Which region is better for a weekend of wine tasting: Santa Barbara or Paso

[cmurphyenergy]

Robles/San Luis Obispo? I'm thinking a weekend visit, with maybe some alternative activities such as horsback riding, nice restaurants, bed breakfast, etc.

[jamesobriant]

I'd ask you a question in return: What wines do you prefer?

The Paso Robles San Luis Obispo area is (in general) warmer than the wine areas of Santa Barbara County, and you'll find more warm-climate varietals there, such as Cabernet Sauvignon (which ripens later) and Zinfandel (which loves hot days and cool nights).

A sizable portion of Santa Barbara County's wine area is the Santa Ynez Valley, which can be cool and foggy -- and the closer to the ocean, the cooler and foggier. Cool climate varieties such as Pinot Noir do well here, but farther inland you'll find other varietals as well, especially Syrah.

If you plan to spend part of your weekend doing things other than wine tasting, it really won't matter which area you select, as you'll be able to visit only a tiny handful of wineries. Even if you forego the non-wine activities and concentrate on wine tasting for the entire weekend, you'll only scratch the surface with regard to the number of tasting rooms in each area. It would take a week or more in each location to hit them all.

I'm unfamiliar with equestrian activities in either place, but there are restaurants ranging from decent to excellent in both areas, and plenty of BB's to choose from.

So, in short -- for Pinot Noir, go to the lower Santa Ynez Valley, around Solvang , Buellton Lompoc. For Zinfandel, go to Paso Robles. For Syrah and other Rhone varietals, either place will do.

I can't recommend a Paso Robles or SLO restaurant, as we generally go there via motorhome and prepare our own meals. In the Solvang area, the Hitching Post (seen in the film Sideways) has always been good, though a bit on the pricey side, and if you enjoy Danish cuisine there are several very good Danish restaurants in Solvang.

[candyzgirl2004]

Santa Barbara... you'll enjoy it.

[Brown]

Originally Posted by candyzgirl2004

Santa Barbara... you'll enjoy it.

Well as said above the santa barbara would really be the best place to enjoy it has the wine area .Ocean near by anda cool weather for fun.

[solution]

I'm thinking a weekend visit, with maybe some alternative activities such as horsback riding, nice restaurants, bed & breakfast, etc.