For many years, the California coastal community of Lompoc was known primarily for being the flower seed capital of the United States.
Now, it’s also known for its abundance of wine-tasting rooms. And these rooms are not out in the country, surrounded by grapevines; they’re bunched in an area of the town that has been christened the “Lompoc Wine Ghetto.”
In a stretch of just a few square blocks — bordered by East Chestnut Avenue on the south, East Laurel Avenue on the north, 7th Street on the west and 12th Street on the west — one can walk to 19 different tasting rooms, most specializing in bottlings made from grapes grown within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
It’s a cool growing area, which means you can expect lots of Pinot Noir and lots of Chardonnay.
Be aware that there’s no “passport system” in place, and tasting fees vary from room to room.
And what the area may lack in ambience, it more than makes up in convenience.
You can get more information on the Lompoc Wine Ghetto and view a map of the tasting rooms by clicking here.
