Sta. Rita Hills AVA

Donnachadh Family Wines

Donnachadh (DON-nuh-kuh) is a small, family-owned vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, dedicated to producing organically farmed pinot noir, chardonnay, syrah, and gamay noir.

Since 2016, Donnachadh has earned praise for its expressive wines, known for balancing old-world elegance with authenticity of site. Explore their limited-production estate wines on their flight, or stop in to enjoy wines by the glass or bottle.

Walk-ins welcome | Reservations: book here

Donnachadh Family Wines
2938 San Marcos Avenue #101
Los Olivos, CA 93441

Wine Enthusiast – "The Best Wineries (and More) to Visit in the Santa Ynez Valley Right Now" – May 13, 2024

Wine Enthusiast – "Golden State Gamay is Here to Stay" – May 2, 2024

Forbes – "How Santa Ynez Valley Quietly Stole The Spotlight From California’s Prestige Wine Regions" – May 9, 2024

In 2018 we started Rockets Red Wines to share amazing wines and highlight our time in the military while giving back to the veteran and local community.

Our winemaking style involves minimal intervention and just guiding the grapes on their path to wine. We experiment with native fermentation, letting nature work as intended.

Rockets Red Wine
PO Box 854
Los Alamos, CA, 93440

(757) 374-7943

jason@rocketsredwines.com

Seagrape Cellars

~ A Journey from Tech to Terroir ~

How we came to be Seagrape Wine Company. In 2001, Karen Steinwachs decided to take a bold leap. Trading in her high-tech gadgets for a pair of work boots, she began her journey in the wine industry as a “cellar rat.” Karen began shoveling grape stems, scrubbing fermenters, and lifting barrels. Fast forward to 2007, and Karen had climbed the ranks to become the winemaker at Buttonwood Farm Winery. Their supportive team encouraged her to create Seagrape Wine Company wines.

Meanwhile, Dave had his own epiphany. In 2005, tired of the endless freeway congestion, he moved his business to Lompoc, where he provided logistical and e-commerce solutions to local wineries through Vintegrated Solutions. Both Karen and Dave became beloved figures in the tight-knit Santa Barbara wine community.

Though Dave tragically passed away in 2014, his legacy lives on in every bottle of Seagrape Wine. Karen honors his memory with “Dave’s Cuvée,” a luscious Pinot Noir crafted from the grapes of the Sta. Rita Hills, Dave’s favorite region. This wine is more than just a tribute; it’s a celebration of life, love, and the passion they shared.

Sta. Rita Hills

Today, Seagrape Wine Company thrives, free from the hustle of city life and the constraints of corporate culture. Here, the mornings begin with the cool marine fog rolling in from the Pacific, gently kissing the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley vineyards. This unique climate, with its daily dance of sun and sea breeze, allows our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes to ripen slowly. This preserves their natural acidity and creating wines of exceptional character.

Our grapes come from the best vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills, run by friends who share our passion for quality. Some vineyards supply exclusively to us, while others provide fruit to several wineries, making for delightful comparisons. At Seagrape, we’re not just making wine—we’re living the dream that started on those peaceful, bucolic country roads years ago.

Karen Steinwachs – winemaker

Seagrape Cellars – Seagrape Wine Company

Terre et Sang

Syrahs & Grenaches

Born from the dreams of mother and son team Dalita & Duncan Harmon, Terre et Sang is a winery dedicated to the pursuit of crafting the most distinctive and delicious expressions of Grenache and Syrah.

Santa Barbara Wine Country

Santa Ynez Valley

We believe that by picking the fruit at the peak of ripeness and using a minimalist approach in the cellar, each wine is a unique and powerful yet graceful and balanced expression of what mother nature and our vineyards have to offer.  Meticulously managed vineyards and extremely low yields keep our team united through the love of crafting extraordinary wines.

Occasionally, we wander outside the lines and craft something that goes against the shackles of tradition and any notion of what we or this region “should” be.  Unbound to any one ideal or belief other than crafting wines ignites the mind and soul of those who drink them.

Kid/pet-friendly inside & out, and walk-ins are always welcome.

Photography by Jimmy Hayes & Ingrid Bostrum.

