If you’re a wine lover, Solvang should definitely be on your travel list. This charming Danish town in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley is has quite a few wine tasting rooms to enjoy while you’re strolling around.
Wine tasting rooms in a town like Solvang offer a unique wine tasting experience. It’s a very cute place, with its Danish architecture, bakeries, and horse-drawn carriages. Hundreds of visitors flock there on the weekends from all over the world, and it can get very busy in the summer, but there’s always a winery to pop into for a bit of reprieve from the crowds.
If you’re looking for a more wine-country centric experience, you’ll have to go just outside of Solvang for that, but there are a few really great estates close by that are definitely worth a visit.
From award-winning Bordeaux varietals to refreshing Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, the wineries in Solvang offer a wide variety of wines. They lean more on the light and acidic side of the spectrum, due to the cold-weather influence from the ocean being so close, so you won’t find any of those rich dark reds.
Another great thing about the tasting rooms in Solvang is that many of them don’t require reservations for tastings, so you don’t have to plan ahead, you can just pop in when you like. Expect to pay around $20-$40 per person for a tasting, though you often can share a tasting, if you want.
Where is Solvang?
Solvang is a Danish town located in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley, California. The town has a variety of wineries and vineyards that offer tastings, tours, and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Solvang was founded in 1911 by a group of Danish immigrants, and the city’s architecture reflects its Danish roots. The Danish-style architecture and cultural heritage in the city is one of the unique features that draws visitors year round.
The town is also known for its Danish bakeries, which serve traditional pastries like aebleskiver and kringle, as well as for its wineries and vineyards. Solvang hosts a number of annual festivals and events, including the Danish Days celebration, which features traditional Danish food, music, and dancing.
How Much Does Wine Tasting Cost?
Wine tasting in California has gotten quite a bit more expensive in the past few years. Gone are the days of free tastings. In fact, many regions are charging $20-40 per tasting. With this fee, you’ll get around 5 wine tasting pours. You can share a tasting at most places, which will cut down on the cost of it, and help you manage your intake.
Something I’m excited to tell you about is the Priority Wine Pass, which helps me tasting fees a lot easier to swallow. The Pass is simply the easiest way to save on wine tasting in California.
Show your card at any of the over 300+ wineries that accept the pass and start saving money. Many of the wine tasting discounts are 2-for-1. That means you and your tasting partner only pay for one tasting. If the winery usually charges $25 per tasting, you save $25. The pass is valid 365 days from the day you purchase it. It’s pretty awesome. We buy a new one every year. It’s good in California, Washington, and Oregon.
The Best Wineries in Solvang
If you’re looking for a great wine tasting experience in Solvang, you’re in luck. There are plenty of wineries to choose from, each with their own unique offerings. Quite a few of them are tasting rooms in town, right along the main streets.
If you want a more typical winery-estate experience, you’ll have to go slightly outside of town. We’ve split up our list below based on in-town vs outside of town.
Dascomb Cellars
Dascomb Cellars is a family-owned and operated boutique winery specializing in hand-crafted wines that specializes in small-lot, handcrafted wines. They offer a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Their tasting room is located in the heart of Solvang and offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
One of the standout wines at Dascomb Cellars is their Meritage, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. They also have a 100% Syrah, and a Petit Verdot that’s blended with Merlot. If you like port wine, you’ll find one here!
In addition to their exceptional wines, Dascomb Cellars offers a variety of tasting experiences. The winery has a cozy and inviting tasting room where visitors can sample their wines and learn about the winemaking process. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about their wines, making for a memorable and educational experience.
McClain Cellars
McClain Cellars is a boutique winery that offers a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and red blends. Their tasting lounge is located in the heart of Solvang at 1623 Mission Drive, Suite B, and offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with an impressive 36-foot-long fire pit.
McClain Cellars offers a variety of wine tasting options, with either whites or red, or both. Their knowledgeable staff is always happy to guide you through their selection and answer any questions you may have. On the weekends, they usually have live jazz and blues music to enjoy.
In addition to their tasting room, McClain Cellars also offers private wine tours of their vineyards and production facilities. They also have artisan popcorn, hot hors d’oeuvers, olive oil and vinegar, cheese, and charcuterie.
Alma Rosa
Founded in 2005 by Richard Sanford, a pioneer in California’s wine industry, Alma Rosa Winery is deeply rooted in environmental consciousness and sustainability. Richard Sanford was one of the first to recognize the cool-climate potential of the Santa Ynez Valley for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the two varieties Alma Rosa is best known for.
