Santa Ynez Valley Guest Tour of the Solvang Tasting Rooms


Tasting has never been easier–or more fun.The tasting rooms and wine bars in Solvang host some of the most enjoyable and delightfully different wine tasting experiences in the Santa Ynez Valley. There are over a dozen tasting rooms and wine bars in Solvang itself, all within walking distance of each other, and many wineries in the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. In addition to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah, you can find Rhone wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, and some incredible dessert wines. Most of the tasting rooms introduce visitors to the unique tastes of their own winery, while the wine bars and shops provide wines from a number of different wineries. All have friendly and savvy staff that make the Solvang wine tasting experience both enjoyable and educational. To keep your adventure safe and pleasant, we urge you to have a designated driver.
	1. Olive House & Casa Cassara Wines www.olivehouse.com Located on Mission Drive at First Street across from Solvang Park you’ll find The Olive House, which sells some of the finest olives, condiments and gourmet food items in the Valley. The Olive House is pleased to announce that it is the new home of Honeywood Wines, the largest selection of sweet wines in Solvang. But don’t forget our small boutique wines which we pair with olives for a truly unique tasting experience. Olive House is also the home of Los Olivos Olive Oil Company which produces over seven different olive oils and balsamic vinegars to sample. These oils and vinegars will have you coming back time and again.
2. Wilson & Bradford Wine Bar www.wilsonbradfordwinebar.com From Olive House, head down First Street almost to Copenhagen to find the hottest new wine bar in Solvang–Wilson & Bradford. Unlike many tasting rooms, Wilson & Bradford is also an unabashed wine bar and stays open late. You can either do the usual comparative tasting, or you can buy your own glass or bottle, then sit down and relax. Wines by the glass are served in carafes, so it’s easy to share or just leave room in your glass to swirl and let the wine breathe. They regularly have special events and musicians performing live. For example, every Thursday they host a “Wine and Cheese Evening,” with performances by the musical great Allan King, whose work has captured the hearts of such luminaries as Kirk Douglas, Jeff Bridges, Cheryl Ladd, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Streisand, and Priscilla Presley, as well as countless patrons of the Mirage Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, plus many more. With his laser disc sound track providing the background music, Mr. King specializes in Jazz and Rhythm and Blues, with performances in the styles of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Marvin Gay, Garth Brooks, Allan Jackson and many others by request. Stop by for a glass, and a dynamite performance!
3. Royal Oaks Tasting Room www.RoyalOaksWinery.com Now continue to Copenhagen and turn right, to the Royal Oaks Tasting Room, one of the “best kept secrets” in the Santa Ynez Valley, at the corner of First and Copenhagen. Planted in 1998, their 18 acres include Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Semillon. They also produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and a Bordeaux blend called “Aristocrat.” The wines of Royal Oaks are less tannic, less acidic and less oaky than many others, so they are silky-soft on your palate. Royal Oaks also offers a selection of semi-sweet wines, if you like your wine a little sweeter. The tasting room is comfortable and informal, and each month different artists’ works are displayed. You’ll find a nice assortment of wine related gifts and winery logo garments. Be sure to ask about The Wine Club to receive wine on a regular basis with great discounts available to members only. Or go to the website and click on Wine Club for more information.
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