Santa Barbara is not only a charming resort town for walking around, shopping, and dining, but it also has quite an amazing wine scene. Located approximately 50 minutes from Lompoc, which has it’s own wine scene in the well-known Lompoc Wine Ghetto (read my Top 10 Lompoc Wineries & Tasting Rooms here), and about 40 minutes from Los Olivos, downtown Santa Barbara has some great wine tasting rooms to check out. A few of my favorites include the following. If you are interesting in exploring Los Olivos, see my Top 10 Los Olivos Eats & Wineries post here.

Potek Winery

Potek Winery is hands down one of the most beautiful and stunning spaces of the Santa Barbara Tasting rooms I have visited. It is owned by Winemaker David Potter. Best described by Potek as, “Potek Winery is focused on a commitment to produce the best possible wines from Santa Barbara’s most exciting vineyards. Our winemaking is rooted in traditional techniques with a reverence for site, and a search for balance.”

I really loved the vibe here, the interesting wines, and getting to know winemaker David Potter. Also, if you’re wined out after a long day of wine tasting, in the same complex as their winery is a brewery, so you can grab a beer and relax there after wine tasting! 406 E Haley St #1, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

The cool outside seating area at Potek Winery. It was a foggy day when we visited, but on a gorgeous, sunny day you can tell this would be heaven!

The cool interior setting. I love how minimal and modern it is, and the contrasting vibe to the super high end, luxurious feel of the tasting room counter shown below.

I was very impressed by all the thought that went into the glassware for each wine, the menus, and, honestly, every detail.

Municipal Winemakers

Municipal Winemakers is located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone just across the street from The Lark. Read more about The Lark here. This tasting room has a super casual setting. It’s really nice if you’re exploring and want to pop in and be spontaneous as appointments are not needed. The wines here are well made and offer a nice variety from traditional wines as their wines are a bit more interesting and unique. 22 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Santa Barbara Wine Collective

The Santa Barbara Wine Collective is located in the same building as The Lark and it’s amazing. Set in a more loft like setting with views of The Lark’s open kitchen, this is a must try! They have a few different wines they share with guests which is fun and adds some nice variety to the tasting.   131 Anacapa St C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

 Kunin Wines

I briefly visited Kunin Wines as I walked by and thought it was adorable and a must try. The staff was friendly and it has a super intimate cozy feel to it where I could see myself tasting a few wines, buying a bottle, and hanging out for a few hours. 28 Anacapa St 22 Ste A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Riverbench Santa Barbara Tasting Room

Although I have yet to visit the Riverbench Tasting Room, I have visited their winery (which you can read more about here), which is fabulous. I also really love their wines and their incredibly talented Winemaker Clarissa Nagy. If you’re wine tasting in Santa Barbara, this is a tasting room not to pass up! 137 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101