Hillside Views, Local Grapes, Resort Prices
Riviera · Santa Barbara · Steakhouse / Hotel Fine Dining · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed September 9, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed The Dining Room at El Encanto’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into El Encanto's dining room, you immediately understand this isn't a wine list — it's a statement. The Belmond property leans hard into its surroundings, and the wine program follows suit with a clear Santa Barbara County focus that feels earned rather than obligatory. Expect polished service and a list that's been curated with intention, even if your wallet will feel the resort premium on every page.
The list draws intelligently from its backyard, with Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley featuring prominently alongside Champagne for the celebration crowd and Napa for the guests who flew in and want what's familiar. The Central Coast gets proper representation, which is the right call for a property sitting this close to some of California's best wine country. There are no obvious gaps in the major categories — steakhouse stalwarts like Cabernet and Chardonnay are covered — but don't expect much adventurousness beyond the regional California narrative. A sommelier is on staff, which elevates the experience considerably; this is a list that rewards asking questions.
We couldn't confirm exact pour counts or specific bottles by the glass, but a property at this level with a sommelier on staff almost certainly offers a rotating selection that mirrors the bottle list's regional emphasis. Expect Santa Barbara-focused pours alongside at least one Champagne option for the terrace crowd. If the by-the-glass program matches the bottle program's quality, it should be a reliable place to order without committing to a full bottle.
The Bottom Line
The Dining Room at El Encanto is a genuinely good wine experience wrapped in resort pricing — you're paying for the hillside terrace and the white-glove service as much as what's in your glass. If someone else is buying or it's a real occasion, lean into the Santa Barbara selections and let the sommelier guide you; they know this list.
· Santa Barbara · Wine Bar / Retail
The Good Land is doing something genuinely useful: bringing a focused, deep-diving Central Coast bottle shop to Santa Barbara with prices that don't punish you for being curious. If you care about SRH Pinot, Paso Syrah, or just want to understand what California wine actually looks like at the producer level, this is a worthwhile stop. Go in with an open mind and a willingness to ask questions.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
