Zaca Mesa Winery

Santa Barbara Wine Country


Stop by this barn-style tasting room for a rustic, sipping-on-the-farm ambience. Santa Barbara’s highest-elevation winery, Zaca Mesa specializes in Syrah, but is also known for its estate-grown Rhône varietals and signature Z Cuvée red blend and Z Blanc white blend. An outsized outdoor chessboard and a tree-shaded picnic area that's dog-friendly add to the laid-back atmosphere.

A tour of the property is available at 11am every day (reservations required 24 hours in advance) and covers the production facility and vineyard.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Santa Barbara Wine Country attractions

1. Demetria Estate

1.21 MILES

This hilltop retreat has the curving arches and thick wooden doors of your hospitable Greek uncle’s country house, with epic views of vineyards and…

2. Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

2.23 MILES

Besides its on-screen appearance as Frass Canyon in the movie Sideways, the winery’s other claim to fame is its late founder Fess Parker, best known for…

3. Firestone Vineyards

3.85 MILES

Founded in the 1970s, Firestone is Santa Barbara’s oldest estate winery. Sweeping views of the vineyard from the sleek, wood-paneled tasting room are…

4. Rancho Sisquoc Winery

6.43 MILES

This tranquil gem is worth the extra mileage, not just for the award-winning small-batch reds and whites, but for the delightfully rustic tasting room…

5. Foxen

6.59 MILES

On what was once a working cattle ranch, Foxen crafts full-fruited Pinot Noir, warm Syrah, steel-cut Chardonnay and rich Rhône-style wines, all sourced…

6. Carhartt Vineyard Tasting Room

7.35 MILES

An unpretentious tasting room inside a red-trimmed wooden shack that leads on to a shady garden patio out back, where a fun-loving younger crowd sips…

7. Saarloos + Sons

7.35 MILES

Wine snobs are given the boot at this shabby-chic tasting room pouring estate-grown, small-lot Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon…

8. Los Olivos Tasting Room

7.45 MILES

Inside a rickety 19th-century general store, this tasting room stocks rare vintages you won’t find anywhere else. Well-oiled servers are by turns…