So, this was an interesting venture out on a pleasant Saturday spring day. Walking down the walkway we were greeted with a display with large, all caps sign saying "HERE ARE YOUR OPTIONS FOR TODAY!" And a stack of fliers advertising their wine. This is notable because then we walked in and once at the counter, we expressed interested in a bottle of wine on the flier and the man prepping flights told us it was not an option. ok? We then scooted over to Jocelyn who was taking orders. At this point we decided to do 2 flight tastings (4 wines). Jocelyn seemed confused and asked us to clarify. We then pointed to the sign saying "HERE ARE YOUR OPTIONS FOR TODAY!" Where at the very top it listed the flight with its 4 wines. She pulled the sign to read, completely shocked. Then, as she fumbled through writing the wine names out on a flight piece of paper she apologized saying she doesn't normally work the room but her mom is out sick. Fair, but Mom if you're reading this I'd suggest in the future to eliminate excess and stick to a narrow & basic menu so as to not have substitutes scrambling. At that moment Jocelyn also became flustered having to input this new option into their (point of sale) system. As we left, Jocelyn pushed the tasting menu towards us saying to keep it to read the flight notes. We stepped outside to the patio and surveyed the seating. It was apparent that this is a hodge podge of furniture and decor, which would be ok if we felt it was durable and safe. We opted for plastic Adirondack chairs around a firepit and grabbed a matching side table for when our flights came out. Our flights never came out. After waiting awhile my husband went back in to inquire, of which it was at that moment discovered that our flights were delivered by Jocelyn to the wrong group of 10 party goers (we were a party of 2) and then returned to the bar. Jocelyn tried to hand the flights over to my husband, telling him, "it's ok nobody drank out of them yet" but honestly that kind of answer doesn't go when your drink is being passed around strangers at a bar. We got new pours delivered to our little plastic table at which point Jocelyn came around and took the menu. So much for reading about the tasting notes as we tried each wine? I guess it wouldn't matter much- the handwriting telling us which wines were which was nothing more than chicken scratch, completely unreadable. Next came the issue with the firepit. There was the slightest of an occasional breeze, and when we sat down the firepit was nursing a very small fire which we were fine with. But then a man came by and dropped two large logs on. It was awkward given we were having an intimate date conversation and he was standing close stoking the fire without asking, "would you like me to get this fire going?" Or "Mind a few more logs on the fire?" Or "excuse me just a minute..." No... nothing. From there the smoke really picked up. So would you believe, next comes another employee no more than a minute later. He has brought a wine box which he proceeds to stand there and rip up, piece by small piece and feed the fire more, also in our personal space (i.e. 2 feet away from us at most??) I don't have a degree in fire science but this guy indicated that perhaps the extra cardboard would help with the smoke and centralize the heat, as he complained to us that the logs that were just put on the fire were too big to catch fire. He walks away and I swear to God a minute later, the original fire man comes back and starts pushing the cardboard around, kicking up smoke. While he's doing this, fire man two COMES BACK with the fireplace claws and REMOVES one of the large logs, saying it was too big, and walks away with the log. Fire man 1 seemed upset and muttered a few things, and PROCEEDS TO THROW YET ANOTHER LOG ONTO THE FIRE before eventually walking away. WTH. Bear in mind, this is all taking place within a foot of my husband and I who are just trying to relax. We didn't even need the fire. It was 62° and sunny so we weren't cold, it just was the only viable seating option at the moment. We pretty much gave up on the idea of having a good time. The smoke starts billowing, not blowing at me but definitely effecting other tables nearby. Fireman 2 comes back by and does a heavy sigh when he sees That fireman 1 threw more logs on the fire and pokes it around more. At this point I'm like, throw a damn lid over the pit and give up. To round it out, there's a whole outside table set up with sangria. By all accounts she seems like she is working independently. There's a huge sign that says "Farmstand Lemonade" . My husband decides he wants a lemonade and hands me cash. I go request a lemonade, only to be told there's no lemonade but rather a blueberry mocktail and a pineapple mocktail and if I want either I have to go inside and purchase a ticket. One look at the long line and Jocelyn still running the counter and we decided the lemonade was no longer worth it. read more

