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.