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Solvang & Santa Ynez: Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.75 (146 reviews) 90% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/27

Duration5h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Wine trails of solvang and santa ynez valley with artisan tastings

You’ll taste artisan wines across three small wineries in Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley, enjoy a private barrel room tasting with chocolate pairing, share a laid-back picnic lunch among new friends, and hear stories from local winemakers—all with hotel pickup included. It’s easygoing but full of moments you’ll remember after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Small Group Wine Tour in Santa Ynez Valley

Pick up in Buellton/Solvang area
Visit first artisan winery
Enjoy special barrel room tasting
Chocolate pairing tasting
Visit second small winery and vineyard
Olive oil tasting experience
Picnic lunch with bottled water and snacks
Visit third boutique winery
One-on-one private wine tasting
Receive 10% off wine purchase
Return to pick up location

The Experience

I’ll be honest, I almost bailed on the Solvang wine tour because I thought it’d just be another “hop on, hop off” thing where you barely taste anything real. But the morning started with our guide—Lisa, who grew up around here—handing me a coffee and grinning like we were old friends. She knew everyone’s name by the first stop. There was this weird little tension in my chest, wondering if I’d feel out of place (I don’t know much about wine), but that faded fast when the first winemaker poured something deep red and earthy and told us about his dad’s stubborn vines. The air smelled like sun-warmed grass and barrels—hard to describe, but it felt honest.

The drive between wineries was short enough that you didn’t lose the buzz of conversation, but long enough for Lisa to point out an old barn or tell us why the hills look gold in June. At one spot, we ducked into a barrel room that was cooler than outside; you could smell oak and something sweet—maybe vanilla? We tried a chocolate pairing there (I definitely ate more than my share), and Li laughed when I tried to say “xocolatl” in Spanish. Probably butchered it.

Lunch was set up picnic-style at one of the vineyards—nothing fancy, but honestly that made it better. Sandwiches, some kind of herby olive oil for dipping bread, bottled water sweating in the shade. People swapped stories about their favorite wines so far; someone from LA asked if anyone else tasted cherries in the last glass (I didn’t, but nodded anyway). Our group felt like a bunch of strangers at first, but by then we were passing snacks around without asking.

By the last winery—a smaller boutique place—the sun had shifted and everything looked softer. We got a discount on bottles there (I caved and bought two), and Lisa reminded us gently to tip if we liked her driving skills. On the way back through Santa Ynez Valley, I kept thinking about how different these small wineries felt compared to big ones—like you’re part of something local for a few hours. Still think about that view from under the oak tree.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or rental home pickup within Solvang or Santa Ynez Valley areas, all tasting fees at three artisan wineries (with appointments arranged), a private barrel room tasting paired with chocolate, a picnic lunch with bottled water and snacks, plus air-conditioned transport before drop-off back at your door.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Artisan Excursion Wine Tours