Deep Sea Tasting Room — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

I joined Deep Sea late in the summer after taking some time to check out a few different winery's in the Funk Zone area. I found that I appreciated that the employees at Deep Sea made consistently made an effort to engage me in conversation, even when they were busy. I also loved the location on the pier. I'm disappointed to say that after a few months as a member, I cancelled my membership yesterday post a negative experience with a manager.

To be clear, the issue that lead to my experience with the manager was the direct result of an exchange with a another patron. That exchange with the patron wasn't even that big a deal. Conflict does and can happen, and it wasn't as though harsh words were exchanged between the person and I. However what I did NOT appreciate in any way shape or form was the fact that after this other patron started a conflict with me by making rude remarks. They went and got the manager to complain. When the manager arrived, they asked me to move without so much as acknowledging me and asking to hear what happened.

The manager stated that they and the other patron had been friends for years. The manager went on to state that they wouldn't ask the person to relocate on the patio as the other patron sat smugly and ate their popcorn.The funny thing is that the manager, after pulling me to the side to have a conversation before I cancelled, admitted that they didn't know me and didn't know that I was also a member. They didn't know that I had been sitting there first and was not having a conversation that was any louder than the others on that patio. They didn't know that my conversation was in no way inappropriate or disruptive, and that the issue was completely based around the other patrons sense of entitlement to that space. But they didn't know because as opposed to exercising sound mediation skills and taking even a second to address me with something other than, " will you move," they error'd on the side of supporting the other patron.

During the manager and I's private conversation I pointed out the fact this is precisely the reason that many POC complain about the manner in which privilege is weaponized by the aggressor. I also pointed out that that they reinforced that patrons sense of entitlement to space by backing them as tho their actions were appropriate. I can respect that the manager stated that they handled that situation completely wrong and apologized. I also acknowledged that they that they did so in that moment. However the fact still remains that the damage was done, the other person's rude behaviors were supported because they were friends, and I have no interest in patronizing an establishment that would be so dismissive of me as a paying member. That's a level of blatant disrespect that's unbecoming, and there are far too many great winery's in the funk zone to deal with that kind of treatment.

I will take my money else where and inform those in my network that they should consider...

Always my first stop when visiting Santa Barbara! While on a road trip many years back, a few friends and I stumbled upon this amazing little tasting room using google maps. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be one of our most memorable tasting experiences because of the incredible view. It is an intimate little place with plenty of seating inside and out. Keep in mind that weekend seating may be more difficult to come by but tables clear up quickly as they only offer tastings, not food. Whoever designed the interior did a great job! Sitting outside on the patio allows you to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the beach, downtown Santa Barbara, and the mountains surrounding Santa Barbara. It gives you a very unique perspective of the old mission-style city.

Wines: Although they only have a small selection of whites and reds, they are all tasty. Usually, when wine tasting, you find one or two that you don’t like, but that wasn’t the case for this tasting room. Their wines are easy to drink and fruity. I even felt compelled to revisit a few because I couldn’t decide which bottle to purchase. All of their wines are sourced from and packaged in California so you know it’s good. California wine is one of a kind!

Food: They do not offer any food but there are several restaurants on the pier that will suffice. The fish & chips sold below/next to the tasting room are a good lunch solution.

Price: Tasting flights cost a couple dollars more than the wine tasting rooms in downtown off State St. & E. Yanonali St. but I think it’s definitely worth the extra dollar or two for the view.

I recommend this place to locals and tourists alike. Everyone can come here and enjoy wine and spectacular views. I’ll be back soon with more friends and family!

*edit: It has been years and I still make this place a must whenever I'm in the area. I have recommended this to countless friends and family who have all said it was one of the highlights of their visits to downtown, mostly because of the wine and scenic view...

The view and wine here are very good, but I'm giving this three stars due to the process and policies, which turned a beautiful, relaxing afternoon into an annoying chore.

It was another lucky 75° Santa Barbara "winter" day and this wine bar is located right on Stearns Wharf... On the second floor, with an amazing, unobstructed view of the mountains and ocean. I went up to the counter to purchase the five flight red tasting, the girl friendly and bubbly, gave me a small, measured pour, 1oz? Very small. and told me to come back when I was ready for the next one. I didn't think anything of it and I went outside, had a sip, started to enjoy the beauty of the day. quickly realized, I'd need to go back inside number of times in order to continue to get the next glass... And the next... And the next... Interrupting the vibe. So I went I'm and asked the girl for all the times at once and she said... no

I thought that was strange so I asked her if there was a law prohibiting her all of the ones at once and she said no. They just would run out of glasses. She pointed me to the area right next to her at the bar... which had eell over 200 glasses sitting there as there was nobody but two people in the bar, which had maybe 25 tables. I thought this was strange and I asked her. There's nobody here. You're not going to run out of the glasses. She said that if she did it for me she'd have to do it for everybody else here. I pointed out there were two other people here, but she just walked away.

Although it might seem like a fairly minor issue, $30 for 5 sips of wine is pretty steep. I would recommend to management that rather than tell their customers to be their own waiters, they buy a few more glasses. Maybe 1000 glasses will be enough to serve 3...