The winery’s location in the Sta. Rita Hills provides it with ideal conditions for wine grape growing. The east-west orientation of the valley allows cool ocean breezes and fog to roll in, creating a unique microclimate that keeps the grapes cool, which is particularly beneficial for the aforementioned varietals.
In 2014, the Sanfords sold Alma Rosa Winery and its 628-acre ranch to Bob and Barb Zorich. They continue the tradition of sustainable farming practices at the winery.
The tasting room is located in the collection of wineries on Mission Dr. They have a great space that marries indoors and outdoors seamlessly. They have a wine tasting of 5 wines for $25 or you can order by the glass. There’s a cheese plate available for purchase as well.
They are open 7 days a week from 11am to 6pm or 7:30pm on the weekends.
Crawford Family Wines
Crawford Family Wines is a boutique winery located in the heart of Solvang, California. The winery is known for producing small-batch wines that are handcrafted using traditional winemaking techniques. The tasting room is located at 1661 Mission Drive in Solvang.
There is a nice lounge space inside at the tasting room, as well as a comfortable outdoor patio with tables and couch areas. It’s perfect for relaxing and enjoying a glass of wine. During a tasting, you can sample a selection of the winery’s current releases, including Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir.
The tasting room is open from noon to 5 or 6 pm. Check before going on Tuesday or Wednesday, as they aren’t always open daily.
Royal Oaks Winery
If you have a sweet tooth, this is the winery for you. Royal Oaks Winery offers a variety of sweet and dessert wines, including Moscato and Concord. You can do a wine tasting of special wines paired with a variety of chocolates.
Their tasting room is located in the heart of Solvang and offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere with couches and firepits outside to enjoy when the weather permits.
The winery is open from 12pm to 5pm except Tuesdays, and you can stop by and enjoy a tasting at your convenience, no reservation is necessary. The tasting room is cozy and inviting, with friendly staff who are knowledgeable about the wines they serve.
Casa Cassara Winery
Casa Cassara Winery is a is an award-winning, family-owned winery that specializes in small-lot, handcrafted wines. Established in 1998, the winery has been producing high-quality wines for over 25 years. The winery is known for its exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah varietals, which are made using traditional winemaking techniques.
The tasting room at Casa Cassara Winery is cozy and inviting, with a rustic charm that reflects the winery’s family-owned roots. You can taste a range of wines, including their popular Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah varietals, as well as some lesser-known gems.
In addition to its exceptional wines, Casa Cassara Winery is known for its commitment to sustainable winemaking practices. The winery uses organic and biodynamic farming methods to cultivate its grapes, and all of its wines are made using natural yeasts and minimal intervention.
They do tastings every day (except Tuesday from Labor Day to Memorial Day), from 12pm to 6pm (or 7pm on the weekends) on a walk-in basis. No reservations are needed. They don’t have an outdoor patio, but you can sit inside or around their bar.
Toccata Tasting Room
Located in Solvang, this charming tasting room offers a range of estate-grown wines made from Italian grapes. You can expect to find Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Reisling, and Viognier, among many others.
One of the standout wines at Toccata Tasting Room is their Super-Tuscan blend, Toccata Riserva. This bold and complex wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, plus a few others, and it has won numerous awards over the years.
The tasting room itself is cozy and inviting, with plenty of seating and a friendly staff who are happy to share their knowledge of the wines. Visitors can choose from a range of tasting flights each ranging from $20-$25.
You can also visit the sister tasting room across the street and get half off the tasting fee after you visited the other. Pets are welcome at the tasting room.
Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards
The Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards tasting room is located on Copenhagen Street in Solvang. It is the sister winery to the Toccata tasting room across the street. It was voted the “Best Tasting Room in the Santa Ynez Valley”, and you’ll see why when you visit. The wine tasting experience includes Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards’ estate wines: rich and full-bodied reds, refreshing whites, and their popular port and sparkling wine.
They have a few different tasting menus you can choose from, to match your preference. They range in price from $25-35. The tasting rooms is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm seven days a week. Dogs and kids are welcome, with their parents, of course.
Reservations are not required for a tasting, but you’ll want to arrive by 4pm on busy weekends to make sure you can get in.
Cordon of Santa Barbara
Also located in the tasting room collection on Mission Dr you’ll find Cordon of Santa Barbara, opened in 2001 by Etienne Terlinden. There’s a casual atmosphere at the tasting room, with chairs outside and in where you can enjoy a tasting.
The tasting room also has a nice art collections to admire. On the menu are 7 wines, including a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cuvee Blanc, Rose, Rhone Blend, and Pinot Noir.
