Why you should visit Los Olivos, California wineries that make organic wine
This blog post covers the best wineries in Los Olivos, California.
Los Olivos is a small town in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California. It’s known for its world-class wines and beautiful vineyards.
The charming town of Los Olivos boasts old-fashioned buildings, some of the area’s best restaurants (like Bar Le Côte), and art galleries full of work from local artists. Even the post office is cute!
In this blog post we focus specifically on organic wine. Why? Because it’s fabulous.
An incredible amount of work goes into farming organically. As a result, the wine producers who choose to make organic wine are incredibly passionate about their craft.
The organic wineries on this list make handcrafted wines that are often single varietal wines of very high quality. They’re delicious and good for the earth. What’s not to like?
Another thing we like: many of these wineries are conveniently located near Grand Avenue in Los Olivos. You could easily walk from one tasting room to the next. You could also mix-and-match these organic wineries alongside conventional wineries with downtown tasting rooms. The world is your oyster. You can do what you like!
How to access wineries in Los Olivos, California
The best Los Olivos, California wineries are within easy driving distance of several major cities and towns.
Although Los Olivos does not have its own airport it is relatively easy to access other airports nearby.
The closest commercial airport is Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) located in Santa Maria, CA. It’s 27 miles from the airport to Los Olivos, which should take you about 28 minutes by car.
The next closest airport is located in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is 34.4 miles from Los Olivos, which should take about 45 minutes by car.
The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is also an option. It’s 56 miles from SBP, which should take 53 minutes by car.
The closest major city is Los Angeles. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 133 miles from downtown Los Olivos. The drive should take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Although it could be much longer depending on traffic.
Los Olivos is near several cute towns in the Santa Ynez Valley.
- The town of Santa Ynez is 7 miles away, which is about a 9 minute drive.
- Buellton is 9.4 miles away, which is a roughly 10 minute drive.
- Solvang is 5.6 miles, which should take you 11 minutes by car.
- Los Alamos is 11.6 miles, which is 13 minutes by car.
As you can see, your trip will involve driving. No matter which way you slice it you’ll need a car.
Your best bet is to fly into one of the cities I mentioned above, rent a car at the airport, and drive from the airport to the wineries on this list. Once you reach the tiny town of Los Olivos you can park your car and walk from one tasting room to the next.
The best organic Los Olivos, California wineries for a wine tasting
Solminer Wine Company
Solminer Wine Company makes Austrian-inspired natural wines.
They work with a variety of grapes including Grüner Veltliner, Blaufränkisch, Syrah, Riesling, Viognier and Muscat.
Solminer has two locations: a tasting room in Los Olivos and a farm five minutes from town.
You’re welcome to make a reservation at their Los Olivos tasting room (walk-ins are welcome too). The Solminer Wine Company tasting room is open seven days a week from 11 AM to 5 PM.
But if you’d like to visit the farm you’ll need to plan ahead. Solminer hosts their “Farm and Vineyard Tour” on the first Saturday of every month. Guests will have the opportunity to visit the vines, greet the farm animals, and learn about Biodynamic farming. The tour costs $25 per person.
Strange Family Vineyards
Strange Family Vineyards creates both sparkling wine and still wine.
These limited production wines are crafted exclusively from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Their organic and sustainably-farmed estate vineyard is nestled in the Santa Rita Hills AVA on California’s Central Coast in Santa Barbara County.
But their tasting room is located in downtown Los Olivos. It’s quite conveniently located, since it’s within walking distance of luxury resort The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern.
The Strange Family Vineyard tasting room is open Sunday through Thursday from 12 PM to 5:30 PM. Friday and Saturday it’s open from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Once you step through the door you’ll be greeted by botanical prints, green paint, and warm lighting. It’s a great place to sit back and relax.
Storm Wines
Storm Wines marries old world influences with new world techniques.
This family-owned winery is run by a husband and wife team. Brooke Storm manages the business side while her husband Ernst makes the wine.
Storm Wines sources all of its fruit from the best vineyards that practice organic, biodynamic, or sustainable farming.
They work with grapes such as Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay, and Syrah.
You can sample Storm Wines at their charming wine tasting room in Los Olivos. They offer a regular tasting flight as well as a Pinot-focused flight. Reservations are encouraged but not required. You can make a reservation via the Storm Wines Tock profile.
Coquelicot Estate Vineyard Tasting Room
Coquelicot Estate Vineyard makes small lot estate-grown wines using healthy farming methods.
This Santa Ynez Valley winery believes in “crafting wine that places Mother Nature first.”
They maintain an organic estate vineyard. They reject additives and enhancements. Their wines are low in sulfur.
