If you're in the Santa Ynez Valley, Sunstone Winery has to go right to the top of your list of…read moreplaces to visit. Our visit to Sunstone was amazing. I highly recommend getting a flight to taste their wide selection of amazing wines. Our server, Isaac, was awesome. He gave us a full description of each tasting and his own personal recommendations. 10 out of 10 service! From their reds, whites and rosés you will definitely have a selection to choose your favorites. The venue itself is beautiful with their wide open setup that has plenty of seating for both small and large parties. Also, make reservations for your next visit because this is the spot to be for your next wine tasting outing!

My fiancé and I booked a stay for our anniversary and were excited to visit Sunstone Winery based…read moreon what was advertised online and on their phone system. Their website and phone recording advertised extended hours until 8:00 PM on Fridays through Sundays, along with food trucks. Since we were driving from Orange County and planned to arrive around 2:30 PM, those extended hours were a major factor in our decision to book a room that cost over $600. Before leaving, we spent the entire morning trying to reach someone to confirm the hours and food truck schedule. Despite multiple calls and voicemails, no one answered until approximately 12:30 PM. When we finally spoke with someone, we were told the winery actually closed at 5:00 PM, with last call at 4:00 PM, and there were no food trucks scheduled. At that point, we explained that we would not have booked the trip had the information been accurately advertised. We asked why it had taken so long for anyone to answer or return our calls, and the customer service manager simply said he didn't know. We requested a full refund due to the misleading information and were told we would receive a call back by 2:00 PM. That callback never came. While we were already driving, I had my fiancé check my email and discovered that our reservation had simply been canceled without any phone call, explanation, or follow-up from management. The most disappointing part wasn't just the inaccurate advertising, it was the complete lack of communication and customer service. Multiple unanswered calls, unreturned voicemails, no follow-up as promised, and ultimately canceling our reservation without speaking to us made for a very frustrating experience. We were looking forward to celebrating our anniversary at what appeared to be a beautiful winery, but unfortunately the experience before we even arrived was enough to leave a very negative impression.

We are at Gainey today doing a tasting. Rebecca, our host is fantastic! Very informative and…read morefriendly!! So sweet! The wines are always wonderful. The environment is something else all together. A woman near me was up near the vines and said "I'm in another country". I absolutely understand what she means by that one statement alone. You feel like you are in another space of time while you are here. Nothing but peace, calm, kindness and good wine!!

Had a great tasting experience sitting outside at Gainey Winery on a mellow Wednesday around noon…read more The pace was casual and perfect for us since we weren't in a rush. Ray took great care of us - he explained the wine profiles really well and was super helpful and accommodating. One cool option is that if you're in a rush or just want a single wine, they can pour you a glass instead of doing the full tasting, which I thought was a nice option. They also have food options, we loved the charcuterie board. The property itself is beautiful and scenic - one of those spots that really reminds you how great California wine country is, especially in the Santa Ynez area. Solvang is also just a quick drive from the winery. I enjoyed it so much I ended up signing up for the wine club. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.

Fantastic little wine tasting room up the street from Chumash casino. We popped in to escape the…read morelocal heat and sample their offerings. We actually had the entire room to ourself and we were surprised to see they had so many games to offer as well. Super relaxed vibe and we enjoyed all the wines. A/C was awesome too if you are hot and need a cool down. Great music. Cute patio outside with couches for cooler days too. For sure stop in and grab a sandwich at Bakers Table next door too!

This is the place to come if you like Cabernet Franc. Carr makes several every year. each one is…read moregreat!! 5 for the Cab Franc!! I feel bad giving only 2 this trip. The only reason that Carr gets 2 stars is because of the tasting room staff lady, Christina. It was not busy while we were there. One person was sitting at the counter and no one else except for my party. Christina was not friendly. She just poured our wine, told us what the varietal was, and walked away. I felt like we were interrupting her work day. Although, her work was to engage with her customer, us. If she continues like this, the Carr business isn't going to be in Santa Ynez anymore.

Loved the wine, excellent tasting experience has become my number one favorite vineyard in the…read morearea. Dianna was lovely, knowledgeable and engaging. Will be back with friends.

