Santa Barbara's Chill Sibling With Serious Wine Cred
Presidio/Arts District · Santa Barbara · New American / Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 11, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Intermezzo by Wine Cask’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Intermezzo feels like stumbling onto a secret — a relaxed, no-reservations bar-café attached to the legendary Wine Cask, with a list that punches well above its casual vibe. The atmosphere says 'neighborhood hang' but the wine program says 'we've done this before.' It earns your attention fast.
The list is compact in what's on display — about 16 featured selections — but the DNA is strong, leaning on Santa Barbara County locals like the Dreamcote Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills and the Kaena Grenache from Ballard Canyon alongside Italian standbys (Antinori's Bramito, Tenuta Luisa Pinot Grigio) and a nod to Spain with the Terras Gauda Albariño. France gets a seat at the table via La Chablisienne and a Ruinart Rosé Champagne for when someone at the table is feeling spendy. The regional breadth is genuinely impressive for a spot this laid-back, though the full bottle selection depth remains a bit of a mystery since the complete list isn't publicly available. Gaps in South American and domestic West Coast whites are noticeable, but what's here is curated rather than random.
Thirteen BTG options is a solid number for a bar-café format, with glass pours ranging from $13 to $18 — reasonable for Santa Barbara, where everything costs more than it should. The carafe and half-bottle format ($48–$69) is a smart move for couples who want to share without committing to a full bottle, and it's one of the more thoughtful structural touches on the list.
Dreamcote Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2021 — By the glass
Sta. Rita Hills Pinot on a BTG list is a legitimate flex — this appellation produces some of California's most compelling cool-climate Pinot, and getting it by the glass means you're not locked into a full bottle commitment to try something genuinely local and worthwhile.
Kaena Grenache 'Tierra Alta' Ballard Canyon 2020
Most people walk past Grenache on a menu and reach for a Cab or Pinot without thinking twice. That's a mistake here. Ballard Canyon is one of the country's premier Rhône-variety appellations, and Kaena is one of its best producers — this bottle is the kind of thing you come back for.
NV Ruinart Brut Rosé Champagne (Half Bottle)
At $150 for a half-bottle, you're paying a significant premium over retail for a wine that's already on the pricier end at the store. Ruinart is lovely, but this is a splurge that only makes sense if someone else is paying.
Terras Gauda Albariño Rías Baixas 2022 + Oven Roasted Salmon
Albariño and salmon is practically textbook coastal pairing — the wine's bright acidity and saline, citrus-forward character cut through the richness of the fish without overpowering it. Rías Baixas and Santa Barbara both know a thing or two about the ocean, and it shows in the glass.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Intermezzo is the rare casual spot that actually respects wine — the selection is thoughtful, the local representation is real, and the format rewards exploration. Markups keep it from being a steal, but if you're in Santa Barbara and want a glass of something genuinely interesting without a dress code, this is the move.
Montecito · Santa Barbara · Italian
Tre Lune isn't trying to reinvent anything — it's a well-loved Montecito Italian with a wine list that earns its Wine Spectator nod and leans intelligently on Margerum's local chops. Send a friend here knowing the wine will be fairly priced and thoughtfully chosen, even if the excitement ceiling is comfortable rather than thrilling.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Santa Barbara · New American / California Cuisine
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.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Santa Barbara · Italian Pizzeria
Ca' Dario Pizzeria isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — the list does its job, the prices are fair, and the Santa Barbara rosé alone justifies looking past the cocktail menu. Send a friend here if they want solid Italian wine with their pizza and zero fuss.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waterfront / Cabrillo Blvd · Santa Barbara · Italian Steakhouse
Ca' Dario Steakhouse is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants serious Italian bottles with their steak without having to navigate a 300-label monster list. The markups trend steep, especially on the celebrity bottles, but the Santa Barbara Syrah and Sicilian options give value-hunters a legitimate path.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waterfront / East Beach · Santa Barbara · Contemporary Oaxacan and Mexican
Flor De Maiz isn't a wine destination, but it's a Wild Card in the best sense — a waterfront Oaxacan spot that took the time to build a small, thoughtful list with local producers and a genuine Mexican anchor. Come for the mole, stay for the Barden Brut Rosé.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Public Market / Downtown · Santa Barbara · Thai and Taiwanese-inspired noodle bar
Empty Bowl is a genuinely excellent noodle bar that deserves a better wine program than this — come for the Khao Soi, grab a sake, and don't let the wine list talk you into a $36 Chardonnay. The kitchen is working hard; the wine list is not.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.