Pres'quile Winery

I usually don’t post reviews on restaurants but Presqu’ile is an exception. This place is such a gem. It’s upscale without being pretentious, the wines are delicious and the food is even better. Suspiciously affordable for wine country standards, and it’s only suspicious because this is the best winery I’ve ever been to — and I’m from Santa Barbara. Chef Julia (I think that’s her name?) is incredible; never met the woman but I know what she does is magic. Tom provides amazing service. The Scandinavian architecture, coastal California feel and elevated atmosphere has something for everyone here. No complaints. 10/10. It’s giving more than we could ever ask for.

Came in for a wine tasting with friends on a beautiful sunny day. Victoria did a great job with us. Served us wine and explained about each one. When she knew what we prefered, she then gave us suggestions of what wine we would probably like. We then ordered two bottles and the cheese board and ate outside. Beautiful setting for a wonderful day.

This a beautiful property! We tasted 5 wines and had a great lunch. Enjoyed the wine so much I left with a case!

We came for the Friday live-music happy hour with young children and had a very enjoyable experience. I found it to be extremely kid friendly, or at least welcoming. In the parking lot, we passed a departing staff member and I confirmed I could bring children (a lot of wineries don’t permit children), and he said of course and pointed out the grassy areas as well as recommended the seasonal chocolate chip cookies (which were REALLY good albeit $5/pop). When we got inside a staff member was very friendly in explaining how the happy hour works (outside of happy hour it’s by reservation only but Friday evenings first-come, first-serve for seating). She was very nice and friendly when I asked if it was okay I brought food for my kids (normally they don’t allow outside food but can be flexible for kids// I expected this and had just brought them each a discrete snack box with their dinners). View was gorgeous at 6 pm. We enjoyed the live music… and actually wished she had played more. We tried the Chardonnay and Syrah as the website specified they specialized in those as well as Pinot. We also enjoyed the seasonal flat bread. Most groups seemed to go for a bottle of wine. This attests mostly to the kid-friendly nature of the event but there were a couple other groups with small children, diverted by coloring etc and mine enjoyed walking around the flowers and looking for bugs. Overall, everyone was very nice and everything was delicious and the atmosphere was very chill and relaxing for a Friday evening. I would definitely go back for the Friday evening happy hour.

This was such a nice experience! This visit was sometime in February, so it was a little chilly but being in the sun was warmer and very nice. Went around noon for a nice lunch and some wine with the food/wine experience. The wine was fantastic! I’m not even one that loves wine, but I was blown away by how delicious all options were. The food was also amazing and was inspired by Asian cuisine we were told. Couldn’t have asked for a better selection of food items. Also added the charcuterie plate, which I’d prefer to see some changes; maybe more olives and the menu said there were figs on the board, but didn’t get any. Our waiter was nice but didn’t talk much besides asking if we were local to see if we wanted to buy into the wine club. Otherwise there was a waiter from Pennsylvania (same!) that I listened to at his tables and he was so personable and friendly. He even came to say hi to us and talk about being from PA!

My fiancé and I made the trip to Presquile from Santa Barbara and it was the most amazing experience thanks to Tom! He spent so much time with us (even after closing) telling us about the grounds and selecting wines specifically based on our likes and dislikes. We will most definitely be back to see Tom and can’t wait to bring our family to experience presquile as well!

Guillermo

Fantastic place to visit. Definitely get the mezzanine laung tasting experience. Everything was delicious and paired well. The wines are nice (its more about the experience) and the views are breathtaking. Really good place for a larger group.

Colby Aubuchon

Such a lovely afternoon spent at Presqu’ile! Our group enjoyed the wine and food tasting while sitting outside on a beautiful sunny day. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the potatoes, farmer’s cheese, hummus, and pita bread, and paired well with the different wines. The service was friendly and prompt. Highly recommend checking it out!

Wiktoria Marroquin

Absolutely love this spot—it’s hands-down our favorite place to visit in the valley! The wines are truly exceptional and speak for themselves, but let’s talk about Chef Julie for a second—she’s a culinary genius! Do yourself a favor and never skip the food option. Pair that with the stunning views outside, and you’ll find it impossible to leave. The staff here are the kindest, most attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable people—they make you feel so welcome! If you get a chance, don’t miss the Gamay and Aligoté—they’re absolute gems.

Melanie Garay

Love that this place is so close to our home 😆 and it’s a beautiful location. The staff is also very friendly. This is a go to place when someone from out of town comes to visit.

