WINE CRITICS LOVE SANTA BARBARA WINES
We are thrilled to announce that the top wine critics just released their reviews & Top 100 lists for the most recent vintage. Several Santa Barbara County wines have been included amongst the best in the world.
WINE SPECTATOR
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Lists
#18
Diatom Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County 2024
#34
Frequency GSM
Santa Barbara County 2023
#66
Melville Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills Sandy’s Block 2023
WINE ENTHUSIAST
The Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2025
#15
Melville 2022
Donna’s Block Estate Syrah
#57
Sandhi 2023 White Buffalo Land Trust
Jalama Canyon Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir
WINE ENTHUSIAST
Cellar Selections: The Best Age-Worthy Wines of 2025
WINE ENTHUSIAST
Best Buys: The Top-Rated Wines $20 and Under for 2025
#22
Fess Parker 2023
Chardonnay
#50
Nielson 2023
Chardonnay
JAMES SUCKLING
Top 100 USA Wines
#27
Sandhi Chardonnay
Sta. Rita Hills, Romance 2023
#34
Vincent Vineyards
Syrah Los Olivos District Family Reserve Estate 2022
#49
Alma Rosa
Sta. Rita Hills 2023
#68
Star Lane Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara 2021
#74
Tatomer Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 2021
#79
Domaine De La Côte
Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2024
#94
Stolpman Syrah
Ballard Canyon Estate Grown 2024
#100
Presqu’ile Chardonnay
Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 2023
JEB DUNNUCK
2025 Top 100
#11
2022 Dragonette
Cellars Pinot Noir Black Label
#27
2023 Margerum
Wine Co. Syrah Uber
#47
2022 Jaffurs Syrah Upslope
#54
2023 Paul Lato
Pinot Noir Stand By Me Drum Canyon Vineyard
#63
2023 Melville
Pinot Noir Block M
#65
2021 Sine Qua Non
Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard
VINOUS
#10
2023 Stolpman Vineyards
Syrah Great Places Otto Reynard Stolpman
#61
2023 The Hilt Estate
Chardonnay Vanguard
WINE ENTHUSIAST BUYERS GUIDE
Rating out of 100
98
Domaine de la Côte 2023 Sous le Chéne Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
97
Lumen 2023 Warner Henry Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
97
Domaine de la Côte 2023 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
97
Domaine de la Côte 2023 Memorious Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
96
Hitching Post Wines 2021 Fiddlestix Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
97
Domaine de la Côte 2023 Bloom’s Field Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
95
Domaine de la Côte 2023 DDLC Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
95
OLG 2023 Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
94
Gainey 2023 Limited Selection Petite Sirah (Santa Ynez Valley)
94
Gainey 2023 Limited Selection Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
94
Lumen 2021 Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
94
Margerum 2024 Cinsault (Los Olivos District)
93
Hitching Post Wines 2023 Gen Red Blend (Central Coast)
93
Hitching Post Wines 2021 Big Circle Syrah (Santa Barbara County)
93
Paradise Springs 2024 Nolan Vineyard Picpoul Blanc (Alisos Canyon)
92
Lumen 2021 Presqu’ile Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
92
Hitching Post Wines 2021 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
92
Paradise Springs 2024 Margerum Vineyard Marsanne (Los Olivos District)
92
Paradise Springs 2024 Pink Ash Rosé (Santa Barbara)
92
Hitching Post Wines 2021 Perfect Set Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
91
Bien Nacido Estate 2022 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
Cristaldi & Co.
Cristaldi’s Top 100 Wines of 2025
#1
Wine of the Year — 2023 The Hilt Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir
#7
NV Dragonette XX Twentieth Anniversary Cuvée Syrah
#14
2023 Stolpman Vineyards Great Places Ruben Solorzano Syrah
#16
2023 Sandhi Domaine De La Cote Chardonnay Romance
#17
2023 JONATA El Desafio De JONATA
#20
2020 Crown Point Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
#23
2021 Piedrasassi Rim Rock Vineyard Syrah
#26
2022 Melville Estate Syrah, Donna’s Block
#31
2023 Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay
#37
SAMsARA Wine Co. John Sebastiano Vineyard Syrah
#55
Babcock Winery Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard, “Ocean’s Ghost” Pinot Noir
#65
2023 The Joy Fantastic Estate Pinot Noir
#70
2022 Dovecote Thompson Vineyard “Redtail”
#81
2023 Lincourt Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir
#89
2023 FOXEN Ernesto Wideneden Chenin Blanc Old Vines
Congratulations
to everyone who has worked so hard on these wines.