Wine Tasting Rooms With a Twist
Last weekend, I visited Avant Tapas & Wines in Buellton for the first time. Avant is the new tasting room for Terravant Wine Company, a state-of-the-art cooperative production facility for 30-plus Santa Barbara County winemakers. I was totally impressed by the modern space, which you would not expect to find at the end of the aptly name street, Industrial Way. Massive windows on the bar side look out over the rolling Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez riverbed. On the opposite side of the room, windows look into the production space so you can actually watch the wine production in action. The tasting concept is also forward thinking and completely customizable.
You can get a card and use the high-tech self-pour stations—trying tastes, half glasses or full glasses—and pay your tab when you cash out at the end. Or you can taste at the bar, where different winemakers can be found pouring their wines at any given time. And you won’t leave hungry. The small plates menu includes farm-fresh salads, scrumptious flat-breads and more traditional tapas. It’s a great space to linger while enjoying the views and sampling new wines, or to stop by for a bite to eat while wine tasting in the Sta. Rita Hills area. I’m guessing they also have a killer happy hour scene for locals!
Avant got me thinking about the emergence of wine tasting rooms in our area that offer something a little different than the traditional experience and share a common “hip” factor. Saarloos & Sons Tasting House, for example, is a hub of creativity and sensory delights in downtown Los Olivos. It’s all about “modern vintage” style here. And you can buy their impeccable taste because the tasting house doubles as a boutique with a selection of interior pieces and home accents for sale. The space not only looks great—the eclectic play-list rocks, the wine-infused enjoy cupcakes taste delicious and the house wines aren’t too shabby either! The wine label art is lovely too, making for perfect gifting wine. All in all, you will leave under the Saarloos & Sons spell, feeling fabulous and inspired.
Just steps away, Artiste Winery & Tasting Studio is another artistic venture (literally). They recently opened their doors in Los Olivos after moving from the original Santa Ynez location. Artiste is a true art gallery, and the wines themselves embrace the art of blending as “Impressionist Cuvees”. Each wine is adorned with specifically commissioned artwork and, with the wax bottle tops, they are almost too pretty to open. But the wines are so elegant, you won’t want to let them rest on display for too long!
In downtown Santa Barbara on the Urban Wine Trail, I love the vibe Kunin Wines has created in their tasting room, located just a block from the beach. It’s airy, modern and inviting—their Pape Star is a must-taste. Right behind Kunin, Municipal Winemakers provides a playful counterpart. Don’t let the simple names like “Bright White”, “Dark Red” and “Sweetie” fool you—the wines are serious in quality. Winemaker Dave Potter just ensures you crack a smile while you’re buying and drinking them. About a block away over the train tracks, Oreana Winery is also full of personality. Set in a converted tire shop, Oreana throws fantastic events like outdoor movie screenings and parties featuring live bands.
Speaking of parties, Carr Winery in the SoCo neighborhood opens as a wine bar after tasting room hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. After hours tasters get to enjoy live music in the laid back atmosphere, surrounded by wine barrels. The crowd is mixed, lively and friendly, and it offers a superb alternative to the nightlife scene on State Street…for “grown-up” fun.
For More Information
Avant Tapas & Wines
35 Industrial Way
Buellton, CA
805.686.9400
Saarloos & Sons
2971 Grand Avenue
Los Olivos, CA
805.688.1200
Artiste Winery & Tasting Studio
2948 Grand Avenue
Los Olivos, CA
805.686.2626
Kunin Wines
28 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805.963.9696
Municipal Winemakers
28 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805.931.6864
Oreana Winery
205 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805.689.5016
Carr Winery
414 North Salsipuedes Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805.965.7985
