If you’re a wine lover, chances are you’ve watched the film Sideways. The story follows Miles, grappling with the aftermath of a divorce, and his friend Jack, a groom-to-be who’s less than thrilled about his upcoming wedding. Together, they embark on a road trip—destination: Santa Barbara, California. The trip, spearheaded by Miles, a passionate fan of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, takes them through one of California’s most intriguing wine regions.
In late February of this year, winemakers from the Santa Barbara region made their way to Korea to participate in the California Wine Alive Tasting 2025, an annual wine showcase. The day after the main event, a media-exclusive tasting was held at the two-Michelin-starred JungSik Seoul, offering a closer look at the wines and terroir of Santa Barbara.
Where is Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara was named Wine Region of the Year in 2021 by Wine Enthusiast, and for good reason. Located along California’s Central Coast, south of San Francisco, the region stands apart from the more widely known Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast, which are situated up north. A major driving force behind Santa Barbara’s rise as California’s premier producer of Burgundy varieties was the late Jim Clendenen, founder of the legendary winery Au Bon Climat. A true pioneer of the region, Clendenen brought international recognition to Santa Barbara wines, particularly for his exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Since his passing in 2021, his children Knox and Isabelle have carried on his legacy at Au Bon Climat. They were among ten wineries from the region that visited Korea for this event.
Beyond Burgundy: Santa Barbara’s Bordeaux and Rhône Varieties Shine Too
While Santa Barbara is widely celebrated for its Burgundy varietals, that’s far from the whole story. At the JungSik Seoul media event, Burgundy specialists like Au Bon Climat, Brewer-Clifton, and Fess Parker certainly stood out. But equally impressive were the wines made from Bordeaux and Rhône grapes.
One standout example from the Bordeaux side was the Astral Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 by Star Lane Vineyard. Winemaker Tyler Thomas, who was visiting Korea for the first time, introduced the wine by saying, “I brought my first wine for my first visit.” The 2013 vintage was a textbook example of a well-balanced Bordeaux-style wine, exuding elegance, complexity, and beautifully integrated maturity.
On the Rhône side, LaBarge was particularly notable. Although the winemaker was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances right before the trip, their wines spoke volumes. Guests were treated to tastings of Grenache, Syrah, and Pinot Noir, with the Grenache standing out as especially noteworthy. The overall quality across the lineup was remarkably consistent, underscoring Santa Barbara’s versatility and strength across varietals.
Transverse Valleys That Channel the Pacific Breeze
Santa Barbara’s ability to produce such a wide range of wine styles can largely be attributed to its unique terroir. Unlike most of California’s wine regions, where mountain ranges typically run north to south, Santa Barbara’s ranges run east to west, opening directly to the Pacific Ocean. This geographical orientation creates transverse valleys that allow the cool ocean breeze to flow inland without obstruction. As a result, grapes grown closer to the coast avoid overripening, maintaining freshness and acidity.
The region is divided into seven sub-AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). The cooler coastal areas are ideal for Burgundy varietals such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the inland areas, where temperatures rise, are better suited to Bordeaux and Rhône varieties.
Santa Barbara Wines Meet Two-Michelin-Starred JungSik Seoul
The Santa Barbara media event took place at none other than JungSik Seoul, Seoul’s acclaimed two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Specifically, it was hosted at JungSik Space, a private event venue on the first floor of the restaurant. The tasting featured a curated selection of seven Korean canapé-style dishes, showcasing the best of JungSik Seoul’s menu. Each dish was thoughtfully paired with a Santa Barbara wine, with in-house sommelier Minjun Kim providing detailed pairing explanations to guide the guests through the experience.
When Jim Clendenen founded Au Bon Climat in 1982, Santa Barbara had barely a dozen wineries. Today, the region is home to over 300—a testament to its remarkable growth and potential. Of the ten wineries that visited Korea for this event, five are currently available in the Korean market, while the other five are not yet imported.
Santa Barbara’s signature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, often compared to those from Burgundy, offer a compelling value in terms of quality-to-price ratio. With growing global recognition and increasing interest, we hope to see more of these exceptional wines becoming available to Korean consumers in the near future.
Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Event Wineries
- Au Bon Climat
- Brewer Clifton
- Crown Point
- 디Dierberg & Star Lane
- Fess Parker
- LaBarge
- Longoria
- Margerum
- Native 9
- Presquile