Picturesque and beautiful ceremony; even Mother Nature could not have ruined this perfect venue…read more My cousin just got married this weekend in the hottest, humid, and raining (before the wedding starts & during the dinner)- 102 degree weather! The Crossroads Estate was a last minute changed due to unforeseen circumstances from the original venue at Firestone Vineyard; 5017 Zaca Station Rd. Crossroads Estate is a winery in the town of Los Olivos situated inside the Santa Ynez Valley on Foxen Canyon Road with views of the San Rafael Mountains, features a mixture of grapevines, floral meadows, and dramatic oak trees. It was constructed during the early 20th century, the Crossroads House on the estate is an extraordinary craftsman style home with plenty of rustic vineyard charm. The beautiful ceremony was situated under a very old Oak tree. The Bride came down the path with my Uncle Louie & his wife while a live band playing soft music. She was glowing and very glamorous! It was picturesque and breathtaking. The staffs were in black serving hot appetizers after ceremony. There was a nice table setting with cheese plates and open bar both outside and inside the barn until 9:45PM. The bar had a very nice selection of wines from local wineries nearby; and even serving Belvedere vodka all evening (not your usual cheaply vodka). The buffet dinner was set outside next to a open barn. Pole Barn, which offers an oak bar, raised stage, and iron chandeliers. The salmon and steak was cooked perfectly (not too dry or over cooked). Across the way was a nice selection of the veggies (squash, zucchini, asparagus, portobello mushrooms and mixed green salad bar. They also have a pasta buffet bar serving pappardelle or penne with your choice of cream or tomato sauce and toppings to your liking. I was very impressed with the venue! After dinner they served crepes with sliced bananas, strawberries, freshly made jam, vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of hot melted dark chocolate. I also appreciate the entire staffs. The poor staffs were running around and were very accommodating during the heavy downpours moving the canopy around for the outdoor Chefs and the patrons trying to get their food at the wedding. We danced the night away (while drenched in sweats or rain) in our fine evening wears with a live dj. Most importantly; at the end both the Bride and Groom were very happy! And so were the guests!

THE most beautiful wedding setting I have ever seen. My godsister said her vows at sunset under a…read moregroup of oak trees with wine colored silk draped through the branches. The "barn" had one wall open with white fabric panels blowing in the wind creating a romantic passage way in and out of the reception area. White lanterns illuminated the grassy area which housed the buffet tables and a few fire pits with smores fixings available. Inside the barn old jam jars with votive candles lit in the windows and vintage lanterns hung from the open beams. The have a little stage and a little bar area which of course will be serving Firestone wines. It was one of THOSE weddings. The kind you dream about as a little girl and envy as a big girl. The oaks, vineyards and old ranch house looked beautiful as the pink sunset splashed them with golden color. F*&%.

This review is long overdue. We've been members here for about 4 years now and can honestly say…read moreit's one of our favorite places to visit. We try to make it up every 6 weeks because we love it that much. Huge shoutout to Dana, who has been taking care of us basically the entire time we've been members. We've even done a few private library tastings with her over the years and she always makes the experience feel personal and special. The wines are some of the best values in Santa Barbara County when you factor in the quality. Definitely on par with a lot of the higher end Sta. Rita Hills producers, which makes it even more impressive. It can definitely get crowded, so I always recommend making a reservation ahead of time, but the vibe is always amazing once you're there. This is one of those rare wineries that just keeps getting better the longer you're a member. We'll probably be members for decades to come.

A pretty winery, but we have no idea how good their wines are. They are open until 5 pm, and we…read morearrived at 3:55 pm, so we thought that we would have plenty of time for a tasting, but we were told that they stopped doing tastings at 3:30. I said that we'd be fast. They weren't crowded, and they didn't seem particularly busy, but the hostess said that their servers were already too busy, so they couldn't accommodate us. One of our group was visiting from Japan. So, I wasn't quite ready to give up on a tasting and thought to suggest that we sit at the bar to make it easier on their servers. But the hostess was giving me a "you came late, so you're out of luck vibe", so I ordered us the holiday cocktail instead. Even that exchange was awkward. At first, I was told that it was no longer available, but it turned out it was. It wasn't the wine tasting experience we came for, but the holiday cocktail was tasty. Unfortunately, because of the hostess's unwelcoming vibe the overall experience was negative. It would have been nice if the hostess had worked with us so that we were able to have a tasting, but if she was truly unable to do that, a friendlier tone or a single well-placed "sorry" would have changed the whole experience.

