Honeymoon Along the California Coast

A touch of adventure through sultry stimulation of the palate adds to romance a multi-sensory experience that will leave you yearning for more—and more can be found through California’s great wine regions throughout the state. While Napa Valley and Sonoma receives the bulk of international wine attention, vineyards and wineries throughout California offer delicious experiences without the inflated prices or crowds of people. As your honeymoon looms on the horizon, let your inner wine enthusiast take over on a tour of California’s greatest wineries. Tantalize your senses and celebrate your recent union by way of a coastal winery road trip guaranteed to spark passion, inspiration and the beginnings of a stellar wine collection. 

A mixture of tasting rooms and vineyards from urban, and even grandiose, each winery has its own personality, story and special touches. Research and planning can be a part of the fun, but it can also be helpful to have a few main stops pinned for general direction. Start your romantic winery road trip off relaxed with the easy three-and-a-half hour drive to Santa Barbara, where the adventure really begins.

Located in downtown Santa Barbara on the same strip as exciting restaurants, bars and shops, Carr Winery provides a warm and intriguing welcome with its rounded ceiling of dark wooden planks matching the barrels—both wooden and steel—that fill the room. Originally from our beloved Southern California, owner and winemaker Ryan Carr established this winery in 1999 and only produces from local vineyards in Santa Barbara County, so be prepared to make mental note of the local flavors for future wine selection. With stellar Pinot Noir reserves dating back to 2002, Carr Winery’s complex reds offer hints of cherries and silky smooth finishes.

The Paso Robles region is a couple hours further north and is an up-and-coming jewel of the California wine scene. With unique blends and intriguing flavors, Cypher Winery in Paso Robles has the authentic feeling of the farming community background the region is known for through its rustic decor. The winery is located in a building that externally resembles a repurposed barn; inside, the white walls work as a backdrop for an engaging selection of local art on display for a hint of country sophistication. In addition to a tasting room, Cypher Winery offers tapas and pizzas baked fresh in its Gaeta-style pizza oven.

A few minutes further into Paso Robles is LXV Winery—the highest rated winery in the area. LXV boasts a quaint tasting room in the downtown area of Paso Robles that offers a rich pop of color with its interior of royal blue walls, brightly colored day beds and dramatically brilliant decor that showcase the heritage and style of owner, Neeta Mittal. The winery also offers a deliciously exotic array of spices served over cheese to pair with a sexy wine selection that has been labeled through inspiration of the 64 arts of Kama Sutra. With sensuality at the forefront of blend, it’s easy to get lost in the eyes of your lover... and the sheets of your unique honeymoon bed. 

Monterey, located a couple hours north of Paso Robles, is a beautiful coastal town with a delightful main strip, Cannery Row, that offers restaurants, bars, shops and, most importantly, Carmel Ridge Winery. This winery offers a fresh and sunshine- filled tasting room with a relaxed atmosphere. The tasting room overlooks the ocean, giving couples a perfect view of the vibrant sunset in the evening. What sets Carmel Ridge Winery apart is its unique food menu; the winery provides a limited number of dishes prepared with its wines. Its six-acre Hidden Hills vineyard is home to an award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—perfect for a quiet evening of tasting wines by the sea.

The most elegant and grandiose of the wineries situated along our coastal wine road trip is Testarossa Winery in the Los Gatos Mountains. This company is not only the fourth oldest continuously operating winery in California, but it’s also a beautiful venue for those without a budget who love elegance. Originally built by Jesuit brothers in 1888, the Testarossa family bought the property in the 1990s after the priests stopped making wine. Known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Testarrossa also offers small plates, cheese and charcuterie to nibble on throughout the day.

Unexpected in this region and quick to bring back a hint of home, MJA Vineyards in Santa Cruz provides a Hawaiian vibe. Kona coffee is roasted on property, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace rests in the corner of the tasting room. Owner John Artukovich is originally from Croatia; descending from a long line of winemakers, Artukovich has experience and devotion for all things wine-related at this fun and friendly location. But what makes MJA so unique is its selection of Napa Cabernets, with grapes grown at Howell Mountain, St. Helena and Napa vineyards. Offering delicious Napa Cabernets at Santa Cruz prices, MJA Vineyards is the perfect way for any young couple to start their wine collection.

From Santa Cruz, the wine regions of Sonoma and Napa Valley are just a hop and a skip away. While these counties offer a beautiful final destination for your winery road trip, there’s no hurry to arrive quickly. Enjoy your leisurely drive up the coast and sample all of the wines California has to offer with your new husband or wife. Get lost in the charm of it all, but don’t forget to take pictures—this romantic honeymoon will be one for the books. 

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