About This Winery
Santa Maria- Come join us in our intimate tasting room and sample some of our award winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, or try something new with our Rhone and Italian varietals.
+ More
Tepusquet Road leads across the Santa Maria Valley past row crops, wild goats and dusty roads to the oasis that is Ken Volk Vineyards and Winery. What was once the Byron Winery facility has now been transformed into a modern boutique operation, with handcrafted wines produced by the former owner of the very successful Wild Horse Winery in Paso Robles. 
The winery focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but also produces Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition, the winemaker promotes and produces rare “heirloom” wines made from sometimes overlooked grapes including Mourvedre, Malvasia Bianca, Pinot Blanc, Tempranillo and Negrette.
Perched in a narrow canyon over Tepusquet creek sit the winery buildings, as well as the 25-year-old four-acre vineyard that provides the fruit for Volk’s Estate Chardonnay. The winery sources grapes from other cool Santa Barbara and San Benito County vineyards, as well as from the warmer vineyards of Paso Robles.
The small cozy tasting room is paneled with knotty pine and looks out on a peaceful hillside high above the creek. The uncomplicated room has vineyard maps and a few items for sale, but mostly concentrates on the wine. Wines from their sister brand, Aqua Pumpkin Wines, are also available to taste and purchase. Several picnic tables can be found on the narrow strip of grass and the covered deck in back. This off-the-beaten-track winery is a unique wine country wine-tasting experience.
Winery Information
Hours: Open Friday to Sunday 10:30 to 4:30pmFees: Tasting Fee $5 credited with purchase
Price Range: $14 to $48 per bottle
Established: 2006
Vineyards: Four acres
Production: 12,000 cases
Discounts: 5% discount on 6 to 12 bottles, 10% on 12 to 23 bottles and 20% on 2 cases.
Unique Amenities: Additional tasting room in Paso Robles
Winery URL: http://www.volkwines.com/
Ambiances
- Casual & Relaxed
- Dog Friendly
- Family Run
- Off the Beaten Path
Wine Types
- Bordeaux
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Estate Grown Wines
- Italian
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Rhone
- Syrah
- Zinfandel
Winery Video
Winery Map
Rate This Winery
Please login or register to use this feature.
Reviews
| 3.4/4 (20) 3.4/4 (20 reviews) | |
| 3.3/4 (20) 3.3/4 (20 reviews) | |
| 3.75/4 (20) 3.75/4 (20 reviews) | |
| 3.85/4 (20) 3.85/4 (20 reviews) |
Rating Entries
|
Small room with a fantastic array of vino. Great staff behind the counter made our day memorable. Chard, Pinot, Merlot, Mourvedre and a tasty Viognier! 4/4 4/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
One of our favorites. We love their Pinot, their reds are top shelf and they have an interesting variety of whites, we particularly enjoy the Malvasia. If you are visiting the area this needs to be on your list. 4/4 4/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
Small room with a fantastic array of vino. Great staff behind the counter made our day memorable. Chard, Pinot, Merlot, Mourvedre and a tasty Viognier! 4/4 4/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
I'm not sure where the last comment came from, but it was clearly out of form and left in bad taste. I have been to this lovely tasting room 3 times in the past two years and have got nothing but great things to say about the staff as well as the wine. I have had great service, and ever before have I been to a winery where such a variety of amazing wines are being made. I highly recommend this winery to anyone interested in quality wines. I also recommend that the guy who wrote the last comment go back when he's sober. Maybe that way he can leave "taking" about how great the experience was. 4/4 4/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
The google map on this website helped us find this exceptional winery tucked back against the hills. The place is near the end of the road so you are really out there but it is only 10 minutes or so from Santa Maria. There are some really interesting wines produced here included the best Pinot Noir I have ever had. Also though are the Rhone varieties Viognier and Mourvedre which were exquisite. Plus rich Chardonnay and a killer Cab! The owner winemaker really knows what he is doing. Don't pass this place by. 3.75/4 3.75/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
Seek these wines out. You will not be disappointed. Cool find in Santa Maria. 3.75/4 3.75/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
I can't believe there was a negative review for this winery. We found it thanks to the staff at Cambria who recommended the winery. The staff are and have always been exceptionally friendly, especially Carol who's wonderful. The wife and I always find the best wines here , now and agin we find one we don't like but it's rare. We met Kenneth Volk on Boxing Day just before they were closing for the night and he insisted we stay and taste. He said not to worry about the tasting list, and opened up everything he had in stock! He was happy to have pictures done with my wife and her friend and was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We ended up staying an hour. It's a tiny tasting room, it used to belong to Byron, but very cosy. It gets busy sometimes but that's how you meet other interesting folks. We've been there when there was a bathelorette party and another time a birthday party and it's fun, fun, fun! Great staff, great atmosphere. Also they take there $5 fee off any bottle you buy. Thanks to THAT movi 3.75/4 3.75/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
