Frequently Asked Questions
Questions & answers
Visiting
Hours & Planning Your Visit
What are your hours of operation?
The tasting room is open every day, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last reservation is 3:30 pm and the last seating is 4:00 pm; no tasting begins after 4:00 pm. We are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Holiday hours can change — please check before you travel.
What time is your last reservation?
Our last tasting reservation is at 3:30 pm. Last seating is at 4:00 pm.
How much time should I plan for a visit to Sunstone?
We allot 90 minutes for your entire wine tasting experience from start to finish.
Booking
Reservations & Booking
Do I need a reservation to visit Sunstone Winery?
Reservations are optional but will ensure faster service during peak visitation days such as weekends. Seated reservations may be subject to inclement weather.
When should I book a reservation?
We recommend booking your reservation as soon as possible. Weekends and holidays are especially desirable times to visit our beautiful estate.
Do you allow walk-ins?
We do our best to seat walk-in guests as availability permits.
Can I bring more guests than the total of my reservation?
The seating we reserve for you is specific to the number of guests in your party. We will only be able to accommodate additional guests if we have space available for your new party size. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to increase your guest count. Please keep in mind adults who will not be tasting wine and children out of stroller age must be included in your total guest count. While we cannot guarantee additional guests can be added to your reservation, we will do our best to accommodate changes if the number of total guests does not exceed 10 people.
In the tasting room
Tastings
Do you charge for tastings? What should we expect?
A tasting flight of five wines is $30 per person and takes about 90 minutes. Wine by the glass and by the bottle is available too.
In the tasting room
Food & Drink
Do you serve food at the winery?
We have food trucks on-site Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, based on availability. We also offer charcuterie boards and a small variety of snacks for purchase in the tasting room every day. We welcome guests to bring their own food to enjoy during their tasting all days of the week as well.
What non-alcoholic beverages do you offer?
Soft drinks, sparkling water and still water are available, along with our non-alcoholic range. There is a complimentary refill station inside the tasting room and you are welcome to bring a reusable bottle.
Can we bring our own food?
Our guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in our tasting areas. Picnic tables are available to tasting room visitors enjoying a wine tasting, or wines by the glass or bottle. We kindly ask that all guests enjoying their own picnic lunch or food from our on-site food truck clean up after themselves, and properly dispose of all trash in the receptacles provided.
Can we bring outside alcohol?
Outside alcohol is not permitted at our tasting room.
Booking
Groups & Large Parties
Group Reservations of 11+ Guests
A limited number of tastings are available to book for large parties of 11 or more, including minors and non-drinkers. If you are looking to visit with a party of 11 or more, please email us at info@sunstonewinery.com
Limousine, Bus & Large Group Policies
We happily welcome large groups as well as bus and limousine companies with advance reservation. Our guests with group reservations must arrive on time. Any variance in your arrival time may result in the cancellation of your reservation without notice. Limos and buses will not be permitted after 3:00 pm. Drivers may drop-off and pick-up guests in the tasting room parking lot. Intoxicated guests and/or guests with outside alcohol cannot be admitted.
On the estate
Children & Pets
Do you allow children?
Children are allowed at Sunstone and must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Are you dog-friendly?
We welcome our well-behaved fur friends in our outdoor spaces. All dogs must be cleaned up after and always remain leashed while visiting Sunstone.
On the estate
Gratuities
Should we tip our servers?
Gratuities are at the sole discretion of the guest and are always appreciated by our staff.
Visiting
Finding Us
Where is Sunstone Winery?
Sunstone is at 125 N Refugio Road, Santa Ynez, CA 93460. From Highway 101, take Highway 246 at Buellton and follow it through Solvang into Santa Ynez, then turn right on Refugio Road. We are a mile south of Highway 246, beside the Santa Ynez River.
Booking
Before You Book
Do I need to be 21 to visit?
You must be 21 or older to taste or buy wine, and we ask everyone tasting for valid photo ID. Guests under 21 are welcome on the property, and children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Everyone in your party counts toward your reservation total, including adults who are not tasting.