Tasting Room
2982 Grand Avenue
Los Olivos, CA

(805) 325-6063

The Wine Write - Swinging For The Fences At Terre et Sang

Santa Barbara Independent - The Mother-Son Masterminds Behind Terre et Sang

ACME Fine Wines - Moulds Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Knoll District 2019

Deliberate. Historic. Sublime.

Native 9 Wines

Winemaker Justin Willett and grower/owner James Ontiveros are at the top of their game with these Native 9 Wines, a style Doug Wilder from the Purely Domestic Wine Report calls out as ‘extraordinary’ (10/2022) (rating the current wines 95-98 points.) Tours are conducted by Wes Hagen, who has grown and made wine in Santa Barbara for 30 years and researched and wrote most of the American Viticultural Areas in Santa Barbara History. Expect elegant, deliberate wines of time and place and a level of hospitality that will surprise and delight the wine newbie all the way to a Master Somm. Wine and Spirits Top 100 Wineries of the World: 2021.

Rancho Ontiveros

Established in 1781. James Ontiveros’ ancestor, Josef Ontiveros came from Avila Spain, through Sinaloa, MX, Loreto, Baja and into San Diego and Los Angeles with the Reyes expedition in 1781. The family landed in Santa Maria in 1855, and farming, ranching, cattle and grapes have been part of their family since the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Come hear and taste the whole story.

tercero wines

tercero wines produces small lot, hand-crafted wines using grapes exclusively from leading Santa Barbara County vineyards. We concentrate on Rhone varieties but color outside the line often.

Larry Schaffer

Larry Schaffer, our owner and winemaker, had a master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and currently is an instructor in their online Winemaking Certificate program as well. He understands the ‘science’ behind how wine is made but excels at making wine as approachable as possible, regardless of your wine knowledge.

Want to discover top notch ‘outside the box’ wines? Look no further . . .

tercero wines
2445 Alamo Pintado Ave Unit 105
Los Olivos, CA 93441

 (805) 245-9584

Story of Soil Winery

As a small winery, in Santa Barbara wine country, Story of Soil, we can put more time and  attention into our wines.  To make wines of the highest quality, we select vineyards that are farmed with the greatest level of care.

Single Vineyard Focus

Soil, a complex mixture supporting life on Earth, serves as the foundation for Story of Soil Wine’s mission to craft high-quality, balanced wines. As a small winery, we prioritize meticulous attention and care. Leveraging our size advantage to focus on vineyards farmed with utmost dedication.

Emphasizing single varietal and single vineyard wines, they highlight the unique influence of each grape variety and its specific terroir, including soil composition and microclimate. By keeping production lots small, they ensure gentle processing and minimal intervention. Allowing for experimentation and ultimately resulting in more complex and intriguing wines.

Above all, the winery pours their hearts and souls into every aspect of winemaking. They invite wine enthusiasts to enjoy the journey. Discover the story behind each bottle, celebrating the intricate narrative woven into every sip of Story of Soil Wine.

Our tasting room is the perfect place to learn about and purchase our small-handcrafted wines all while enjoying the quaint town of Los Olivos.

Reservations highly recommended, and seated tasting appointments limited. We will happily accept walk-ins if space is available.

Our tasting fees are $25 per guest or free for existing and new wine club members.

Make a Tasting Room reservation

Old World Influences – Storm Wines

In the hills of Santa Barbara County, focussing on old world influences and new world techniques. The Mediterranean climate, diverse soils, and exciting new opportunities in this growing Central Coast wine region have combined to drive Ernst’s passion for producing his wine. You’re invited to experience the unique personality of both vintage and site in Storm Wines.

Focus Classical Style

Storm is focused on making classically styled wines in their winery from proven vineyards in the Santa Barbara wine region; and wines with personality of vintage and site, where elegance is favored. His brother, Hannes, launched Storm Wines-South Africa in 2012. His focus is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

Santa Barbara County has diverse soils and microclimates within the county – near Solvang and Los Alamos – make it a region with endless possibilities for cool climate wines.

Grimm’s Bluff Estate

Grimm’s Bluff Estate is a Demeter certified Biodynamic farm perched on the cliffs above the Santa Ynez River in the Happy Canyon AVA. The mineral driven wines draw flavors from ancient river stones along with the rich valley sunshine. Gobelet trained vines, aging in concrete eggs, and traditional winemaking are used to express the distinctive terroir of this breathtaking site.

