Alma Rosa Winery Tasting Room | A Must-Visit in Santa Ynez Valley

Over the last few years that I have lived in California, I have truly become so drawn to Santa Ynez. It’s one of my all-time favorite weekend getaways. It’s one of the most serene, calm and stunning areas near the central coast of California that are so breathtaking, it’s hard to believe it’s even real! 

Every time I make my way up there to explore the wine countryside, I find myself eager to visit different wineries and tasting rooms because they all have such a unique story. I mean, is there anything better than pristine air, sunshine and wine? This time around, I visited the Alma Rosa Winery Tasting Room. 

Upon entering, I was blown away by the beauty of their bottles and the contemporary, but rustic aesthetic of the room. Just by the way the wine bottles are positioned along the walls, it visually tells a story of the foundation of Alma Rosa.

A little bit of a background: Alma Rosa is located on a 628-acre estate in the Sta. Rita Hills, comprised of five non-contiguous plantings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and small amounts of Syrah and Grenache. Alma Rosa Winery was founded in 2005 by Santa Barbara wine pioneers, Richard and Thekla Sanford. Named for the original Rancho Santa Rosa Mexican land grant of 1839 where the Alma Rosa estate is located, the winery honors the region’s history while embracing its evolution into one of the world’s most revered wine regions. Today, under the leadership of owners Bob and Barb Zorich, the winery is making wines that are emblematic of the best the Sta. Rita Hills AVA has to offer. 

To put it simply, any visit to Santa Barbara wine country should begin with a visit to the Alma Rosa Tasting Room. Located on Industrial Way in Buellton, the tasting room and its surroundings are quickly becoming a gourmet destination, with several other tasting rooms, distilleries, a brewery and excellent restaurants. Conveniently located just minutes off Highway 101, the tasting room and its neighbors serve as the gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills. 

Rather than centering around a tasting bar, guests are seated in an open setting and served by staff that come to them, providing an intimate setting to experience Alma Rosa wines at their own pace. Ample natural light and a living olive tree brings a connection to the natural world outside into the space, and a Rumford fireplace brings a feeling of warmth. All tables are constructed from custom timber harvested in 1912, sourced by Richard Sanford from a mill in Klickitat, WA. Visitors are offered a selection of 5 wines for a tasting fee of $20, with optional cheese plates available for purchase. 

During the COVID -19 Pandemic, the Buellton tasting room has expanded outside to a Weingarten set up in the parking lot so guests may enjoy their experience with a socially distanced peace of mind. The tasting room remains open with outdoor seating that is shaded with umbrellas and arbors. Hours are Sunday through Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are suggested, but walk-ins are welcome.

I started off the tasting by trying two of their sparkling wines, and then continued on to the following: 2020 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, 2017 Chardonnay, 2017 Pinot Noir, 2018 Grenache and the 2018 Pinot Noir. My favorite had to be the Vin Gris – such an elegant and refreshing rosé! I am a huge rosé girl so this was such a treat. This wine shows a fragrant bouquet of white flowers, wild strawberries and grapefruit peel, punctuated by a hit of ginger spice. It’s the perfect shade of salmon pink, too which I of course really appreciate! I’m pretty particular about my rosé shades and how they indicate taste - I definitely wasn’t disappointed with this one. I ended up taking home a bottle – I didn’t think I could leave without one, actually! Not to mention, the wine label is very TGB-approved with rose gold accents. 

Alma Rosa wines are made under the direction of Samra Morris, a young up-and-coming star born in Bosnia (which I love – I’m part Croatian! It’s great to somewhat cross paths with someone with a similar nationality) who trained three vintages under renowned Napa Valley winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, instilling in her a talent for bringing out the unique characteristics from each vineyards site. 

“Working in the cellar for over 20 wineries with Thomas Rivers Brown, I was drawn to the variations of individual vineyard sites, and how they impact wines,” says Samra. “I believe the most important part of winemaking is starting with good grapes. When the farming is impeccable, very little work needs to be done to shape the wine in the cellar.”

She has been delighted to find that the region’s abundant seafood, sunny coastline, and fresh, slightly saline wines remind her of the Croatian beaches and islands she grew up visiting during the summer as a child.

Come to think of it, Samra is totally accurate in drawing a parallel between the culture of Croatia and the central coast of California. It really does have so many European qualities!

Overall, I highly recommend visiting the Alma Rosa Tasting Room on your next visit to the area. It was such an enjoyable experience that not only was relaxing and charming, but it really opened up my eyes to the beauty, uniqueness and story behind the wine.

Pro tip: visit Industrial Eats right next door for dinner after! There’s nothing like sipping on distinctive, quality wine in the central California sunshine, especially at Alma Rosa. 

Big thanks to Alma Rosa for having me! Can’t wait to come back.