Santa Barbara County Wineries

A "soupçon of asparagus" with just a "flutter of nutty Edam cheese"? California's Santa Barbara County produces many great wines, but it's doubtful any could match that wild description of a rosé-style vin gris from the hit movie Sideways, a tale of two buddies on a winetasting jag in the area's Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valleys. You can now follow them with a map from the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau (800-927-4688, www.santabarbaraca.com [3]). And on April 9 at the county Vintners' Festival near Firestone Vineyard—whose barrel room appears in the film—you can taste offerings from 70 local wineries and 30 restaurants and caterers. Information: (805) 688-0881, www.santabarbaraca.com [3].

Photography courtesy Twentieth Century Fox

This article was first published in March 2005. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.