Rusack Vineyards
Rusack Vineyards
4.5
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
We are a boutique winery and vineyard, nestled among the oak-studded rolling hills of Ballard Canyon. Our mission is to create world-class, handcrafted wines that reflect our commitment to excellence and our love for this region. That commitment begins in our Estate Vineyard, which we re-planted in 2003 in order to capture the true character of Ballard Canyon, and which we meticulously farm in small lots. It extends to the winemaking process, during which we go to every possible length to achieve the delicate balance of "elegance & power" (Robert Parker, August 2010) for which our wines have become known around the world. Finally, it extends to our label, a Catalina tile, a family legacy symbol of our belief in the beauty of what arises from blending craft, earth, art and family.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
179 reviews
Excellent
131
Very good
36
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Rebecca P
6 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We really wanted to like this place as the ambience, location and view are stunning however, it does not make up for the lack of service one can expect to receive if you aren't white. 1.) We were charged before our tasting (which is not customary in a tasting room) while we watched as other white couples were not. 2.) The tasting rep told us he had to charge us up front because they "might get busy", "they were old and might forget" insuating that we would be dishonest and walk away without paying. 3.) Each flight the tasting reps hastily poured our glass and moved to the next person, not once taking the time to explain the varietals and tasting notes but instead would proceed to the next patron (again white) and would go into great depths about the vintage of the wine. 4.) The bathrooms were disgusting. Someone had urinated all over the restroom floors and walls and the smell was sickening. It was quite apparent it hadn't been cleaned all day. It was worst than a gas station bathroom. Needless to say we will not be patronizing this establishment again.
Written 6 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isletravelall
Avalon54 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
In Solvang for Danish Days, we decided to do a wine tasting. We drove out of town and found Rusack Vineyards easily. We enjoyed the surroundings and decor. There were a few ladies there to assist us. We were a group and several paid $15 for the wine tasting which included a souvenir wine glass to take home. There is one employee to avoid, as she is rude and condescending; her name is Lorin Winters. We purchased a bottle of wine and purchased wine tastings so it was unclear why she would treat us as she did. I felt her dialog with me was unkind and asked my son if I imagined it, he said "no." He heard her rudeness to me but was hoping I would not notice. The same employee treated another in our party the same. After all our purchases were made, the rude employee was asked about an accessory. She was so rude with her answer, like we were not good enough to purchase any items. At this point we left immediately and had no desire to purchase further items, even wishing we had not already purchased the one bottle of Catalina Island Chardonnay. With the exception of Lorin, the other employees were considerate and knowledgable, and, I would commend them for their good customer service but we all wanted to remember the name of Ms.Snooty to call her out in a review. If the owners wish to know who the better employees are, our visit was on Sunday, Sept 20 mid-day and I'm sure they can check the schedule.
Written 29 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saund_cp
Airdrie, Canada40 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We were on an electric bike tour of the area out of Los Olivos. This was marked on a map for a stop. The wines were good but it cost $36 for a taster of 5 wines for the two of us! That is a rip off. Back home in BC Canada it is $5 for wine tasting and you get that deducted if you purchase a bottle. The wines in BC are just as good if not better. Sorry but $36? Really?
Written 7 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phxaz54
North Chicago, IL378 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Easy drive up from Santa Barbara area. We emailed to see if we could bring our dogs. Yes is the answer and they reserved us a table under a huge tree with grass. Super nice people. Bring a lunch and buy a bottle of wine. Or wine taste. Beautiful grounds. Can't express to you how nice the day was! Cool 84 degrees. A delight!
Written 22 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P M
Del Mar, CA148 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
I really enjoy exploring SB County wineries.
I grew up in the area during the 80s and have watched as the industry grew slowly at first to what has become a mature and respected wine producing region.
This vintner is a fine example of what is produced within the county, a county the size of Napa and Sonoma combined.
It is also in an AVA { American Viticultural Area} which while it isn't the smallest, is relatively petite at about 7700 acres, Ballard Canyon. Located toward the eastern side of the Santa Ynez Valley, noted for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production, which tends to be warmer as the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean fog can burn off earlier in the deeper eastern reaches of the valley.