They are open Wednesday to Sunday from noon-6pm.
Rusack Vineyards
Rusack Vineyards is a family-owned winery that produces a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their tasting room is located in a beautiful setting at 1819 Ballard Canyon Road, surrounded by vineyards and oak trees, providing a jaw-dropping background for wine tasting.
Rusack Vineyards is growing Syrah, small lots of Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, a small amount of Merlot and Petit Verdot. They source high-quality grapes from around the region for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The tasting room is open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm (last reservation is at 3:30pm). Reservations are required and can be made online. They have indoor and outdoor tastings that range from $30-45 per tasting.
In addition to wine tasting, Rusack Vineyards offers a wine club for those who want to experience the best of what the winery has to offer. Members receive exclusive access to limited production wines, discounts on purchases, and invitations to members-only events.
Brick Barn Winery
Brick Barn Wine Estate if one of our favorite wineries in the area. It’s just a short jaunt outside of town, so it’s one of the estate wineries that visitors tend to visit while in Solvang. We are wine club members there because their wine is fantastic.
It’s a beautiful estate with that offers a variety of wines, including some interesting varietals that you don’t often see in the area like Vermentino and Albarino. We love their black label Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Their tasting room is located in a stunning setting, surrounded by vineyards and gardens. You can enjoy a tasting of their wines while taking in the gorgeous views. They have both a large indoor and outdoor seating area, though the main section outside (pictured above) is reserved for wine club members.
It’s open daily from 11am to 7pm. On the weekends, you can expect a big crowd, with live music. Reservations are not required. They have ample picnic tables under the most magnificent oak tree, and patio heaters to keep your warm.
Rideau Vineyard
Rideau Vineyard is a unique winery that offers a taste of the Rhone Valley in California. They specialize in Rhone-style wines, including Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre. Their tasting room is located in a historic adobe building and offers a charming and rustic atmosphere.
Rideau Vineyards was established in 1997 by Iris Rideau, who became the first female African-American winery owner in the U.S. Although it’s not in the hands of different owners, the tradition of handcrafted small-lot wines continues. Everything is hand-harvested from their sustainably-farmed estate vineyard.
The winery is located in a beautiful setting, surrounded by oak trees and vineyards. Visitors can take a stroll around the property and enjoy the picturesque views. Rideau Vineyard also offers a covered patio area where visitors can sit and relax while sipping on their favorite wine.
At this winery, walk-ins for tastings are welcomed until 4:30pm. They are currently offering two different flights at $25 each, or you can have a glass, or buy a bottle to take home.
Lincourt Vineyards
Lincourt Vineyards is a family-owned winery located just outside Solvang, in Ballard. It’s a beautiful winery that offers a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. Their tasting room is located in a picturesque setting, surrounded by vineyards and gardens. You can enjoy a tasting of their wines while taking in the serene atmosphere.
Lincourt, which is a combination of the owner’s daughter’s names (Lindsay and Courney), was founded in 1996 by Bill Foley. They specialize in small bottlings of handcrafted, acclaimed wines that showcase the character of each vineyard site.
The winery also offers tastings by reservation on their expansive patio overlooking their breathtaking estate and vineyards. They are open Thursday to Monday and walk-ins for tastings are okay, though they prefer reservations. The tasting flight is $35.
The History of Winemaking in Solvang
If you’re a wine enthusiast, then Solvang should be on your list of places to visit. The city has a rich history of winemaking that dates back to the early 1800s. In this section, we’ll take a look at the history of winemaking in Solvang and explore one of the most important landmarks in the city’s wine history: El Alamo Pintado Adobe.
El Alamo Pintado Adobe
El Alamo Pintado Adobe is a historic landmark in Solvang that played a significant role in the city’s winemaking history. This adobe was built in the 1850s by the prominent pioneer family, the Ortegas. The Ortegas were among the first settlers in the Santa Ynez Valley, and they were instrumental in introducing winemaking to the area.
El Alamo Pintado Adobe was used as a winery by the Ortega family, and it quickly became a popular destination for wine enthusiasts. The adobe was known for producing high-quality wines that were sold throughout California. The Ortega family continued to produce wine at El Alamo Pintado Adobe until the early 1900s, when the winery was closed.
Today, El Alamo Pintado Adobe is a museum that showcases the rich history of winemaking in Solvang. Visitors can explore the adobe and learn about the Ortega family’s winemaking techniques. The museum also features exhibits on the history of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley.
