This is a casual and cool winery. I have visited it numerous times over the years. It isn't a sit down and get comfy tasting room. It's standing room only. The exterior looks like a wine barrel. It has a lot of rustic charm. read more

We came by this past Sunday a little after 4 pm without a reservation. This place is open until 5 pm compared to most others closing at 4 pm. This place has a modest tasting room but plenty of outdoor only seating. Unfortunately, it was cold outside. I wish they had indoor seating. The grounds are open with plenty of tables, a BBQ, and lols of grassy area. The bathroom is around back from the tasting room. Quite a trek to the bathroom. Staff was friendly and informative.. read more

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We always love coming there. Yes it's "out" there. But the gardens are beautiful & such a relaxed atmosphere. The wines are good too. Lovely people running the shop too. Thank you read more

What a beautiful ranch and winery! I wanted to hang out here all day. Alas... they have a time limit so plan accordingly to not dilly dally too much... I mean... it's like 90 minutes so it's not like they rush you. But seriously... I could spend hours here reveling in the beauty of the wines and absolute serenity of the place. The ranch is over 30,000 acres and is still a working cattle ranch! Only about 1% of the ranch is used for the vineyards. When you turn off the main road onto their road, drive slow... and don't get too caught up in how beautiful everything is because you might run into another car. I'm not saying we did or did not, but it might have been close. The road is kinda narrow... it's not Hawaii one lane narrow.... but I'd say it would fit 2 Mini Coopers side-by-side fine. Just.... drive slower and be courteous to one another. The tasting room is about 2 miles from the main road. The tasting room offers several things... Tasting flight Wines by the glass Wines by the bottle Snacks including some sinful looking chocolates Souvenirs You do have to make a reservation. It's super easy, don't fret. Their on-line appointment system is user friendly. You do have to pre-pay for a tasting, but then they put your tasting fee towards your wine purchase. They have all kinds of wine.... whites and reds. We particularly liked their Chardonnay and Meritage! I like their Chard because it was fresh, crisp with a hint of creaminess.... and not the stereotypical California-oaky-buttery kind. And their Meritage just sings! I think I heard birds and angels. ha! It's not a heavy - tannic - tobacco - earthy red. It's also not a mellow one either. So throw that notion out. It's a balanced... some tannins, some acidity, some fruit notes and some earthy notes, medium to bold flavors.... All-in-All.... it's a very easy drinking red blend. I think it can easily be enjoyed on its own or with food. It's versatile, but I wouldn't waste it on taco night. I'd totally hold this to enjoy this with a nice steak or when we have some friends over to sit and visit. Oh... and they allow you to bring your own snacks. So, pack a picnic and enjoy a lovely afternoon at their winery! That's what we are going to do the next time we visit. read more

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Beautiful serene place with friendly staff. Luv the ambience n great service. Luv tgecfact tgat wines are all red n have quaint selection of appetizers. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

It is one of the oldest wineries in the San Maria Valley and has a variety of excellent varietals. There is a beautiful picnic area and occasional live music. The grounds are lovely and well manicured with many fruit trees and walnuts amongst the vineyard read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

We have been meaning to try Rancho Sisquoc Winery for some time now and we are glad we did! Rebecca was our host and she was great! She provided history of the estate and was able to answer our questions about their wines. We enjoyed the Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet. We definitely enjoyed the vibe of the winery, the wine, and were sold on the many upcoming events they are having in 2023 that we became members. We are looking forward to our next visit! read more

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We visited before Covid but a friend of mine pulled out a fresh bottle of Rancho Sisquoc's Cab Franc during his daughters birthday this past weekend. It was just as delicious as I remembered. The velvety body encompasses the tongue with luscious blackberry and strawberry notes. This year's was slightly lighter than when we went (for what I can remember) but it was still a head above everything else on the table. I was hesistant to write a review because I don't want too many people finding out about this gem, but they deserve all the praise they get. Totally worth the excursion. It might seem like you're going in the wrong direction for a bit as the road seems to turn into an almost mountain dirt-style, but it's there. There's even an adorable black and white floof (cat) that meets you at the picnic tables. Mellvile, Lincourt and Babcock eat your heart out. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - The Hidden Gem - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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Bad management. Poor service. Went to get a drink and they took so long. Tried to get someone's attention and couldn't.

