Thank you guys for all your answers. I knew I could count on you for help. My DD hasn't had time to really sit down and digest all this info yet. She does musical theatre for a living and was in closing weekend for "My Fair Lady" here in San Diego so was really busy. Starting today, she will have some time to read all the posts and get out the map to make some decisions.

You asked what types of wines she likes. Well one winery she wanted visit was Au Ben Climat as she and her boyfriend have had some of their wines for special occasions. She liked both their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Since they are both just out of college, they can't afford $50 bottles of wine very often so they were looking for something similar albeit cheaper!! She found out you can't visit Au Ben Climat although you can go to the Bien Nacido Vineyard. I think you can go to one of the tasting rooms to sample their other wines.

Since she and her boyfriend are really into learning more about wines, the ideal situation would be to visit some of the smaller wineries where it might be less crowded and they have time to talk to the pourers and be educated. I don't know if that is possible at the wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley or maybe they are all crowded on the weekends.

They would probably like to visit one of the more popular (and crowded wineries) and then focus the rest on the type I described above.

Again, thanks for all your help. After they check out the wineries, it will be my turn to go next.

hsv-Thanks for the tip on the entertainment at Gainey. Don't know if they will have time to check it out. I do know they are going to see "Dames at Sea" at PCPA in Santa Maria on Sunday since my daughter's college roommate is the lead in the show.

paula, FYI, let your daughter know Au Ban Climat is sold at Costco (at least ours anyway) for a lot less! We love the chardonnay also, in fact it is known as the ABC chard at our house While here, she can pick up some. The Costco is right down the street from PCPA.

Laurenzo-Thanks for the tip on Costco. Do all the Costco's sell the ABC Chardonnay or just ones in your area? For example, I know that a few Costco's in So. California carry the Wilson Creek Winery's Almond Champagne (Temecula winery) but not all of them have it and it seems the further you get from Temecula, the fewer of them carry it. I will definitely tell them to stop by there.

Also, based on my question about smaller wineries, if you recommend any let me know.

Also I just noticed in my previous post, I spelled ABC wrong. It is Au Bon Climat, I just can't type!!

Don't worry... we knew who you meant! I almost mentioned ABC earlier as a favorite... but so few have heard of them... I thought it pointless. I know I have a tour booklet somewhere around here that mentions that their wines are poured at a room somewhere in Buellton... I'll dig it out tonight and post tomorrow.

paula, probably just our Costco sells the ABC wine so make sure she picks some up while here or has her friend who is in the play get some for her. Does she have a Costco card? I will find out about the small wineries and let you know.

laurenzo and moneygirl - You guys are great!!

paula,

you're welcome. As you mentioned they might be well off with smaller places let me once more stress how much I like Arthur Earl's. I have no association whatsoever with them, but as they haven't made it to the list of others' recommendations here, this might be owed to them being fairly small. Still very much worthwhile IMHO.

Arthur Earls is wonderful... I agree with hsv... and often the owners work their tasting room... they are very pleasant, kind people.

My latest info says that Au Bon Climat wines can be tasted at the Santa Ynez Wine Cellar at 3631 Sagunto in Santa Ynez from 10-4 Thursday- Monday. Hope that gets them what they need!

Thanks again everyone. I told my daughter you were all interested in what wineries they picked, so we'll let you know. I'll have her type up a trip report. I told her about getting ABC wine at the Costco and she said they definitely would go there. She has a Costco card. I wonder if they carry Qupe wine. This is another one she was interested in but they also don't have a winery you can visit.

All of this has made me excited about visiting the wineries there. I will have to plan a trip for myself also. Then we could have a little Fodors GTG. That would be fun.

Hi Paula. Yes, Costco carry carries Qupe for around 20 dollars. I've had it several times and it's really good. I haven't been able to get a hold of my hairdresser but she works tomorrow, so will try then. We'd love to have you in our neck of the woods for a GTG!! I hope your DD and BF enjoy themselves. It is a beautiful time of year to come.

I visited Foley/Lincourt last Thursday and it was beautiful! Did your DD come up with a plan yet? Hope they have a great time!

Paula, I never heard from my hair stylist so I couldn't get back to you. There are so many great suggestions here anyway, so she will be fine. Don't forget to tell her to allow enough time to get to Costco before it closes on that Sunday (before the play) to buy the local wine at great prices. I hope she has a wonderful time and enjoys our wine region You will have to come down next to check it out.

Thanks again for all your help. They are heading up there around noon today. My DD was very touched by all the responses I received on this thread. She printed out to show to her boyfriend. He was amazed that people take time to post all this information. This is his first exposure to Fodors.

For sure they are going to Santa Ynez cellars to taste ABC wines. They are going to Curtis because I told them they had to cut me the chocolate syrup!! Since they are going to Curtis, they will probably also go to Firestone since you can tast at both for the same price. I was encouraging them to go the smaller wineries and I am sure if they see how mobbed some of the bigger ones are, they'll move on.
Their tentative plan is to drive out on Foxen Canyon and then work their way back to Los Olivos.

Laurenzo, My DD printed out directions from their hotel to Costco in Santa Maria and plan to stop by there before the show. My friend in "Dames At Sea" said just what you did, that Costco wasn't far from the theatre.

I told my DD she would have to write a trip report when she gets back. She is very good about taking notes (unlike me). Again, thanks everyone.

Just wanted to thank all of you who helped my DD plan her trip to the wineries. She had a great time and is going to post a trip report later this week.

Laurenzo-They went to the Costco in Santa Maria but didn't see any ABC wine. They did buy a couple of other bottles. She said they didn't ask if they still carried it but did look through all the wine that was there.

Paula, I am glad to hear they had a good time! Bummer about the ABC wine, though. I was in Costco the day I posted last regarding this thread and it was there, but that is how it is in Costco. You never know what will be there tomorrow!!