The Santa Ynez Valley is home to over 120 world-renowned wineries, most of which are family-owned. With Solvang being the “Danish Capital of the United States,” it is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in California. This adorable European town also happens to be home to some of the best wineries and wine-tasting rooms in the state.
Downtown Solvang plays host to a dense selection of incredible wine-tasting rooms, making wine-tasting a popular tourist attraction in the town. While taking a break from admiring Solvang’s authentic Danish architecture and rustic charm, why not spend a day enjoying Solvang wine tasting? Here are some of the best Solvang wine-tasting rooms to experience the best wine that Solvang has to offer.
1. McClain Cellars
Sun-Thurs 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Fri-Sat 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
The family that founded McClain Cellars considers their wine an expression of their love for each other and has said that they started the winery as a way to spread that love to the world. With award-winning wines, including bold blends, crisp whites, and even a port, there is something for everyone at McClain Cellars.
The ambiance of their wine-tasting rooms verges toward ‘hip’, with a New York-meets-Napa Valley vibe. A 36-foot-long fire pit and comfortable couches ensure you’ll enjoy award-winning vintages in comfort and style. Small bites and cheese pairings to complement the wine, live music on some nights, and games for the kids make McClain Cellars an excellent choice for families looking for a hip, inviting experience in Solvang CA.
The family behind the wine describes their wines as exemplary of the four pillars they live by Family, Friends, Faith, Future, and Fulfillment. These values radiate from every aspect of the wine-tasting experience at McClain Cellars.
2. Kaena Wine Co.
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Kaena Wine Co.’s Hawaiian-born owner Mikael Sigouin has been bringing a touch of aloha to the Santa Ynez Valley since 2001. The Solvang tasting room pays homage to his home state with a tasteful collection of decor celebrating Waikiki, and the staff treats everyone who comes to taste like true O’hana. For those who find wine tasting a bit stuffy, the relaxed island vibe of Kaena Wine Co. will be a welcome breath of fresh air.
Known for its excellent Grenache (Sigouin is known as “the Grenache King” in some circles), Kaena Wines also features delicious varietals of Syrah, Mourvedre, and Sauvignon Blanc. Take a quick trip to the Rainbow State without leaving the San Ynez Valley for a laid-back, relaxing tasting you won’t soon forget.
3. Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Beautiful, rustic scenery and exquisite wines go hand in hand at this vineyard and wine-tasting room. Originally a horse ranch, it was later converted to a farm that grew peaches, pomegranates, almonds, and other classic California crops. In 1983 the farm became a winery and created high-quality wines. Now, Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard continues to serve reasonably priced Santa Ynez Valley wines—including a hopped Sauvignon Blanc—in its original beautiful rural setting.
Peach blossoms line the property, and baby goats peacefully chomp grass in the pasture as you taste a variety of excellent reds and whites. For those looking to experience a true vineyard setting, Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard is an essential stop.
4. Rideau Vineyard
Mon-Fri 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Sat-Sun 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Driving down the beautiful, winding road leading to Rideau Vineyard, you are left with the feeling that you are leaving the real world behind and being transported to another place and time. In a sense, you are—owner Iris Rideau has converted the historic 1884 adobe building into a paradise of Rhone wines and Creole dinner parties. Growing up in a French-speaking Creole household in New Orleans, Rideau has focused exclusively on Rhone varietals—including Syrah, Viognier, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, and Grenache—that pair well with her famous Creole food.
While her dinner parties for winemakers are the talk of the Valley, you too can experience the hospitality of her historic vineyard simply by making a reservation for a wine tasting: tours of the grounds are offered to all tasters if you go between the hours of 1:30-3:00 PM on weekdays, or at 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30 PM on weekends. Rideau is definitely one of the best wine tasting rooms in Solvang.
5. Casa Cassara Winery
Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs 12:00 – 6:00 PM, Fri-Sat 12:00 – 7:00 PM, Closed Tuesday
Winemaking runs deep in Benny Cassara’s family. His grandfather began making wine during the 1900s, in spite of Prohibition. In 1992, Benny followed in his grandfather’s footsteps, planting his first pinot noir vineyard in the family estate. A wine tasting at Casa Cassara comes steeped in family history, as many of the wines have specific connections to Cassara’s Sicilian lineage.
For those looking for world-class wines with a personal family touch, Casa Cassara is an excellent choice.
6. Crawford Family Wines
Sun, Mon, Thurs 12:00 – 5:00 PM, Fri-Sat 12:00 – 6:00 PM, Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
If you enjoy a minimalist and boutique approach to wine tastings, Crawford Family Wines is an excellent option. Winemaker Mark Horvath embraces the “garagiste” style of winemaking, which was first innovated in the Bordeaux region of France. Translating roughly to “garage wines,” these winemakers prioritize producing tiny lots of pinot noir and chardonnay, which helps provide a nuanced focus on the grapes of the Santa Rita Hills. As one of the best wine tasting rooms in Solvang that is located on the main street, Crawford Family Wines is a must-visit destination.