What a beautiful place to visit! We had the privilege of the actual wine maker, Matt, help us with our wine selection. He recommended a lovely wine to enjoy out on the patio. Extremely knowledgeable and very friendly! read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

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This vineyard was 1st on our list for Mother's Day of winery visits. It was quite busy in the outdoor seating area. The wind was a bit much that it blowed a few of the umbrellas free. We decided to sit inside but the space is rather small. It wasn't too bad but the line to the bathroom can make it a bit congested near the bar where orders are placed. The rustic barn feel was nice and enjoyed the lovely art displayed and native local jewelry and goods sold. The wine was not too bad and nice selection. The service was good and friendly. I would definitely come back for a nice glass of wine but then be on my way afterwards. read more

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We had an absolutely lovely time and we met the winemaker who was just charming and enjoyed the beautiful setting and we're very grateful that we were able to enjoy the company of our little Pekingese and our 10-year-old English cream retriever-- thank you for being dog friendly!! read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Our sample of wines and a beautiful entry! - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

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I went here when doing the Placer Valley Wine Trail Map and I was pleasantly surprised beach this was my first winery that I had been to in Placer County. I definitely enjoyed the wine and flight is by fair the best option! The reason why I took off one star is that the ambiance is interesting and the our server was not as attentive as we would like. For example, we had trouble getting and paying the bill. read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Wine Flight - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

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Came here for the Vino and Vibes summer sessions. Kind of wish they weren't charging a cover charge since we were planning on sitting and spending money on their merchants, food, and wine. Wine is great - a bottle to share amongst family will run you about $35-40. Delicious and goes great for a summer tasting. Plenty of local merchants nearby with cool arts and crafts for sale. The BBQ food truck was a bit disappointing - very tough brisket, not very tender at all. Portions are OK and the prices are a little on the higher side. Servers are nice and friendly, stopping by tables to say hello. read more

We normally hang out at the Amador County wineries but for a change decided to try some closer to home. We've tried four along the Placer Wine Trail and Lone Buffalo is by far the BEST! The wine is superb! Every single pour was outstanding- they definitely know wine! The people and the atmosphere are also fantastic. We will be back! read more

The decor is cute but the service was awful. The ladies were nice but a much older man with a white beard was extremely rude. I think he was the wine maker, I'm assuming because we asked him a question about the wine and he was very dismissive and pompous. He didn't seem to like kids very much either. So, if you have kids stay away from this place, it's not a family friendly place. I will never be back. The wine has a spicy-peppery finish. I was not impressed. read more