Can I cancel or reschedule my reservation?
Plans change. Email taste@sunstonewinery.com or call (805) 688-9463 to cancel or move a reservation and we will sort it out with you. If you are running late, we hold your table for 30 minutes after the start time. Online wine orders have their own cancellation policy.
Someone in our party has mobility needs. Who should we tell?
Email taste@sunstonewinery.com before you visit if someone in your party has restricted walking ability, and we will make sure you are as comfortable as possible. If you have other access questions, call (805) 688-9463 before you book and we will tell you what the site is like.
Private groups
Private Tastings & Events
Can we book a private tasting for our group?
Yes. Private tasting experiences run from one or two guests up to a party of 48, depending on which experience you book. A dedicated wine specialist guides your group through the tasting list in a private setting. Call (805) 688-9463 or email taste@sunstonewinery.com to arrange one.
Can we hold a wedding or private event at Sunstone?
Yes. The estate hosts private events in the Lavender Court, the Fountain Courtyard, the Cuvee Cave, La Cav, the Cavetop Terrace and the Grand Lawn. Tell us your date and guest count and we will confirm what we can host. Weddings and other contracted events are arranged through the Sunstone Winery sales team rather than the tasting room.
Planning the details? See our preferred vendors.
Wine
Our Wines & Vineyard
Which grape varieties does Sunstone grow?
The estate vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley is planted to six varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier. The vines sit on three shale terraces that step down toward the Santa Ynez River, and the fruit is picked by hand. We also buy fruit from partner vineyards in Santa Barbara County.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes. Virtual gift cards come in $50, $100, $150, $200 and $500 denominations and are sent straight to the person you are giving them to. We also sell a gift certificate for a wine tasting for two.
Membership
Wine Club
How does the wine club work?
Members receive a pre-selected collection of Sunstone wines four times a year, in February, May, August and November. You can take a mix of reds and whites or all reds, swap bottles between shipments, and either have the wine delivered or hold it for pickup in the tasting room. Shipping is included in the price of Reserve and Founder’s club orders. Signature club orders ship at a $15 flat rate.
How do I join, and what does joining commit me to?
Choose a tier on our Membership page and sign up online, or contact the Membership Department at club@sunstonewinery.com or (805) 688-9463, ext. 1, between 10 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday. You must be 21 or older to join. Cancel anytime. There is no minimum number of shipments and no commitment period.
What do members get when they visit?
Members receive complimentary tastings and discounts at both the Santa Ynez estate and the Montecito lounge, and club pickups are available at either location. Members also receive discounts on wine, stays and events, and earn rewards points on purchases that can be redeemed for wine. Call ahead for pickups outside a club release.
Orders
Orders & Shipping
Which states do you ship to?
Wine orders require the signature of an adult at delivery. We ship only to states that allow direct shipment, and each state sets its own limits on how much wine an adult may receive, plus taxes and charges. Enter your address at checkout to see whether we can ship to you.
Can I cancel a wine order?
An order cancelled within 24 hours of your emailed confirmation is cancelled without penalty. After that, a confirmed order that has not shipped incurs a 15% restocking fee. If it has already shipped, refuse the delivery and we will refund the wine less shipping and the restocking fee. Email info@sunstonewinery.com.
Wine lounge
Sunstone Montecito
Where is the Montecito wine lounge, and when is it open?
The lounge is at 1294 Coast Village Road, Montecito, CA 93108, and it is open seven days a week: Sunday to Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 1 pm to 8 pm. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are only recommended for holiday weekends and larger parties.
What can we drink at the Montecito lounge?
The lounge pours tasting flights of Sunstone estate and reserve wines, plus wine by the glass and by the bottle, wine cocktails and a non-alcoholic range. A rotating menu of light charcuterie, cheese and snacks is available alongside. Happy hour runs daily, and there are weekday specials on glasses and cocktails.
Plan your visit
Still have a question?
Call (805) 688-9463 or email taste@sunstonewinery.com and we will answer it.