Valley to the Sea Winery

One of the best local wines in Downtown Santa Barbara !

Lily Hayes – Local Santa Barbara Sommelier / Wine Expert

We are looking here at a 6 wine flight all coming from the same region, Valley to the Sea bring you to the different part of Santa Ynez valley in three precise regions Santa Rita Hills and his special Malbec, Ballard Canyon, and Happy Canyon. The cold climate has an AMAZING Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), the moderate climate grows a really good Rhone (Syrah and Viognier), and last but not least the hot climate is where we discover a delightful Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc).

Something amazing when I arrived in Santa Barbara 4 months ago is that I was searching for a place where I could eat and enjoy a good glass of wine. Coming straight from France I knew Santa Barbara will fulfill my desire for wine, pretty quickly I came across this little place located in the heart of the Santa Barbara Public Market. In this place, with one man only working hard to make his wine known to the public Jamie showed me how to appreciate the wine. He starts introducing his knowledge and his passion and you immediately listen to all the little details he shares with you.

The different wines have their power and a fine taste, I have rated Jamie’s wine from the best to the least.

Malbec for Red, Sauvignon for White; such quality wines!

Antoine Gibert – La Critique writer

My baby number ONE: Malbec 2016 – Santa Rita Hills

This is for sure the number one Malbec I have tried so far! First sip and you get all the aromas directly it’s a good body wine that has some temper to it. You definitively sense the plum sauce and the fresh cracked pepper. The second sip will bring you to the black currants and ripe pomegranate to finish with the candied blackberries.

Number ONE but for Whites: Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – Happy Canyon

This dry Sauvignon Blanc is such a cooler, ideal to refresh your summer this light-bodied and incredible white will be your best friend for the next couple of weeks! This white has such a bright finish and a fresh taste that you could drink one bottle alone without hesitation! HARDLY recommend!

Still on the podium: Syrah 2019 – Ballard Canyon

Still third the Syrah had a real singular touch, you could feel the heartiness at the first sip which is amazing to pair with some mushrooms or smoked bacon! You can feel the rose petals, my only problem was the pink peppercorns I didn’t feel it. Although it’s a really good quality wine that matches for a good smoking bbq at home!

Good result but not enough: Viognier 2019 – Ballard Canyon

Sadly the Viognier is not on the top of my list but it deserves all the flowers we feel and smell in his wine. Full-bodied and amazingly rich textured this white is the strongest in terms of alcohol percentage (14,5%). The freshness of the lemon and the orange blossoms made this wine almost perfect! Something I did not expect from the whites.

Two left: Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – Happy Canyon

This intriguing read with some beautiful fennel and tobacco smell hits different. The finish of the Cabernet is amazing, for me, it’s the least of the Reds simply because the other is better not because of bad quality, on the contrary, the medium body and silky tannin go well in your mouth and can easily finish a couple of glasses by your own!

The last one: Chardonnay 2020 – Santa Rita Hills

Also victims of the success of his brothers the Whites the Chardonnay is not here to defy the Sauvignon Blanc but to add a little harmony to the trio! Fruity and light oak the Chardonnay unveils his power with his citrus and stone fruit punch. Ideal for some good hummus dish this white will bring his minerality to your experience and overall is a really good quality wine.

Finally My little 5 ⭐️

– Location ⭐️⭐️⭐️

– Taste ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

– Vibe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

– Prices ⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 

Because of his uniqueness Santa Ynez Valley will be the best wine region in California

Jamie Savellano – Owner of Valley to the Sea