We stayed at the Inn at Mattei's Tavern this past weekend and had dinner at the titular Tavern, an…read moreupscale contemporary restaurant in a reincarnated central California stagecoach stop dating back to 1886. The inn leans into the old west aesthetic, but the tavern is just elegant and attractive, with leather furniture, a high vaulted ceiling, and a lot of windows. It was pleasantly bustling on a Friday night, with what seemed like a mix of hotel guests and other visitors. Los Olivos has a population that hovers around 1,000, so this restaurant, like the stagecoach stop, is there to serve travelers. Accordingly, service was first class. There was a full bar with elaborate cocktails and plenty of wine from the area. We ordered two rounds of cocktails, as we planned to drink wine all weekend, and they were all very good. The Vaquero Campfire was a refreshing mezcal drink with pink peppercorn, honey, and charred grapefruit. The Cigars & Horses was a boozy mix of bourbon, yellow chartreuse, and smoked cinnamon. Los Rancheros Vistadores was a pleasantly bitter tequila cocktail, with reposado, amaro, Aperol, and orange olive oil. And the Pinochle Punch was a smooth blend of milk-clarified rye, cognac, and orange. We ordered wines by the glass to go with our entrees, and these were both lovely, too. The Sandlands Lodi Red Table Wine and the Racines Mattei's Cuvée, a Chardonnay that must have some connection to Mattei's Tavern. The food was delicious. We started with a half dozen oysters with mignonette and lemon and Gin's tuna carpaccio, topped with scallion, radish, ginger dressing, and cold-pressed California olive oil. Then we had Mattei's house focaccia, served with cultured butter and herb oil, and the country pâté, with cherry, tarragon, and sourdough. The entrées were both excellent. The Channel Islands rockfish was beautifully cooked, served in a vibrant tomatillo sauce with hoja santa, with sides of roti, grilled avocado, and grilled lime. The Colorado lamb was tender and juicy with a nice spiced crust. It came with couscous, vadouvan, mint yogurt, onion, and dates. For dessert, we shared the affogato: vanilla ice cream, Handlebar espresso. Hard to think of a better way to wind down a big meal. We charged dinner to the room and got $100 through a hotel promotion. This covered some of our drinks. The Tavern is not a cheap restaurant, but it is a great one, well worth checking out on your visit to Los Olivos.

Been here twice now and trying to be fair about it…read more The food is genuinely great and pricing feels in line with other spots around here. Not cheap, but not over the top either. Service is where things fell short both times. It took about 40 minutes to get our breakfast after ordering, and it was pretty obvious the plates had been sitting under a heat lamp for a bit. I used to work in food service, so it's something I tend to notice. We weren't in a rush, but we did need to be in and out within an hour. By the time the food came, we had maybe 15 minutes to eat and had to ask for the check right away just to stay on schedule. Overall, it's a great spot if you have the time to hang, but I'd be cautious coming here if you're on any kind of timeline.

Coolest place I have ever stayed. Love every minute. Staff was so helpful abs sweet. Can not beat…read morethe sunsets abs sunrise. Will go again soon!

My husband and I recently got married at the Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse and it was everything I…read morecould have ever imagined. We wanted a low key, small wedding at our favorite area in California and this venue checked all the boxes. It was rustic, charming and had loads of character. The farmhouse is set in the Los Padres National Forest and the backdrop of Grass Mountain and the Zaca Ridge were stunning. We had both sides of the family staying together at the farmhouse before the wedding for a few nights where we cooked dinner with the Santa Maria style grill, hiked around the property and watched the epic sunsets from the front porch. The property manager is very responsive and has loads of creative solutions if you decide to have your wedding here. They also own a rental company located onsite called Barnwood Rentals which made the setup and breakdown a piece of cake! I would highly recommend this venue for ANY event - a family reunion, a wedding, a friend getaway; the history of this establishment alone is incredible! Thank you!

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.