This was an elite wine tasting experience…read more Our host Summer greeted us in the parking lot to make sure our visit was a memorable one from beginning to end. The grounds and property are stunning. Indoor and outdoor seating options. Make sure and make reservations, preferably on a weekday for a more private experience. Summer has our wines waiting for us on the table with the most delicious charcuterie board I've ever had. It's hand picked with the best cheeses, meats, fruits, crackers, and nuts from a local shop in Solvang. All of the wines were excellent. So hard to pick a favorite. She sat with us to explain the details of each wine and also gave us time alone to enjoy them. Summer poured a couple extra glasses she thought we'd like to really give us that VIP experience. The ambiance inside is so relaxing, I didn't want to leave. The location was immaculate. I highly recommend Brave and Maiden over any other tasting I have ever been to.

Ruby took excellent care of us today. We stop by twice each…read moreyear, when we're in the area. Carthartt is a must stop. The back patio is charming, with gorgeous wooden seating and tables, several water fountains, lots of shade and plants. Inside has leather chairs and cool decor. Staff is always welcoming and knowledgeable. Tasty wines at area-comparable prices.

Carhartt Family Wines gets five stars for being the only tasting room in Los Olivos that stays open…read morepast 6:00. It was the first of five tastings we did during our weekend in town, and the wines were, admittedly, the least impressive. They went down easy, though, and we had a pleasant visit. We checked into our hotel on Friday around 5:30 and quickly realized that all the wineries on our list were closed. We asked the receptionist where we might be able to do a tasting, and she said Carhartt was our best bet. It was quite open when we walked in, almost intimidatingly so, the live music loud as we rounded the sidewalk outside the enclosed patio. Jack welcomed us into the tasting room and suggested we do a vibe check on the patio before deciding where to sit. We peeked outside and it seemed fun in a way we weren't looking for, a bit of a party atmosphere with a live band and a lot of people. We took our seats in the quieter tasting room, where we were able to enjoy the music from a distance while we drank some wine. We both did the house tasting, which came with five pours of Carhartt wines: the 2024 Top Branch, the 2022 Sin Nada, the 2022 Sangiovese, the 2022 Rebel Roan, and the 2020 Northerly. Jack also gave us a taste of the 2021 Graciano. They were all nice wines, but we particularly liked the Sin Nada, the Sangiovese, and the Graciano, and took home two bottles of each, getting one $25 tasting fee waived with each purchase of three bottles. Jack was a great host, and he told us all about the wines and winery as we went along. (He pre-empted our first question, saying that yes, they were the same Carhartts as the Carhartt clothing label, but not the same company. I guess just the classic generational wealth to winemaking pipeline.) It was a helpful introduction to both the Carhartt wines and Los Olivos, and Jack was good company. I said Carhartt was the least impressive of the wineries we visited, but it's also worth noting that it had the lowest price point. Carhartt isn't gunning for Robert Parker ratings. The wines are accessible and tasty, and I have a feeling we'll go through our bottles very fast.

Another great visit to McKinney Family Vineyards! Friendly and knowledgeable staff! We are wine…read moreclub members and we live their wines! We attended their 10th Anniversary open Houise this weekend. Lots of tastings of many of their new releases. Definitely excited to get some of them with our next shipment. It was fun meeting other club members and sharing experiences. The Open House took place on their property. Nice tour of the vineyard with Justin. Matt, the winemaker (and part of the McKinney family), made the rounds and made sure toasted time with the guests. We had pizzas baked on site in a portable brick oven! Great band performing for us. It was a bit to warm to.even consider dancing but beautiful blue sky day! Thank you for a great party!

It was a great 100% wine tasting here. Christine was great server and so so friendly. They have two…read morebeautiful friendly dogs name Star and Luna that I played with and patting. It was beautiful scene and quiet environment to enjoy wine. We were able to feed the goat as well which was another nice experience. Thank you so much and we definitely come again to spend more time in the winery.

A winery with relaxing outdoor grounds and delicious wine. Think of the perfect picnic spot nestled…read moreaway in the Santa Ynez hills. Viogner is their speciality, if you're a wine enthusiast. We enjoyed the following: Signature Flight - 5/5. $30 - A tasting consisting of 2 white and 3 red wines. Adobe Flight - 5/5. $30 - Similar to the signature flight, but focused on oak barrels rather than steel. Charcuterie Board - 5/5. $28 - Everything we dreamed of. More bread would've been great though. French Plate - 5/5. $8 - 3 savory and sweet tarts. Service was laid back and staff members were kind. We ended up signing up for their wine membership, which goes to show how much we loved this spot!

