The Sideways GPS Wine Trail Driving Tour
Tourism
Wine
Solvang
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Mon, Aug 17 All day
Tue, Aug 18 All day
Wed, Aug 19 All day
Thu, Aug 20 All day
Fri, Aug 21 All day
Sat, Aug 22 All day
Sun, Aug 23 All day
Mon, Aug 24 All day
Tue, Aug 25 All day
Wed, Aug 26 All day
Thu, Aug 27 All day
Fri, Aug 28 All day
Sat, Aug 29 All day
Sun, Aug 30 All day
Mon, Aug 31 All day
Tue, Sep 01 All day
Wed, Sep 02 All day
Thu, Sep 03 All day
Fri, Sep 04 All day
Sat, Sep 05 All day
Sun, Sep 06 All day
Mon, Sep 07 All day
Tue, Sep 08 All day
Wed, Sep 09 All day
Thu, Sep 10 All day
Fri, Sep 11 All day
Sat, Sep 12 All day
Sun, Sep 13 All day
Mon, Sep 14 All day
Tue, Sep 15 All day
Address (map)
Alisal Rd and Juniper Drive, Solvang, CA 93463
Venue (website)
Solvang
Is California’s Santa Ynez Valley more than just beautiful scenery? It’s the bucolic wine region that was catapulted to fame after the 2004 film Sideways made it a pilgrimage site for wine enthusiasts. On this self-guided driving tour, you’ll journey through the valley’s diverse microclimates and distinctive wine trails to visit iconic movie locations that made Pinot Noir sexy and Merlot infamous.
The tour starts near the Santa Ynez River at the bridge by the River Course at Alisal – the site of the golf ball battle where Miles and Jack’s tempers flared in the film. You’ll wind through quaint towns and along scenic routes, passing Mission Santa Ynez and the Chumash Reservation before. You’ll have a chance to explore Los Olivos, with its charming Victorian storefronts and range of tasting rooms. Along the way, you’ll discover how the valley’s unique east-west orientation creates perfect conditions for a remarkable variety of wine grapes.
You’ll visit renowned vineyards including Fess Parker (which appeared as “Frass Canyon” in the movie), where Miles famously downed the spit bucket in one cringe-worthy gulp. The tour showcases both award-winning estate wineries and hidden gems, culminating at the Sideways Inn (formerly Days Inn) and the legendary Hitching Post II restaurant where Miles pined for Maya. The tour ends at Ostrich Land, another memorable film location where Jack’s adventures took a chaotic turn.
On this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:
- Learn about the “Sideways Effect” that doubled Pinot Noir sales while devastating Merlot’s popularity
- Discover the unique characteristics of five distinct wine trails including Foxen Canyon and Los Olivos Promenade
- Visit the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café where Miles declared “I am NOT drinking any f***ing Merlot!”
- Explore biodynamic and sustainable vineyards producing award-winning estate wines and understand how the Santa Ynez Valley creates perfect conditions for diverse wine varieties
- See the barrel room at Firestone Vineyard where the film’s pivotal romantic scene unfolded
- Learn which wineries earned gold and platinum medals based on quality, sustainability, and accessibility
- Discover the valley’s rich history, from Spanish missions to celebrity residents like Ronald Reagan and Michael Jackson
Whether you’re a serious wine enthusiast or a fan of the film, this tour offers the perfect blend of cinematic nostalgia and viticultural discovery through one of California’s most charming wine regions.