Personal tasting sessions guided by the winemaker are available for $50 per person. Reservations are required at least a week in advance.
7. Toccata
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM daily
Be swept away to the rolling hills of Old Tuscany at Toccata’s rustic Tuscan tasting room and Old World marketplace. Founded in the Tuscan tradition of celebrating the local bounty, the wines of Toccata combine traditional Italian varietals with locally sourced grapes and ingredients.
Enjoying good wine with friends while basking in the Old World charm and ambiance of the tasting room, Tocatta is a perfect option for a trip to Italy without leaving the Solvang.
8. Sanger Wines Tasting Room (Consilience and Tre Anelli)
Mon-Wed 12:00 – 7:00 PM, Thurs 12:00 – 8:00 PM, Fri-Sat 12:00-9:00 PM
Experience three tremendous brands under one roof at the Sanger Family of Wines Tasting Room. In 2013, Bill and Jan Sanger joined with winemaker Brett Escalera to bring Consilience, Tre Anelli, and Marianello—three critically acclaimed brands that all celebrate Mediterranean heritage—together as the Sanger Family of Wines. These wine tasting rooms in Solvang offer some of the best wines in the area.
Wine club members enjoy free tastings of elegant wines, and the $20 tasting fee is refunded with a two-bottle purchase. Enjoy bold wines that pair well with grilled meats and Marianello olive oil, also available for a unique tasting experience at the winery.
9. Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery
Mon-Thurs 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tues-Wed 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Despite being named for the “California Blackjack” name that made winemaker, Roger Wisted his fortune, a tasting at Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery is never a gamble. The tasting room gives wine enthusiasts an intimate feeling, as though you’re enjoying the discovery of fine wine in a friend’s living room. At the ranch, you can also sit outside in the gazebo and see the vast field of growing grapes.
In addition to the critically acclaimed wines produced here, the tasting room serves as an ode to Wisted’s 30-year love affair with wine, including a “Hall of Fame” wall dedicated to some of the best California and French wines over the decades. With great wine and a beautiful tasting room, Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery is a must-stop destination in Solvang CA.
10. Dascomb Cellars
12:00 – 7:00 PM daily
For lovers of the history of wine in the Santa Ynez Valley, a visit to Dascomb Cellars is a must. Although it was rebranded in 2010, Dascomb Cellars evolved from East Valley Vineyard, one of the oldest vineyards in the region. While other wineries abandoned growing Cabarnets, David Dascomb perfected a method to help the varietal reach its full potential.
Now growing a full spectrum of varietals, Dascomb Cellars remains a unique, boutique, and family-owned tasting room. It is also dog-friendly, for when you want to enjoy a day of wine tasting while letting your furry friend roam the premises.
11. Alma Rose Winery and Vineyards
Sun-Wed 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Thurs-Sat 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards is another must-see tasting destination for those interested in the history of wine grown on the Santa Rita Hills. Richard Sanford was the first to identify the region as an ideal spot for growing Pinot Noir and planted the region’s first pinot noir vines. The third of Sanford’s wineries, Alma Rose Winery, and Vineyards, continues Sanford’s traditions of sustainable and organic farming under the current ownership of Bob and Barb Zorich.
The downtown Solvang tasting room features a stunning selection from the wineries Pinot Noirs, Rhone varietals, and sparkling wines.
12. Cali Love Wine
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 3:00 – 10:00 PM, Sat-Sun 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Closed Wednesday
Looking for a winery with a bit of an Instagram twist? Look no further than Cali Love Wine! With nightly karaoke starting at 6:00 PM, and an ambiance that involves pink lights and glitter, this tasting room is an excellent choice for those who find traditional wine tasting too stuffy.
Cali Love Wine features fun, drinkable crowd-pleasers, and sparkling wines. Combined with a California party atmosphere, a good time is guaranteed. Walk-ins are always welcome, and tasting sessions are available at $20/per person.
13. Royal Oaks Winery
Sun-Mon 12:00 – 5:00 PM, Wed-Thurs 12:00 – 6:00 PM, Fri-Sat 12:00 – 8:00 PM, Closed Tuesday
For a touch of la dolce vita, come to Royal Oaks Winery’s tranquil ranch, located in Santa Ynez. The Royal Oaks Winery is an iconic Solvang wine-tasting room with a wine-tasting room located in downtown Solvang. This tasting room features a wide variety of sweet and dessert wines. Royal Oaks Winery now also offers a chocolate pairing wine tasting experience with sweet and dry wines paired with rich chocolate truffles created by local chocolatier Jessica Foster. Many of the chocolates were made specifically to pair with Royal Oaks wines.
14. Dana V. Wines
Mon, Wed, Thurs 1:00 – 6:00 PM, Fri-Sat 12:00 – 8:00 PM, Sun 12:00 – 6:00 PM, Closed Tuesday
Dana V. Wines is a true “local girl makes good” story. Winemaker Dana Volk grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley, surrounded by a growing culture of world-class winemakers. She spent her early career learning and making wine in the region, as well as Argentina and Sonoma, and even had a year living in Hong Kong before returning and opening Dana V. Wines. Since then, her wines have been making waves in the Valley.