So glad to have discovered this winery! Four of us came here Friday afternoon and we almost had the entire place all to ourselves Our 1:30 appointment started promptly with the first tasting in the tasting room, and the rest was brought out to the picnic table we sat down. All were tasty and reasonably priced. The spacious ground was very nicely kept and bathrooms were really clean. We really appreciated how the young man took very good care of us. We learned that it is their 50th Anniversary this year and we were treated to take the commemorative glass home with us It was our very first wine tasting in Santa Maria and we were very impressed. We shall come back here and explore more in the area! read more

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This is a lovely winery down the Foxen Wine Trail. The property is beautiful, you'll sometimes see some animals roaming around, which is awesome to see. The staff here is great; they're helpful, nice and layback. I highly recommend this place if you want some killer wines and want to getaway from the stuffy wineries. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wine tasting - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

My husband and I have been coming to Rancho Sisquoc for 18 years, and it never disappoints! Most recently, we enjoyed our tasting experience with Craig and Christy. Craig and Christy are extremely knowledgable about the wine, and shared some fun history about the property. The flight was enjoyable, and the tasting was in no way rushed. We pre-packed a picnic which was enhanced by the newly bottled rosé. Thank you Craig and Christy for making our visit special! read more

Great wine, especially if you're into reds... For a great price point! Staff were great and friendly. They let us do a splash of a few and it was definitely hard to choose. We got a bottle and the stemless wine glasses were complimentary. Great atmosphere since the seating was spread out. Essentially, nice and quiant. The wine was so good, our friend who lives in SM is even strongly considering a wine membership. However, beyond our personal experience, we were a little bothered by how one of the employees, probably the manager, dealt with their guests. This couple had bought a bottle, as well as some outside charcuterie based snacks. (Honestly, we were going to do the same because the pricing on their 805 charcuterie was a little much). Nonetheless, she gave the couple an ultimatum...you can stay and finish your bottle if you pack up your food OR you can leave. I get that she didn't just kick them out, however, they already bought a bottle, so is it that big of a deal to give them a fair warning this time around? They essentially left. Although, there was another group of older folks that brought in their own sandwiches. We had left by then, but I am curious if the same happened to them. Besides witnessing that interesting interaction, I highly recommend this winery! They're also dog friendly... Just don't risk bringing outside food. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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We had an amazing time here! Took a scenic route but once we found it-was awesome!!! Came across a bottle at Zenas in Orange, CA and ended up making a trip up to the winery that same weekend!! read more

Sylvander was Good like the other reviewers said. Think it is a perfect pair in hot summer. Slightly sweet but less than riesling yet hint of sparkle. Crispy and delightful flavor. Great finding!!! The staffs are super friendly and have kept very pleasant company in pouring wines. Left with 3 bottles of sylvander and 1 bottle of red read more

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I've been purchasing Rancho Sisquoc Syrah since 2016, and it continues to be my favorite across all the vineyards from whom I acquire wine. The Syrah is not only drinkable, but it's entirely satisfactory with OR WITHOUT food. From my perspective, that's a rare compliment. It's silky, smooth, and has a very nice nose to go with the great affect on my palate. Moreover, I've found that working with Rebecca Curtis, their Food and Hospitality Manager, is a distinct pleasure. She's always cheerful and responsive, even to folks like me who live outside California. Kudos to Rancho Sisquoc! If you enjoy a superlative Syrah, you should indeed consider purchasing a case or two. I average buying 8 cases a year myself... and I'm somewhat of a tough customer. Best regards, Jon read more

