Santa Barbara County - California - page 1299

time for a winery tour, usually offered at 11:15am, 1:15pm and 3:15pm daily (no reserva-
tions).
Curtis Winery WINERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.curtiswinery.com ; 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos; tastings $10;
10:30am-5:30pm)
Just up the road from Firestone Vineyards, artisan winemaker Andrew Murray specializes
in Rhône-style wines, including estate-grown Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Grenache
Blanc and Roussanne. The same wines are poured at Andrew Murray Vineyards' tasting
room in downtown Los Olivos.
Kenneth Volk Vineyards WINERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 805-938-7896; www.volkwines.com ; 5230 Tepusquet Rd, Santa Maria;
tastings $10; 10:30am-4:30pm)
Only an established cult winemaker could convince oenophiles to drive so far out of their
way to taste rare heritage varietals like floral-scented Malvasia and inky Negrette, as well
as standard-bearing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery WINERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.riverbench.com ; 6020 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria; tastings $10;
10am-4pm)
Riverbench has been growing prized Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes since the early
1970s. The rural tasting room is inside a butter-yellow Arts-and-Crafts farmhouse with
panoramic views across the Santa Maria Valley. Out back is a picnic ground and bocce ball
court. You can also sample their wines on Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail.
Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard WINERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.fessparkerwines.com ; 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd; tastings $12;
10am-5pm)
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 playing Davy Crockett