The exterior of Carr Winery is similar to that of its owner’s: surprising. The building has more in common with an old airplane hanger than a winery. Located in an industrial section of downtown Santa Barbara, the white domed building sits amongst auto shops, industrial warehouses, and even a brewery. However, what you find inside is unexpected and beautiful. The dim lighting of the tasting bar provides an atmosphere reminiscent of a neighborhood tavern, and in many ways it is, as it plays host regularly to live bands and parties. In the back, stacks of barrels rise dramatically towards the high curved ceilings. A large stainless steel winepress sits in the corner.
2007 Carr Pinot Noir, Turner Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
This fine Pinot Noir is produced by artisanal winemaker Ryan Carr. It embodies all the characteristics an excellent pinot should, a harmonious balance of fruit and spice resulting in lush tannins and a smooth velvety finish. Enjoy this mouth-watering wine with roasted pork loin with tomato onion chutney, wild mushroom stuffing, or French onion soup with melted gruyere.
Hidden Santa Barbara Who would guess that one of Santa Barbara’s poshest wineries hails from a WWII Quonset hut in downtown’s industrial zone? But that’s exactly where you’ll find Carr Winery and it’s ultra-chic tasting room, made to look like a wine cave. Winemaker Ryan Carr produces Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Franc, and guests can sip’em all at intimate bistro tables in a giant barrel room surrounded by corrugated iron walls. Click here to read the article www.805living.com
Vintage Carpinteria
Carpinteria has just about everything: and enviable climate, friendly people, good restaurants and a vibrant economic core. Now, Carpinteria can proudly lay claim to Paredon Vineyard, a seven-acre parcel gracefully hugging the hills overlooking Toro Canyon. Though the vineyard is visible from Highway 101. Chances are, you’ve never noticed it. In 2000, Ryan Carr, owner of Carr Winery in Santa Barbara where Paredon wine is made, was hired to plant four acres of Syrah and three acres of Grenache near the termination of Toro Canyon Park Road…
Wine Tasting at Santa Barbara’s Urban Wineries
Carr Winery opened on Salsipuedes in April 2007. At the shiny tasting room bar, handmade from oak barrels, Ryan Carr’s wife Jessica is pouring a tasty Cabernet Franc and Roxy, a big brown dog, is nosing for attention.
It was a major job getting this circa 1940s Quonset hut ready for wine production. Environmentally friendly fireproof insulatin now keeps the room at 58 degrees….
2005 Carr Pinot Noir, Clos Pepe Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
Bright ruby with magenta highlights, the wine has warm, soft, and inviting aromas of strawberry, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, clove, allspice, and tarragon. On the palate, it is lusciously round, full, and silky, with dark berry fruit, clove, vanilla, and light tar flavors, moderate alcohol, and rather soft acids that liven up towards the juicy, tarry, gently chewy finish. What I enjoyed the most about this wine was that while it was brilliantly varietally expressive, it felt like it was about a place, not about winemaking. – Catherine Fallis