Sip on wine and row a boat in a pastoral paradise.
Nothing pairs better with a good Cabernet Franc than sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Valley. The secluded Grassini Family Vineyards are tucked away in the rolling hills of Happy Canyon, and most wine connoisseurs would rather you didn’t know about it. You’ll take winding roads past lush, green horse pastures up to the largest of six AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the Santa Barbara Wine Country. It runs west to the east creates a microclimate that makes the Santa Ynez AVA wine of most diverse grape-growing regions in the country.
[Featured Image: Sequence & Coda ]
Grassini Family Vineyards is a picturesque private family-owned property with some of the finest cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, and cabernet franc to taste—all made from grapes grown right on the estate. Along with the incredible wines, there’s a beautiful lake overlooking the well-tended vineyards with a cute rowboat that will make you feel as though you’re on the set of The Sound of Music. You’ll need to make an appointment prior to going and private tours are limited to Wine Club members only.
If you’re not able to venture out into the mountains, you can still get a taste of the wine country life in a beautiful outdoor courtyard in downtown Santa Barabara. Just a stone’s throw away from State Street you’ll find this quaint little corner where you be able to soak up the sun, sip on wine and practice social distancing comfortably. Reservations can be made online and it’s open daily from 12-5:30 p.m. with last seating is at 5:00 pm.
If you have a penchant for world-class wines then tastings at these two venues offer a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere without the corporate stuffiness you experience at tastings of this caliber.
If you do manage to make an appointment for a tour of the estate, note the Happy Canyon Vineyards is close enough to warrant a little pit-stop prior to it.
To make a booking email winery@grassinifamilyvineyards.com or call (805) 883-8118. A spot on the cute patio downtown can be reserved through Tock too.
[Featured Image: Grassini Family Vineyards]