Monaca Thomas

As someone always in search of the next adventure, I discovered one of my top five life experiences right here in Santa Maria at Presqu'ile Winery. And what better way to explore its spacious and enchanting grounds than on horseback? From the moment you arrive, the winery captivates you. The winding road through the vineyard leads to a stunning, modern building. We were warmly welcomed, fitted with helmets, and guided down the property to meet our horses. Now, let me preface this by saying I have an unreasonable fear of horses. But that didn’t faze our guide, who expertly introduced us to our horses and offered helpful riding tips. These horses, gentle and calm, seemed to truly enjoy their role as guides to the winery grounds. Their “day job” is training new riders—mostly kids. My horse, Kicks, was a 30-year-old snuggler who immediately put me at ease. When I stopped petting him, he nudged my hand, asking for more affection. As we set off, Kicks patiently followed my commands, guiding me through the experience. Understanding my anxiety, our guide's mother, Sue, walked alongside us the whole time, helping me overcome a lifelong fear. As we rode, we marveled at the rolling fields, mountains in the distance, and sightings of the coast just a few miles away. The rows of grapevines awaiting harvest gave us a glimpse of the future wine that would soon be tasted. After our ride, we were greeted with a crisp sparkling rosé—a perfect way to end the adventure and begin our wine tasting experience with a curated food pairing. We returned to the winery, soaking in the views, and settled by the fireplace to sip wine and enjoy good conversation. Our server, a Santa Maria native, was incredibly knowledgeable about their wines, which included chardonnays, pinot noirs, and syrah. She explained the wine-making process in detail and presented a spread of delightful bites to pair with each wine—from a fresh salad with hand-picked fruits and vegetables grown on the property to handmade hummus and a whipped goat and feta spread. The food and wine pairings were an experience in themselves. Our visit concluded with a tour through the winery's temperature-controlled cave, which stretches 60 feet underground, lined with barrels filled with aging wine. The tour ended on the terrace, where the breathtaking views once again left us in awe. From start to finish, the entire experience was extraordinary. If this winery wasn’t on your bucket list before, it certainly should be now.

Edith Ritter

The chef creating the mezze picnic and specials at this place was so impressive on top of amazing views of the valley and hills, gorgeous architecture and fantastic rosé, syrahs and pinots. We ordered the special gallette made from locally sourced ingredients and the mezze picnic and the ingredients the chef put together was hard to decribe but so satisfying and delicious. Must go, but also reservation is important it gets busy. Side note they allow leashed dogs. Beautiful grounds.

g d

We came for the Friday live-music happy hour with young children and had a very enjoyable experience. I found it to be extremely kid friendly, or at least welcoming. In the parking lot, we passed a departing staff member and I confirmed I could bring children (a lot of wineries don’t permit children), and he said of course and pointed out the grassy areas as well as recommended the seasonal chocolate chip cookies (which were REALLY good albeit $5/pop). When we got inside a staff member was very friendly in explaining how the happy hour works (outside of happy hour it’s by reservation only but Friday evenings first-come, first-serve for seating). She was very nice and friendly when I asked if it was okay I brought food for my kids (normally they don’t allow outside food but can be flexible for kids// I expected this and had just brought them each a discrete snack box with their dinners). View was gorgeous at 6 pm. We enjoyed the live music… and actually wished she had played more. We tried the Chardonnay and Syrah as the website specified they specialized in those as well as Pinot. We also enjoyed the seasonal flat bread. Most groups seemed to go for a bottle of wine. This attests mostly to the kid-friendly nature of the event but there were a couple other groups with small children, diverted by coloring etc and mine enjoyed walking around the flowers and looking for bugs. Overall, everyone was very nice and everything was delicious and the atmosphere was very chill and relaxing for a Friday evening. I would definitely go back for the Friday evening happy hour.

Erica Rose

Talk about a culinary delight. I knew that we would be in for a treat, but I was utterly blown away by the presentation of the spread. All Mediterranean inspired cuisine prepared by their chef Julie Simon. They are referred to as mezze picnic lunches; and they are heaven. The wine is good here, not my favorites of all the tastings, but the overall experience and presentation must not be avoided on your next trip to the valley.

Mira S

This is a beautiful winery in Santa Barbara’s wine country. It is young, but for that reason modern and very very hip ambiance inside and out. Gorgeous property that features an acre garden of fruit and veggies used in the kitchen daily. Wine and dine experience was perfect. The Mezze platter was spectacular. Wine is solid, not my favorite, except for their Sauvignon Blanc that has a very unique flavor, but I believe they are still developing in that way. Certainly very much worth visiting, will definitely go back.

