Getting Funky in Santa Barbara

Has anyone been to Santa Barbara's eclectic Funk Zone yet? Well there's no time like the present.

Although my husband and I had been to Santa Barbara many times before, we discoverd this hip little area when Riverbench Winery and Cottonwood Canyon Winery, www.cottonwoodcanyon.com in Santa Maria (where we are members) both decided to open up second locations here. Lucky us.

Located between the Pacific Ocean and the 101, this busseling area has become a destination for artisan shopping, galleries, food, wine, beer and spirits. The Funk Zone is home to about 16 or so wine tasting rooms, a couple beer tasting rooms and a small craft Distillery producing top quality spirits.

Just last week, my husband and I visited the wonderful people at the rustic/industrial tasting room at Riverbench www.riverbench.com for their exceptional sparkeling wine (the Cork Jumper Blanc De Noir being our favorite) as well as their delicious pinot noirs and chardonnays. They also do a rose with hints of rose petal, strawberry and mandarin orange, my friend, Ari's personal favorite. Our second taste was at Drake Wines, www.drakewines.com they are producing some quality pinot noirs and chardonnays. A kitchy little tasting room with a wonderful 2012 Bien Nacido pinot noir not to be missed. Rumor has it, their 1st and 3rd Fri. night chicken and waffles served with a wine and boysenberry reduction will be starting back up in a couple of months. Mmm mmm. Our third taste of the day was at Carr Wineries tasting room, www.carrwinery.com Their wines are made on site and if you go at the right time of year you can watch the process. Carr produces a number of wines, pinot noirs, chards, sauv blancs, grenache and syrah to name a few. The 2011cab frank is what captured my taste buds on this visit. Order a growler and stay for a game of chess or shuffle board.

The Funk Zone has new eateries popping up all the time as well. A few you might like, The Lucky Penny, www.luckypennysb.com offering salads, pizzas and sandwiches. (we liked the lamb meetball sandwich) Located right behind Riverbench, order your food to go and bring it back to the tasting room to nibble on while you're having a delicious wine tasting. Figueroa Brewing Co. www..figmtnbrew.com Breweries allways have good food and of course good beer. Reds Bar and Tapas. www.redsbarandtapas.wordpress.com. Go on a Sunday and get the Surf and Turf Bloody Mary, a meal in a glass. The Lark. www.thelarksb.com Craft cocktails and localy grown seasonal ingredients served family style.

All of this and more is in walking distance or you can hire a pedicab to take you from place to place. Really no need  though.

Want to go car-less? Amtrack's Pacific Surfliner has 5 trains a day and will drop you off right next to the Funk Zone. Reserve 3 days in advance and get 20% off your fare through Dec. 19, 2014. www.amtrak.com

I hope this helps guide you through sips and nibbles in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone. Enjoy your visit and let me know what you think.  Cheers. #sipstripsandnibbles

#santa Barbara  #funkzone  #winetasting  #food