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    Sanford Winery

    4.2 (230 reviews)
    ModerateWineries
    Closed 10:00 am - 3:30 pm

    Sanford Winery Photos

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    Luisa G.

    We went on a last minute whim when we were driving to pismo. Off the beaten path and worth the drive. Amazing service by Connor who is an expert on wines. Totally charming vineyard with delicious wines. Their Pinot is good but amazing Chardonnays! Great place to spend a couple hours. Fireplace inside but sit outside! Dog friendly! A must and ask for Connor! He was charming and gave us exceptional service! A must!

    Gohar K.

    I just realized that I had this review sitting in my drafts for months with a few other reviews. What a shame. A beautiful winery in Lompoc, Ca. A place we love visiting every year. Sanford is one of the stops we make because of its scenic location and great wines. My favorites are the Sauvignon Blanc and the Pinot Noir. We always get bottles, sit outside and enjoy the views all around. Beautiful Relaxing Calming Amazing Always a great time here.

    Tasting menu, September
    Stacy S.

    We did the Sideways self-wine tour this past weekend. It was really hot, so we were inside and didn't get to gaze at the beautiful views while tasting. The service was good, yet slow. At times we had to probe for information about the wine. The tasting fee is fair for what you get. However the cost for the cheese plate or charcuterie is ridiculous. I appreciate that the winery has jars available for water... yet I saw them also handing out single use plastic bottled water which is odd.

    Stacey R.

    Wow, wow, wow! Wonderful experience at Sanford Winery! This is a beautiful winery tucked in the hills. We arrived at 11 and stayed until 5. Jason took care of us and he was phenomenal. From the moment we walked into the door he greeted us with a friendly smile as if he knew us. He allowed us to sit wherever we like and he shortly came out to greet us again. We got the estate flight and some charcuterie. The charcuterie was packaged to Covid standards and it was beautiful in its boxes. Jason came out with each bottle of wine and gave us a lovely history not just about the winery but the wine itself and showed us where everything to make the wine was sourced from on the property. He is extremely knowledgeable about the wines and can answer any question you have. Though I don't think you'll have any questions after he has talked about the wine as he's poured it for you. The winery is beautifully stunning from the inside seating area to the amazing outdoor patio area. You can come and play a game of cornhole while you sip, and an even bring your dog to accompany you as this winery is dog friendly. This was my first time here and definitely will not be my last. Everything was beautiful from the wine, to the charcuterie, to the beautiful views and friendly staff. Shout out to Jason for being amazing definitely ask for him when you go.

    Wine with a view!

    I've been to Sanford on several occasions and always have the best time. The wine is some of the best in the area, the location is stunning, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable. During our most recent trip my husband and I had Chelsey provide our tasting and she was so welcoming, informative, and professional. We will definitely be coming back and bringing friends and family to share the experience with!

    Rebecca S.

    We stopped at Sanford on my birthday, as we were driving back to LA. It was a pleasant surprise! The location is beautiful and so peaceful. Their Pinots are scrumptious and the view is breathtaking on the patio! We were so well taken care of by the manager and our tasting waitress, they were so kind to us and took the time to talk and get to know us. They gave us a few pours that were not on the menu, when they found out we preferred reds and did not forget to honor my birthday with kindness too! Also, the best photo of our whole trip was at Sanford. Their vines are a lovely photo opportunity , amongst the singing birds and wildflowers. This winery offered a peace that none of the others did. Thank you for the birthday hospitality!

    Pinot
    Donna B.

    Delightful day tasting one of the best Pinot's we have ever had. Sanford Winery is located in the beautiful Santa Rita hills. This winery is not only historic (starting in 1971) but is one of the pioneer wineries in Santa Barbara County. Hope, the tasting room manage set the stage with beautiful descriptions of each wine that including 3 pinots, 2 Chardonnay's, a rose and a little surprise bubbly. We loved sitting in site of the very vines that produce these exquisite wines. Make a reservation in advance.

    One of 6 bottles I shipped back to Missouri.

    We stopped here almost on a whim. The staff was beyond excellent. The wine tastes as if deities squeezed the grapes. The tasting room was comfortable and relaxing. If you only had time to visit one vineyard make it this one.

