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“I’ve been a fan of Sandhi and Domaine de la Cote wines for some time. When I had the opportunity to visit Lompoc for a friend’s wedding, I jumped on the chance to sign up for the vineyard tour and tasting. I had a truly wonderful experience.
My experience began with a vineyard tour with Adam, the hospitality manager at Sandhi. After parking at the Lompoc tasting room, I was driven to the vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills nearby. I was lucky enough to be only participant in the tour, so I had a completely private experience!
Adam was extremely knowledgeable and graciously answered all of my questions about the wines, history of Sandhi, the terroir, and the viticulture practices. It was especially interesting for me to hear personal stories about harvest, his daughter’s experiences in the vineyard, and his background. Because I had a one-on-one experience, he also adjusted the schedule to my interests, which was much appreciated.
After viewing the La Cote, Memorious, and Romance vineyards, we returned to the tasting room for a flight of wines across the Sandhi lineup. I had 6 total, one of which was a gracious extra pour. My flight included White Buffalo Land Trust Pinot Noir, 2021 Sanford and Benedict Pinot Noir, 2021 Romance Pinot Noir, Domaine de la Cote 2023 DDLC, 2022 Riconada Vineyard Chardonnay, 2021 Romance Chardonnay. After my flight I was given the opportunity to purchase any of the wines in the flight.
A great experience overall and more than worth the price. Being able to see the vineyards, the stunning landscape, feel the winds sweeping in from the ocean, and learn more about the place where the wines I love come from was an absolute treat!“
“We had an amazing experience doing a tasting at Melville. It's always been one of our go-to places and this trip was no exception. We had never made a reservation for the tasting, but we did this time in case it was busy. We had delicious wines and great service on a stunningly beautiful day. We recommend adding this winery to your must-do list!“
“Thank you for hosting the Certain Sparks winter recital! It really gave the kids a chance to perform in a big way!!!! And a great glass of wine for parents isn’t a bad deal either☺️ Great evening!“
“Connie is great charamatic hard worker! She offered us such great customer service! Me and my best friend came in and I am unfamiliar with wine yet she made me feel so comfortable and informed on the wines that were offered, definitely a customized experience! I highly recommend you give this winery a try! The scenery inside gives you such a home-y vibe! Love it and will be back again!“
“Great experience as always! John was our tasting guide at first but then Kiana finished our experience. Both were friendly and helpful. We are club members not only because we enjoy Sanford Pinots but mainly because we are always treated so well by the entire staff when we visit. Donna is a great wine club manager while Kiana is the best every time we visit.“
“Larry at Dierberg Star Lane Vineyards knows how to make a tasting unforgettable 🍷✨ From Missouri to California pours, every sip was a story worth savoring.“
“When we didn't see the breezy 'Open' sign outside this Lompoc ghetto site for months during COVID, we were in despair. State restrictions had closed tasting rooms, then allowed partial functionality outside--and it wasn't until SB county achieved the inside allowances of the orange tier that Sweetzer was back on our radar. All the better, as Sweetzer's indoor decor is spare and therapeutic. Throw pillows adorn the couches, carved wooden blocks bear their name on the walls, and succulents or cacti can be found on every ledge. Lisa and Michael have a style all their own, which shows in their wine. They began with unconventional methods. Who would have thought producing wine was possible in an apartment in west hollywood? Their widely diverse lives, from tutoring in the 9-to-five to cycling in the predawn to pairing syrahs with pistachio-cardamom-rosewater biscotti, show that they can make magic from any varietal in their collection. Needless to say, we fell hard. Their La Encantada pinot noir was an early favorite. Their Lieff grenache made our tastebuds buzz. And on the lighter side, their chardonnays and rose keep prickling our senses of eagerness and curiosity. Come for the wine, stay for the ticonderoga number 2 pencil doodles, and keep Sweetzer in mind when you need a bit of recherche instagram inspiration...as these winemakers have certainly inspired us.“
“For those of us favored with living in wine-producing regions, it is easy to find solace in the natural world. Windrun is well-named; the Lompoc Valley, with its sand dollar-strewn beaches and diverse wildlife, is a kind of untamed and unruly setting. The days are characterized by strong coastal winds that are channeled through the nearby hills and mountains. In this tasting room, you can embrace the freedom to go where the wind will take you. The decor swirls with everything from glitzy silver sequins to retro throwback magnums that show the label of Windrun has stood the test of time. Even better, the people behind the counter will immediately make you feel like you have come home to roost with fellow birds of the feather. Albert has a smile and a laugh that will not disappoint. He makes every moment and pour feel like a precious gift--one that keeps on giving.
In the spirit of running into whatever is coming, you do not want to turn down any of the wines on the tasting flight. The Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Grenache are fine-tuned under the hands of local legend Ken Brown. This area is known for producing Burgundians that rival those of the old world. With a vintner who is a Santa Barbara County pioneer, the product becomes something that is an homage to the past and a force to be reckoned with in the future.
The journey to Windrun in the wine ghetto is one that you will want to cross mountains, rivers, and roads to complete. Raise a glass and toast to the whims of the weather, the whimsy of bedazzled bottles, and to the wonders that turn us into wine lovers (just ask Albert about the magic of wine shots!).“
“My sister and I recently had the pleasure of experiencing wine tasting along the California Coast for the first time, and our visit to Ampelos Cellar was truly delightful.