Biodynamic & Organic

Planted to virgin soil, Rick and Aurora Grimm have been fully committed to Biodynamic & Organic practices in the vineyard, orchard, and animal pastures from inception. The 246 acre ranch is completely run on solar power with beautiful barns and workshops made from Forest Stewardship Council certified cedar.

Hands On Honest Winemaking

Lumen Wines: In 2012 Will Henry and Lane Tanner ran into each other in the Santa Maria Valley. They quickly realized that they shared a common vision: to make wines from the best cool-climate vineyards in Santa Barbara County. They followed a regimen consistent with California’s early days of hands-on, honest winemaking in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Memorable Wines

The duo asserts the most balanced (and memorable) wines are made from fruit  picked relatively early on the harvest calendar. Consequently, the end result: a wine  livelier on the palate, deeper in complexity, lower in alcohol, and more worthy of cellaring.

Discover Lumen Wines: Regenerative Practices for a Sustainable Future

Lumen Wines: Pinot Noir is Our First Love

At Lumen Wines, our environmental commitment is at the heart of everything we do. Our wine journey begins in the vineyard, where we employ strict regenerative organic practices to cultivate amazing fruit from healthy soil. Our low-intervention winemaking process ensures that each grape – picked at optimum ripeness – balances sugar and acidity perfectly. All Lumen wines are low in sulfur, vegan, gluten-free, and additive-free.

Our wines are produced in very small quantities, with many available only by special order. This ensures that every bottle of Lumen Pinot Noir 2020 Santa Maria Valley and our other varietals are crafted with exceptional care and attention to detail.

Stories From a Small Production Winery and Regenerative Vineyard

TOUR AND TASTING EXPERIENCES

Dive into a world of flavor with our immersive tours and tasting experiences at Lumen Wines. From vineyard strolls to intimate tastings, savor the essence of our exceptional wines amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Santa Barbara Wine Country:

• LUMEN WINES TASTING
• VINTAGE PINOT TASTING
• LUMEN VINEYARD TOUR
• LUMEN VINEYARD TOUR + PICO CHEF EXPERIENCE

Let’s Get Technical with Will Henry

At Lumen, we believe in transparency. Therefore, each bottle comes with detailed information, including vineyard source, AVA, variety, clone, pH, TA (titratable acidity), and Brix at harvest. These technical details help us achieve the perfect balance in our wines, ensuring they are neither too acidic nor too sweet.

Our goal is to pick grapes at the perfect moment, typically when Brix is between 21 and 24, pH from 3.4 to 3.8, and TA of .5 to .8 grams per 100ml. Similarly, this meticulous attention to detail ensures our wines are both age-worthy and delightful in their youth.

Every harvest season presents unique challenges, but our commitment to taste and quality never wavers. We taste every sample of juice. making the final decision on pick day based on flavor as well as chemical analysis.

Good fruit leads to good wine. At Lumen, we strive for balance and longevity in both our wines and our lives. Come experience the difference that dedication and passion make at Lumen Wines.

Join us and discover the beauty of Lumen Wines. Where passion for the land and a commitment to excellence meet to create extraordinary wines.

Lumen Wines

Buscador Winery

Buscador Winery is truthful. Honest. And on the wine journey with you. Matt Kowalczyk, owner/winemaker, spent the past twelve years working with the best Santa Ynez Valley wine makers, sourcing grapes from the best vineyards, practicing innovative wine making techniques and creating a distinctive brand even before opening the doors. Stephanie, wife/co-owner, planted vineyards in Santa Rita Hills, worked in the cellars of Marlborough, New Zealand and has managed harvest for local growers. Both will greet you at their unique winery and tasting room where you can touch the barrels and taste the future.

Sta. Rita Hills winery

Matt produces limited release handcrafted boutique lots focused on bold but smooth Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Petit Sirah, Syrah, Grenache Rose’, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Of course, no gateway to Sta. Rita Hills winery would be complete without Pinot Noir. All of our grapes are sourced locally. Buscador Wine truly features something for everyone!