Santa Ynez Valley wine tour from Santa Barbara: Three wineries

Three wineries, one valley, lunch among the vines

A wine shuttle tour from Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez Valley that visits three full-production wineries over five hours, with hotel pickup and a guide who discusses winemaking and regional history. You choose which tastings to buy at each stop and where to eat lunch. The guide speaks English and the pace lets you spend roughly an hour at each winery.

Step-by-step itinerary

Santa Ynez Valley wine tasting tour

• Meet guide at Santa Barbara hotel
• Board luxury passenger van
• Travel to Santa Ynez Valley
• Visit first winery and taste wine
• Visit second winery and taste wine
• Enjoy lunch at vineyard
• Visit third winery and taste wine
• Return to Santa Barbara or drop off

The experience

The shuttle picks you up from your Santa Barbara hotel (or from the Santa Barbara Visitor's Center if you prefer to meet there) and drives into the vineyard-filled Santa Ynez Valley. Your guide shares the history and production secrets of the region as you travel. You'll visit three full-production wineries (the operator rotates among Brander, Vincent, Roblar, Rideau, Rusack, Andrew Murray, Fess Parker, Epiphany, Petros and Folded Hills) spending about an hour at each one. At each winery, you decide whether to purchase a tasting, order wine by the glass or bottle, or simply explore the grounds.

Lunch happens at one of the winery stops, and you choose what to eat from whatever food options are available there or in the nearby town of Los Olivos. The whole day runs roughly five hours, with departures generally between 9:45am and 10:45am and return to town by 5pm. Pickup times are confirmed the day before based on your location and other pickups that day. If you're staying outside Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez, you can meet the shuttle at the Visitor's Center parking lot instead. Parking there costs $9 per day.

The tour requires a minimum of four participants to run. If you're traveling solo, call the office to confirm availability. Infants and small children can come along in a pram or stroller, and the tour suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez Valley accommodations.
• a comfortable air-conditioned shuttle van.
• a live English-speaking guide who shares winemaking history and regional insights.
• visits to three full-production wineries with roughly an hour at each stop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to20h before

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and delivers the commentary throughout the day, so anyone comfortable following along in English will get the full story of the valley's winemaking. The flexible hour at each winery means you set your own pace for tastings and exploring. Book this if you want to choose which wineries interest you most and which tastings to buy, rather than follow a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many wineries do we visit on this Santa Ynez Valley tour?

You visit three full-production wineries. The operator rotates among ten partner wineries including Brander, Vincent, Roblar, Rideau, Rusack, Andrew Murray, Fess Parker, Epiphany, Petros and Folded Hills, so the specific three depend on the day and availability.

What's included in the price of the wine shuttle?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez Valley, the shuttle ride itself, and a guide who shares winemaking history and regional insights throughout the day are included. Tasting fees at the wineries, lunch, and any wine you purchase are separate.

Can I choose which wineries we visit?

The guide selects the three wineries based on the day's schedule and availability, but you have flexibility at each stop. You decide whether to do a tasting, order wine by the glass or bottle, or skip the tasting room entirely.

What time does the shuttle leave Santa Barbara?

Departures generally range from 9:45am to 10:45am depending on your pickup location and other hotel pickups that day. The exact time is confirmed by phone or email the day before, and the shuttle usually returns to town by 5pm.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You eat at one of the winery stops or in Los Olivos and pay for your meal separately. Food options are available for purchase at the wineries or in town.

Can I meet the shuttle somewhere other than my hotel?

Yes. If you're not staying in Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez Valley, you can meet the shuttle at the Santa Barbara Visitor's Center at 1 Garden Street. Parking in the lot behind the building costs $9 per day.