Los Olivos Wineries

Los Olivos is a small town about 30 miles north east of Santa Barbara California. Despite its presence in Santa Barbara county, its inland location means that the wine being produced comes from warmer vineyards so the focus is on Rhone varietals like its neighbor to the north, Paso Robles. You won't find much Pinot Noir or Chardonnay here, but you'll find plenty of truly outstanding Syrah, Grenache and Viognier.

Downtown Los Olivos has 26 tasting rooms within walking distance of each other. There is a nice combination of small family owned operations such as Blair Fox (500 cases total produced) and larger wineries such as Fess Parker which owns at least 5 different wine labels and is one of the largest wine related operations in all of California.

A complete list of the tasting rooms available in Los Olivos:

Alexander and Wayne: Perhaps the oldest winery in the region, they make everything from the local favorite Syrah, to Pinot Noir and even a few Spanish selections including Tempranillo which can offer a nice break from the typical Santa Barbara county fare.

Andrew Murray: Focused on the Rhone varietals of Syrah and Viognier, Andrew Murray also makes a number of single vineyard versions of each varietal which is a nice way to see what only a few miles of traveling can do to a wine grape.

Artiste: If you love both wine and art, this is a great visit. Focused on the way wine can be fused to the arts, the beautiful Artiste tasting room features art by local up and coming artists, as well as the occasional household name. The wines vary from Bordeaux style white's to Tuscan reds, with a little something for literally everyone.

Arthur Earl: 2,500 cases a year makes Arthur Earl one of the smallest wineries in Los Olivos. They make the standard Rhone varietals and blends which are a requisite for the area as well as a few Italian selections and the old California native, Zinfandel.

Bernat: The first question from wine drinkers always concerns the label, which shows an owl. The owners placed the owl on the label because the owl lived (naturally) in the vineyard and kept the vines free of rodents, making it one of the most valuable pets a vintner could ever have. They make only 200 cases, 25 of Chardonnay and another 175 of Syrah. This is an ultra premium, tiny producer.

Blair Fox: A personal favorite, especially the Alta Vineyard Syrah which recently received 91pts from Robert Parker. The same vineyard gives a Viognier which is incredibly lush. Tasting room is staffed by either Blair, or his wife and generally only open Friday and Saturdays. They only make 500 total cases of wine!

Byron: The focus here are the colder weather grapes of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay placed in what is by far, one of the most beautiful tasting room locations found anywhere in the world because it is often surrounded by the California golden hills, vines and two hundred old oak trees.

Carhartt: Not the clothing maker and by my understanding without any relation to that brand...Carhatt crafts a range of wines including one of the few Merlot's made anywhere in Los Olivos.

Carina: One important word at this winery, Iconoclast for both their own wine club as well as the red wine blend which is the main attraction here. It is a blend of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Colson Canyon Syrah, two of the premier growing regions for those varietals anywhere in the world. Only 200 cases are produced and the wine is well worth the trip to the tasting room especially when paired with some of their other interesting varietals not bottled in many other local shops including Mouvedre.

Coghlan: One of the very few wineries in Los Olivos which focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon as well as other Bordeaux varietals. Other then that, good luck tracking down information without taking the time to visit. Another nice break from a day of Syrah though.

Consilience: One of the more diverse wineries in the area, they make a bit of everything including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and many, many more. A nice starting point if you're not the most serious wine drinker.

Coquelicot: Largely Rhone focused, although they do make some interesting Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc as well. The owner is originally from France and comes with a background in both healthcare and more importantly fine dining. That experience has led to one of the most intimate and inspired tasting facilities in Santa Barbara County.

Daniel Gehrs: They make a bit of everything, but largely focus on Zinfandel which sets them well apart from neighbors in Los Olivos. A nice downtown tasting room and a pretty good Sangiovese also complete the picture.

Dragonette: They're brand new and a true family business. A nice break from Rhone varietals as they make some critically acclaimed Pinot Noir (90pts Wine Spectator) and some nice Chardonnay as well. Well worth the visit.

Epiphany: One of the Fess Parker family of wineries, actually the family daughter's side venture. Quality wine, made at affordable prices.

Evan's Ranch: Focused on Syrah from a number of vineyards which surround their Los Olivos tasting room on all sides, this is an outstanding visit for anyone looking to find a winery that specializes in single vineyard wines. Do you want to compare how a single grape like Syrah changes based on where it is planted? If so, start here!

Fontes/Philips: One of the most renown wineries in the area, unlike many others they have built a reputation with cold weather varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Also, you can find perhaps the best SB County Rose here.

IO:Focused on making literally a single wine, a Rhone blend usually based on Syrah with some Grenache added (some years a separate Grenache is made as well) IO is one of the higher end Rhone makers in Los Olivos. Low production and high quality mean these wines are typically only available to non wine club members at their tasting room.

Longoria: With a tasting room in Los Olivos, but vineyards spread across the SB region, Longoria makes a range of wines with the requisite Ballard Canyon Syrah and includes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the nearby Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

Qupe: Rhone varietals and Chardonnay from a winery which shares a facility with the better known Au Bon Climat.  Interesting on a number of levels including marketing as they tout themselves as a "Modern Stone Age Winery"

Verdad:The place to go in and around Los Olivos if you love Spanish wine as they focus exclusively on Spanish varietals such as Tempranillo and Albarino.

Saarloos and Sons: A variety of smaller production wines crafted across at least 6 different labels, they make a variety of wine types with the focus on blends both of the regular type for the area (Cab & Syrah) as well as lesser known blends (Syrah & Cab Franc?).

Scott Cellars

Stolpman: One of the largest growers in the area, they sell grapes to virtually everyone. Socially conscious and making some truly great wine. Say hello to Peter (the guy with the red hair) who runs the show and whose father bought the land about 20 years ago. Their Hilltops Syrah and La'Avion both garner 95+ points from major critics on a consistent basis.

Tensley: Joey Tensley was recently featured in Wine Spectator after they had 2 bottles rated at 96+ points by the magazine despite price tags of under $40. A small intimate tasting room is in downtown Los Olivos and unlike many of the ultra trendy wineries across the world, still allows you to meet a few of the family members at certain times.

Tre Anelli: Focused on old world Spanish and Italian varietals. Either more interesting, or less so depending on your perspective on their current track which is a 1 page website without any information about the winery, or the wine being produced.