ; COURTESY OF RIVERBENCH ; COURTESY OF CLEAN SLATE WINE BAR
PLAY Venture out to Riverbench Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria to relax in the garden outside of the venue ’ s 1920s Craftsman-style house . Here , you ’ ll enjoy a tranquil afternoon under the sun with the vineyard ’ s picnic basket for two , which contains rosemary crackers , prosciutto , various cheeses and other snacks . Pair it with a sparkling wine flight , pinot noir tastings or the Riverbench Tour of the winery ’ s finest vinos . The recently renovated Cambria Estate Winery is another perfect place for a picnic . Sit on the panoramic knoll overlooking 1,500 acres of vines : Here , you can enjoy bottle service , along with a charcuterie box of meats , cheeses , crackers , fruit and nuts . Guests can relax on the patio or in the tasting lounge for an estate flight , focusing on Cambria ’ s specialties of chardonnay and pinot noir , or a reserve tasting featuring vinos from the winery ’ s oldest vines and bottles named for the founders .
Not far from Solvang , you ’ ll find the boutique McKinney Family Vineyards . Founder Matt McKinney , a former volleyball player , converted the barn behind his parents ’ Santa Ynez home into a winemaking facility , using it to produce 2,500 cases of vino each year . Though the company maintains small-batch labels , it prides itself in the quality of the wines and the use of organic grapes . Book a private tour of the vineyard to explore the charming property , see the equipment used and feed the goats . Tastings range from single varietals , such as rose or syrah , to bold red blends , and the names — like Blood of Jove , Queen Charlemagne and Napoleon ’ s Secret — are nods to when McKinney majored in history at UCLA .
But if you ’ re looking to really delve into the environmentally friendly aspects of the Santa Barbara wine region , consider a private experience with Sustainable Wine Tours . The company often enjoys exclusive access to properties that may not be open to the public ; tastings , lunch and transportation are included .
If you ’ d rather stick around Solvang , tasting rooms galore fill the local streets . Alma Rosa Winery , which was one of the first to plant grapes in the Santa Rosa Hills , has a downtown tasting room offering sips of its pinot noir , chardonnay , syrah and grenache varietals plus sparkling wines crafted from separate Sonoma vines . Visit the estate itself for private , guided hikes through the vineyards as well as surrounding oak woods or grasslands . McClain Cellars , which has both a tasting room and wine library in Laguna Beach , also offers sips in its Solvang lounge , with flights that can be
Clockwise from top left : the Alma Rosa Winery patio ; a romantic ride with Sky ’ s the Limit Ballooning Adventures ; the Riverbench Vineyard & Winery lawn ; Clean Slate Wine Bar , which serves local vinos and Cajun-inspired fare
paired with artisanal popcorn or cheese plates .
Aside from wine-centric experiences , you ’ ll find a number of romantic options elsewhere . Get out in nature and view the beauty of Santa Barbara County with a hike at Nojoqui Falls Park , where a nearly 100-foot waterfall tumbles down into a peaceful pool , or book a ride with Sky ’ s The Limit Ballooning Adventures .
Another way to heat things up is with a trip to Chiffon day spa in Solvang , where couples can enjoy the Bliss Retreat , complete with hot stones , aromatherapy and a custom massage . Opt to add Champagne and chocolate truffles .
DINE Wandering the enchanting streets , you won ’ t feel as if you are nestled just north of LA . Stop by Mortensen ’ s Danish Bakery , where you can peruse sweet treats displayed behind glass . Favorites include cream cheese danish , kringle and chocolate rum balls while pistachio squares and butter rings are house specialties .
Later in the day , Clean Slate Wine Bar , also in town , offers a menu of local wines and tapas-style plates with Cajun flair . A map on the menu reveals where each of the vino
offerings is from so you really get a feel for the region without venturing out . Melissa Scrymgeour , co-founder of Clean Slate , grew up in Louisiana , where she learned to create menu items such as flatbreads , gumbo and jambalaya as well as innovative items like “ peanut butter and jelly ” crostini , made with pimento cheese , bacon and local pepper jelly .
And for dessert , Via Gelateria is walking distance from both Clean Slate and the Mirabelle Inn . Owned and operated by a native of Italy , the authenticity and flavors of the fresh-made daily gelato are unrivaled .
If you ’ re looking for a fine dining restaurant nearby , don ’ t miss The Hitching Post 2 in Buellton . This Western-inspired eatery , which was featured in the acclaimed film “ Sideways ,” is best known for its oak-grilled steaks , unique appetizers like Texas quail and a stellar wine list , featuring its own bottles of pinot noir and other Santa Barbara-area vinos .
Whether you ’ ve come to sip , dine or simply explore — with the whole family or on a romantic couple ’ s getaway — you will leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after wandering this versatile wine region . — A . R . g
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 63