chess winery Archives - Wine Country Getaways

The giant chess set at Zaca Mesa on Foxen Canyon Road

Play chess at Zaca Mesa on Foxen Canyon Road

As far as I know, Zaca Mesa is the only winery that has a giant size chess set available for guests. Yes, we all know about the wine country travelers who love a game of Bocce, but how about chess? The Zaca Mesa winery is located in the beautiful Santa Barbara wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley. It is on the Foxen Canyon Wine Route. Zaca Mesa was founded in 1973, one of the first wineries in Santa Barbara County. The winery practices sustainable farming and produces several varietals of wine. The focus however is on Rhone-style wines. They are one of the few wineries in California that produce a 100% Rousanne wine. Rousanne is Rhone white wine grape that is usually part of a blend. This wine is fantastic. What a nice way to play chess at Zaca Mesa, sipping a chilled glass of Rousanne while you watch your opponent manuever the giant board. Pick up your lunch in the nearby wine town of Los Olivos and then head to Foxen Canyon Road. There are several other wineries along the way to visit, but none with a giant chess set on the premises.