A satellite tasting room for beloved Lompoc-area winery Pali Wine Co. is the newest addition to Santa Barbara's Funk Zone - a small collection of blocks near the beach known to host a thriving arts and culture scene. Pali's recently opened tasting room is all windows and high ceilings, a great place to soak in the Santa Barbara atmosphere while trying some delicious and affordable wines.

Visit the new Pali Wine Co. tasting room in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone - walking distance to downtown and the beach. — Photo courtesy of Geneva Ives

Pali Wine Co. was created in 2005 by two friends, Tim Perr and Scott Knight, who combined forces to found a winery dedicated to their preferred varietal, Pinot Noir. Their appellation Cuvée Program wines explore the flavor profiles of Pinot grapes grown in an array of geographical locations. Pali also produces Chardonnays and select other varietals or blends in small batches. Each wine is named for an area in the winemakers' hometown of Pacific Palisades.

Their ultimate goal is to craft delicious wines that reflect the best characteristics of both their regions and varietals while remaining affordable for the enthusiastic quaffer. The tasting room usually offers two different tasting menus at two different price points, one affordable and the other super-affordable, so each patron can pick his or her own poison. This is the place to go if your ideal Santa Barbara souvenir consists of multiple bottles of Pinot Noir.

The Pali Wine Co. tasting room is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM. It is just a short walk from the beach and mere steps from the Amtrak Station - great news for out-of-towners who want to sample some of the Central Coast's best wine without worrying about the drive. 

Pali Wine Co. specializes in Pinot Noir, but they produce small batches of other varietals as well. — Photo courtesy of Pali Wine Co.