19 Nov Wine Tasting Along Santa Rosa Road – The Wine Road Less Traveled

The typical drive from Buellton to Lompoc in Santa Barbara County is down Highway 246. This is the primary road running through the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, a sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley AVA. But there is another road you can take, Santa Rosa Road. Surrounded by main highways on all sides (Hwy 246 to the north, Hwy 1 to the southwest, 101 freeway to the east), Santa Rosa Road is the road less taken.

This scenic 17-mile road offers views of the rolling Sta. Rita Hills. While it only takes 30 minutes to drive from one end of Santa Rosa Road to the other, you can take the entire day to drive down the road, stopping along the way to taste delicious wines from a handful of producers. Your journey will begin at the beginning of Santa Rosa Road just off the 101 Freeway. 

You can read about this wine journey in California Winery Advisor but for a little sneak peak, the journey starts at Vega Vineyard & Farm and ends at The Hilt, with stops at Peake Ranch Winery, Alma Rosa Ranch House & Vineyard, Lafond Winery & Vineyards, Sanford Winery, and D’Alfonso-Curran Wines. And to top off the trip, head for for a Jalama Burger.

So, on your next trip to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in the Santa Ynez Valley, go wine tasting along Santa Rosa Road and take the Wine Road Less Traveled.