The Central Coast wine region has created its share of world-class vineyards and wines. With over 40 wineries stretching from the Santa Ynez Valley to Paso Robles, the Central Coast is growing more and more each year in vineyard acreage and production. In 2004, the region produced over 175,000 tons of wine grape crush. Many industry analysts expect California's Central Coast to soon surpass the Napa valley in wine production.

Directly east of Santa Maria lies Foxen Canyon Road, a scenic country byway travelling through vineyards and rolling hills. Recently receiving world-wide attention in the Academy Award winning film, Sideways; the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is a perfect way to discover these local wineries (see our map on the left for numbered references - click on the map or here for an enlarged version):

A premium vineyard located just east of Santa Maria is the Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard and Winery(1). Focusing on Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Cottonwood embraces traditional Burgundian wine-making practices to produce age-worthy and memorable wines.

The Cambria Winery(2) is located 10 minutes east of Santa Maria and produces award-winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Viognier, Sangiovese and Barbera. Wine & Spirits Magazine named Cambria a Regional Winery of the Year in 1997.

Located on picturesque Tepusquet Road, the Byron Vineyard & Winery(3) specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. In 1984,wine pioneer Byron "Ken" Brown founded the winery which has grown to become a leading producer of world class wines from the Santa Maria Valley.

Right next to Byron is the new Kenneth Volk Vineyards winery and tasting room. Kenneth Volk specializes on small production and slow-crafted wines. Their efforts have won recognition with a Best-of-Show award for their 2005 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Cuvee at the 2007 Santa Barbara County Fair. Read about our wine tasting excursion to Kenneth Volk in our Day Trips Blog.

Near the junction of Foxen Canyon Rd and Tepusquet Rd is the new Riverbench Vineyard and Winery tasting room (lets call it 3.5 on the map). A prestigious team has joined forces to found this outstanding winery. The friendly and gratious tasting room staff, the beautifully remodeled Craftsman style home which the tasting room is located within and a great selection of magnificent wines will combine to make your visit to Riverbench a memorable one. Specializing in exceptional quality estate-grown Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, Riverbench is our favorite winery along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. Check out our tasting notes and review in our Day Trips Blog. Needless to say; we look forward to many more outstanding vintages from Riverbench in the future.

Just up the driveway from the historic Foxen Chapel and cemetery, at the far eastern edge of the Santa Maria Valley is the Rancho Sisquoc Winery(4). Rancho Sisquoc was one of the first wineries to grace Santa Barbara County. They planted their first grapevines in 1968, pressed their first grapes in 1972 and opened to the public in 1977. Rancho Sisquoc now has 310 acres of vineyards in production and their all-estate-grown selection of 11 different wines reflects the maturity of their vineyards. Ranging from excellent whites to full bodied reds, Rancho Sisquoc is sure to appeal to a variety of tastes. The tasting room grounds are beautifully manicured with a large lawn, picnic tables and patios.

The Foxen Vineyard(5) produces everything from whites to pinots to Rhone-styles to Bordeaux-styles to Cal-Ital's and deserts. The tasting room is idyllically set right next to the roadway on Foxen Canyon Road and exceptionally captures the rural setting. With an annual production of around 10,000 cases, Foxen has been gaining some well-deserved recognition from several wine reviewers of late.

The Bedford Thompson Winery & Vineyard(6) produces 5000 cases annually of Chardonnay, Viognier, Gwurztraminer, Syrah (Estate), and Cabernet Franc (Estate). Located just outside Los Alamos, 15 miles south of Santa Maria.

Established in 1972, Zaca Mesa Winery(7) is a pioneer in Santa Barbara County wine history. The 750-acre winery is one of the highest elevations "in the county, creating warm, sunny days and cool, breezy afternoons. The result is California's longest growing season, and wine of extraordinary richness, fruitiness and complexity." The Zaca Mesa tasting room and visitor center are world class; well worth a visit.

Across the lane and south a bit on Foxen Canyon Rd. is the Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard(8). (Yep, the Fess Parker, of Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett fame.) Another visitor-friendly tasting room and beautiful grounds greet the wine enthusiast at this notable facility.

The Curtis Winery(9) was established in 1978 and prides itself in producing quality wines from "hand-harvested, carefully sorted, and gently handled" fruit. Now a part of the Firestone Vineyard, the Curtis tasting room is open daily from 10-5.

The grandaddy of the Santa Ynez Valley, the Firestone Vineyard(10) was the first commercial winery to crush locally grown grapes in Santa Barbara County. If you haven't tried Firestone's Riesling, grab some immediately..you won't be dissappointed.

A branch of Firestone; the multiple-award winning Firestone Walker Brewing Company, produces some outstanding craft beers and has a tasting room just down Hwy 101 in Buellton. Firestone Walker was just recently awarded Gold Medals for their Firestone Pale Ale (First place), Firestone Double Barrel Ale (Second place), Firestone Lager and Firestone Pale Nectar (Third place) in the 2007 California State Fair Commercial Craft Brew Competition.