Santa Barbara's Backyard, Poured Into a Glass
Downtown · Santa Barbara · New American / California Cuisine · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 11, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Finch & Fork’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Finch & Fork reads like a love letter to Santa Barbara County — and honestly, that's not a bad thing. You're in wine country, and the list knows it, leaning hard into Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, Central Coast Pinot Noir, and local Syrah from producers who actually know this terroir. It's polished without being pretentious, which suits the Kimpton hotel vibe just fine.
The list runs 50 to 80 bottles deep, with the real strength in its regional focus — Foxen, Brewer-Clifton, Tyler, Au Bon Climat, and Margerum all show up, which is basically an all-star lineup for Santa Barbara wine. You're not finding much outside California here, so if you came in wanting a Burgundy or a Barolo, adjust expectations now. The Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay section is the most interesting corner of the list, where the local terroir actually earns its price of admission. Gaps exist in the sparkling and rosé categories, and there's little for the Old World crowd, but for a California-centric hotel restaurant, the depth within its lane is commendable.
The by-the-glass program runs 12 to 18 options, anchored by familiar names like Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir and Tyler Chardonnay — both solid, recognizable pours that don't embarrass anyone. The range feels curated rather than sprawling, which we respect, though the glass prices trend toward the upper end for what you're getting. No aggressive rotation or chalkboard specials here — this is a set-it-and-refresh-it program, not a dynamic one.
Foxen Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley — $72
At roughly 80% over retail, the Foxen is the closest thing to a fair deal on this bottle list. Santa Maria Valley Pinot at this quality level from a producer with Foxen's track record typically runs much steeper at a restaurant. If you're splitting a bottle, this is where to land.
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills
Most tables will default to the Tyler by the glass and never look further, but the Brewer-Clifton bottle is a step up in complexity that most diners overlook. Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay from this producer has the acid structure and mineral edge to actually hold up through a full meal — not just an opener.
Margerum M5 Red Blend Santa Barbara County
At $68 a bottle on a wine that retails around $28, this is the list's worst markup at nearly 143% over retail. The M5 is a perfectly pleasant everyday red, but 'perfectly pleasant everyday red' should not cost you $68 at a restaurant table. Pass.
Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County + Seasonal Fish Entrée
Au Bon Climat's Pinot is lighter-bodied, with enough red fruit and restrained earthiness that it doesn't bulldoze delicate fish preparations. It's one of the rare reds that actually works with the rotating seafood — and at $18 a glass, it's the right call if you don't want to commit to a white all night.
The Bottom Line
Finch & Fork is a reliable pour in a great wine region — the list champions its Santa Barbara backyard with real conviction, even if the markups occasionally make you wince. Send a friend here if they want to drink local and drink well; just steer them toward the Foxen and away from the M5.
Funk Zone · Santa Barbara · Mediterranean-Influenced New American
Blackbird has the bones of a wine program worth your attention — sommelier-led, regionally grounded in Santa Barbara County, and sitting inside a hotel that clearly invested in the dining experience. The catch is that hotel adjacency typically means markups that outpace the neighborhood, so go in with your eyes open and ask your server to point you toward the local producers. We'd send a friend here for a polished night out, with the caveat to let the staff guide you rather than defaulting to the familiar names on the list.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Santa Barbara · Wine Bar / Small Plates
Villa Wine Bar runs a focused, well-priced list built around Santa Barbara County producers who actually deserve the spotlight — Beckmen, Babcock, Storm, and Alma Rosa are all doing real work. The by-the-glass program is nearly comprehensive, the bottle prices are fair, and the regional identity is clear. If you're in Santa Barbara and want to drink local without getting gouged, this is a reliable call.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Funk Zone · Santa Barbara · Wine Bar / Tasting Room with Food Options
If you're passing through the Funk Zone and want to actually understand what Santa Barbara wine country is about, this is a better use of an hour than most tasting rooms you'll pay more to visit. It's not a deep-list destination, but as a regional introduction it punches well above its square footage.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Santa Maria Valley · Santa Barbara · Winery Tasting Room / Charcuterie
Presqu'ile is the rare tasting room that feels like a destination rather than a sales pitch — the Aligoté and Gamay alone tell you this team is thinking beyond the obvious, and the pricing won't make you wince. If you're driving through Santa Maria Valley and you skip this, you made a mistake.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara · Wine Bar / Tasting Room
This is a focused, confident single-producer tasting room that earns its Wild Card badge by going deep on Rhône varieties and aromatic whites in a market that usually just wants Pinot and Chardonnay. If you're staying at Hotel Californian or exploring downtown Santa Barbara, skipping this would be a mistake.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Santa Barbara · Seafood / Coastal Californian
SeaVenture's wine list won't blow any minds, but it's priced fairly, leans into the right regional story, and gives you everything by the glass — which is exactly what a seafood spot on the California coast should do. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink well without getting gouged.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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