Santa Barbara: Private Estates Wine Tour & Organic Lunch

Summary

Santa Barbara wine tasting at private vineyards with estate owners

You’ll slip past crowded tasting rooms for private seated tastings at hidden vineyards around Santa Barbara County. Walk among the vines with local winemakers, savor an organic lunch outdoors, and share stories over limited-release wines in peaceful settings you’d never find on your own. If you want wine country without the crowds or pretense—this is it.

What’s the experience like?

I still laugh thinking about how quiet it was when we first rolled up to that hillside vineyard outside Santa Ynez. No big signs or buses, just our little group and the sound of gravel under the Mercedes van. It felt like we were sneaking into someone’s backyard — which, honestly, we kind of were. Our guide, Jamie (who grew up here), told us these private estates don’t even have public tasting rooms. She waved at a guy pruning vines who turned out to be the winemaker himself. That set the tone: personal, low-key, nothing like those crowded bars in Los Olivos.

The first glass surprised me — not just the taste (herby and kind of wild?) but how we sat around this old wooden table while the owner explained why he never uses pesticides. The air smelled faintly dusty and green, if that makes sense. I tried to swirl my glass like I knew what I was doing; Jamie grinned and said there’s no wrong way here. Lunch was outside under a pepper tree — organic sandwiches and salads from a local spot in Santa Barbara, plus cheese that actually tasted like something besides “cheese.” I got distracted by a lizard darting across the path. That’s how relaxed it was.

We visited three estates in all — each with their own vibe. At one stop, we wandered into a barrel room that smelled cool and woody; I ran my hand along one of the barrels just because it looked so smooth. There was a moment when everyone went quiet as sunlight spilled through the open barn door onto rows of vines outside. No pressure to buy anything (though I did take home a bottle). It’s funny — I thought wine tours would be stuffy or salesy, but this felt more like visiting friends who happen to make really good wine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private wine tasting at estates

• Travel to Santa Ynez Wine Trail
• Taste wines at private estates
• Tour vineyards and barrel rooms
• Enjoy seated private tastings
• Pass by Sustainable Wine Tours office
• Pass by Los Olivos town

Top questions

How many people are on this Santa Barbara wine tour?

The group size is very small—usually six to eight guests maximum per tour.

Does this tour visit public tasting rooms?

No, all tastings are at private vineyard estates not open to the general public.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, an organic lunch (sandwiches or salads) is included along with bottled water and cheese platter on most tours.

Are pickups available from my hotel in Santa Barbara?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your location in Santa Barbara are included.

Can I join if I have mobility issues?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness; comfortable shoes are recommended for walking in vineyards.

Is this suitable for bachelorette parties?

No, bachelorette or bachelor parties are not accepted on this small-group tour.

What is the minimum age for guests?

The minimum age is 21 years old for all participants.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from your chosen spot in Santa Barbara aboard a comfy Mercedes van, premium tastings at three private estates (with owners or winemakers often pouring), a fresh organic lunch (choose salad or sandwich), plenty of bottled water, and usually a cheese platter—all shared with just a handful of fellow travelers before heading back as afternoon light fades.