LOMPOC — Everyone knows California is wine country. But have you heard about Lompoc?
This laid-back Central Coast wine destination is the perfect place to sip small-production wines, meet the makers, and explore a wine scene that feels refreshingly unhurried.Add beautiful vineyard views, cool coastal temps, and plenty of chances to discover a new favorite, and you’ve got the makings of a seriously good wine weekend.
Lompoc’s Cool Climate Is Made for Wine
Lompoc’s coastal location keeps things cool, creating ideal conditions for vineyards and the wines they produce. For you, that means a wine
tour without the sweltering heat you might expect in California wine country. The cool, breezy climate also helps make Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay standouts here. In other words: great wine, gorgeous scenery, and weather that makes lingering over a tasting pretty easy.
Explore Lompoc’s Wine Ghetto
Don’t be fooled by the name. Tucked into an industrial area, the Wine Ghetto is a collection of small-production wineries packed with
personality. Pop into intimate tasting rooms, chat with passionate winemakers, and discover bottles you might not find on a typical California
wine tour. Even better, the tasting rooms are clustered close together, so you can easily move from one pour to the next.
Photo courtesy Explore Lompoc.
Camins 2 Dreams
Camins 2 Dreams makes handcrafted wines with grapes sourced from Sta. Rita Hills vineyards. Stop in to explore its small-production, vineyard-focused wines.
Flying Goat Cellars
Pinot Noir takes center stage at Flying Goat Cellars, but don’t skip the sparkling wines. Winemaker Norm Yost focuses on vineyard-driven wines that showcase the cool-climate character of Santa Barbara County.
Explore More Wineries in Lompoc
The Wine Ghetto is just the beginning. Lompoc has tasting rooms scattered throughout town, giving you plenty of opportunities to slow down and discover another local label.
Brewer-Clifton
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fans should put Brewer-Clifton on the list. The winery focuses on estate-grown fruit from the Sta. Rita Hills, with tastings by appointment for a more intimate experience.
Longoria Wines
With decades of Santa Barbara County winemaking behind it, Longoria Wines offers plenty of variety, from Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Syrah, and red blends. It’s a great stop when you want to explore beyond the usual suspects.
Lompoc Wine Factory
Multiple local winemakers share space at Lompoc Wine Factory, giving you the chance to sample several labels under one roof. It’s a fun stop for anyone who likes variety and discovering something new.
Turiya Wines
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Turiya Wines specializes in handcrafted red blends and Bordeaux-style wines. It’s an ideal if you want to explore something beyond Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
? Discover more wineries in town and view our helpful map.
Explore the Sta. Rita Hills
Just outside Lompoc, the Sta. Rita Hills offers a change of scenery with winding roads, vineyard rows, rolling hills, and wide-open views.
This cool-climate wine appellation is known especially for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, making it a must for wine lovers who want to experience the landscape AND wine.
Babcock Winery & Vineyards
Babcock Winery & Vineyards pairs its vineyard setting with wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Set among the rolling hills of the Sta. Rita Hills, it’s an easy place to sit, sip, and savor.
Melville Vineyards & Winery
Melville specializes in cool-climate wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Settle in, take your time, with the tasting and enjoy the relaxed feel of wine country.
The Hilt Estate
For a more intimate experience, make a reservation at The Hilt Estate. The estate focuses on wines that showcase its distinctive coastal setting, with Pinot Noir among the highlights. Its steep hills, windswept ridges, and fog-blanketed canyons create a dramatic backdrop.
Sanford Winery & Vineyards
Sanford Winery & Vineyards is known for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery sits in the heart of La Rinconada Vineyard, putting you right among the vines as you taste.
Spear Vineyards & Winery
Spear focuses on small-lot wines from its sustainably farmed estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. Settle in for a tasting while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and valley.
Dierberg-Starlane
Dierberg-Star Lane offers Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from its Sta. Rita Hills estate, along with Bordeaux-style wines from its Star Lane Vineyard. Its Drum Canyon tasting room sits among rolling hills, with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
? Explore more vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
A little planning goes a long way when you’re exploring Lompoc wine country.
Keep these tips in mind before you head out so you can spend less time checking the clock and more time enjoying your wine weekend.
- Don’t try to conquer every tasting room. Pick a few favorites and leave room for spontaneity.
- Check winery hours before you go. Schedules can change, so a quick check before heading out can save you from a closed tasting room.
- Make reservations when needed. Some wineries offer tastings by appointment only, so book ahead for experiences you don’t want to miss.
- Slow down and enjoy it. The best Lompoc wine weekend isn’t about how many glasses you can check off. It’s about discovering wines you love, finding new favorites, and enjoying the ride.
? Ready to plan your Lompoc getaway? Get our Visitor Guide and start planning your trip.
About Lompoc:
Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own. Its valley setting, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road, and explore what’s around the bend. Lompoc is a destination for wine tasting, golf, cycling, hiking, skydiving, birding, and surfing at nearby Jalama Beach. It is home to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the most fully restored and furnished of the 21 California missions, and adjacent to Vandenberg Space Force Base, where rockets are launched throughout the year by such entities as NASA, SpaceX, and ULA, to name a few. Lompoc has 12 hotels to welcome visitors. To discover more about the Lompoc Valley, and other things to see and do,
visit: www.explorelompoc.com