Let me start by saying that I rarely write reviews, but after my experience at Lone Buffalo Vineyards, I felt compelled to share. I purchased two of the Placer Wine & Ale Trail Sips & Suds Passports for $55 each, which includes discounts or complimentary items at 40 different breweries and wineries. On Sunday, July 13, 2025, I spent the afternoon visiting several locations around the Lincoln/Wise Road area. My final stop of the day was Lone Buffalo Vineyards. By this point, my wife and kids were tired and waiting in the car, so I simply planned to run in and get my passport stamped. At other participating locations, I had received stamps without needing to make a purchase, so I didn't expect an issue. However, when I approached the counter at Lone Buffalo, I was met by a woman I believe was Jocelyn Maddux. She asked if I wanted a tasting or a glass of wine, and I politely declined, explaining I just wanted a stamp since we were on our way out of the area. Instead of a simple yes or no, I was met with a lecture about how I was "cheating the program" and not honoring the intent of the passport. She asked if I had received stamps without purchase elsewhere, to which I answered honestly, "Yes." She then told me she helps organize the event and that it wasn't meant to be "just a game of collecting stamps." I explained that we had visited several places already and that my family was tired, but I was still trying to support local businesses by participating in the event. Despite that, she continued the lecture, and when I thanked her and again asked for the stamp, she claimed I was the one being rude and coming in with an attitude. At that point, she had stamped one of our two passports but refused to stamp the second. I told her I had considered returning another time to enjoy the wines properly, but after this experience, I had no intention of coming back. She doubled down and blatantly refused to give the second stamp. Adding to the awkwardness, the owner, Phillip Maddux, who had been sitting quietly nearby, chimed in to back up Jocelyn--though she quickly dismissed him, saying she could handle it. Meanwhile, another individual, Matt Stone, was casually walking around the tasting room in faded swim trunks and a ragged t-shirt--not exactly the welcoming, professional atmosphere you'd expect from a winery. What really stunned me was learning later that Jocelyn is the Director of the Placer County Visitor's Bureau and the Executive Director of the Placer County Vintner Association. She is also the creator of Sac Wine & Ale. Her dismissive and combative behavior is not only off-putting but also completely out of step with the goals of a community-centered event like the Sips & Suds Passport. This experience was deeply disappointing, and while I was genuinely excited to explore more local wineries, Lone Buffalo ensured I won't be returning. If customer service and community engagement matter to you, I'd recommend skipping this one. Ironically, with that kind of hospitality, Lone Buffalo might just live up to its name. read more

My best friend from school and his wife are members of this place, I personally want to disclose that I don't like to have biases, but I liked the experience!!!!!!!! The staff is attentive and wonderful at educating and explaining wine and their process. The decor is lovely, the desert wine and a few others are a joy! Tasting was a bit overcrowded but I don't see it as an inconvenience, rather a sign that if the wine is good, people will come! read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Decor - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

We popped in here on a whim after driving past it and had a wonderful experience with the woman behind the counter. I didn't get her name unfortunately but she was really awesome and we tried some very tasty wines. My favorites were Buffalo Rosé (Grenache rosé), crazy horse (red blend), and noble beast (cab sauv.) which was my favorite! The ambience is peaceful and inviting. They are also Dog friendly! A plus. read more

Large selection of food trucks and different wine events through out the calendar year. Ambiance is nice, fun vibe and friendly people. The owners Jill, Phil are amazing. read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

Had another great afternoon at Lone Buffalo! Owner and winemaker Phil was an amazing host, talked with us about the history of Lone Buffalo and taught us about their wines. Also got to chat with their other winemaker Matt who gave us a glimpse into some future wines in the works. I won't spoil it, but a it was a Spanish grape we'd never had, and are extremely excited for the release. Highly, highly recommend Lone Buffalo, their wines are some of the best in Placer and Phil, Jill, Jocelyn, and Matt always make sure you have an amazing experience! read more

Very cool vibe. Fun events. Great merch. They also have a very good bubbly. Huge outdoor seating area. Definitely worth a visit.

Great selection of red wines. I fell in love with the lighter red--Just Grenache. My friends fell in love with the Tempranillo. The wines have the most creative themed names and the place is like visting South Dakota! There is a great outdoor area with a fire pit perfect for the spring day I visited. read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

Early this past summer, I joined some friends .... who all enjoy good food and wine ... on a short road trip. We visited the Lone Buffalo Vineyard near Auburn, CA. Lone Buffalo Vineyards, is a family-owned micro-winery - launched in 2007 After speaking to Phillip and Jill Maddux, co-owners of this winery ... it was clear that they are passionate about their wine and carefully watch over the process from start to finish. The grounds are beautiful and the tasting room inviting ... a great weekend destination. My partner favored the Bison Blanc Viognier and I preferred the Noble Beast Cabernet and the Tatonka Tempranillo. We left the event with several bottles. read more

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They are doing a fantastic job helping seat people out side and having waiters come out and serve you. they're doing three glass wine flights, by the glass or by the bottle. We picked up a small picnic from the Auburn Farmers market and took it to the winery to enjoy. They even have blankets & a fire pit outside to keep you warm! Love supporting this family owned and operated business! And in my opinion they have the best wine in the Placer Wine Trail! read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Picnic - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

