Like everyone, my travel schedule has significantly changed during 2020 — way less flying, more road trips. However, I feel fortunate to live in a place where there’s still a lot to see and do so close to home (yes, even while wearing a mask and keeping distant from others). Over the last couple of months, Nick and I have been particularly fond of taking advantage of Santa Barbara wine country, where outdoor experiences were already the norm pre-Covid-19, including wine tastings.
Cambria Winery
Recently, we paid a visit to Cambria Estate Winery, located in the Santa Maria Valley AVA. Founded in 1986, the family-owned and operated Cambria Winery is an expansive estate primarily focused on pinot noir and chardonnay from their 1,500 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards. Owned by the Jackson family, the property consists of four vineyards planted to various clones, and some of the vines even date back to the 1970s.
Vintage Trailer Tasting
For the first time ever, you can now experience Cambria Winery with an al fresco tasting from the top of a knoll overlooking the surrounding vineyards. Yes, the views are pretty great, but what really makes this tasting unique is the Vintage Trailer Bar set up outside. Only available for a couple more weeks (until November 1st), this tricked out trailer (aka The Cambria Happy Camper) features wine, sanitizer and tunes, and makes for a visit to Cambria Winery a bit more special. Beside the trailer are several picnic tables and Adirondacks situated under the shade of an oak tree, where tastings of rosé, chardonnay and pinot noir can be enjoyed alongside the spectacular vineyard views and gentle breezes.
Cambria Winery’s Vintage Trailer is open Friday through Sunday 11am – 4pm by reservation ($25 per flight). I have to say, it makes for a pretty pleasant and relaxing afternoon. However, if you want to dig a little deeper into the winery’s dedication to sustainability, you can add a self-guided Sustainability Tour to your tasting. There are six stops spread throughout a mile-long walking path on the property, using your smartphone to hear information on the winery’s sustainability efforts along the way.
You can learn more about Cambria Winery by reading my recent Q&A with Winemaker Jill Russell, now out in the latest issue of Food & Home. Cheers!