Very nice staff, terrific flights, priced as expected and the grounds are very pleasant. A great redwood patio/deck fit among the oaks overlooking 40 acres of some of their varietals.
While they sell cheese and crackers and snack items, they allow picnics and have an adjacent grassy area bordered by roses. Very nice place to which we will return.
I grew up in the area during the 80s and have watched as the industry grew slowly at first to what has become a mature and respected wine producing region.
This vintner is a fine example of what is produced within the county, a county the size of Napa and Sonoma combined.
It is also in an AVA { American Viticultural Area} which while it isn't the smallest, is relatively petite at about 7700 acres, Ballard Canyon. Located toward the eastern side of the Santa Ynez Valley, noted for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production, which tends to be warmer as the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean fog can burn off earlier in the deeper eastern reaches of the valley.
Very nice staff, terrific flights, priced as expected and the grounds are very pleasant. A great redwood patio/deck fit among the oaks overlooking 40 acres of some of their varietals.
While they sell cheese and crackers and snack items, they allow picnics and have an adjacent grassy area bordered by roses. Very nice place to which we will return.
Written 22 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda P
54 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
My husband and I drive out and did some wine tasting one afternoon. We stopped at Rusack as it was voted one of the best in Sanata Barbara. It was mid week and not too busy. It's a small family run business and. It was very interesting talking with the server and learning not only about the wines but about the vineyards and history of the owners. We did two tastings for 15 dollars each . Some wines we preferred and just simply poured what we didn't enjoy away. Crackers were placed on the bar to help with the tastings. It's useful to take a bottle of water to clear the palette between wines. Especially the whites and reds. We bought a white and a red and were able to take the glasses away as a memento. I love wineries and also bought a Sauvignon blanc scented candle to remind me of the wine and a coaster. It was a lovely afternoon and a trip to solvang followed. The wines are expensive in California amd more so than new world and European. Any decent Californian wine doesn't manage to leave the country and only certain amounts of bottles are produced from each harvest. Rusack have vines on Catalina island and they are flown over for winemaking .
Written 25 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TRAVELLEREDD
Canyon Lake, TX110 contributions
Aug 2017
Wife & I found this place by accident 2 yrs ago on visit to Santa Barbara. This trip to Solvang; we visited twice more! Lovely setting in the hills with great shade trees & breeze. Staff are lovely. U can buy cheese, meat & cracker snack trays or just bring ur own! The wine tasting is very low key. They invite u to sit out on the deck and savor each flite. No hustle & bustle here. We bought a nice Chardonnay and they provided a chiller and 2 nice glasses. Bring a book & settle in for a while?
Written 27 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAM
Worcester, MA191 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
First stop on our wine trip.
Rick was a great host. Five wines to taste. Great sitting area among the shade trees and vines.
Worth the stop.
Rick was a great host. Five wines to taste. Great sitting area among the shade trees and vines.
Worth the stop.
Written 20 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
San Francisco, CA41 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
The picnic area alone is worth a trip. Terrific chardonnay, pinot, syrah and (new to us this time) zinfandel.
Written 26 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eric f
Bakersfield31 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Wasnt blown away with the wines...not bad, but nothing special...servers were the least friendly on the trip, not rude, just not amazing. Great spot to open a bottle, bring a lunch and relax on their beautiful patio under the oak trees and have a relaxing lunch...
Written 8 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are vacationing in Solvang for a couple of days and would love to visit Rusack Vineyards, are you open for tastings or may we purchase wine? Is your patio pet friendly? Thank you for your answers.
Written 7 February 2021
que tipo de comida se debe llevar para la degustacion
Written 6 November 2017
Cheese and crackers...Machego from Spain especially
also any sandwich from a deli that has savory flavors ..
The Tri tip sandwiches found all around the valley especially good and renown for "world-class taste "
Written 17 November 2017
Dorania M
Scottsdale, Arizona
I went on a very rainy day so I didn't see outdoor sitting, which they have. I don't want to assume so call them directly, they are very friendly and by far my favorite vineyard
Written 18 May 2017
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