Appreciative to the friendly folks that work here for serving the full tasting flight and telling us about the wines. The employees especially the owner were drinking a fair bit themselves and seemed to be having a merry time which we got to take part in. To each their own, unfortunately we just didnt like the flavor of the wine and found that there were very unpleasant off flavors in every pour. Its possible that the bottles we were drinking had been stored in a shed or outdoors during the extreme heat wave of August/September 2022 and were cooked, or there may be some kind of fermentation contamination issue going on here. read more

This was our least favorite out of the three wineries we visited. Pros: Beautiful outdoor setting Outside picnic area Fire pit for the winter $7 glasses of wine if you choose to just have a glass on the premises Dog friendly Cons: They charge a $5 tasting fee pp, although we purchased a bottle of their Tempranillo, our wine steward only deducted $5 off the price of the bottle. Maybe I'm spoiled because the winery I visited before Lone Buffalo deducted $10 off the price of my bottle for our generous tastings $30 for a Tempranillo, the price we paid, original price was $35, IMHO, I think it's pricey. Very small pours compared to our last two stops Although we were impressed with the tranquil setting, this was our least favorite winery. Not as friendly and welcoming as our first two stops. Overall, we weren't really impressed with the wines here, we chose the Tempranillo because that was by far the best out of our tastings. read more

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Great wines! Friendly and knowledgeable service, nice ambiance! Came here on a rare rainy day in CA. Had a great time, definitely some of the best wines in the area! read more

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This was our 4th stop on the "Holiday in the Hills" wine tour. The set up of the outside area reminds me of walking about in old town Scottsdale, AZ with a very southwestern feel about it. It was crowded and hard to get to the bar area- which a long line for the bathroom. They did have one of their staff members serving wine in the middle of the room as to control the crowds. Sadly while there we were able to only try two samples as it was really crowded. In the back room they had some venders set up selling jewelry and a non-profit winery that was also service dogface wine, which was awesome. In the side room they had a live music and karaoke to go with. Our group got up and sang- the guitarist was awesome and fun read more

Always enjoy our visits. Great place to spend a spring afternoon but the summers can be hot!

I wanted to like the place more. Plusses are a nice atmosphere and employee effort. We showed up at an event that was way more than they could handle. 1/2 hour wait for wine tasting. Tried just 3 wines and bought two bottles so we could find a place to sit and drink. The wine was just "ok", but in fairness, we only tried 3. No tables to sit, as there were twice as many people as seats. The owner made a great effort, hobbling around on a broken foot. That alone raised it from a 3 to a four. Unfortunately they need to be better prepared for a crowd if they advertise an event. At the very least, have some extra tables available for surprise crowds. I will try it again some time and hope for better. read more

The owner/winemaker is the rudest person I have ever encountered! I am (was) a wine club member and my friend and I brought our two sons out as I picked up my latest shipment. We had a bottle to drink out on the "patio" area and our two (toddler) boys were watching a video in the chairs for about 99% of the time. Our boys decided they wanted to explore and we decided it was time to go. As we packed our things they were touching the buffalo sign and of course we told them to stop. Then they were playing with a plastic lone Buffalo sign and we quickly told them to stop. (Normal little kid stuff and we were quickly on them) The owner/winemaker made the comment to have us stop them (we were already doing this and planning on leaving) and then he made the comment that "that's why dogs are welcome and kids are supposedly be on a leash" The other table of people were laughing. How rude and disrespectful of an owner of a business. I am a member of your wine club (that I had to remind you of 3 times while we were there). We have never felt so unwelcome and disrespected at an establishment. If you do not want children at your establishment then say that. We had ladies that were tasting next to us come up and tell us how wonderful our boys were and how rude his comment was. They left as a result as well. I cancelled my membership and told him how rude I thought his comment was... he said "we need to control our children!" how RUDE!!! I will never ever go back here or ever recommend this wine to anyone. Oh and the wine was gross! We had the Rose and the sparkling. We could not even finish the rose read more

