Search

Search
Close this search box.

Santa Ynez Wine Country & The Landsby Hotel

Mr. H and I just returned from a weekend to the Santa Ynez Wine Country.  It was a Christmas gift from our son and daughter in law.  Thanks, Colin & Lauren. We love wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley but there has never been an overabundance of lodging choices.  Our headquarters for our stay was the charming Hotel Landsby in Solvang.  Yes, you heard me correctly…Solvang.  I can’t say that Solvang has changed a lot but I think the folks that own The Landsby are hoping to start a trend.  If you don’t live in California, chances are you have never been, or even heard of Solvang.  It was established by a group of Danes in 1911 who wanted to escape the cold midwestern winters. It has remained a Danish tourist town that attracts hoards of bikers and bicyclists in the summer months. The restaurants are very mediocre at best and the shops are primarily filled with t-shirts and trinkets.  That being said, Solvang has possibilities.  Enter the Hotel Landsby. I can’t say enough about this charming hotel.

34334825

The rooms are a stylish mix of bohemian chic and modern farmhouse with every amenity imaginable including l’occitane body and bath products. We had a king patio room that opened out onto a lovely patio area outfitted with tables, chairs, umbrellas, and fire pits that were lit every night we were there.

The hotel is dog-friendly.  Beau loved it once he got acclimated.  The town is very walkable and dog friendly as well.

The Landsby oftens plays hq to wine country weddings and events.  The tower suite (which they graciously allowed me to photograph)  boasts a two-story bath, chic living area, and a separate sleeping area.

They also have a newly renovated town suite with every amenity imaginable including a  lovely outside space.

The lobby is abuzz during Happy Hour.  The bar serves up great cocktails and a nice selection of wines with some great small bites. We stopped in both evenings we stayed at the hotel.

Note the tile on the front of the bar.  It is from Tabarka, one of my favorite tile manufacturers.  I think they do a great job updating authentic terra cotta Mediterranean revival tiles without destroying their history.

If you follow me on Instagram you saw my post on the Tabarka tile going up the stairway from the lobby. Again great use of the Tabarka tile. The tile on the top stair is the same tile I used for my kitchen backsplash. You can read more about that in my post I am Smitten Tabarka Tile, and Our Home in Tuscan Style.

The hotel restaurant Mad & Vin is fabulous. We only ate breakfast so I can’t speak for the other meals, but from what I hear they are very good as well.  Both days our breakfast was fantastic. I would definitely try dinner on our next trip.

The first night (per Colin and Lauren’s recommendation) we ate at Sy Kitchen in Santa Ynez (a five-minute drive).  The food was wonderful and the wait staff incredibly attentive. I would definitely return.  The outside seating area is very inviting.  It was too chilly the night we were there to enjoy, but I am sure it is lovely on a warm evening.

Saturday we walked around the quaint town of Los Olivos (one of our favs).  It has changed quite a lot since our last trip.  It is filled with wine tasting rooms and much more shopping than I remember.  There are several cute home decor shops and some great women’s clothing boutiques. We only checked out one tasting room in Los Olivos, Epiphany (a Fess Parker property).  The wine was okay but the tasting room was very well done with a great outdoor seating area.  A great place to stop, take a break and have a leisurely glass.

We then ventured out to Brander.  If you aren’t familiar with Brander they were doing Rose & Sauvignon Blanc when they weren’t ” de rigueur”.  They are still outstanding.  The tasting room hasn’t changed, but the wine is worth the stop.  The Pinot Blanc was our favorite but all of their Sauvignon Blancs are great as well.

Next stop  Buellton (another place you would normally never hit unless you have a craving for well known Anderson’s Pea Soup).  However, that is changing as well.  We stopped at one of our favorite Pinot spots Alma Rosa. Their new tasting room is very well done and their pinots are always great.

amros-exterior-drk

image via sbdigs.com

Next door to Alma Rosa is the AMAZING Industrial Eats.  It is not fancy and the food is served “family style”.   The place is absolutely brimming with people because the food is a gastronome’s delight.  We ordered one of their special salads and one of their wood-fired pizzas.  They were both fabulous. We met a couple from Montecito (who also have a place in Santa Ynez).  Their food looked fantastic and they are regulars, like so many there.  If you are anywhere near Buellton, skip the pea soup, and make a beeline for Industrial Eats.

