Santa Ynez Valley
for Danielle Pathak
& crew.
A streamlined set of favorite stops around Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton, and Los Alamos — built to feel helpful rather than overwhelming. Pick a few anchors each day, then use the rest as bonus options.
For three days, this list is just right. A relaxed pace usually means 2–3 wineries on a tasting day, one coffee stop, and one main meal reservation. The Los Olivos cluster — Story of Soil, Holus Bolus, and Storm — are all within easy walking distance of each other, making them a natural anchor for Day 1.
The Los Olivos
wine circuit.
These five wineries form the core recommendations. The first four are all in Los Olivos — Story of Soil, Holus Bolus, and Storm are within easy walking distance of each other, making them a natural anchor for a tasting day.
Story of Soil
A longtime favorite of ours and the perfect place to start your tasting day. Jessica Gasca makes small-production, single-vineyard wines with minimal intervention — honest wines that feel alive. They are especially known for incredible Pinot Noir, but honestly the whole lineup is strong.
Danielle and Jay went here with us last August, so there's already a warm personal connection to this stop.
Known for: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
2928 San Marcos Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441(805) 686-1302Holus Bolus
Just around the corner from Story of Soil — an easy walk and another great stop with a similar small-producer feel. Amy Christine and Peter Hunken are the winemakers, and this is a beautiful follow-up tasting. They focus on Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay with a high-quality, artisan profile.
Known for: Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
2902 San Marcos Ave, Suite B, Los Olivos, CA 93441(805) 637-1005Liquid Farm
A nice shift in style and a great addition if the group wants a broader range over the weekend. Liquid Farm leans into old-world–style wines with naturally high acidity and a strong focus on vineyard-driven Chardonnay and other varietals. Farmhouse-style tasting room in the heart of Los Olivos.
Known for: Old-world Chardonnay, high-acid whites
2445 Alamo Pintado Ave, Suite 101, Los Olivos, CA 93441(805) 697-7859Storm Wines
Especially good for whites. Ernst Storm, originally from South Africa, brings an old-world sensibility to site-driven wines. If the group wants to balance Pinot-focused tasting with something a little different, this is a smart add — particularly their Sauvignon Blanc and other white varietals.
Known for: Old-world whites, Sauvignon Blanc
2948 San Marcos Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441(805) 350-9456Saarloos & Sons
Fun, memorable, and a little different. Keith Saarloos is one of the recognizable personalities in the valley, known for wine-and-cupcake pairings and for being a great storyteller. He is also walking through a significant season of spiritual renewal in his relationship with Jesus. He may or may not be around when you visit, but if he is, he's an interesting guy — and the wines are good too.
Known for: Wine + cupcake pairings, great stories
2971 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441(805) 688-1200
Los Olivos — the heart of it all.
Most of the wine stops are within a few blocks of each other.
"Story of Soil, Holus Bolus, and Storm are all on or near San Marcos Ave — you can walk between them without moving your car."
Liquid Farm and Saarloos & Sons are a short drive away on Alamo Pintado and Grand Ave respectively.
Morning coffee stops.
Good Seed Coffee Boutique
Can't miss for coffee in downtown Solvang. An easy pre-breakfast or mid-morning stop and one of the simplest, most reliable recommendations on the whole list. Open daily from 7am.
1607 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463(805) 693-2132Lefty's Coffee Co.
A newer coffee spot right in the heart of Los Olivos — community-focused, local, and organic. Perfect for a morning stop before hitting the wineries on San Marcos Ave. M–F 7:30–2pm, Sat–Sun 8–2pm.
2896 San Marcos Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441Morning anchors.
These work well as morning anchors before tasting or shopping around town. Mattei's Tavern is the most elevated option; Mad & Vin and Leo's are more casual and personal.
Mattei's Tavern
A polished breakfast or brunch option at the Auberge resort in Los Olivos. Michelin-recognized pedigree and a beautifully restored historic setting — a fun, slightly elevated way to start the day when the group wants something special.
Mad & Vin
One of our longtime favorites in Solvang, located inside The Landsby hotel. Super convenient if the group is spending time wandering around downtown Solvang before or after. Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:30–11am, Sat–Sun brunch 7:30–2pm.
Leo's Café
Owned by chef Leonardo Curti and a great breakfast option in Solvang. This is his second location — an offshoot of Leonardo's Ristorante. Danielle and Jay got to know Leonardo last summer, so there's a nice personal connection here for the group. Open Mon–Sat 8am–2pm.
Bob's Well Bread
An artisan bakery and café in the tiny town of Ballard — named by Travel + Leisure as one of the 15 best small-town bakeries in America. Old-world bread, pastries, and an all-day breakfast menu. Worth a short detour. Open Thu–Mon 8am–4pm (kitchen closes at 3pm).
"The best meals in the valley pair well with the wines you tasted that afternoon."
— A note on the dining philosophy here
Where to eat
well.
A mix of dependable favorites, chef-driven spots, one splurge option, and one local wildcard. Nella Kitchen is the top pick for Los Olivos; Bell's in Los Alamos is worth the drive for a special dinner.
Nella Kitchen & Bar
Top of our list in Los Olivos. From the team behind S.Y. Kitchen, Nella features Roman flatbread-style pinsas and a menu that is consistently great. Located alongside the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. Open daily 11:30am–9pm.
Industrial Eats
A Buellton favorite with a creative, chef-driven menu and a more casual local feel. Great when the group wants something excellent without making it formal — tucked away in a repurposed warehouse on Industrial Way.
Bell's
For a splurge dinner, Bell's in Los Alamos is worth the drive. It's a bit out of town, definitely requires a reservation, and is one of the more expensive meals on the list — but it's among the best in the valley. Contact by email rather than phone.
Leonardo's Ristorante
Always a win in Solvang. Leonardo Curti will likely recognize Danielle and Jay from last summer — feel free to mention your name as well. A warm, reliable dinner option with Italian-inspired cuisine.
Shawarma at Santa Ynez Billiards
A delicious and affordable change of pace tucked inside Santa Ynez Billiards. This is the local-feel wildcard on the list — the kind of place you'd never find unless someone told you about it. Worth a stop if the group wants something completely different.
Los Olivos Café
A solid, classic Los Olivos option for a relaxed wine-country meal when you want something easy and reliable. No reservations taken — walk-in only. A good fallback or casual lunch spot.
All stops,
on one map.
Filter by category, click any marker to see details, and tap Directions to open in Google Maps. Color-coded by type — green for wineries, amber for coffee, orange for breakfast, and brown for dining.
The Ranch Church
A warm, welcoming church community meeting in Solvang. If the group is curious about attending a service during the trip, this is where they meet. Casual, accessible, and worth knowing about.
Check-in & Entry
Check-in
After 4:00 PM
Check-out
By 11:00 AM
Front Door Code
5103
Wi-Fi & Parking
Wi-Fi Network
Kennedy Retreat
Password
beourguest
Parking pad on the right as you drive down the driveway — fits up to 3 vehicles.
Directions
- 1
From Highway 246 (Mission Drive), turn north onto Quail Valley Road.
- 2
Turn left onto Dove Meadow Road and head up the hill.
- 3
Turn left again onto Deer Hill Drive.
- 4
1256 Deer Hill Drive is about a quarter mile down on the left.
- 5
Enter through the gated driveway and keep to the left on the circular driveway.