What a wonderful find! There are so many fine wineries in the region that it is easy to miss a really excellent one. Luckily, a club manager at another winery suggested that we try Tercero, in large part because Larry makes it so interesting. As luck would have it, we will have to go back for that experience because Rebecca was hosting the morning we dropped in and she was terrific. What you want in a host is someone who is passionate about the wines and represents them well, is knowledgeable, and who "reads" what you are enjoying and adjusts the flight accordingly. She was all of those things, plus warm and humorous. She made it a first rate tasting experience. We also appreciate a wine maker who risks making small production varieties what are somewhat unusual in an area, and Tercero does this, as well as making the usual suspects for the SYV/SRH. Prices are more than fair for the quality of the wines, which is very high. read more

My favorite winery! They have my favorite wine, Grenache! All the wines that I tasted were amazing! If you love Grenache, then you will love their wine! read more

See all

With so many tasting rooms in Los Olivos, I have wandered by here on prior visits, not giving it a chance. Prior to this visit to the area, I researched Rhone style wines, which were unconventional and elevated, which is how I made sure that Tercero was our first stop this weekend. Jim made our tasting such a delight. Not only was he friendly, he gave us just the right amount of information about the grapes and wine making process, also suggesting some of his preferred food pairings. There is no doubt we will be back and continue to buy these delicately crafted wines. read more

Our party of 3 had a delightful stop at Tercero on our Rooted Vine Wine Tour. Owner Larry shared his passion and philosophies on winemaking which transpired to our tastings. Tercero won our hearts and tastebuds with Trilogía and Cinsault Rose. These wines literally put a smile on my face and made me happy. Highly recommend this special place if you're in the area. read more

Tercero Wines - Lovely outdoor seating. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

See all

First visit today and we had a very friendly, chill tasting thanks to Darla. Larry wasn't there so we didn't get to meet him. Their tasting room is perfectly located in the middle of Los Olivos. Tasting fee is $25 but waived with purchase of two bottles. The wines were very nice and predominantly white. We didn't inquire about the wine club but noted you save about 50% on their prices by being a member. We enjoyed most of the wines but we found them to be very light in general. But that's just our opinion. Would definitely stop by again. read more

What a delight! I'm usually not much of a fan of white wines, but the white wines they have created are wonderful. I had the pleasure of being the first guest of the day to do a tasting, and Rebecca was just lovely to be around, she had me laughing the whole time. Highly recommended! read more

We didn't expect much when my wife and I came to this tasting room... But it changed quickly starting with white wines... Most interesting one was Marsanne and Grenache was a star among red ones. I think it is a best Grenache I ever tried. Other wines were good as well - nicely balanced and elegant. Jim maid really good presentation... Thank you Jim. We visited 2 more tasting rooms (Stolpman and Story of Soil) nearby but they were not even close to Tercero. read more

Just awesome wine and atmosphere . Everyone is very nice and relaxing time spent. Larry is great

Next to a busier Dragonette, Tercero was a great find. Very good whites, great owner. Nice patio seating to people watch with some good wine. read more

Tercero Wines - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

I had a wonderful experience at this tasting room and was entertained with the pourer. Definitely a fun time with excellent wine. Small, cozy and welcoming tasting room. From Grenache Blanc to Syrah it was all very delightful. This is definitely a place to visit when in Los Olivos. read more

Tercero Wines - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

We did a tasting here and Larry was an amazing host! He knows people's tastes and the wines were some of the best we have had in this area. We are red wine drinkers but even the whites were excellent! Thanks to Larry for a great experience. read more

"Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That's all we shall know for truth Before we grow old and die" - Yeats "Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost." ― Erol Ozan Part of a road trip should always include wine...whether that also is included during the driving part is determined whether you are drinking or spitting ;-) A recent road trip of mine down HWY 1 to Santa Barbara included a stop over in Los Olivos at Tercero Wines (along with Dream Cote Wines, review to follow). This has been a favorite winery for a few years but my first time here. Tercero is a great story. After a career in Educational Publishing (Son of Frank Schaffer? I forgot to ask), Larry decided to take his passion for Santa Barbara wines and put his money where is mouth was (Or is. Larry's FB page can sometimes be a classic case of doing your best not to sell wines by having an opinion on everything). Larry's focus is "artisan" Rhone wines and in that sense for sure his marketing matches what is in the bottle. I cannot think of a wine from Tercero that I did not like and have bought his wines through retailers such as Wine Exchange or Total wine as well as direct through his Wine Berserkers promotions or the four bottles I bought in his shop (including a lovely Albarino). His Grenaches and Mouvedre are outstanding as are his Viognier and Grenache Blanc varietals. There is a Yelp check in discount of 10% which I forgot to ask for so that makes up for buying his excellent wines at even better price points than listed ;-) A must stop in Los Olivos...Maeapple who poured for us was cool and chill, and even driving Brit's car from Dreamcote ;-) Lunch is over so I will get to that review later tonight! read more

There is no better place in California to get a wine education than Los Olivos. The convenience of so many tasting rooms scattered about in a small-block, pedestrian-friendly radius makes it seem almost like a college campus, replete with the outdoor spaces, the music, and the above-21 beverages needed to "study" the subject matter with the right mix of seriousness and fun that makes lifelong learning such an appealing proposition. Wine is an ideal topic for learning, because it's fairly easy to get into but exceedingly hard to master. There's a simple set of principles that you can pick up in minutes and then massive amounts of complexity and nuance that take years to appreciate. And of course it's very interactive and exciting to travel to the wines themselves rather than simply picking up a bottle for dinner at your local grocery or wine shop. Plus, some wines are so limited in production, you really need to be there to try them. That's why Tercero is a great place to continue your wine education - or to enroll here in the basics of Vino 101. What's nice about their wines and head winemaker (Larry S.) is that you'll probably like it here equally as much if you're new to wine or if you're more in the "advanced learner" category. The wines Tercero makes are mainly Rhone varietals, so you won't feel lost in a world of too many choices. There is enough range, however, for almost everyone to find at least one white and one red that they'll like and want to take home for further study. The no-nonsense, ground floor tasting room looks almost like a lab or a classroom, with the "teacher" behind an L-shaped counter and the "subject matter" for the day written neatly in chalk on a wall-mounted blackboard. There aren't tasting notes here (too likely to bias the untutored nose and palate). Instead, there are "tech sheets" that tell you the basics of each wine on the flight that day: vineyard, vintage, bottle price, alcohol level, and type of aging. And then there are the lectures, esp. if Larry is pouring that day. There are lots of simple explanations and loads of interesting details, with no need for rigorous note-taking. There won't be a "pop" quiz at the end, since all Tercero wines are sensibly bottled with easy-off screw tops. And with whites in the $20 range and reds in the mid-$30, you won't want to "cram" by drinking too much all at once. Tercero chooses specific vineyards in Santa Barbara County that are well sited for Rhone grapes, so you can compare horizontally and vertically if you're so inclined. They also experiment freely with different methods of wine making depending on the year's harvest conditions (cool summers, dry Septembers, various ripening rates, etc.), so you'll be able to learn about things like whole cluster pressing, malolactic fermentation, and acidity/tannins/aromatics - if you're interested. Larry S. is very active in the Rhone Ranger movement and quite good at converting Pinot + Chardonnay drinking diehards to the world of wine tasting possibilities that the Santa Inez and Santa Maria valleys offer. There are various "instructors" in Los Olivos where you can go after Tercero to test out other creative possibilities (Qupé for Marsanne/Rousanne blends and single-vineyard Syrah, Refugio Ranch for Rousanne/Viognier and Syrah/Petite Sirah, for example). And Larry will gladly recommend other wine-tasting "courses" in the area for you to take if you're interested in something specific. That kind of competitive collaboration seems to be the case in Los Olivos and in the nearby Lompoc "wine ghetto," where multiple wineries and wine-makers are concentrated. And, when the tasting and lecturing are over, you can leave with a lot, or a little, depending on how much room, money, and time you have. A pair of Grenache Blanc (white) and Grenache (red) bottles would make a nice option, or a 4-pack of blend-friendly reds (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) from different vineyards or vintages. And then there's the "instructor's master blend" option: a Verbiage blanc and Verbiage rouge, both of which are made each year by selecting various lots and barrels to mix together, which is a nice way to compare Santa Barbara Rhone grape wines to those produced in France, in Washington state, or in other areas of California like Paso Robles or Sonoma where Rhone blending is expertly practiced. There's a fun vibe to wine learning at Larry's place - just listen for the music in the background when it gets quiet. Not every tasting room in the world will feature Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," I'd bet. And the cost of tuition isn't that high, either. Keep it in mind on your next visit! read more