This is my absolute favorite winery. I've been to so many and this is the only place I will commit to for a wine club! The flavors are so unique and the staff is amazing. My fiancé (boyfriend then) contacted the owners and planned a special day for us and they were so kind enough to allow us to roam their property so he was able to find a special place and propose! They made the day so special for us and we're so grateful! read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

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My boyfriend and a couple friends came here for some wine tasting. They were pretty busy and it took a while to get seated. We were greeted by the owner, Jill, who was very nice. Our server was also very nice. It took a while to get our wine though. And the atmosphere itself wasn't quite as appealing as some of the other wineries. I did love their Sparkling Wine and took a bottle to go. Probably will come back again. read more

so..,we missed the turn on our 1st visit...no issues on the 2nd..,and most definitely, there, will be a 3rd..! the owners' welcomed us with a smile and a kind word...& the "lone buffalo herd" was right in step...the wine is amazing...the atmosphere is relaxing...and the "misters" were cooling! a trip worth the while, and when your there.., created a "flight", we prefer "red"... must tries:"just' cuz", "where the Buffalo roam", "Tatonka"...enjoy! read more

I was recommended to come to Lone Buffalo. They have a good location on Wise Road which is good for hitting several Placer County wineries and even a brewery. The winery has a great look with a upscale rustic look and a nice tasting room and patio. Unfortunately, the wine was a bit off. Judging wine is an imperfect science with each palate being different. I did not like with wine, but the winery was pretty good. It is also hard to judge based on one vintage since grapes and styles are always changing. The staff was nice, and the room was pretty cute so I am giving them 3 stars mainly for the environment instead of the wine, but I am hoping that things will be better on a future trip. read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Tasting Room Interior - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

Went wine tasting with several friends at Lone Buffalo Vineyards recently and had a great time sampling their many and varied offerings. Owner Phil was very helpful providing details and was a great host. We were inside, but they also have a large covered patio area to hang out and fully enjoy the rustic location. Left with a bottle of "Where the Buffalo Roam." read more

Always so friendly and wines are amazing. Thank you, Jill, for your hospitality! We'll be back!!

Such a special place with lovey wines and an engaging staff to educate on them. Tawny port, Tempranillo and the Petite Sirah stood out. Wine and wine tastings are what you make them. This is a hidden gem that's deserves a ton of attention! read more

This is a really cool spot on the Placer Wine Trail. Some greta table reds, very reasonable pricing, and a great place to stop and eat your picnic lunch on the trail. A lot of free range cattle roaming around the grounds just outside the facility, we tried to pet the cows, but they didn't like us. This place gets super ho in the summer I'm guessing, as our trip in late March was pretty warm. There is a bunch of cool twisted metal art around the grounds that I suggest you take some time to look at, as well as some leather, Native American stele jewelry you can purchase inside, if you're into the south0western style art stuff. I recommend the Where the Buffalo Roam Red read more

Lone Buffalo Vineyards - Cows out front of the vineyards. - Wineries Near Me - Auburn, California

Good at making wine. Bad at making customers. If 3 people taste to select a bottle, each must pay $5 to taste, but only one person's $5 goes to wine. Other two relinquish their fees. Thus a $25 bottle will cost you $35. Other wineries offer better pricing. read more

After tasting one of Lone Buffalo's wines at one of my favorite local restaurants, Cafe Zorro, and then discovering that they were just a short drive from us, my husband and I knew that we had to make a visit. Lone Buffalo is not just the name of the winery, it's also the whole theme. The tasting room has buffalo decor in every direction you look. Each wine that they make is also appropriately named along with the buffalo theme. We had originally had the opportunity to try 'Where the Buffalo Roam" (a blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache) at Cafe Zorro and loved it enough to bring us to the winery. We were excited to find that their other wines were just as good if not better. My favorite was the Thunder Beast Zin, not just because it has a fun name but, because it was a truly great bold zin. The owners, husband and wife, were so incredibly friendly and even taught us some fun facts about buffalo. After tasting all of their wines, my husband and I decided to enjoy a glass out outside on the patio. The winery really has a great vibe and their patio was such a great place to enjoy the atmosphere and relax. FYI they are also dog friendly! We were warmly invited to bring our little ones both inside and out on the patio with us. They have their own adorable dog right in the tasting room as well :) read more