If you’re a wine enthusiast, a visit to El Alamo Pintado Adobe is a must. This historic landmark is a testament to the city’s rich winemaking history and the pioneers who helped shape the industry in Solvang.
How to Get to Solvang
If you’re planning a trip to Solvang, there are a few different transportation options available to you.
By Car: One of the easiest ways to get to Solvang is by car. The town is located just off of Highway 101, about 35 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. From Los Angeles, the drive takes about 2 hours, while from San Francisco, it takes about 4 hours.
By Bus: If you don’t have access to a car, you can also take a bus to Solvang. Greyhound and Amtrak both have stops in nearby Santa Barbara, and from there, you can take a local bus to Solvang. The Santa Barbara Airbus also offers direct service from Los Angeles International Airport to Solvang.
By Plane: If you’re flying into the area, the closest airport is Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, which is about 35 miles southeast of Solvang. From there, you can rent a car or take a taxi or shuttle to Solvang.
By Train: Another option is to take the train to Solvang. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner runs daily between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, with stops in nearby Goleta and Santa Barbara. From there, you can take a local bus or taxi to Solvang.
No matter how you choose to get to Solvang, once you’re there, you’ll be able to easily explore the town’s many wineries and vineyards.
Best Time to Visit Solvang for Wine Tasting
If you’re planning a wine tasting trip to Solvang, timing is everything. The best time to visit Solvang for wine tasting is during the off-season, which is typically from November to April. During this time, the crowds are smaller, and the weather is cooler, making it more comfortable to explore the wineries.
However, if you prefer warmer weather, then the best time to visit Solvang is during the summer months from June to August. Just be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices. The fall season is also an excellent time to visit Solvang for wine tasting, as the weather is mild, and the vineyards are at their most colorful.
It’s important to note that some of the wineries in Solvang require reservations for tastings, especially during peak season. So, be sure to plan ahead and book your tastings in advance.
Another thing to consider when planning your trip is the day of the week. Weekends tend to be busier, so if you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during the week.
Overall, the best time to visit Solvang for wine tasting depends on your personal preferences. Whether you’re looking for smaller crowds, cooler weather, or vibrant vineyards, there’s a season that will suit your needs.
Are Wine Tasting Appointments Necessary?
If you’re planning a trip to Solvang for wine tasting, you might be wondering if you need to make appointments ahead of time. The answer is, it depends on the winery. Some wineries require appointments for tastings, while others offer walk-in tastings. Here’s what you need to know.
Firstly, it’s important to note that many wineries in Solvang are small, family-owned operations. Because of this, they may not have staff available to accommodate walk-in tastings. It’s always a good idea to check the winery’s website or call ahead to ask about their tasting policies.
That being said, some larger wineries in the area do offer walk-in tastings. For example, the Solvang Wine Walk offers a self-guided tour of several tasting rooms in downtown Solvang. You can purchase a Wine Walk passport and visit the participating tasting rooms at your leisure.
However, if you have your heart set on visiting a specific winery, it’s best to make an appointment ahead of time. This ensures that the winery can accommodate your group and provide a personalized tasting experience. Plus, many wineries offer special tastings or tours that are only available by appointment.
Overall, while it’s not always necessary to make an appointment for wine tastings in Solvang, it’s a good idea to do so if you have a specific winery in mind. This will ensure that you have the best possible experience and can fully enjoy the wines and the beautiful surroundings.
Where to Stay in Solvang
If you are planning a visit to Solvang, you will need a comfortable place to stay. Fortunately, there are several great options available to choose from. Here are some of the best places to stay in Solvang:
- Vinland Hotel & Lounge: This hotel offers spacious rooms with comfortable beds and modern amenities. It also has a restaurant and lounge, plus a pool and spa on site.
- Wine Valley Inn & Cottages: This inn offers comfortable, minimal rooms that are perfectly situated in the center of town. It’s a great value and a great staging spot to visit many of the surrounding areas like Solvang, Pismo, San Luis Obispo, Los Olivos, and more.
- The Landsby: This charming hotel offers elegant rooms with modern amenities. It also has a restaurant and on site that serves delicious cuisine, Mad & Vin.
No matter where you choose to stay in Solvang, you will be close to all the best wineries and attractions. Make sure to book your accommodations early, especially if you are planning to visit during peak tourist season.
» Looking for more wine regions in California to visit? We personally love the Paso Robles area, as well as the classics Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Santa Barbara County, and even Lodi!
Before You Go
If you’re looking for more information on Solvang, be sure to check out our guide to the top things to do in Solvang.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.