Santa Barbara.com - Wineries: Cottonwood

Cottonwood Canyon
3940 Dominion Rd.
Santa Maria, CA.
805-937 9063

Open daily from 10 am - 5:30 pm (Oct - March) and 10 am - 6:00 pm (April - Sept)
Friday Night "Wine" Down April - Sept We are open 10 am - 8 pm every Friday
Tasting Fees: $5.00 for a sampling of Reserve Wines, $7.00 for a sampling
of our Library Wines, $10.00 for a Cave Tour, Barrel Sampling and a sampling of Reserve Wines.
Prices on Wines by the Bottle: $16.00 - $70.00
All wines also available by the glass - prices vary.

Cottonwood Canyon is an interesting vineyard. They produce anywhere from 4,000 - 7,000 cases a year yet they have a large tasting room with a fabulous view - all of which you would expect from a much larger winery.

While we were there we were particularly impressed with the 96 Estate Pinot Noir from Sharon's Vineyard. It was a complex wine that had a range of flavors from smoky to cherry.

Cottonwood is unique in it has wine caves, which are underground tunnels that provide the ultimate conditions for aging wines. The naturally cool temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit and 90%+ humidity reduce wine evaporation and lower alcohol levels. Inside the caves they age their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux blends in French and American oak barrels.

Since they are open later than most of the other tasting rooms, they are a popular 'last stop' on many wine tours.

Directions:
From the 101 take the Clark Avenue Exit and turn east (a right turn). At Dominion Road turn LEFT. Proceed about 1 1/2 miles to the winery entrance on the right side of the road.