Tercero Wines - Front entrance, seen from San Marcos Ave. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

In wine class they are trying to teach me about "terroir", you know the dirt, the sun, wind, water blah blah blah. Actually I'm starting to understand all of it but the more I go on wine tastings and meet the wine makers the more I taste personality over dirt. Which brings me to Larry, the wine maker. His personality finds its way into every bottle of his wine. He's passionate and just a little crazy. Crazy in love with the process on how wine is made and lives. He'll school you on how air and temperature affects the taste and aromas of his Jesus juice. He will add his own tasting notes during a pour but always asks for yours and then.... listens with interest. Facebook, yeah Larry's on it a lot. Instagram too. So when you take home a few bottles and then post pictures guess what? Yep, Larry is there offering you a pairing tip or asking how it went down. You'd think he really cares and you'd be right. Now more than ever, every time I twist the cap (Larry doesn't use corks) I stop looking for terroir and start noticing the nuances of Mr. Schaffer. What are my favorites? Hmmmm hard to pin one down but the Mourvedre Rose has been a favorite with my friends this summer. I'm writing this review under the influence of the 2010 Verbiage GSM that makes me want to be a Rhone Ranger! Pricing is straight up simple but BEWARE! If you really like something buy more than you think you'll need because it might not be there next time. I haven't noticed price increases on popular or close to selling-out wines at Tercero but i have been SOL when a favorite runs out. OK I'm going back to finish this bottle and taking Breakfast at Tiffany's off pause. Paul: "Holly, you're drunk." Holly: "True." read more

See all

We received a list of local wineries that gave complimentary tastings and decided on Tercero. We were NOT disappointed. We were nicely greeted by Maeapple upon our arriving and she was just exceptional! We got to have some strawberries and chocolate with our wine samples and she did a great job at answering our 100 questions because we are totally new at this. She was very informative, friendly and professional and we were very pleased the service. We ended up purchasing a bottle to take back and enjoy at our spa hotel after dinner and I highly recommend this great local gem for the wine. read more

Tercero Wines - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

A nice place to step back and enjoy wine the way it was done in the old country. Incredibly creative flavors with the soul and comfort of an old friend. Big, bold, smooth just like the craftiest prostitute. Yet soft and gentle leaving me relaxed all the way to morning. Romance, adventure all the canny features and fun of meeting a new mate. Worth the trip. read more

Tercero Wines - The place to take those special people who mean the most to you! - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

Love this place! Larry the winemaker is knowledgeable and fun! No pretentiousness, which can be found often at wineries. Wines are great! Highly recommend for a laugh and a good glass of wine! read more

This was such a fun experience. Umbrella covered patio creates a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere with an abundance of wine selections. Jim served our first couple of wines - he is a treasure in his humor and personality. Larry (owner) brought out the next tasting and "carried the water" from there on. Water in H2O, not in watered down wine = it was a very humid day and they did all possible to make it comfortable. Such knowledge and passion of wine - these guys not only make you laugh and feel welcomed, they work their tails off to keep you happy and produce, unique quality wines. Everything wine tasting should be about is found at Tercero Wines - no one should ever be disappointed!!! Grab a few bottles while you are there, otherwise you'll mope around the house, pissed at yourself for missing the opportunity! read more

I had heard of this winery for a while. While going through Los Olivos, I decided to walk in, in spite of the constraints of Covid 19. Larry Schaffer was an impressive and passionate host. All wines, white and red, were very well made. Larry has a light touch and his wines are restrained alcohol-wise. I expect that the mourvedre and verbiage rouge I purchased will match well with food. Among the whites I enjoyed particularly the grenache blanc and verbiage blanc 2016, which is Larry's rendition of a white Saint Joseph or CdP. read more