Went here for a friends bday. The woman who seated us was immensely rude and had a chip on her shoulder like no other. I haven't even tried the wine yet and quite frankly I don't want to spend any money here. What a pathetic excuse for someone in the service industry. read more

I am most definitely not a wine expert. I'm not even a passably knowledgeable amateur. I'm pretty much a wine cavewoman, so keep that in mind. I just drink what I like. So you cool, highly-educated wine people can totally ignore the rest of this review if you like, I won't be offended. My friend and I were disposed to think well of the Lone Buffalo as it was recommended by the folks at another winery we liked. The drive there is lovely, the tasting room has pleasant rustic décor, we were greeted in a friendly fashion, all good. There were two large parties there at the time, but we still managed to find a spot at the tasting bar. Each wine has a cute buffalo moniker (Bison Blanc, Thunder Beast, Noble Beast, etc.). The wine maker/owner is a charming gentleman with a great mustache, he seems just like a nice person. However, the wine....well, it just did not suit us. We really tried! We really, really, wanted to like this wine. I don't think I've ever actually walked away from a winery without a bottle to take home, I usually find something I like enough to buy. At the end of our tasting ("now you've had the whole herd" said the afore-mentioned charming gentleman cheeseball), we tried to think which one we liked enough to buy. But we just couldn't do it. I felt terrible. The charming gentleman waited expectantly, convivial good humor radiating from his kind face. When we thanked him profusely and sort of intimated our intention to leave, the jovial glint in his eyes hardened to granite: "That'll be five dollars each for the tasting then." Alrighty then. We left, suitably chastened, with a bad taste in our mouths. read more

Lone buffalo is one of my favorite wineries! Jill and her staff and simply amazing and always welcoming and accommodating. They have some yummy snacks for purchase as well and a beautiful outdoor picnic area! Beautiful location with amazing service and awesome wines! read more

One of the many on the wine trail. The drive up is pleasant. So full for the visit and no seating about. Staff was somewhat timely to acknowledge upon entering on a busy day. A little disorganized to whom was helping who. It was whatever staff tending to who lever needed assistance. Wine tasting was explained. A small fee unless you purchase. Five tastings. First was one of the whites. Definitely not one to my senses. Smell was a bit offsetting. The taste wasn't great. Dry but flavor was there. Second was a red. Nothing earth shattering. Fast forward. Something for most people here, these wines didn't really do it for me. Not sure if result of smelling first one. We didn't pick up anything. Good: ease to find parking. Bad: nothing to my taste. Smell of one can be a turn off. Staff attentiveness is suspect. Might try again. Improbable though. read more

Just left Lone Buffalo without tasting. We had a group of 12 people celebrating a 40th birthday. When we walked in the woman was extremely rude and told us she couldn't accommodate us. We pointed to the 2 open tables and said we could sit there and stand. We were interested in tasting and purchasing. The inconsiderate woman said if we did that she would need everyone to pay $7 up front and she made a point to tell us even if we purchased wine the fee would not be waved. They clearly don't welcome larger parties, but there is a more tactful way to handle the situation. Unfortunately, they lost a lot of business read more

Wow there are some harsh reviews on here! I do know wine. I am a musician who plays many wineries in Paso Robles. My neighbor is a wine salesman and reps wine from all over the country. Rarely am I impressed with wines. I came here with low expectations and I thought they had exceptional wines at a very low price point There blend "where the buffalo roam" was an amazing everyday table wine that is easy to drink and could pair with most anything. The zin and cab were very impressive as well. I will come back again definitely . read more