Ampelos Cellar is located in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto - a four-block stretch of warehouses for over 26 wineries.
The tasting at Ampelos Cellar was exceptional, and we had a fantastic time chatting with our host, Matthew Reynolds who made our experience more enjoyable with his warm engaging personality.
If you’re traveling through Lompoc Wine Ghetto, we highly recommend the Ampelos Wine Cellar!“
“Excellent wines, great service and an amazing place!Your turn to experience for yourself👍🏽👍🏽“
“Definitely recommend. This place is awesome.“
“We chose Babcock Winery after reviewing the website. Our visit was everything we hoped for - a relaxing, casual and informative wine tasting experience. Jason, friendly and knowledgeable, poured the wine while offering facts about the origin of the fruit and the wine makers approach for each wine in the flight. The winery has a large indoor area and comfortable seating. We opted for one of the outdoor shady patio spaces where we could sip and enjoy snacks from home. A bonus was the company of the black winery cat. Two favorites were selected for purchase before we left Babcock Winery, the 2023 Radical Pinot Noir and the 2023 Top Cream Chardonnay.“
“We loved visiting Turiya winery. Loved talking with Angela, winemaker and owner, loved learning things from the insider and trying her crations Malbec and Petit Verdot. I am not wine specialist, but I loved how these wines are full of taste and rich and complete but yet totally different in perception. Thank you Angela.“
“Spectacular architecture combined with perfect hospitality resulting in a beautiful experience.
The wines are fantastic, especially the “cool climate” Syrah and Grenache”! Our host and proprietor, Pierre is both meticulous and passionate about his project and it shows; unforgettable experience.“
“Great wine! Friendly staff!“
“Thank you for hosting the Certain Sparks winter recital! It really gave the kids a chance to perform in a big way!!!! And a great glass of wine for parents isn’t a bad deal either☺️ Great evening!“
“We ordered the virtual tasting kit to celebrate our friend’s birthday and had such a wonderful time! As they walked us through the wines we were tasting we got to know more about Mireia and Tara and how their science background plays into winemaking. They are passionate about the wines they make and it shows. Above and beyond our virtual tasting experience the wines were delicious!! Absolutely a wonderful experience that I highly recommend! I hope we will get to visit the winery in person sometime soon!“
“Had a fantastic experience at this winery. It’s definitely off the beaten path but such a wonderful winery. They have taken precautions to help present the spread of transmittable diseases. My group was separated from other groups. The table they sat at was in a well ventilated area and the staff all wore masks. The wines were fantastic and everyone in the group agreed that this was the best stop.“
“For some of us, the santa rita hills are the shrouded and shadowed fields that we run away to. For others, it is home. There's a sense of understanding and heritage that comes with years spent watching an out-of-the-way town segue from festivals of blossoming marigolds to celebrations of world-class wine. Meeting someone with a deep appreciation for their hometown, with all its ills of the past and wills for the future, is a rare find.Justin conveys that sense of dedication to the terroir and history of Lompoc. We became acquainted with this skilled winemaker on a sunny afternoon stop at Temperance Cellars in the wine ghetto. In response to our inquiries, he happily delved into the meaning behind his label--it's a tongue-in-cheek nod to Lompoc's origins as a Temperance Colony, with the result that local vintners today celebrate the area for being home to some of the greatest grapes on the planet.Justin's wines are no exception. His fruity punch of a grenache and spicy sugarplum of a merlot showcase some of the best that the environs of santa ynez, los olivos, and the santa rita hills have to offer. And as can be expected by the brand name, his sense of humor carries people through the doorway and keeps them at the bar for hours. We loved hearing his tales of racking up six or seven winery tastings in a single day, learning his trade in a trial by fire under the OGs of the industry, and figuring out the tantalizing difference between various santa maria style BBQ sides (if you see a pop up food truck selling offbeat items like broccoli salad and jalapeno poppers, we highly recommend you nab at least half a dozen of the latter to pair with the sauvignon blanc tierra).In a bigger sense, Justin's support of his hometown is multiplied a millionfold in the support he receives. Friends, allies, and family can be found throughout the tasting room playing the part of musicians, hosts, or club members. It was no surprise when the gentleman who poured us our tastings during the grand opening introduced himself as Justin's dad! We have visited Temperance time and time again, with a feeling of welcome that only grows stronger. Here's to the next time, and the next...ad infinitum.“
“Delightful and very informative private wine tasting! While we toured four wineries, this is the one where most wine purchases were made. Thoroughly and consistently great wines. The owner gave us detailed information on each of her wines and gave us her personal perspective on each. Highly recommended!!“
“My son got some wine from Gavin as a Mother's Day gift for me - Delish! I highly recommend!“
“Beautiful scenery, fabulous wines and charming hosts!“
“Fantastic venue, great atmosphere we really enjoyed attending our children’s recital here.“
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“The recent visit to Tyler Winery's Mae Estate was a truly wonderful experience. The host was friendly and knowledgeable. This was a reserved tasting for my wife and me. It was relaxing, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable. A chance to taste (in my humble opinion given my poorly refined palate) some of the finest pinot noir and chardonnay wines in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. Again, in my humble opinion, this is one of the finest wine makers making some of the finest wines grown in thee premier growing area in the world. A must visit if your in the area. Thanks again for the experience. Hopefully we will continue to enjoy your marvelous wines!“