First time wine tasting here. Wonderful, personable staff. Owner introduced himself and shared his vision/passion in his wines. Never experienced meeting the owner of any winery we've visit in the ten or so years we've wine tasted in Solvang/Los Olivios. Wines are very unusual and a new experience with each. This is a must go place when in Los Olivios. read more

See all

I was lucky enough to stumble upon Tercero wines back in 2012 on a wine tour of Los Olivos. Every wine we tasted was excellent, leading to signing up for a membership that I have kept ever since. I have never been disappointed by Larry's wine, and often am surprised by many varietals he uses that I have never heard of. He is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about all things wine, and we always enjoy chatting with him and learning all sorts of cool stuff about wine! Even with moving to the East coast for 5 years, Larry would send my shipments across the country; always a welcomed treat. Anytime we are in Los Olivos, we drop by to treat our friends, chat with Larry, and pick up a few bottles. Highly recommend checking it out if you are ever in the area and enjoy good wine and conversation. read more

I was eager to come into this tiny tasting room because the sign outside said "Weird Staff"... so I put knowledgeable and quirky server Maeapple to the test. I guess she's only "weird" because she was willing to talk about stuff other than tasting notes, genuinely, surprisingly openly, like what's the story behind #LarryIsMagic, the decor (she demanded Larry change the art), or her wine tasting pet peeves (show-offy wine snobs), or her strange family members, or... I don't want to give away TOO much. [Oh, yeah, the wines are fine to great.] PS. I can't guarantee the same sort of candid, fun discussions for everyone who comes in- maybe it was because we were so darn cool. read more

My family and I did a virtual wine tasting from Arizona for Mother's Day and we had a great time. Larry was awesome. His presentation was casual, down-to-earth, and very enjoyable. Shipping was smooth and fast and the wines were really good. Even our non-wine drinkers enjoyed the wines. We will definitely be buying more wine from Tercero in the future. Thank you Larry for allowing us to have such a fun family activity during this pandemic! read more

Tercero Wines - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

See all

I was impressed by all three aspects of Tercero Wines: the tasting room, the wines, and the winemaker. Larry S., the man behind the wines at Tercero, was pouring on the day of our visit, which was more than a year ago, so the vintages of wines we tasted are no longer available, but based on recent reviews, I don't think that the quality has changed (although it may have gotten even better). The tasting room is small but open and filled with places at the bar or in more private corners. We came with a newborn (about 6 weeks) in a stroller, and the mother was not tasting, but she found a quiet place where the others could mingle in-between sips of wine. Besides its creative Rhone blends, Tercero specializes in vineyard-designate wines that reflect a wide range of growing regions in Santa Barbara County. Because Larry had previously worked for larger wineries like Fess Parker, he got to know some really unique vineyards and also had the chance to see what type of winemaking philosophies are out there - everything from natural wines to made-in-the-laboratory concoctions that are blessed by the likes of Enologix (for a hefty fee). Mega-purple came up at one point - Larry obviously doesn't approve - but it raised some important issues that often don't get discussed at corporate-owned tasting rooms. Why rock the boat by mentioning such things? At Tercero, you won't feel afraid to let your inner wine geek out, and you'll get to enjoy really good wines in the process. We took several bottles of Terecero Mourvèdre with us for cellaring, and opened them after about a year following the visit. They were outstanding! Very food friendly, great aromatics, long finishes, beautiful fruit, earth, and spice. We also loved the Grenache Blanc and gifted that to a friend who gravitates towards higher alcohol, rich whites from Paso Robles. I think that it is worth your time to visit Tercero when exploring the Los Olivos wine scene. It is an excellent point of comparison with innovative places like Palmina in the Lompoc wine ghetto, and with fancy vineyards and wineries in the Santa Ynez valley, like Melville, or along Foxen Canyon Road, like Zaca Mesa. Also, for the many Sideways fans out there, this is a Merlot-free zone. And no Pinot, either. Tercero proudly flies the Rhone Ranger flag, and if you come to taste the wines, you'll be glad he does so. Especially if you enjoy the Rhone-style wines made by Tablas Creek or Bonny Doon, you should definitely bookmark this spot. read more

