A top tasting room experience.
Santa Barbara wine country offers no shortage of beautiful estates, yet Presqu’ile Winery manages to immediately distinguish itself. The architecture is modern and graceful without tipping into excess, the setting frames sweeping vineyard and coastal views, and the experience is curated in a way that feels both intentional and inviting.
It’s the kind of destination where the glass in your hand feels inseparable from the landscape around you: ocean-cooled breezes, rolling vineyards, and a striking modern tasting room that seems to frame it all like art. Add to that a thoughtful food program and wines that capture both precision and personality, and Presqu’ile becomes much more than a stop on the trail, it feels like a complete experience of what makes this region so compelling.
Presqu’ile was started by the Murphy family of Louisiana.
The estate vineyard at Presqu’ile.
They set out with an objective to find ideal land for the planting of Pinot Noir. Their search stretched down the west coast of the USA, from Oregon to Sonoma to Santa Barbara County. Eventually they settled on 200 acres in the Santa Maria Valley, in Santa Barbara County.
Santa Maria Valley’s distinctive climate makes it a haven for cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay which was what they wanted to pursue.
The Santa Maria Valley is the most northern sub-AVA (American Viticultural Area) and in fact straddles the border of Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo Conty.
A map of Santa Barbara County.
The mountains of California’s coast mostly run north south and generally block the cool Pacific Ocean air from coming inland.
But in Santa Barbara County, those mountains change direction and run west-east, which ushers in that cool ocean air. The result is plenty of California sunshine but much cooler temperatures than found in other parts of the state—perfect for cultivating nuanced, elegant wines.
The Murphy’s have built a stunning-looking tasting room that overlooks their vineyards and over the valley all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
The architecturally stunning tasting room.
The name Presqu’ile is a creole term for what would technically be an isthmus, but we think the literal translation is even better: “almost an island”. The name pays homage to a beloved family gathering spot on the Louisiana coast that was lost to Hurricane Katrina. The new Presqu’ile is exactly the right spot to carry on that tradition of connection, offering a place where family, friends and guests can share food, drink, and camaraderie.
Located just off Highway 101 on the outskirts of the town of Santa Maria, their winery and tasting room sits atop a hill that provides views looking west over vineyards all the way to the Pacific Ocean, some 15kms away.
We would describe the architecture of the tasting room as West Coast Modern: upward sloping rooflines, stone and glass for materials, clean lines and a sense of integration with the surrounding topography. Outside, expansive decks are equipped with umbrellas for shade and heaters for cool evenings, making it an inviting spot year-round.
The bar made of barrel staves.
The interior is beautifully set up with a long, curved bar fashioned from barrel staves and a huge gas fireplace that serves as the room’s focal point. The flames, almost indistinguishable from wood-burning, add a sense of authenticity and warmth. Sumptuous couches beside the fireplace invite lingering, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the decks below and and vineyard views.
This is truly high-end architecture and interior design. Seldom will you encounter a tasting room as luxurious as Presqu’ile. But don’t take our word for it, Condé Nast rated it one of the best Tasting Rooms in the US. Somehow, they’ve managed to deliver luxe with comfort, too. The tasting room is gorgeous, but not at all stuffy.
The hospitality at Presqu’ile is impeccable. Even in a bustling tasting room, the staff achieves a rare balance of being attentive yet never intrusive. Warmth and professionalism define the experience, with a presence that is welcoming without hovering and friendly without overfamiliarity. Friendly without being too familiar, this is service as it should be.
Food offerings that match the quality of the wine [source: SBcountywines]
The arrival of beautifully plated dishes from the kitchen filled the room with enticing aromas that were impossible to overlook. A charcuterie board and a selection of appetizers, artfully presented and every bit as flavorful as they appeared, elevated the experience well beyond the glass.
As we began our tasting, we noticed servers bringing out from the kitchen plates and trays of some terrific looking food with aromas that were impossible to ignore. We couldn’t resist ordering a charcuterie board and several appetizers, which arrived beautifully presented and equally delicious.
But of course, beautiful views, comfortable surroundings and delicious food are just the backdrop. The wines are the main event and, on that point, Presqu’ile delivered.
Presqu’ile’s portfolio includes both estate-grown and neighboring vineyard fruit, yet each wine reflects the distinct character of the Santa Maria site. The cool-climate precision and subtlety are evident in every glass, where the vineyard speaks more than the cellar. These are carefully crafted, low-intervention wines that reveal depth and nuance, rewarding attention sip by sip.
Tasting Notes
Presqu’ile Brut.
NV Presqu’ile Brut Cuvée
Pale straw colour with vibrant bubbles. This is a very dry, crisp style of sparkling that shows lemon and lime peel notes with a streak of minerality. Good mouthfeel showing texture and cut. Very refreshing.
Very Good/Excellent (USD $45)
2022 Presqu’ile Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley
Orchard fruits include peach and apple and hints of melon. Body and acid are both medium showing balance and making this wine very approachable. Very Good+ (USD $40)
2021 Presqu’ile Chardonnay Estate
2021 Presqu’ile Chardonnay Estate.
Here the dials get turned up a bit from the previous Chardonnay. Here the orchard fruits lean more to the apple and pear side. The texture is a bit more pronounced as well. There is a good citurs streak in this wine which becomes accentuated by the juicy acidity. A steely minerality reflects the cooler Presqu’ile site. Very Good/Excellent (USD $48)
2022 Presqu’ile Santa Maria Pinot Noir
This round and approachable Pinot Noir shows cherry and baking spice aromas and flavours. Generous in texture with medium acid this is a wine to enjoy now while you wait for their single vineyard additions to further develop. Easy to make friends with, this wine is great on its own and was also a great accompaniment ot our charcouterie board. Very Good/Excellent
2021 Presqu’ile Bien Nacido Pinot Noir
2021 Presqu’ile Bien Nacido Pinot Noir.
Bien Nacido (Spanish for beautiful place) is one of the most storied vineyards in all of Santa Barbara County. We have enjoyed many Bien Nacido Pinots from several different producers and loved them all so we were eager to try Presqu’ile’s version. It did not disappoint! This was suave and elegant and very true to this variety. Some lovely savoury notes added to the complexity and likely a result of a percentage of stems that were included in the vinification. Notes of dried herbs infused the long finish. Excellent (USD$62)
2021 Presqu’ile Syrah
Bright red fruit of cherry and raspberry. This wine reflects the cooler nature of the Santa Maria Valley which gives it a real sense of elegance. With some swirling, spice notes and hints of black pepper appear. Fruit forward in nature, this is a Syrah that can be enjoyed right now or be laid down for a few years to develop furter complexity. Very Good+ (USD$49)
2019 Presqu’ile Nebiolo
2021 Presqu’ile Bien Nacido Pinot Noir.
This Northern Italian grape variety is something we seldom see being vinified in California. But this is a real winner! Bright cherry flavours get plenty of support from the myriad of secondary notes including leather, tobacco and forest notes. The tannins are quite tame, especially for this grape which can often take up to a decade to lose its harsh astringency. This is a delicious and approachable Nebiolo and will be a delight to Piedmont fans who want to taste local versions. Excellent
5391 Presquile Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455
T: (805) 937-8110
H: Weekdays 12-5pm (closed Tuesdays) // Weekends: 1130am-5pm
*Reservations required.
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