We left there and hit another winery we have enjoyed in the past (just okay) it will remain nameless.  We made a quick stop at Margerum (who has a fabulous tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara) and now has a small tasting room at their working facility.  We love Margerum so it is always worth a stop.

Night two dinner at the Bear and Star, the new restaurant at the Fess Parker in Los Olivos.  Our dinner was quite good.  The place was bustling with locals and tourists. The entire inn has been refurbished and it has such a great location it would definitely be worth a revisit.

After dinner, we headed back to the lovely Landsby for a nightcap.  Beau enjoyed a bone in the lobby while we enjoyed our wine.

 


 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    I think I need to take a wine tasting trip…what a gorgeous hotel! Love the decor and the fact that it is dog-friendly. The pictures of Beau are adorable! Thanks so much for sharing at this month’s Take Me Away Party! Enjoy your weekend, Cindy!
    Shelley

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Shelly! I enjoyed it I hope to get around to visit the others this weekend!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Carla

      You would love the design aesthetic and layed back vibe. If you haven’t been to Santa Ynez put it on your bucket list!!

  2. LA CONTESSA says

    FESS PARKER was DANIEL BOONE on TV?
    What an escape……….cant BELIEVE those people have a house in MONTECITO and SAN YNEZ!
    I guess they are about 40 minutes apart……………
    How lucky they could BOOGIE up the 101.
    Lovely to get away………………..HOW NICE OF THE KIDS!GREAT GIFT!
    THAN AGAIN they have LOVELY PARENTS!!!!!!!
    Love that you took BEAU with YOU!
    XX

  3. Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com says

    Hi Cindy, what terrific kids you have to gift you such a wonderful trip. As a SoCal native I grew up going to Solvang more times than I can count. We always stopped for Danish Ebelskivers (Danish Apple Pancakes) and it was such a treat. I had no idea how wine country in that region has evolved into such a nice destination. It’s also great to know about the Landsby Hotel which looks terrific.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Check it your on one of your trips Celia. I think you would enjoy it. Solvang is still Solvang but the area is great!!

  4. Laurie says

    Hi Cindy,

    Love your blog and get a smile every time I see it in my inbox. We live in Santa Barbara and often dine in Santa Ynez at the Brother’s Red Barn. Amazing food and atmosphere. Also Santa Ynez Kitchen has a wonderful fresh pea salad as well as a delish beet salad. Highly recommend for your next trip. Also Buttonwood winery is a nice treat as well. Thanks or sharing the Lansby.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Laurie!

      Thank you so much for your kind comments. We have enjoyed the Brothers Red Barn on previous trips as well. We will have to try Santa Ynez Kitchen on our next trip. I love fresh peas and I have never met a beet salad I didn’t like! We must check out Buttonwood…thanks for all the recommendations!

  5. Sandra Sallin-Apart From My Art says

    Thank you for this review. We’re always looking for a place to stay when we drive up north. I’m surprised that this is in Solvang. A nice antidote to the sweetness of Solvang. We will certainly give it a try. Looks stunning. I’m not much of a wine tasting person. Am I the only one? I get too sleepy. But I love the idea of trying new restaurants.
    This was a very enjoyable post.

  6. Karen B. says

    Cindy,
    We’ve been wanting to take a trip up to Santa Ynez and tour the area, it’s been years since we last visited. I will be keeping your post as a list of places I’d like to enjoy on our trip.
    Our youngest went to UCSB and we’ve always love the area.
    Thanks for this!
    xo,
    Karen

Edit Content
Click on the Edit Content button to edit/add the content.
• powered by chloédigital