Great View, Lazy Pours, Move On
Hendry's Beach / Arroyo Burro · Santa Barbara · Seafood, American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 11, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Boathouse at Hendry's Beach’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You're sitting on one of the best ocean views in Santa Barbara, the salt air is hitting right, and then the wine list arrives — and it reads like the beverage section of a casual chain restaurant. Nothing offensive, nothing exciting, just a roster of names you've seen a hundred times before at a hundred other places.
The list leans hard on California workhorses: J. Lohr, Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Meiomi. These are perfectly drinkable bottles, but they're also available at every grocery store from here to Fresno. There's no local Santa Barbara County representation to speak of, which is almost criminal given that the restaurant sits in one of California's most exciting wine regions. No Sta. Rita Hills Pinot, no Santa Ynez Valley Syrah, nothing that says 'we thought about this.' Zonin Sparkling rounds out the bubbles situation, and that tells you most of what you need to know.
Glass pours run $10–$16, which sounds reasonable until you realize the bottles behind those pours are retailing for $12–$20 at your local BevMo. The by-the-glass program appears to mirror the bottle list — familiar brands, no rotation, no surprises. It's not broken, it's just completely on autopilot.
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir — $48
Of the options here, this is the least egregious markup at around 140% over retail. It's a known, consistent bottle that actually makes some sense next to seafood. Not a steal, but the closest thing to one on this list.
Zonin Sparkling Wine
Nobody is ordering this, and honestly that's fair — but a cold glass of sparkling wine with fresh local oysters at a beachside table is a hard combination to argue with. Set expectations accordingly and it does the job.
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
At $34 a bottle, you're paying nearly three times retail for one of the most mass-produced Chardonnays in California. This is a $12 bottle with a view tax baked in. Hard pass.
Zonin Sparkling Wine + Fresh Local Oysters
Bubbles and briny oysters is a classic combo for a reason — the acidity cuts through, the carbonation cleanses, and you're sitting on the beach doing exactly what you should be doing. It's the one moment this wine list earns its keep.
❌ The Bottom Line
Come for the Cioppino and the Pacific views, not the wine list — this is a beach spot that coasts on scenery while charging grocery-store-brand prices like they're cellar selections. If you're a wine-first diner, grab a bottle from a Santa Barbara producer before you arrive and ask about corkage.
Downtown · Santa Barbara · Californian / American bistro with European influences
Jane is a neighborhood restaurant that built a wine list with actual intention, and in Santa Barbara's crowded dining scene, that matters. Markup could loosen up and the by-the-glass situation needs clarity, but the bottles on this list are worth your attention.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown / State Street · Santa Barbara · Italian
The Chase is a solid neighborhood Italian with a wine list that plays it very safe — you'll find what you're looking for if what you're looking for is Caymus, but check the markups before you order on autopilot. Stick to the European wildcards and the local Santa Barbara pours for the best value on the table.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Westside · Santa Barbara · Mexican
Los Agaves De La Vina earns its reputation on the food side, but the wine list is a quietly overpriced, low-effort lineup that the kitchen deserves better than. Grab the Carr Pinot if you must drink wine, but honestly — order the mezcal and come back happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montecito · Santa Barbara · Italian
Osteria Montecito has the bones of a genuinely good Italian wine program — the right regions, some interesting local producers, recognizable prestige bottles — but the pricing is aggressive enough to sour the experience before the first sip. Stick to the Santa Barbara County pours, avoid the imported crowd-pleasers, and maybe order a Negroni instead.
Solid Range
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montecito Waterfront · Santa Barbara · Modern Mediterranean Seafood
Tydes is the right wine in the right setting — local producers, a knowledgeable team, and glassware that takes itself seriously. The resort markup is real and unavoidable, but if you stay in the Santa Barbara County section of the list, you'll drink well and feel good about it.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
East Beach · Santa Barbara · Italian / Mediterranean
Convivo isn't trying to be a wine destination — it's a coastal Italian restaurant with a smart, locally-rooted list and prices that don't embarrass anyone. Show up at 2 PM on a weekday for $9 rosé and ocean views and tell us we're wrong.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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