Had the opportunity to visit Rancho Sisquoc Winery this past weekend, My Sister and Brother-In-Law stopped in to pick up their wine club order. while we were there we could not leave without a tasting, hands down a great environment, friendly staff, above average wine at a good price. Customer Service and Wine Knowledge of our server was great. I would definitely stop in again and I will becoming a wine club member myself. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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Service is fast and the scenery is so peaceful and relaxing. Autumn leaves are turning brilliant red , green, yellow, and brown The best white wine is Sylvaner year 2022 which I tried and it's delicious. Thank You Rancho Sisquoc Winery. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Grapevine arbor overlooking the picnic grounds. - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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It takes a little while to get to this beautiful winery, pretty off the beaten path, but it's worth it. My husband and I were in the area and wanted to try a new winery that didn't require a reservation. Sometimes you just want to be spontaneous, right? It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon and we were greeted warmly and were able to sit outside in their gorgeous space, and both of us enjoyed a tasting. I work in a winery tasting room in Ventura County, and I recognize the value of showing guests you appreciate that they chose to visit and to share the history and stories behind your wines with genuine enthusiasm. Our server, Jody, did that and truly made us feel welcome, and was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and accommodating. She even allowed generous industry discounts which we very much appreciated. Nice people, good wines, beautiful facility and the flexibility to accommodate visitors without reservations when possible. Good job, Rancho Sisquoc! We'll be back. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery is a bit off of the beaten path. Be prepared for a long drive through the vineyards to the tasting room. The tasting room is not large, but it is a friendly and largely local crowd enjoying the space. In addition, there are picnic areas outside where you can enjoy a bottle of wine with some food. The tasting fee is $10 per person, which includes your choice of 6 wines and a logo wine glass. For every 6 bottles you purchase, the tasting fee is comped. With two people, if you are willing to split a tasting, you should be able to try the whole menu. The wines are relatively reasonable - largely between in the $20 to $25 range. The wines feel pretty typical of the Santa Ynez Valley. Interestingly, all of the grapes are raised on this property, so the grapes that fair better in warmer climates do better. The staff is friendly. Although they are not very inclined to share a lot of information about the wines without being prompted. I like to go wine tasting to be educated and did not get that here. Our family had a great time. We brought some desserts to sample with our tasting and ended up leaving with 6 bottles. I'm a fan and would return. Beautiful property with reasonable priced and pretty good wines. read more

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I visited on 7/22 and my time there was amazing! Craig was wonderful! He poured some amazing wines and was so nice. He was kind enough to give me the industry discount as I work for Total Wine. And also give us 30% off our purchases. I plan to definitely visit again! read more

Hidden gem, don't feel like sharing, but here we are... Had the place to ourselves. Friendly cats, beautiful scenery, and good wine and service to boot. Will be returning ! read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Entrance - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

We took my in-laws wine tasting this past weekend and sought out Rancho Sisquoc because they had rieslings on their tasting menu (a request from my MIL). The drive out to the tasting barn was scenic and a bit rural, but enjoyable. The tasting barn was beautifully set at the base of a hill and they used the rolling landscape to position different areas to sit, picnic, and enjoy the wine. While we really enjoyed all of the wines we sampled (rare), the 2016 Sylvaner was the clear favorite of our group. They also have a variety of crackers, meats, and cheeses available for purchase (the later in a fridge on the right side of the tasting room). If you have a designated driver on your trip, they also sell select non-alcoholic drinks in the refrigerator as well, which is way better than the typical water. Unlike some other tasting rooms, RSW uses the same glass for each tasting flight which can be more difficult if you are sharing a tasting flight. However, the price is so reasonable ($10 for 6 wines at the time of posting) that it doesn't matter. Plus, you get to take home your logoed stemless wine glass after you finish your flight. read more

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Friendly staff and beautiful picnic area. We each did a tasting of six red wines. Tastings are $20 for six, and if you buy six bottles they will comp you one tasting. Nice experience but not our favorite wines from the region. Also- watch your stuff. The ranch dog peed on our baby stroller directly in front of us. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - 6 tastings- all red $20/ per person - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

