Frequently-Asked Questions

The wineries in Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association welcome you any day or time of year. Most are open daily,  but check each individual winery's page for information on holiday closures. The Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association also sponsors annual events, including passport events, that feature all member wineries.

How does a Passport event work?

A passport event is a self-guided tour of our 14 wineries where you will enjoy sampling award-winning wines, tasty appetizers and receive a SYV Wine Country logo glass. Once you purchase your passport, we will mail you a "passport", which is a listing of our wineries with descriptions and locations. Your starting winery will be noted on the front of your passport. Your starting winery is the winery where you will first go to check in for the passport event and where you will receive your SYV Wine Country logo glass. From there you will begin your wine tasting adventure! Each time you visit one of our wineries your passport will be stamped, just like when you're traveling abroad! Thus, the passport theme.

The passport events are generally on Saturdays.  On Sunday, take your passport or your logo glass to any of our member wineries to receive an additional complimentary tasting.

Can children attend the passport or picnic events?

Children are not allowed at our events. These events are for those 21 years of age or older.

Can I take a group of people to the passport event where we all start at the same winery?

If you wish to organize a group of friends with 15 or more in the party, we would like to know ahead of the passport date so that we can coordinate your starting winery and route.

Can you recommend a limo or taxi service for the passport events?

We can suggest a few services.  Click here for recommendations.

When visiting the tasting rooms, can I bring my dogs?

Wineries with picnic areas may allow you to bring a well-behaved dog, but please check with each winery for their individual policy. Please keep your dog on a leash and clean up after it.

Can I bring my children to tasting rooms?

As long as they are on a leash and you clean up after them!

What's the weather like?

The weather here in the Santa Ynez Valley is seasonal.  Winter and Spring may bring rainy days, but generally we have sunny skies most of the year.  Summer and Autumn tend to have warm days, and we always enjoy a large drop in temperature from day to night.  It's one of the traits that make our grapes grow so well here.  Dress in layers so that you can enjoy the variations in temperature from the eastern to western parts of our valley and from warm days to cool nights.  Click here for the weather forecast.