Sustainable Wine Tours — Local services in Santa Barbara

This tour is something very different in the best possible way. My wife and I have been on several wine tours in the past that we’ve left 5 star reviews for (they were all very good with a guide we thought was great), but this one was a cut above all of those.

We had Scott, the owner, as our tour host. His communication from the time of booking and especially in the week leading up to the tour was absolutely incredible. He was extremely knowledgeable on the region and chimed in nicely to teach us all a bit about it without being overbearing. We very much enjoyed the intimacy of our tour; only four people total including my wife and I (although these tours can have up to 6, maybe 8 of it’s a larger group which would still be great) left plenty of time to chat up and learn from several incredibly friendly and knowledgeable wine experts, wine makers, and winery owners. The time you spend with your host at each winery and the depth of their stories and knowledge they share really enriched our experience.

Our transpiration was a very comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van. Plenty of room for everyone and Scott had waters on board that he was diligent in keeping filled so we all stayed hydrated. You’re probably going to get a lot more wine on this tour than you’re used to on most wine tours so staying hydrated is important.

Lunch was not only delicious but extremely convenient. Scott brought it at the tail end of our first winery visit, which was a longer one lasting nearly two hours which went by in a blink. He also brought plates, cloth napkins/real silverware and everything we could have needed to enjoy our meal. He really did a nice job with all of this.

Of course all wineries we stopped at had wine clubs that were optional to join. After tasting the wines and hearing the stories I could not help myself and happily joined all of them. It’s not a huge commitment or anything but a great way to let a very memorable piece of an amazing trip (celebrating my wife’s and my 20th anniversary) live on for years and years.

If you’re looking for a wine tour in Santa Barbara and this one fits your schedule book it and do not think twice. You will have an...

Our Unforgettable Wine Tour in Santa Barbara I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on a private wine tour in Santa Barbara, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. As a wine enthusiast who has traveled extensively through vineyards in Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, I was eager to discover the unique offerings of this renowned region.

Our tour began at DaFoe Winery, where we met the passionate winemakers, Rob and Emily DaFoe. They shared their deep love for winemaking and guided us through the fascinating process of fermentation, from grape crushing to the transformation into the finished product. We were treated to a private tasting in their beautiful cellar, where we savored their exquisite Chardonnays and Shiraz, crafted with meticulous care and passion.

Next, we ventured to Barbieri & Kempe Wines, where we encountered Paolo, a true Italian winemaker with a rich heritage. He shared his passion for his craft and the unique techniques passed down from generation to generation. We were captivated by his stories and delighted to taste his bold and flavorful reds, a testament to his family's legacy.

Our final stop was at McKinney Winery, where we discovered a treasure trove of exceptional wines, including some recently released gems. We were particularly impressed by their exquisite port, a testament to their dedication to producing top-quality wines. Throughout our tour, we were fortunate to experience the warm hospitality and passion of the winemakers and staff. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their craft were contagious, enriching our experience and deepening our appreciation for Santa Barbara's winemaking heritage.

This wine tour was a highlight of our trip to Santa Barbara. It allowed us to immerse ourselves in the region's vibrant wine culture, explore stunning vineyards, and savor exceptional wines from passionate and talented winemakers. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves wine and appreciates the art...

I have to say this: I will NEVER have a better tour guide than Scott Bull. I had the best day of my life with Scott curating the most ideal day we could have ever had.

I came on a family wine tour and Scott, as I said before, curated the perfect day. From the second Scott picked us up, he had our best interests at heart. He had water bottles and music ready, chargers available in the van, and then explained the plan for our day.

We first went to Lavender Oaks winery, where Scott arranged for the owner and wine maker to open up his HOME to have us over for tastings and lunch. Bonus was that his vineyard was getting some sheep and we got to walk through a day in the life on an actual winery and appreciate all the hard work that goes into the delicious wines.

Scott then had lunch catered and ready for us (DELICIOUS), refilled our water, and got pictures for us so we could be present and enjoy.

Then he arranged for us to go to the exclusive McKinney winery, where we sat with the head wine maker, learned about the exclusive winery and how they got started, and got to sample more wines that are not available anywhere else except for at the winery.

Last, but certainly not least, we went to Piocho Happy Canyon Vineyard where owner and wine maker Sean Pitts opened his exclusive polo wine tasting room to my family and talked us through each wine, sharing about his family and getting to know us.

I’ve never felt more special, more welcome, and more taken care of than I did today on my tour with Scott. Not only was he kind and pleasant, but he was so knowledgeable and so connected to the wine community. I felt so thankful to be with him on this tour and am already texting my friends to pick a weekend to...