Santa Barbara Wine Tasting: Private Wineries, Small Group

Sit down with winemakers at wineries the public can't reach

A small-group wine tour of Santa Barbara visits only private, appointment-only vineyards and estates not open to walk-in visitors, with tastings seated and reserved at each location. Maximum six guests per tour; pickup and drop-off in a luxury Mercedes; lunch and bottled water included. Minimum age 21. Live English-speaking guide.

The experience

You're tasting at places most visitors to Santa Barbara never find. Every location on this tour is private: closed to the general public, appointment-only, and often run by the owners or winemakers themselves. There's no standing at a bar in a crowded tasting room. Instead you sit down at each stop, with a dedicated host and wines that are often limited release or ultra-small production. The tour visits only one set of locations per day, which is why space stays at a maximum of six guests.

A luxury Mercedes picks you up from your location and handles the driving between vineyards, so you taste without worrying about the route. Most tours include a cheese platter and an organic lunch (you choose between sandwiches or salads) along with bottled water you can refill throughout the day. The guide customizes the stops based on what wines interest you, so the experience shifts depending on who books it. You're often the only group at each vineyard, which is the whole point: a private, seated tasting with people who made the wine, not a commercial experience.

Limited-release wines you taste can be purchased on the spot and shipped home, or carried with you if you prefer. Bring comfortable shoes and dress in layers. The operator asks that you skip cologne or perfume so it doesn't interfere with tasting, and eat a full breakfast before you start.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off in a luxury Mercedes from your location.
• premium wine tastings at private, appointment-only vineyards.
• a cheese platter at most stops.
• an organic lunch of your choice (sandwich or salad).
• bottled water throughout the day.
• a live English-speaking guide who customizes the tour based on your wine preferences.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (21 years) · Under 21: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by SUSTAINABLE WINE TOURS

Is this one for you?The tour runs at a seated pace with no walking between tasting rooms or standing at bars. You move from one private vineyard to the next by car, then sit down to taste. This works well if you want to focus on the wine and the people behind it without the physical demands of a walking tour.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

69 verified traveler reviews

5 ★69

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I visit Santa Barbara wineries that aren't open to the public?

Yes. Every location on this tour is private and appointment-only, closed to walk-in visitors. You taste at estate vineyards and small-production wineries that require advance booking, often with the owners or winemakers present.

What's included in the tour besides the wine tastings?

Pickup and drop-off in a luxury Mercedes from your location; an organic lunch of your choice (sandwich or salad); a cheese platter at most stops; bottled water throughout the day; and a live English-speaking guide who customizes the stops based on your wine preferences.

How many people will be on the tour with me?

A maximum of six guests per tour. The small group size is what keeps each vineyard visit private and seated, rather than crowded.

Can I buy the wines I taste and take them home?

Yes. Limited-release and ultra-small production wines tasted during the tour can be purchased on-site. You can carry them with you or arrange to have them shipped back home.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, since you'll be moving between indoor tastings and vineyard areas. Skip cologne or perfume so it doesn't interfere with tasting. Eat a full breakfast before the tour starts. Bring a water bottle if you have one. It can be refilled throughout the day to reduce waste.