We are going to Santa Barbara area for about 4 days at the end of December, and want winery recommendations. We are serious wine drinkers and have heard good things about Sea Smoke, Brewer-Clifton, and Melville. Anyone have any experience with these or other wineries they'd recommend? Thanks much. Betty

I have not been to the winery, but have had some previous bottlings of Southing and Botella, courtesy of friends who are in their mailing list.

The '02s and '03s were good; very representative of the Cali-style Pinot - it's good for those that appreciate this style; hard to find at retail (especially anywhere within reasonable range of the winery release prices). Enjoy!

B,

I have not tried those wineries, since I moved to Utah a few years ago. I don't get to spend time in wine country much anymore.

Anyway, my favorites continue to be Foley on Alamo Pintado Rd. east of Solvang, and Richard Longoria, tasting room in Los Olivos.

Salute!

I spent 2 weeks in S. Barbara this past September - here is the thread to the report I posted.

I didn't go to any of the wineries that you mention, but I went to a few others that I thought were beautiful.

I forgot the thread!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

cfntmpn: would love to read your report, but for some reason I can't pull it up. ?????

did you copy & paste it into your address line?

here it is again, if you still can't pull it up email me at [email protected]

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1