    Otis enjoying the view

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    1 year ago

    Wonderful wines in a beautiful location. Neil, our host, was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. A great way to spend the day

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful winery. Mostly Pinot Noirs in tasting. Service a bit slow but gorgeous setting.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Sanford Winery

    Review Highlights - Sanford Winery

    The review is both for the winery overall and the ATV tour where the drive you around the vineyards tasting.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Montemar Wines

    Montemar Wines

    4.9(226 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$

    Montemar is the quintessential Sunday wine sipping destination…read more With a secret garden like backyard that goes on for days, you'll find quiet coves for private conversations and stages for fun shows. It's the ultimate in a fully functional "backyard retreat" We brought our dog June, in an effort to give her June-cation deux. Recently her big brother Jackson had passed and she was left quite distraught. We figured a weekend out with numerous pets and lovers from fellow wine lovers would brighten her day. And boy did it. Montemar was a last minute addition to our schedule. We hadn't even planned on staying the night but did last minute when we found a great hotel deal that included dogs. I had been curious about the Lompoc wine scene for ages and this was the perfect opportunity. Lucky for us it was a quiet Sunday afternoon and June was given free reign of the backyard. We tasted a few flights and then opted to share a bottle of the Grenache blanc Pet Nat - perfect for a balmy Late fall afternoon. We loved the chill vibe here and would recommend to anyone with low energy pets. We can't wait to return and try out more wines and literally just chill and hang. It's such a peaceful environment for that!

    I took my MIL here after relocating to the area. We had a great time and tasted delicious wines!…read moreThe service was friendly and informative. The ambiance was fun and cute. Overall, a wonderful experience!

    Photos
    Montemar Wines
    Montemar Wines
    Montemar Wines

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    The Hilt Estate - Tasting room

    The Hilt Estate

    4.3(24 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$$$

    The Hilt Estate has a gorgeous tasting room and great wines, probably the best of all that we…read morevisited. However the service we received was unlike any of the other wineries we stopped at in the area. When we arrived at 3:30pm we were greeted at the door by a young woman who immediately told us that they would be closing at 5pm so we may not have much time for a tasting. An hour and a half isn't enough time for a tasting? After sitting in the large open tasting room, we engaged in conversation with her about the wines and the winery. When asked how she got into the business and started working at Hilt, she said she just wanted something that she didn't hate, and had applied for the job a couple months ago. When we asked about the white wine they had, she mentioned its tannins. Tannins in white wine? Given that we were only interested in trying the whites and the majority on the tasting menu were reds, we decided to try a glass of the white on offer instead of doing the tasting. The pour was about 2 ounces. It's too bad that the service was so impersonal and uneducated because the winery and the wines seemed so impressive. We would have loved to learn more but decided to cut our losses and leave.

    We had a fantastic experience at The Hilt Estate, very reminiscent of Napa-style tastings…read more Beautiful interior, glassware, privacy. The furniture and artwork were both stunning as well, definitely recommend sitting by the fireplace. Our host was lovely, knowledgeable, and super accommodating of the timing before our next reservation. She explained the wines perfectly and definitely got us thinking about the different tasting notes. We left with a few bottles of the 2005 Sangiovese, it was an off-menu recommendation from our host and this wine had an amazing aroma, didn't even need to take a sip to know how special it was (but obviously did)! All said, an amazing experience, beautiful wines, knowledgeable staff - definitely recommend!

    Photos
    The Hilt Estate - Main room

    Main room

    The Hilt Estate - Patio

    Patio

    The Hilt Estate - Barn vineyard vibes

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    Barn vineyard vibes

    Fiddlehead Cellars

    Fiddlehead Cellars

    4.2(44 reviews)
    6.6 mi
    $$

    We couldn't find the winery and we couldn't locate them. We booked a hotel in the area and thought…read morewe could do a tasting but‍ Very confusing website- and phone # doesn't work Tried the other # and left a message and still nothing