Larry and Maeapple get everything right here! If you only go one place in Los Olivos, make Tercero your stop. My SO and I first had Tercero wines at an event at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. Intrigued, we decided to check out the tasting room in Los Olivos. Larry and Maeapple are both naturals at providing an excellent tasting experience. The wines are often not what I'd call standard, and that's what makes Tercero so exciting for me. Of particular note was aberration, a red wine that reminded me of some of my favorite crisp whites. Larry explained both the process and ideology behind his winemaking techniques in a way that everyone could understand. Oh yeah, and I also can't forget to mention the amazing bread! I'm definitely putting Tercero on the "must taste" list for subsequent visits to the valley. read more

Our favorite tasting room in Los Olivos hands down. Go here if you want to learn something new, taste unique wines and have a great overall experience. Favorites today (because it changes): Mourvedre, upcoming Rose, but honestly...it's all good! read more

Tercero Wines - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

We really enjoyed our visit here. It was a bit crowded when we walked in but the winemaker Larry welcomed us and found a place for us at the bar. We were interested in their single varietal wines (some of which weren't on the tasting menu) so they customized a tasting for us to include the wines we wanted. My favorite was the 2013 mourverde from their Larner vineyard. The tasting is $15 and includes 5 wines. Bottles are $30 for white $40 for red. Larry and Mayapple took good care of us and answered any questions we had, we're glad we stopped by! read more

My favorite tasting room in Los Olivos... so much so, that I joined their wine club! Whenever my friends and I are in the area, we always make sure to make this spot a priority. Larry (the winemaker) and Maeapple are wonderful hosts and are really knowledgeable about what they're pouring... and pretty much anything else that has to do with wine, in general. They're both so sweet and have really made us feel like family every time we stop in. And if you're lucky, you'll come by when Larry brings some of his homemade bread... jalapeno cheese... it's a show stopper! Bottom line though... they have really fantastic wines! White, red, rose... all of it. All good! I always have a couple of bottles of Rose and their Albarino on hand at all times because to me, those are his shining stars. Best stuff ever! Go here... you won't be disappointed. read more

Often times you find yourself tasting wine at a tasting room with a pourer who is somewhat knowledgeable about the wines (because they've memorized the tasting notes...lol). However, it's not everyday you run into a winemaker and pourer who are as affable, gregarious, and erudite as Maeapple and Larry! Larry, the owner and perspicacious winemaker, was in the room and was an absolute amazing addition to the normal wine tasting experience! He had baked some chocolate chip banana bread and stout bread that was delicious! Throughout the entire time there he was able to offer his opinions and thoughts on the wines he created, as well as carrying on some great conversation on the side. If you are in Los Olivos, this is a must try if you are a discerning wine enthusiast! read more

Had I written this review a few hours earlier I would have been the first to review! Saturday I was wine tasting with a couple of friends and one of them had a Groupon for this winery. I think it was two tastings and a bottle for $24 or something like that. It was a GREAT deal. The winery is a little off of the beaten path, around the corner from Dragonette across from the little tower where there is a new chocolate shop. The server was great and my hat is off to her for putting up with one of my friend's stories! Wine tasting sure brings out the honesty and frankess in some people. She described the wines, was nice about giving revisits of whites to our other friend who isn't such a fan of reds and told us a lot about the winemaker and where the grapes are sourced. The winemaker is on the team that makes wines for Fess Parker (as is Dave Potter from Municipal in Santa Barbara) There were a couple of open bottles not on the tasting menu and we were able to taste them as well. The Mourvèdre was SO good. I would definately go back. read more

You can really feel the hard work, passion, and love in every sip. In my mind this tasting room & wine is a hidden gem. The owner/wine maker, Larry, is such a approachable person. He will talk your ear off if you let him. The Grenache Blanc was one of my favorite whites that I tasted in 2012. The GSM, Cuvee Christie, pay homage to the Rhone Valley of France. This wine is why I hold the SBWC so dear to my heart. Cheers! read more