An outdoor patio with live music and a fire pit rounds out a delightful wine-tasting experience not to be missed in Solvang.
15. Lucas & Lewellen
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM daily
“A winemaker and a superior court judge walk into a bar” sounds like the beginning of a bad joke—in fact, it was the beginning of a beautiful partnership. Renowned winemaker Louis Lucas and his longtime friend Royce Lewellen, a retired superior court judge, founded Lucas & Lewellen in 1996, and the Lewellen vineyards have since become legendary. Showing off the many different aspects of grapes grown in the Santa Ynez Valley, Lucas & Lewellen’s winery features 25 varieties grown over 400 acres of land.
To experience the full breadth and depth of the region’s best wines, Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards are not to be missed.
16. Rusack Vineyards
Mon, Thurs-Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Closed Tuesday. By appointment only.
Located amidst the rolling hills of Ballard Canyon, Rusack Vineyards offers an unparalleled, relaxed wine-tasting experience. They are known for their acclaimed, hand-crafted wines mixing estate grapes with locally grown varietals.
This smaller winery offers tasting experiences by appointment only, so be sure to make a reservation in advance. Offering one of the best views of any winery in the region, a tasting session at Rusack Vineyards is not to be missed.
17. Lions Peak Vineyard
Mon 1:00 – 6:00 PM, Fri 3:00 – 7:00 PM, Sat-Sun 12:00 – 7:00, Closed Tues-Thurs
One of the oldest vineyards in the region, Lions Peak Vineyard’s tasting room in Solvang offers a tasting menu featuring six reds that have won gold and silver medals, a white wine flight, a sweet wine and chocolate pairing, and a white and red wine flight. This charming tasting room features a cozy interior with vibrant rugs, couches, and themed seating. Winemaker Jennifer Soni-Arant has been farming and making wines for over thirty years and continues to prioritize small-batch wines. As one of the most uniquely decorated wine tasting rooms in Solvang, Lions Peak is an excellent stop for those visiting the area.
The tasting room also features a number of unique wine-related gift items, including a beautiful collection of artisan wine glasses from Italy and Romania.
18. Lincourt Vineyards
Mon, Thurs-Sun 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Closed Tues-Wed
Located just outside Solvang, Lincourt Vineyards’ winery and tasting room offers beautiful outdoor seating overlooking the winery’s fields. Bill Foley started this winery in 1996 (“Lincourt” is a mashup of his two daughters’ names, Lindsay and Courtney) and has been producing outstanding vintages with sustainable farming practices and block harvesting ever since.
19. The Vinhus
Wed, Fri-Mon 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Closed Tuesday and Thursday
Not a tasting room, but worth mentioning as a stop for any wine-tasting trip, the Vinhus is a charming market with a unique selection of local and imported treats. Boasting an excellent selection of local and imported wines, the Vinhus also offers a huge offering of imported cheeses, chocolates, and European sweets and snacks.
The Vinhus is worth a visit, but busy travelers can also make an order online for a quick delivery to local hotels. With such a large selection of treats, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Solvang Wineries FAQS
What Wines Is Solvang Famous For?
Surrounded by the Santa Ynez Valley and the Santa Rita Mountains, Solvang boasts over 100 wineries, with 20 wine-tasting rooms located in downtown Solvang alone. Solvang has come to be known worldwide for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
What Qualities Should You Look For In A Wine When Tasting It?
Wine tasting can be intimidating for beginners—the terminology and nuanced flavors of wine can serve as a barrier to entry. But wine tasting doesn’t have to be intimidating. Keeping a focus on the four main characteristics of wine—sweetness, acidity, tannins, and body—can go a long way to helping you develop your palate. Don’t be afraid to ask the winemaker or bartender questions. They’re usually very proud of their wines and happy to teach you about them. So if you’re ever in wine country, feel free to stop by and try some delicious wines.
What Is The Sample Size At these Wine Tasting Rooms in Solvang?
The size of the pour at a wine-tasting room will vary from winery to winery, but in most cases, you can expect each pour to contain 2-3 ounces of wine. Although the portions are smaller than a normal glass of wine, regular wine glasses are usually used. This allows tasters to swirl the wine in the glass, which releases aroma compounds into the air and allows the wine to fully express its flavor.
Do Tasters Spit Out Wine When Tasting?
If there is a spit bucket present, it is appropriate for some to spit out the wine after tasting it. It is also perfectly fine to drink wine for enjoyment. Spitting out the wine allows tasters to get the full taste of the wine and sample many types of wine without getting drunk.
Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting
If you enjoy wine and tasting menus, you will also likely enjoy the many amazing olive oil and vinegar tastings in Solvang CA. While wineries in Solvang make delicious wine, they are also known for their olive oil. Many top-notch wineries also have complimentary olive oil tasting. Check out our blog about the top Solvang olive oil-tasting locations to learn more!