Coquelicot wines are the antithesis of conventional wines that fill the typical American grocery store.
The Coquelicot Estate Vineyard tasting room is situated on Grand Avenue in the heart of Los Olivos. It’s open seven days a week from 11 AM to 6 PM.
This lovely Los Olivos tasting room even has a comfortable backyard, which is the perfect place for a glass of organic wine or two.
Story of Soil
Story of Soil makes small production, single vineyard, single varietal wines.
Winemaker Jessica Gasca applies minimal intervention to her wines, which allows the grapes (and soil!) to shine.
Gasca focuses on Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc.
You can sample Story of Soil wines in two places. The Los Olivos tasting room offers seated tasting appointments. Appointments are limited so reservations are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome space permitting. The tasting fee is $25 per person.
Story of Soil also offers a private winery tasting and tour for those interested in a more personalized experience. Guests will get an inside glimpse into Gasca’s meticulous winemaking techniques and philosophy. The tour includes a “private seated tasting amongst the barrels.” This private winery tour costs $50 per guest (it’s half price for wine club members).
You can book both tasting experiences online via the winery website.
Stolpman Vineyards
Stolpman Vineyards makes site-specific wines from grapes grown in the Ballard Canyon AVA. Their estate enjoys limestone rich soil and bracing Pacific Ocean winds.
Twenty years ago founder Tom Stolpman discovered this special plot of land and realized it was the perfect location to grow Syrah and Roussanne grapes.
Stolpman Vineyards estate wines also feature Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah grapes.
You can taste Stolpman wines in two places. First, you can sample Stolpman’s estate-grown classics on their Los Olivos Patio. This tasting room is open from 11 AM to 4 PM. Tastings cost $25 per person and last one hour. Reservations are required, so be sure to plan ahead. You can make a reservation for a “Los Olivos Patio Tasting” via the winery’s Tock profile.
Second, you can visit the Fresh Garage Patio, which is housed in the garage next door to their Estate Tasting Room. This great wine features whole un-crushed grapes that are natively fermented. They serve the wines chilled. The Fresh Garage Patio is open Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 4 PM. They close the tasting room on Tuesday and Wednesday. The tasting fee is $25 per person. You can also make a reservation for the “Fresh Garage” via the Stolpman Tock profile.
Other California wine regions to visit
California wine country towns in the Santa Ynez Valley
Solvang is about 11 minutes by car from Los Olivos. Known as the “Danish capital of America,” Solvang sports traditional windmills and charming Danish-style buildings with thatched roofs. Here are six Solvang wineries to make your visit even more delicious.
If you’re interested in organic wine, natural wine, and sustainable farming I’ve got other suggestions for you.
Los Alamos, California is another small town nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley. Los Alamos is about 13 minutes by car from Los Olivos. Although Los Alamos is smaller than Los Olivos it’s still very vibrant. We’ve made a list of the four best organic Los Alamos wineries to add to your Santa Ynez adventure.
Buellton is a roughly 10 minute drive from Los Olivos. These four wineries in Buellton use grapes that are sustainably farmed. Their wines are fresh, interesting, and good for the earth.
The town of Santa Ynez is situated within the Santa Ynez Valley. This list of five Santa Ynez wineries includes big ranches, Tuscan-style estates, and small family run operations that are as special as they are beautiful.
Wine country destinations throughout California State
The Santa Ynez Valley borders Santa Maria Valley. Santa Maria is renowned for its cool-climate Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay. These six Santa Maria wineries showcase the region’s spectacular wines.
Visit the Russian River Valley! The Russian River Valley is known for its world-class Pinot Noir. These four Russian River wineries farm organically or biodynamically. Each of these organic wine producers operates their small winery with lots of passion and strict farming practices.
Los Olivos is within easy driving distance of Los Angeles. But did you know that LA has its own set of wonderful wineries? We cover six amazing Los Angeles wineries that offer everything from fresh natural wines to big bold reds.
Malibu is just up the road so you may as well go! We cover several Malibu wineries and wine bars nestled in the Malibu hills and perched near the Pacific Ocean.
Although SoCal wines can be lovely, Northern California is far more famous. And who are the stars of the show? Why Napa, Yountville, and Healdsburg, of course!
We’ve compiled lists of the best boutique Napa wineries and the best downtown Napa wineries in the Napa Valley. Our list of the best Healdsburg wineries is also a good starting point for your trip planning. And last but not least, we have a list of a dozen Yountville wineries that may entice you to visit.
If you’re looking for a Northern California wine town that’s more off-the-radar then check out Morgan Hill. The best Morgan Hill wineries are within driving distance of San Francisco and San Jose yet feel like a true wine country escape.