Harvest weekend and KV had the tents out back with what I would say around 20 wines to choose from. We had the Vintners Visa and received 10 tickets to sample 10 wines. Snacks were set out in the tasting room and grapes were in the bins out in front of the winery. We tried some of the lighter reds outside and moved inside to try the heavier reds. What our group thought stood out were 07 Malvasia Bianca, 06 Pinot Garey Vineyard, 04 Carmody McKnight Claret and we bought a case of the 04 Paso Cab. This ranks as one of the best stops of our 4 day trip. Friendly knowledgeable staff pouring some very good wines in an ideal setting. 3.75/4 3.75/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 4/4 3/4 4/4 |
|
Seek these wines out. You will not be disappointed. Cool find in Santa Maria. 3.75/4 3.75/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
This was off the beaten path but well worth the visit. Really great wines here and the best Chardonnay from the central coast. Tiny tasting room but nice yard and tables over the creek. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 3/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
Any tour of the Santa Maria area wineries needs to include Kenneth Volk Vineyards. Ken has the depth of wine making experience to produce a great selection of red and white wines and that is proven out by the extensive local awards this year by the Santa Barbara Fair. The 2005 Chardonnay received best white wine of the show! I also recommend the Viognier, Tempranillo, and Mourvedre. Ken has a passion for his wine and can be found pouring at local events, something I really appreciate. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 3/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
This modest tasting room is deceptively impressive. The staff is consistently knowledgeable and pleasant. Ken Volk is a very gifted winemaker producing a wide variety of interesting wines including some unusual varietals. Until the bridge is completed, the route there is a bit circuitous. But, take the extra time to get there. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 3/4 3/4 4/4 |
|
Ken Volk has built on his legendary wine making history at Wild Horse by opening a signature winery in Santa Maria Valley. Once again, he is creating some of the best wines in the area, and if you enjoy Rhone varietals and blends, you must find time to stop here. In particular, try some of his rare varietals that you won't find most places such as Verdelho, but don't skip the incredible Roussanne and Tempranillo. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 3/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
Any tour of the Santa Maria area wineries needs to include Kenneth Volk Vineyards. Ken has the depth of wine making experience to produce a great selection of red and white wines and that is proven out by the extensive local awards this year by the Santa Barbara Fair. The 2005 Chardonnay received best white wine of the show! I also recommend the Viognier, Tempranillo, and Mourvedre. Ken has a passion for his wine and can be found pouring at local events, something I really appreciate. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 3/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
This was off the beaten path but well worth the visit. Really great wines here and the best Chardonnay from the central coast. Tiny tasting room but nice yard and tables over the creek. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 3/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
Enjoyed the pinot! Tasty pairing with the tri-tip. We also tried it with our chocloate covered espresso beans. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 3/4 4/4 4/4 3/4 |
|
The Mourvede and Merlot was excellent. A nice charming winery back up a deserted canyon. Little bitty tasting room with great staff and wonderful wines. The winery is out in the country but not really too far from Santa Maria. Quaint atmosphere, great people and enjoyable wine. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 4/4 3/4 3/4 4/4 |
|
Ken Volk has built on his legendary wine making history at Wild Horse by opening a signature winery in Santa Maria Valley. Once again, he is creating some of the best wines in the area, and if you enjoy Rhone varietals and blends, you must find time to stop here. In particular, try some of his rare varietals that you won't find most places such as Verdelho, but don't skip the incredible Roussanne and Tempranillo. 3.5/4 3.5/4 (0 reviews) 3/4 3/4 4/4 4/4 |
|
It was very crowded despite the rainy weather when we visited just a week ago. Probably for this reason, we were not able to get good attention from the staff unfortunately. However, I managed to taste a few and purchased 2007 Touriga! It was delicious!! The pricing was a bit higher overall than I would pay, but I thought it was good to buy one special bottle! By the way, this is a review for the tasting room in Paso Robles. 3/4 3/4 (0 reviews) 2/4 3/4 3/4 4/4 |
|
We visited the tasting room in November 2009 on an otherwise beautiful day, and made sure to drive all the way up to this winery based on online endorsements and one or two local words. I have to say it was a big disappointment. The primary issue was the tasting room staff - the woman on duty that day was beyond irritable and seemed angry with us (for whatever reason). The other issue is that the wines we tasted (6) were quite average, and some of the reds were downright sour. I can endorse their 2005 Chard, as I purchased it - creamy and full bodied, smooth. The 2004 claret is fully stocked on the shelf at the local Albertson's - no takers even there. I apologize for this acerbic review, but I believe the staff at Volk need to work on their presentations. We made the journey and couldn't stop taking afterwards about how rude the staff was. 2.25/4 2.25/4 (0 reviews) 1/4 3/4 3/4 2/4 |
