The Dining Room at El Encanto

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.