6 tastings for $10 and you keep your stem less wine glass! Dorothy we aren't in Kansas anymore. I mean, seriously! I don't know why this shocks me but it's surely what this region has on Napa. Sure, depending on your taste though if it's anything like mine I don't care for anything out this way other than Zaca Mesa really, but nonetheless, 6 tastings for $10 and you keep your stem less wine glass! We started at Rancho Sisquoc Sunday morning, as a matter of fact we were their first visiors of the day. Wait, did I mention - YOU chose the 6 wines you taste??? Yep, you chose which 6 from their list, and I'm pretty sure I even had a 7th. I chose all reds, my boyfriend had a mix split pretty much done the middle selecting almost everything on the menu that I had not. Our taste are pretty different sometimes. We had a lovely time here, service was great which I had no pre notion to not expect but based on others reviews and even our friends who visited later in the day not so much. After tasting we wandered around outback for a short while, hit the restroom and even met two really nice gentleman who asked us if we wanted the remainder of their untouched cheese and cracker purchase they weren't going to finish. Friendly locals! We were also told there are tarantulas outside which made this visit that much more exciting, I was on the hunt to meet a furry fellow outback but I think it was still much too cool out for us to spot any. Based on our experience here, I'd recommend the place. I won't say you'll be blown away by the wine - I wasn't but again, I don't care for much for anything in this area. The two I enjoyed most from what I tasted were their 2012 Pinot and RiverRed. I do like that they open at 10A where most others open at 11A, makes it easy to start here and work your way back. read more

This is a hidden gem! Love their wine and their property! Strongly recommend that you bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds.

The GF and I did a nice little trip up to Morro Bay, Paso Robles, SLO, Santa Barbara... We hit up a couple wineries... My friend LT B2 highly recommended that I go here via a text message. We drove to Sisquoc and there was nothing there. Then my GF helped navigate and we headed to the place, I was actually on the brink of turning back because it got so sparse and remote.... And the joint is off the beat and path... I am so glad that we didn't bail... Found it eventually and what a great spot. Bomb a** wine here. We bought only 4 bottles, I wish I bought a few cases because I can't find the stuff anywhere... I got a couple bottles of the the Table Red (their most popular) and a bottle of the Cellar Select Meritage (38 bones for the bottle, still unopened)... And the wine tastes even better afterwards.. (from the Table wine that I opened/had) when you drink a full glass/bottle... because we were doing just the samples... The couple bottles of Table Red that I slurped down were smooth as a baby's behind. I CAN'T WAIT to drink the Meritage! I am saving it for a special occasion. I also really like they way they package / bottle their wine here. All the labels, colors are the same, they just change the name and type of wine. No frills. Nothing special. They just make excellent wine and they don't need to sugarcoat it with anything fancy. Outstanding, excellent, top notch! read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

This winery is way off the beaten path, about 40 mins from Buellton. It's a beautiful drive though and there are many wineries on the Foxen trail you can hit up along the way. It's worth the trek, the property is relaxed and quite beautiful, with cats and wild turkeys. The wines are really good and at a great price point. You can have a picnic or do a tasting, it's a lovely spot to hang out. Very chill, highly recommend! read more

This was my first winery visit on our trip to the Santa Barbara area. We took a scenic drive from Buellton and it felt like we were on a wild goose chase to find this place with lots of winding roads through the hills, fortunately there is signage to assure us we were going the right direction. Then out of nowhere a church on the hill appeared and I almost missed it (as navigator) but that corner led us to the winery tasting room. There is no cell coverage. We had a nice gal walk us through our tasting. We chose 6, and shared a tasting, with a Rancho Sisquoc stemless glass to take with us. At the end after we had mentioned wanting to try the cab, we switched our last one to there Cellar Select Meritage given the higher points with Wine Enthusiast. She ended up pouring the cab for us anyway, which was actually quite delicious and I liked better than the Meritage, go figure. Everyone is so friendly with recommendations of other wineries and we made connections with another couple standing at the bar. Rancho has lovely grounds which I imagine are lush during the growing season. Had we not been on a mission to hit up more wineries I would have entertained a glass of wine on the patio on an 80 degree day In January! read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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My favorite winery in the santa ynez valley. Secluded, quiet and lovely scenery. Charming. Friendly staff. Fantastic covered picnic area. Trellis with green leafy plants. Modestly priced wine. I have been to quite a few wineries in the SYV and I continue to return to Rancho sisquoc. read more

Nice service. Annoying cat outside. Wanted us out quickly. But beautiful grounds. Ad saw deer on the way out!

