The year 2004 was a defining one for Santa Barbara wine country.
That’s when the movie “Sideways” was released, putting the region on the map, thanks to a persnickety pinot lover — and legendary merlot hater — named Miles. And it’s also when the Chumash Casino transformed into a resort, with the opening of its 106-room hotel.
Both are still building on that success. Today, the area’s wineries still proudly tout “As Seen in ‘Sideways’ ” signs and draw legions of visitors to the charming restaurant, boutique and tasting room-filled towns of Buellton, Los Olivos, Solvang and Santa Ynez.
And Chumash Casino Resort’s recently completed $100-million-plus expansion has made it a big-time destination, with a 240,000-square-foot casino complex, complete with a modern 12-story hotel tower and sporting 320 rooms and 55 suites.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a trip up north.
Where: Approximately 250 miles from San Diego, Chumash Casino Resort is located on East Highway 246, the main thoroughfare running through wine country, and is just west of State Route 154, which connects directly to Santa Barbara.
Casino: With its expansion, Chumash (pronounced shoe-mosh) is one of the biggest in California. The glitzy gaming floor is 115,000 square feet and has 2,300 slot machines, 48 table games and an exclusive high-area with a private cashier. The all-new, swanky 12-table poker room features such amenities as dedicated TVs and phone charging stations right at the table. Bingo is played at the smoke-free Samala Showroom, which seats 700.
Hotel: The AAA Four-Diamond hotel has a gleaming, new 135-foot tower boasting expansive views of the Santa Ynez Valley. Well-appointed, contemporary-designed rooms all have luxe perks like locally roasted coffee, plush robes and turn-down service. Rooms and suites come with or without balconies and the over-sized balcony on the 1,400-square-foot Chairman’s Suite overlooks the pool. The suite also has a full kitchen, a dining room, living area with fireplace, a bar, two 65-inch HDTVs and walk-in shower with body jets and Bluetooth speakers.
Dining: This full-service resort has nine dining options, including Willows, an elegant steak and seafood restaurant specializing in wine country cuisine. Willows was remodeled in 2015. Among its other eateries are the wide-ranging Creekside Buffet, a cafe serving breakfast lunch and dinner, a food court featuring barbecue, street tacos, Asian food and a deli, and The Sweet Stop, open for coffee, desserts and salads 24/7.
Amenities: Chumash’s lavish 15,000-square-foot pool area, atop the original five-story hotel, has eight private cabanas, a splash deck, multiple jacuzzis, fire pits, a full bar and patio dining. The luxury spa, which just reopened after a complete renovation, has nine treatment rooms and menu of services that uses native botanicals and traditional rejuvenation practices central the Chumash Indian culture. Headliners perform at the casino’s 1,400-seat entertainment venue.
Wine country connection: In addition to the casino property, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians also owns the upscale, boutique Hotel Corque and the Hadsten House Inn in nearby Solvang, the kitschy-cute Danish-themed town that’s rapidly developing into a trendy haven for wine and food lovers. Hotel guests can take a complimentary shuttle to the casino. And since 2010, the band has also owned Kitá, a winery in the Santa Ynez Valley that produces a full lineup of small-batch whites and reds. Kitá wines are among the choices at the casino’s wine-centric Willows restaurant and at Root 246, the signature restaurant at Hotel Corque.
Details: 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. (805) 686-0855 or chumashcasino.com.
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