If you're anywhere near the Santa Ynez Valley -- especially in Los Olivos -- do yourself a favor…read moreand stop into Carhartt Family Wines! This place has everything you'd hope for in a wine tasting experience: cozy, welcoming atmosphere and everyone is genuinely cheerful from the moment you walk in. Owner-operated by Mike and Brooke, alongside their son, Chase -- they truly are the heart and soul of the winery. The entire staff are warm, attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, and so friendly it feels like you're visiting old friends rather than a tasting room. Even better, they stay open later than many spots in town, making it the perfect place to linger, unwind, and savor the experience just a little longer. Every detail is meticulous, from the beautiful atmosphere in their back patio to the way they guide you through each pour. They take the time to explain the wines without ever making you feel rushed, and their passion shows in every conversation. An experience defined by outstanding service, lovely wines, and a warm, easygoing vibe. And as an added bonus, they're wonderfully dog-friendly -- making it even more welcoming for everyone. Overall, it's hands-down the best place in Los Olivos. It's definitely my go-to whenever I'm in town, and I genuinely look forward to visiting a few times a year. Carhartt Family Wines never disappoints -- it's an experience as wonderful as the wine itself.

I've read about this place and was recommended by a few people as well. Not only for the wine…read moretasting but for lunch as they have a restaurant as well. Kill two birds with one stone, we finally made it. The experience that we shared was for a friends birthday party held in the cellar area over the weekend. It hosted about 60 of us. Quick note on property. It's a cute winery/vineyard with the wrap around porches with tables for lunch. Showing was also a beautiful classic car right in the front of the property. Inside there's a seating area with a fireplace and a bar. We had the cellar room area which could accommodate a large group. There was also a bar that we utilized. They also had a few other rooms if needed. The setting was simple and chic. Long tables with simple single white iceberg rose in a vase and olive branch laid out along the table. Started off with some nice wine selection that was for the party. Appetizers was a spinach puff pastries I believe. They were quite nice, which could have been eastern all day. As it was a big gathering it was family style. The arugula salad started off, then came the rice and grilled veggies. Main was the salmon and short ribs. The meat was quite tasty and the short ribs literally flaked off to the touch. It was cooked well and everything was great. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. The lunch was very well put together for a big group and the wine was flowing. The menu from the lunch did looked quite nice but we were on a set menu which still was great. The wine choices were great which I was very fond of the Pinot Noir. Very bold and goes down very smooth.

Petros Winery was one of the best restaurants I've been to for Greek food (and I've been to a lot…read moreof Greek restaurants). The food was delicious, and the outdoor seating was so stunning and relaxing. (See food reviews below) We will definitely drive back here soon!

Epiphany Cellars and The Bubble Shack are under the Fess Parker umbrella. We whiled away a lovely…read moreafternoon in their welcoming, comfortable and relaxing outdoor area. (Knowing that back home in North Carolina temps were below freezing made the experience that much sweeter). I did the sparkling wine tasting, which was very enjoyable. The Blanc de Blanc was my favorite but they were all good.

Loving the seating/lounge area. Such a chill place to sit and have a glass of wine or a tasting. I…read morechose the 25th Anniversary Wine Flight sticking to the red wines. Our server was very nice and did not rush us through the tastings. She let us enjoy the afternoon and the incredible weather. The wines were very good. I recommend a visit to Epiphany!

It's always a fun time had whenever I'm tasting. Everyone is always so welcoming and sweet. It's…read morenot just a tasting nowadays, it's coming to see family and catching up over some nice wines. It's basically that now as we've been enjoying it for years and years. Each visit is alway nice. Right from driving through the gates and up the hill. The property is beautiful overlooking the valley from on top. Both indoor or outdoor seating available. This visit, it was somewhat chilly so everyone was indoor. It wasn't that busy when we arrived but alway so great to see familiar faces. The vibes always turns to hanging out with friends and catching up from the last time. And you can't forget the wines. Yes, that's the whole point of us visiting. Everything is alway refreshing and delicious. Of course that's bad in a sense as it goes down so well....lol... Some new releases are alway a good start. My group tends to stick to the reds but sometimes a white or rose comes into the pictures and makes a lasting impression. There's been loads of time when we stopped by and the patio is bustling with people and a live bands. Summer is approaching and the fun is about the start. Plus, lately it's alway been a miss with the members lounge. Either closed and this time it was reserved for a private event. Ugh sucks on our part I guess. Also, it's sad to hear that some familiar faces have moved on but those that are still there are amazing. Until Next time.

We love this vineyard and tasting room. There are lots of picnic tables and it is such a beautiful…read morelocation. Our dog was welcome as well. We set up our lunch on an outside table and I went in to buy a bottle of Chardonnay. I paid $50 dollars for what tasted like an old bottle. It was dark in color and tasted like a lesser brand. I am not a wine aficionado but I can taste bad wine. I didn't taste ahead of time, just trusted the brand. The wine was very disappointing, the rest of the day was perfect!