What a Hidden Gem! We recently had the pleasure of visiting Rideau Winery and it was an absolutely…read moreamazing experience from start to finish. In the heart of beautiful Solvang, the winery has picturesque grounds that are nothing short of breathtaking. The views of rolling vineyards especially during sunset provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing day out. Whether you're sipping wine inside or strolling through the grounds, the scenery alone makes this place worth a visit. Speaking of wine, the selection here is top-notch. We tried the Signature tastings and ended up leaving with 3 bottles. Every glass was a delight and Scherina was so kind and knowledgeable. The wine is clearly crafted with care, and the staff is more than happy to help you find the perfect pairing to suit your tastes. But what really took this experience to the next level was the food! The lobster roll was out of this world, fresh, flavorful, and packed with lobster that had just the right amount of seasoning. If you're in the mood for something a bit more casual, the smash burger is a must-try. It's juicy, perfectly cooked, and served with a side and a side of chips. It went well with a red blend. The live music added to the overall vibe, creating a laid-back and fun atmosphere. It felt like the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon of good wine, great food, and fantastic company. All in all, Rideau Winery is a must-visit destination for anyone who enjoys great wine, delicious food, and an unforgettable atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or just looking for a relaxing place to spend the day, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to come back!

Robert is the consummate host and his joy and knowledge are amazing. And the wines are soooo good…read more In this tasting we went through the Rosé which is 100% Grenache. Delicious! Mujer con Uvas is a wonderful blend of Pinot, Nebbiolo and Grenache, Mi Caballo is Cabernet and Grenache. Both excellent. Then it was Thrift Store Dress which is Carignan, Petit Verdot and Syrah and Joyeux Coq which is Petite Sitah and Grenache. Loved them all. Seriously. And of course all the labels are literal and amazing pieces of arts. So worth a trip to Santa Ynez. Sorry. Had to edit because I forgot to talk about the new space, which is absolutely magnificent. I loved the intimacy of the old room, but this is truly something special. There are comfortable places to sit inside, places to sit outside and a cool space in the back... and you are always surrounded by incredible art and photographs and beautiful bottles, and most importantly a welcoming positive energy. Robert makes you feel like you are in the TV show. Cheers. So... cheers!

In full disclosure, I came here to look at the art. I liked that there was something to do while…read moredrinking. The art was cool. The bottles have cool art on them. As for the wine and service, not the best. Didn't feel super welcome and comfortable. The wine was all dry and pricey.

The new empanada events are so delicious and so much fun. The wine varieties are fun and diverse…read moreand growing and improving and the tasting room is also fun. Become a member and it's fun and totally worth it. I LOVE the RUBIA

Tony is a true delight and guided us through some wonderful and delicious wines. Such a cozy place…read moreinside and outside. Standouts included: Patina - A Viognier and Grenache Blanc blend. The Perfect summer wine. Rubia - Their first chilled Red of Grenache and Mourvedre and a delightful surprise. Figure - Tony's favorite and super tasty. Tempranillo and Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon Congruence - A jam bomb of Syrah and Viognier. Yum. Definitely make your way here!

We visited this tasting room because of a good friend's recommendation. Are we ever glad we did!!…read more My wife and I enjoy wines but we've never joined a wine club -- until now! This family owned establishment is top drawer. Excellent wines! Excellent prices! Great case specials! Often the wines are already aged and ready to enjoy or gift. Herman and his son couldn't be nicer or more accommodating!

I definitely have to agree with previous Yelper that Hermann (and his cool son) offer the best of…read morethe plethora of small local vintners' wine production from this special region of the state (i.e., that Costco, Vons, Albertsons & company don't stoop down to even consider selling). Our bus tour group had these folks offer us a complimentary tasting (in the decoration store next door) of 2 whites & four reds from the region. Almost all of these had only sub-300 TOTAL case lots produced -- but were obviously crafted with love. Due to their hospitality in hosting us, I broke down immediately and took home a special "GB-Grenache Blanc" 2012 white for $24 (instead of lunch this day !) that a friend of theirs was "experimenting" to produce. These folks are also major players in the Central CA Wine club -- and can sign you up if you're REALLY into it and want to stay on top of the best of the area's annual vintages. Specifically, for your annual fee you receive the Club's picks at major discount to ensure a regular new supply arriving at the doorstep.