Celebrate National Pinot Noir Day in Lompoc

If Pinot is your passion, a visit to Lompoc is a must. And if you need an excuse…did we mention that today is National Pinot Noir Day?

Lompoc winemakers are producing some of California’s best Pinots, Chardonnays, and other cool climate wines. Experts say it’s the combination of climates, east-west hill orientation, and calcium-rich soil that makes wine magic in Lompoc’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

Start sipping in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Clustered together in a modest industrial park setting, and on nearby streets, this collection of 20 or so boutique tasting rooms – most within walking distance to each other – has become a mecca for artisan wine production. Each tasting room has its own distinct charm and ambience, and often the winemakers themselves are behind the counter to pour your glass.

Next stop? Head to the Sta. Rita Hills for some wine country ambience and classic vineyard vistas. Follow the Lompoc Wine Trail signs along Highway 246 and Santa Rosa Road to discover estate wineries, each with their own story and style. Be sure to include Dierberg, Foley, Melville and Sanford on your tasting tour!

Much more than a destination for great wine, Lompoc is also home to historic La Purisima Mission State Park (founded 1787), the Lompoc Murals telling the colorful story of Lompoc’s history and heritage, challenging La Purisima Golf Course where champions play, and breathtakingly picturesque Jalama Beach. Take to the sky for an unforgettable view of Lompoc from 18,000 feet in a tandem jump with SkyDive Santa Barbara.