Sideways Movie Wine Trail: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

California’s Santa Ynez Valley, made famous by the film Sideways (2004), is a scenic wine region and film pilgrimage site. On this 90-minute self-guided driving tour, explore iconic movie locations, award-winning vineyards, and charming towns. Highlights include: • Learn about the “Sideways Effect” on Pinot Noir and Merlot • Discover five distinct wine trails, including Foxen Canyon and Los Olivos Promenade • Visit Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café and the Firestone Vineyard barrel room • Explore biodynamic, sustainable wineries producing estate wines • See which wineries earned gold and platinum medals for quality and accessibility • Discover rich local history, from Spanish missions to celebrity residents A perfect mix of cinematic nostalgia and wine-country discovery.

From: $0.00

Location: Santa Barbara

What's Included

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Are there any age restrictions for this self-guided tour?

A: No age restrictions here! This is a self-guided driving tour, so anyone can join in on the fun. Just remember that the wine tasting parts are for those 21 and over. It's a great mix for families too, just make sure your designated driver is sober. Have fun exploring the Santa Ynez Valley!

Q: How long does the tour actually take? Can we take our time?

A: The beauty of this tour is that you can go at your own pace! The driving itself takes about 90 minutes, but you can spend as much time as you want at each stop. It’s super flexible, so you can make it a full day trip if you want. Just check the winery hours beforehand so you don’t miss out!

Q: What should we wear for this tour? Is it outdoors a lot?

A: Dress comfortably! The tour is mostly in your car, but you will be getting out at various wineries. I’d recommend layering since it can get warm during the day and cooler in the evening. Comfortable shoes are a must, especially if you plan to walk around the vineyards. Plus, don’t forget your sunblock!

Discussions

Just did the Sideways Wine Tour! What a blast!

I went on the Sideways Movie Wine Trail last weekend and it was such a fun experience! The audio guide was super informative, and we got to see so many cool spots from the film. Stopping at Firestone Vineyard was definitely a highlight. We spent about 5 hours total, including lunch at the café in Los Olivos. Perfect day out! Highly recommend it for anyone who loves wine and movies!

Thinking of gifting the Sideways Wine Tour—thoughts?

I wanna give this wine trail tour to my parents for their anniversary! They love the movie Sideways and enjoy wine tasting. Is this more fun as a couple’s experience or can a group make it more exciting? I’d love some advice on making it a memorable day for them!