Jax DiBenedetto

The maze platter and wine were delicious, and beautiful views

Katie Skifstrom

We had an exceptional experience during our tasting, thanks in large part to our server Alex. She was incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that our visit was both enjoyable and informative. Her knowledge about the wines and engaging personality made the tasting experience truly memorable. Thank you Alex!!

Vianna Mabanag Mossman

I usually don’t post reviews on restaurants but Presqu’ile is an exception. This place is such a gem. It’s upscale without being pretentious, the wines are delicious and the food is even better. Suspiciously affordable for wine country standards, and it’s only suspicious because this is the best winery I’ve ever been to — and I’m from Santa Barbara. Chef Julia (I think that’s her name?) is incredible; never met the woman but I know what she does is magic. Tom provides amazing service. The Scandinavian architecture, coastal California feel and elevated atmosphere has something for everyone here. No complaints. 10/10. It’s giving more than we could ever ask for.

Belle Rod

Came in for a wine tasting with friends on a beautiful sunny day. Victoria did a great job with us. Served us wine and explained about each one. When she knew what we prefered, she then gave us suggestions of what wine we would probably like. We then ordered two bottles and the cheese board and ate outside. Beautiful setting for a wonderful day.

Mark Hebert

This a beautiful property! We tasted 5 wines and had a great lunch. Enjoyed the wine so much I left with a case!

Amanda

This was such a nice experience! This visit was sometime in February, so it was a little chilly but being in the sun was warmer and very nice. Went around noon for a nice lunch and some wine with the food/wine experience. The wine was fantastic! I’m not even one that loves wine, but I was blown away by how delicious all options were. The food was also amazing and was inspired by Asian cuisine we were told. Couldn’t have asked for a better selection of food items. Also added the charcuterie plate, which I’d prefer to see some changes; maybe more olives and the menu said there were figs on the board, but didn’t get any. Our waiter was nice but didn’t talk much besides asking if we were local to see if we wanted to buy into the wine club. Otherwise there was a waiter from Pennsylvania (same!) that I listened to at his tables and he was so personable and friendly. He even came to say hi to us and talk about being from PA!

Bianca Sleight

My fiancé and I made the trip to Presquile from Santa Barbara and it was the most amazing experience thanks to Tom! He spent so much time with us (even after closing) telling us about the grounds and selecting wines specifically based on our likes and dislikes. We will most definitely be back to see Tom and can’t wait to bring our family to experience presquile as well!

I dropped by Presqu’ile on a rainy Thursday and wanted to leave a review of the food tasting and our server (Tom). Tom was an amazing host with our group, taking time to explain the wines, the history and the flavors we could expect. Tom’s warm and welcoming energy set the tone for a pleasant afternoon and food and wine tasting. I was a bit worried that as a vegan, I wouldn’t be left with much to eat, however Presqu’ile really delivered there as well! The chef and crew made sure I had plenty of options and communicated to me what dishes I could and could not eat. They even separated them out on a different platter for me. Of course the view from the tasting room was stunning, caping off a wonderful afternoon!

Liz Quick

I dropped by Presqu’ile on a rainy Thursday and wanted to leave a review of the food tasting and our server (Tom). Tom was an amazing host with our group, taking time to explain the wines, the history and the flavors we could expect. Tom’s warm and welcoming energy set the tone for a pleasant afternoon and food and wine tasting. I was a bit worried that as a vegan, I wouldn’t be left with much to eat, however Presqu’ile really delivered there as well! The chef and crew made sure I had plenty of options and communicated to me what dishes I could and could not eat. They even separated them out on a different platter for me. Of course the view from the tasting room was stunning, caping off a wonderful afternoon!

Reservations are highly suggested. You should definitely get the picnic mezze which is a number of semi small plates of food that change seasonally. We went during the summer and it was so good we just returned a few weeks ago and we live at least 5 hours away. They have a good variety of wine at reasonable prices and a nice view.

Debbie Lewis

Reservations are highly suggested. You should definitely get the picnic mezze which is a number of semi small plates of food that change seasonally. We went during the summer and it was so good we just returned a few weeks ago and we live at least 5 hours away. They have a good variety of wine at reasonable prices and a nice view.

The service here was excellent. If you like full bodied cabs like Caymus or Austin Hope, you likely will not enjoy this wine. We did not. The only person in our group who liked it, doesn’t prefer the wines listed above. I wish I had known before we spent so much on the tasting. We wasted so much time. The food was delicious! That was the highlight. If I returned, I would order the food and the Sauvignon Blanc only. The wine is not paired at all with the food. The view is excellent.