Really loved this winery and will 100% be back next time we come and visit! I want to start off with talking about how great the service is here. Brooke assisted in our wine tasting and she was so personable and fun to talk to. We really enjoyed her and she made us feel like we were life long friends and not just customers. She was also knowledgeable and did a wonderful job explaining all of the wines to us. The tasting was one of my favorite and I felt that the wines really did stand out amongst the others in the region. I usually don't gravitate towards Merlot but I did here! I even took home a bottle. I also liked that we were able to keep the glass once the tasting was complete. If you are looking for a relaxing and rustic view, this is definitely the place for you! We drove out to the ranch at about 11am and it was so peaceful. The cows were roaming, the cats were napping on property and there was even a sweet dog that greeted us. I highly recommend this winery! read more

Thank you Rancho Sisquoc for helping us girls celebrate our friend's 70th birthday! You were accommodating and easy to work with. We had a wonderful time on your beautiful grounds. We will definitely return! read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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After all the great things people had told me about this winery, I wanted to love it. The setting is beautiful and the wine was decent. The disappointment was the service. We talked to a server when we checked in and talked to a server when we checked out. No one checked on us, asked if we had any questions about the wines or offered to see if we would like to revisit any wines. What surprised me the most was the fact that they didn't even ask if we were interested in taking anything home!!! In a sales driven business, I was shocked! The pets running around the property checked on us though and made us feel welcome! Thank you to Pete the dog and the cats for making sure we enjoyed our experience! read more

Great experience at this lovely location today, first of all the grounds are very inviting and just tranquil, the kind of setting you don't wanna leave and go back to the real world.the wines are quite good overall and even more so because the prices are incredibly reasonable..like the most expensive wine is 34 bucks.. these prices are at least 20 years old.shoutout to Christy for her wonderful service..she was great. read more

We stayed in Solvang and went to a couple of wineries in Los Olivos, which was much closer, and Santa Maria ( a 40-minute drive). Even though Rancho Sisquoc was a bit out of the way, I was really glad we went there. A few of the wineries did not offer water or the water was room temperature. All of the wineries offered some type of charcuterie board for purchase, but no complimentary breadsticks. At the very least, wineries should offer cold water to clean your palette and either a new glass for a new wine- or rinse the glass! Rancho Sisquoc was the only winery to provide a gorgeous view, cold water, and complimentary breadsticks. The Tasting Room Manager, Rebecca, was a gracious hostess and very accommodating. This was the only winery where my three friends and I all bought at least three bottles of wine each! Their wines had a range of tastes to suit each of our preferences- white and red. PS. We did see a few people bring their own snacks and it was fine.. . Hopefully that confusion has been resolved! read more

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So picturesque and off the beaten path, so scenic and Mayberry-like. But I'm glad I have no artistic talent or over indulge in wine lest I spend my life painting the unique and historic San Ramon Chapel like a buzzed Georgia O'Keeffe trapped in an orchid patch. With its unusual three-crossed facade overlooking the dusty trail and entrance to the winery, that might be too easy for a gal like me. And I'm no oenophile by any means and couldn't find a "wow" between any of the reds or whites we sampled in this valley but what I do know of grapes (in general) is that the Santa Ynez produces wines twice as good as Temecula but the Napa/Sonoma region produces wines that far exceed any of these. (don't cry, it's MHO) We passed some deer on the way out and a tall man walking alongside a boy with a fishing pole over his shoulder, someone whistling a familiar tune. It reminded me of something charmingly bucolic, much to the chagrin of the Chumash, their "gathering place" (Sisquoc) replaced by snooty wine lovers. P.S., I mentioned a fondness for the 2006 Malbec and my charming companion bought a bottle for me, in all my snootiness. read more

Rancho Sisquoc Winery - Pretty - Wineries Near Me - Santa Maria, California

A barn winery. YAY! With real-life animals around. YAYAY! Dogs allowed in the winery. YAYAYAYAYAYA! There are few things in life I love more than puppies, wine, and cheese. When I'm able to combine a few of those into one I get SUPER excited! First off, the winery gives you the glasses. WHO DOES THAT ANYMORE? I swear, this was so common a few years ago you'll struggle to it. And $10 for half a dozen tastings? Worth it! Definitely take the drive up to this gorgeous little winery. A real gem! read more

