Santa Ynez Wine Country - ideas, hints, opinions?

private joker · #1 07-25-2007, 05:00 PM

I'm thinking of taking a road trip this weekend up to Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez area with my girlfriend. Looking for ideas on specific things to do, places to go/eat/stay, etc.

I've heard of the Hitching Post in Buellton -- is that just a tourist spot for people obsessed with Sideways? I also heard about some ostrich farm... anyone been there? This is kind of a spur-of-the-moment trip, so any help you veterans of wine country can offer would be much appreciated.

XXXNoahXXX · #2 07-25-2007, 05:03 PM

If you weren't green, I'd say post this in the travel forum. Since you are, have fun on your trip!

RoundGuy · #3 07-25-2007, 05:06 PM

How the [censored] can you be green, have over 10K posts, and not know that you posted this in the wrong forum?

Oh, I get it. You're just pushing NT!'s buttons. Well then, carry on.

private joker · #4 07-25-2007, 05:06 PM

Shameful admission: I didn't even know the Travel Forum existed!

XXXNoahXXX · #5 07-25-2007, 05:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Shameful admission: I didn't even know the Travel Forum existed!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's new!

bmwguy525 · #6 07-25-2007, 05:12 PM

Both Hitching Post and AJ Spurs are good places to eat. AJ Spurs gives you a lot of food and the atmosphere is like a hunter's cabin with dim lighting. It's good food though. Hitching Post feels a bit more upscale and you can get a wider selection of wine there, I believe. Both places still have that small town in-the-middle-of-nowhere feel though.

Papa Perry · #7 07-25-2007, 06:29 PM

Kalyra Winery for any tasting. I just cooked there for a 40th Anniversary party. Wines were excellent. Couple of Ozzies own it.

Papa Perry

prez2032 · #8 07-25-2007, 07:50 PM

Kalyra is good. I like Sunstone's red wines, their cabernet is excellent. For picturesque, Bridlewood is amazing. Really a neat place. The Hitching Post is pretty good - wait times can get long on weekends. The quail are delicious, but you don't get much meat, worth an a la carte if they will do it.

This tour company is awesome, ran around $100/person for driving us around all day, including lunch and 5 tastings. (They pick you up in SB.)

http://www.ccjeeps.com/wineries.html