Todays Present

The service here was excellent. If you like full bodied cabs like Caymus or Austin Hope, you likely will not enjoy this wine. We did not. The only person in our group who liked it, doesn’t prefer the wines listed above. I wish I had known before we spent so much on the tasting. We wasted so much time. The food was delicious! That was the highlight. If I returned, I would order the food and the Sauvignon Blanc only. The wine is not paired at all with the food. The view is excellent.

I am profoundly disappointment with the wine-tasting experience my friends and I had at Presqu'ile Vineyard on July 21st. We planned our stop at Presqu'ile as part of a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, eager to enjoy the renowned wine, scenery, and food of the Santa Maria Valley. Based on my research, I chose Presqu'ile despite the high price, expecting an exceptional experience. Unfortunately, our visit fell far short of expectations. Our reservation was at 3:15 PM, the last available slot of the day. Despite arriving on time, we were told to wait as the venue was not ready. The host who greeted us was noticeably disgruntled and unwelcoming. He hastily poured us a glass of wine, which we later discovered was the first on our tasting list, without any introduction or explanation. We were then left to wander without guidance. While waiting, we decided to walk down to the amphitheater to enjoy the beautifully maintained grass. However, within minutes, the host approached us hurriedly, insisting we move to our now-ready table. When we inquired about the grass maintenance, he dismissively replied, "There's a groundskeeper that certainly gets paid more than us to look after it," while looking us up and down in a judgmental manner. For context, we were dressed appropriately in a nice skirt with a crochet top, linen pants with a linen resort top, and a long dress with a denim jacket. Later, we learned from other guests that the manager had instructed the host to remove us from the grass immediately, resulting in a flurry of activity to do so. Our table, though pleasantly secluded, did little to salvage the experience. Our waiter, Mark or Marco, was inattentive and uninformative. He left the decanter with the various tastings on the table without pouring or explaining any of the wines. When we asked about food pairings, he bluntly stated that the food wasn't prepared with the wine in mind and could not answer basic questions about the vineyard's irrigation system. His response to an inquiry about irrigation was, "Harvesting of the grapes takes place in the fall," which was nonsensical. The only positive aspect of our visit was the food, which was exceptional despite not being paired with the wines. The meatballs, potatoes, side salad, and lentil hummus were delicious, and we commend the chef and kitchen staff for their excellent work. In summary, the host and waiter significantly marred our tasting experience. It is unacceptable to pay a total of $270.03 for three people for such a disappointing experience. I regret tipping, given the poor service we received.

Skye Svehlak

I am profoundly disappointment with the wine-tasting experience my friends and I had at Presqu'ile Vineyard on July 21st. We planned our stop at Presqu'ile as part of a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, eager to enjoy the renowned wine, scenery, and food of the Santa Maria Valley. Based on my research, I chose Presqu'ile despite the high price, expecting an exceptional experience. Unfortunately, our visit fell far short of expectations. Our reservation was at 3:15 PM, the last available slot of the day. Despite arriving on time, we were told to wait as the venue was not ready. The host who greeted us was noticeably disgruntled and unwelcoming. He hastily poured us a glass of wine, which we later discovered was the first on our tasting list, without any introduction or explanation. We were then left to wander without guidance. While waiting, we decided to walk down to the amphitheater to enjoy the beautifully maintained grass. However, within minutes, the host approached us hurriedly, insisting we move to our now-ready table. When we inquired about the grass maintenance, he dismissively replied, "There's a groundskeeper that certainly gets paid more than us to look after it," while looking us up and down in a judgmental manner. For context, we were dressed appropriately in a nice skirt with a crochet top, linen pants with a linen resort top, and a long dress with a denim jacket. Later, we learned from other guests that the manager had instructed the host to remove us from the grass immediately, resulting in a flurry of activity to do so. Our table, though pleasantly secluded, did little to salvage the experience. Our waiter, Mark or Marco, was inattentive and uninformative. He left the decanter with the various tastings on the table without pouring or explaining any of the wines. When we asked about food pairings, he bluntly stated that the food wasn't prepared with the wine in mind and could not answer basic questions about the vineyard's irrigation system. His response to an inquiry about irrigation was, "Harvesting of the grapes takes place in the fall," which was nonsensical. The only positive aspect of our visit was the food, which was exceptional despite not being paired with the wines. The meatballs, potatoes, side salad, and lentil hummus were delicious, and we commend the chef and kitchen staff for their excellent work. In summary, the host and waiter significantly marred our tasting experience. It is unacceptable to pay a total of $270.03 for three people for such a disappointing experience. I regret tipping, given the poor service we received.