The Tercero tasting room is an absolute MUST visit if you are in Los Olivos. Larry Schaffer, owner/winemaker is perhaps the area's biggest advocate, promoter, and liaison. He's the person that was instrumental in getting me into Santa Barbara wines, and Rhones in general, through this label. Larry has come a long way since his 06 vintage. Larry just keeps getting better and better. His knowledge of the choice vineyards he works with, and utilizing the fruit to it's full potential has lead to better and better offerings as newer vintages get released. Larry's whites, Grenache Blanc, Vio, and Gewurtz, are all refreshing and and allow for food pairing. Larry makes a number of reds, but he seems to be cornering the market on his Mourved work. Using the varietal in a KILLER rose, and also in a 100% effort that is still. Larry has a portfolio full of stellar Grenaches, Syrahs, and Rhone blends. All giving the taster Larry's philosophy and vision in a wine glass. Larry makes wine for food and good conversation; and sometimes to challenge and expand one's palate and thoughts on wine. The tasting room itself is perhaps L.O.'s smallest, but most power-packed and efficient. Always pumping choice cuts from The Talking Heads or Morrissey, you most likely will have the pleasure of tasting with Larry himself, or his right-hand, Laurie Jervis. James Mann has joined the staff as well and is always great for a fun conversation. I can't recommend visiting the tasting room enough. I guarantee a great experience. read more

Friendly staff. Larry the owner, makes homemade fresh bread that is Devine. Make sure you try the Hawaiian bread be makes, yum!!! read more

Tercero Wines - Larry the owner and side kick. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Los Olivos, California

Omg! Jim is amazing! We went to 3 different wineries in the area and this was by far our favorite! The wine was excellent and the service was stellar. Thank you for the great time. We will definitely be back read more

Went there in July and had a nice long chat with the attendant along with trying different wines. She was attentive and was very patient in explaining about the wines. Our friend in LA is a lover of wine and strongly recommended us to go here. Since Los Olivos has more than one tasting rooms, we listened to her advice and couldn't agree more with her. Great service and lovely wine. We saved our wine till we got back home in Norway, and sadly it's not for sale here, so we have to go back this July as well! Follow their instagram account and get thirsty.. If you are, like me, unable to go there and buy some fine wine or just want inspiration. read more

Great atmosphere! Larry is very very knowledgeable and willing to answer all questions in detail! Highly recommend this spot!

Larry knows his stuff and very enjoyable atmosphere. He's quite a character with lots of passion for what he does. Also bought my first wine bottle - Grenache Blanc 2010 - for $20. Just after the first sip, I immediately liked it. Now I know why it's the Gold Medal Winner. Also the wines don't have corks which is great. Can twist it open anytime you want without the difficulty. Drink on! Definitely understands why he doesn't put wine tasting notes because each person has a different palate and may not be able to taste what is described. Also mad props to the erlenmeyer flask displays. Love the modern/nerdy-ness atmosphere. He uses iPads for his transactions. Overall, I would definitely come back again for a tasting and maybe purchase a bottle or two. It's not on Grand Street, so it's not visited often. However, if you get a chance, check this place out! Great service, wine, and company! read more

This was a nice place to stop and have some wine. All the wines I tried were very good, very favorable. Both the white and red wines were very good. Most places seem to do well at one or the other but Tercero white and red wines were very good I have had a few bottles of the reds from here at home now ( yes by myself lol) and every wine has been fantastic. The thought that comes into my head when I drink it is, "you just can't deny it is good wine. Tercero really knows how to make it." read more

The Tercero wines add sophistication, structure and finesse to the classic California wine values of fruitfulness and volume. It is wines like the Cuvée Christie and the straight-up Grenache that makes the California take on Rhone varietals better than the Rhone region's own efforts, if you ask me. Actually, if you ask me, Tercero has the best range of wines in the whole region...if not in America. Oh, and the tasting room (finally!!) is cute and small, located in one of California's best little hideaways when it comes to wine and food. Just go. read more

SO GLad our wine Krew found this taste room . One of posse passed a SOMM exam and was happy to talk Co2/RS/Brix with owner-winemaker and others enjoyed the sassy and glib staff-Gal. Wines really EZ to drink and very flavorful. At least 1/2 of them would pair nicely with food while others are fun to sip on their own. The SOMM was into unusual and eclectic Reds and this taste room- winemaker had those 2. Will return when in the area read more