A Guide to Santa Barbara County’s Hidden Gem Wineries
Discover the Hidden Gems of Santa Barbara Wine Country
Santa Barbara County is home to world class wine—but not all of its treasures are easy to find. If you’re the kind of traveler who skips the mainstream and seeks the secret spots—the off map tasting rooms, the experimental winemakers, the places where the stories are as rich as the pours—this guide is for you. Here’s your curated list of the most unforgettable hidden gem wineries across Buellton, Los Olivos, Lompoc, and beyond.
Planning a longer stay? Be sure to read our guide to exploring Buellton and the Santa Ynez Valley for more things to do between sips.
Brick Barn Wine Estate – Buellton’s Boutique Must-Visit
Located on a historic Arabian horse ranch, Brick Barn Wine Estate is both a destination and a hidden gem. The estate focuses on small lot wines that reflect Buellton’s unique coastal inland climate and its mineral rich terroir. Guests can sip outdoors under ancient oaks with panoramic vineyard views.
🍷 Must Try Wines: Albariño, Grenache Rosé, Cabernet Franc
🌟 Hidden Gem Factor: Big style, boutique soul
Municipal Winemakers – Funky, Fun, and Fearless
Municipal Winemakers (or Muni, as the locals say) is unlike any winery you’ve visited. The downtown Santa Barbara tasting room feels like a retro record store meets wine lab—full of color, vinyl, and creativity. The wines? Crisp, fresh, and often wild in the best way.
🍷 Don’t Miss: Bright White, Dark Red, and their pét-nat
🌟 Vibe: Urban, irreverent, totally original
The Hilt Estate – Sleek, Serene, and Site-Driven
If you like your wines with edge and elegance, head to The Hilt. Located deep in the Sta. Rita Hills, The Hilt crafts precise, cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from estate vineyards kissed by ocean fog. Their facility is ultra modern, but the hospitality is warm and immersive.
🍷 Must-Try Wines: Estate Chardonnay, The Vanguard Pinot Noir
🌟 For: Wine collectors, minimalists, and design lovers
Grimm’s Bluff – Biodynamic Beauty Overlooking the Santa Ynez River
A true under the radar treasure, Grimm’s Bluff sits on a high bluff overlooking the Santa Ynez River. This certified biodynamic vineyard produces low intervention, terroir driven wines in very limited quantities. Visits are private and by appointment—making this one of the most exclusive (and rewarding) wine experiences in the region.
🍷 Must-Try: Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
🌟 Bonus: Stunning views, soulful winemaking
Tercero Wines – Los Olivos’ Experimental Artist
Winemaker Larry Schaffer is known for pouring out of beakers and talking shop like a scientist/philosopher. If you’re into Rhône varietals or just want a tasting where you’ll learn something, Tercero is essential.
🍷 Try This: Grenache Blanc, Mourvèdre
🌟 Hidden Gem Level: 10/10. Low-key genius.
Sanguis Wines – Artistic and Avant-Garde
In a quiet Santa Barbara warehouse, Sanguis produces expressive, bold, and beautifully weird wines. Their tastings feel like curated art experiences, with labels and wine names to match.
🍷 Must-Try Wines: Verve, Pilgrim, Roman
🌟 Best For: Wine nerds with style
Lompoc Wine Ghetto – The DIY Dream
📍 lompocwinefactory.com/wine-ghetto
Industrial on the outside, deeply personal on the inside, the Wine Ghetto is a collection of indie wineries doing things their own way. You’ll often find the winemaker pouring your flight and talking barrel fermentation. Stroll multiple tasting rooms all within a few feet of each other.
🍷 Featured Favorites: Ampelos Cellars, Flying Goat, Windrun Wine Co.
🌟 Local Secret: Rare finds, zero pretense
🔗 Explore the full Ghetto lineup
Dierberg & Star Lane – Off the Grid, On the Radar
With properties in Happy Canyon, Sta. Rita Hills, and Santa Maria Valley, Dierberg and Star Lane offer a sweeping view of Santa Barbara terroir. The tasting room is peaceful and immersive—perfect for a quiet afternoon of discovery.
🍷 Top Picks: Star Lane Cabernet, Dierberg Chardonnay
🌟 Vibe: Polished, pastoral, and peaceful
Bonus Tip: Pack a Gourmet Picnic
Many of these wineries allow outside food, and nothing beats a vineyard picnic. Stop at Bob’s Well Bread in Los Alamos or the Santa Ynez General Store for curated picnic fixings before you sip.
🥖 Pair goat cheese and fig jam with Brick Barn’s Albariño or salami and olives with Grimm’s Bluff Cabernet.
📌 Final Tips for Finding Wine Country’s Best Kept Secrets
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Always check if reservations are required (many are appointment-only) and if outside food is allowed
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Visit midweek to avoid crowds and get extra attention
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Ask tasting hosts for personal recs—you’ll find the next hidden gem that way
Ready to Find Your Favorite Hidden Gem?
From the coastal cool of The Hilt to the rolling hills of Brick Barn, these wineries prove that the best stories—and the best sips—live just beyond the obvious.
🍷 Book your tasting at Brick Barn Wine Estate and start your hidden gem tour from the heart of Buellton.
