Indulge on the Urban Wine Trail

If you visit one wine tasting spot, make it Brian and Eric’s wine shop and wine bar Les Marchands. It's a labour of love between Eric Railsback and Master Sommelier Brian McClintic, whose wine trips to Paris and Burgundy have inspired a fresh and dynamic experience. Whether picking out a bottle from the shop or stopping off at the tasting bar for some share plates and a glass, Les Marchands sets out to prove that a world-class food and wine experience can exist in a relaxing atmosphere, free of intimidation.

Address: 131 Anacapa St., Suite B, Santa Barbara CA 93101

Sunday-Thursday: 11am-10pm Friday & Saturday: 11am-Midnight

Phone ahead at 0018052840380

To indulge further explore the urban wine trail and funk zone, located in downtown Santa Barbara and spend a sunny afternoon exploring the tasting rooms. The wineries have different opening hours, tending to open at midday and close between 5 and 8pm date dependent.

Go to urbanwinetrailsb.com to read up on other tasting rooms and wineries. Among our top picks are Oreana and Kunin, but there's many more to choose from.

Oreana, once an old tire shop is now an eclectic mix of winery, tasting room and art gallery just two blocks off the beach. Come relax on the patio with Pinot Noirs, rare Italian varietals and refreshing whites. Address: 205 Anacapa Street. Open Monday–Thursday 11am–5pm, Friday–Sunday 11am–6pm Tel: 0018059625857 www.oreanawinery.com

Kunin wines known for producing small lots of Rhône-style wines made with old-world sensibility from the Central Coast’s best vineyards. Varietals include Viognier, Syrah and Zinfandel, as well as blends. Address: 28 Anacapa Street. Open daily 11am–6pm Tel: 0018059639633. www.kuninwines.com

In the downtown area of the Funkzone be sure to visit Santa Barbara Winery that is the oldest winery, VA has a great chalk map of the wine region on the wall and some great drops and Riverbench has just opened a fabulous tasting room that's worth a visit. Go to www.funkzone.net for more information.

For a tasting with a view, try Deep Sea Tasting Room located on the pier (Stearn’s Wharf) you can spot dolphins and seals as you sip wine on the patio!