    Fiddlehead Winery part of the Wine Ghetto in the Sobhani Industrial Park. Look to the back side of…read moreFiddlehead to find an outdoor patio with tables physically distanced and wearing masks until reaching your table routine. What is so impressive and amazing is owner Katy Joseph who is so vibrant and welcoming at an age most of us would just be happy chilling out. For her, wine and wine making must be her fountain of youth. Still rather rare to find a woman as the head of a winery. Congratulations on being one of the earlier female pioneers in the oenological world. Every week there is a different set of about 6 2oz wines to sample at $17: 1) Pink Fiddle Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 2) Bebble Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2017 3) Bebble Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2016 4) Bebble Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2015 5) Missing 7 Pinot Noir 2013/2014 6) 728 Pinot Noir 2014 Grüner Veltliner (grew nair felt lee nair) vertical tasting was a nice touch in showing the three different vintage years of the same grape grown in the same vineyard. Grüner Veltliner's homeland is Austria which is generally colder and wetter than Santa Barbara County so the grapes here reflect more warm sunlight which seem to make it taste more strong, higher alcohol, heavier bodied, sweeter than what I had tasted in the old country. Of the 6 samplings I liked 728 Pinot Noir best with its bright ruby glow, sprightliness, light black fruity scent and flavours,  mellow, rounded mouthfeel. Goes well with pork or salmon or as a sipping wine. The extra resting for 6 years seems to have rounded the corners to this amiable wine. We spent over an hour lounging as we sampled, critiqued, analyzed, compared and contrasted our samplings. Good luck to our other friendly, informative, low key gentleman whose family owned a local winery.  It was his 3rd day at Fiddlehead. Congratulations and hope to see you next time. Good feel place to hang out and tipple.   "Friday: 2-5pm  Saturday + Sunday: Seatings at 12 pm + 1:30pm + 3pm  Reservations recommended, Walk-ins accepted 1 805.735.7728 | 1 805.742.0204  tastings@fiddleheadcellars.com" 4 stars.

    Photos
    Fiddlehead Cellars
    Fiddlehead Cellars - Fiddlehead Wines

    Fiddlehead Wines

    Fiddlehead Cellars

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    Clos Pepe Vineyards - The Clos Pepe flags whipping in a cool breeze in the Santa Rita Hills. (Our boss is Italian, but we make Burgundian varietals.)

    Clos Pepe Vineyards

    4.9(49 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    Disclaimer - I did not actually visit the winery at the address listed on Yelp. I was fortunate…read moreenough to hear about a barrel tasting that was being held on the very weekend my wife and I planned to visit. The barrel tasting was held in a storage and bottling facility in Lompoc. The barrel tasting was hosted by the wine maker, Wes Hagan. I can honestly say that is the most I've learned about wine in roughly a one hour period. We tasted from several barrels of Chardonnay, both oak and stainless. Then moved on to Pinot Noir. Finally, we moved on to bottles, one Chardonnay, and a 2009 and 2010 Pinot Noir. I am usually not a Chardonnay fan, but this was not overly buttery like usual Chardonnay. The Pinots... Well, they were simply fantastic. I probably preferred the 2010 to the 2009, but I would be happy drinking either one! If you ever get the opportunity to visit Clos Pepe, especially if Wes is going to be talking about wine, you'd be a fool not to go.

    What a great tasting experience! I contacted the winemaker, Wes Hagen, a couple days in advance…read morehoping for availability. He said that as long as we didn't mind tasting with a slightly larger group then he'd love to have us. There were four in my group and we joined another 15 or so people at the vineyard. The tasting started off with a sheep herding exhibition. They use sheep to take care of the weeds and undergrowth instead of herbicides. From there Wes gave us some background on the surrounding area. By background I mean that we gave us a short history lesson going back thousands of years explaining why the soil and mountains are perfect for pinot. To some this may sound a bit boring. Please don't think that though. This was one of the most entertaining and informative talks I've heard in a long time. If college were like that I would be working on my doctorate right now. After that it was off to the owner's house for the tasting. First we warmed ourselves by the fire (it was overcast and in the low 50s), but the sun peeked out from behind the clouds and we moved the tasting outside. Great snacks and amazing wines. Gouda, white cheddar, and a buffalo mozzarella drizzled in their olive oil were available with freshly warmed bread. That went with a chardonnay, three pinots from successive years, and a syrah. The pinots were the highlights for me. Wes explained how he likes to make lighter wines that express the terroir in which they were raised instead of higher alcohol fruit bombs. This translated to a wonderfully complex, elegant wine. After the wines Wes made everybody espressos. I highly recommend Clos Pepe. I only wish they had a membership. I will definitely be stopping back in the future.

    Photos
    Clos Pepe Vineyards - A cute alternative to pesticides

    A cute alternative to pesticides

    Clos Pepe Vineyards - Wes giving a brief history of the land and vine

    Wes giving a brief history of the land and vine

    Clos Pepe Vineyards - Beautiful setting for a wine tasting

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    Beautiful setting for a wine tasting

    Sanford Winery - wineries - Updated May 2026

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