Really five stars but darnit Rancho you are so far up on Foxen Canyon Trail that it ends up quite the process to get to you! After hearing this vineyard had a 100% Malbec available for tasting my so-far disappointed beau's ears perked up. We were already very north of most of the wineries, the tasting rooms becoming fewer and farther between. But this was a scant two miles from Foxen so I said "why not? I had really enjoyed RS the last time I was here" So glad we decided to head that way -- on our trip down the road to get to the tasting room there was a random cow just chilling and chewing his cud. Now I have never been very close to a cow before so I had to get out and try to pet him. After several moments of trying to catch his eye and inch closer I gave up, the cow was not having it. I did learn they chew very loudly. Yay wildlife! We were back in the car and as we arrived to a small dark barn with plenty of parking and picnic tables laid out under large trees with views of the surrounding farm my man sighed, now this was more like it. Robert was pouring our tasting -- $8.00 for six wines, chosen from a list of about twenty. He was very nice and knowledgeable. We sat and chatted with the others around the bar - a nice older couple, a few employees who informed us there were still a few days of harvest left, and Robert, who not only was informative on his wines he also gave us a map and pointed out some of his faves along the Trail. We tried a Chard, Sylvaner, Reisling, Merlot, Malbec and Meritage. The three whites were good, to me the Reisling was the tastiest. I enjoyed the Sylvaner and RS is the only vineyard in CA that makes this varietal. It is also entirely estate wine, everything is pulled from their vineyards which is different that most people who lease and pull from an acre here or there for their blends. My most stand-out favorite hands down was the Meritage. Full bodied, so many layers -- it was like that really good first date, you enjoyed it while it was happening but then the memories of how wonderful it was stay with you long after it's over. After the lovely experience here at Rancho we hopped in the car much refreshed (and much heavier, we had bought three bottles of wine from them) and headed off to one of Robert's suggestions. It may be off the beaten path (or trail as it were) but it is well worth the adventure. read more

We arrived at the stated address, unsure of what to expect. Naturally, I pulled the car forward up the tiny hill, as atop that hill was the only building visible to the naked eye. It turned out to be a small church, with every parking spot in the cozy parking lot occupied. Out in front, a woman in her Sunday bests was holding the hand of a small child, seemingly anticipating my arrival. I was certain I was in the wrong place. "Excuse me, I think I'm lost," I said to the woman. She smiled warmly at me. "You must be looking for the Rancho Sisquoc winery," she said. I was surprised that she knew that. I turned my head to my left and noticed a small cemetery in front of the church. The cold chill of fear ran down my spine. Something didn't seem right. "Yes," I meekly replied, "is it near?" "You'll want to head down the path on the right for about a half mile," she said. "It'll lead you all the way to the winery." I thanked her for her generosity, and began to turn back the way I came, and eventually onto the narrow path on the right, following her aforementioned directions. I passed underneath the large sign bearing the name of the winery, and felt more at ease about where I was going. There were no other cars on the road, when suddenly, a late model eco-friendly car appeared in my rearview mirror, and it came charging up at a blistering speed. Alarmed, I pressed forward. A half mile passed in a heartbeat. Then another. And another. Where was this damn winery? Then all of a sudden it dawned on me. It was a trap. Her directions led me down a narrow road, and now here I was, driving along, not sure of where I was going with what I presumed to be a person with hostile intentions pushing close behind me. I checked my phone; no service available. I looked at my girlfriend in the passenger seat, trying to telepathically communicate to her our perilous situation. She didn't seem to realize and only kept going on about how beautiful the scenery was here. It was apparent that I was alone in this. Think, think. What could I do? Before I could try something that would make a Hollywood stunt driver proud, a building appeared on the left. It was a house, painted white, and clearly the last stop on this ride. I continued up the path, through the roundabout, and into another small lot behind the house. Where am I? I stopped the car, got out, and immediately turned around, looking at the car that was following me for the last three miles. The woman from the church got out of the car. "Sorry," she said, chuckling. "It was a lot further than I had remembered." At this point, I was certain I had been set up. Am I in danger? How could I have not seen this coming? Without saying a word, I gathered up my personal effects and walked into the Rancho Sisquoc tasting room. There was no turning back. There she was, the mysterious woman from the church, conversing with another woman behind the tasting counter. I wonder if they were talking about me. I walked up and purchased two $10 tastings. I selected my first tasting, a red, knowing that it may be my last. I left the tasting room to explore the premises, and was immediately greeted by the most unlikely of creatures, a cat. This I will not forget. read more