Paradise Springs Winery - Santa Barbara

Paradise Springs Winery in Santa Barbara, California, brings wines from its Santa Barbara and Virginia wineries together in one downtown tasting room. That two-coast range is the reason to put it on a Funk Zone tasting itinerary: California wines share the spotlight with Virginia bottles, giving the stop a focus beyond the local region. At 210 State Street, a few blocks from the ocean, this is a city tasting-room visit rather than a drive into vineyard country.

The tasting room opens daily from noon until 9 p.m., making it an option for an evening tasting as well as an afternoon stop. Standard tastings and flights operate first come, first served; reservations are available only to wine club members or large groups with an event agreement. Parties of nine or more need that agreement. For a smaller, appointment-based experience, the Private Cellar accommodates one to six guests for a wine tasting with cheese pairings. The distinction is useful: a casual stop needs no reservation, while the cellar experience takes advance planning.