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Kenneth Volk Vineyards
5230 Tepusquet Road
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 938-7896
info@volkwines.com
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Open Friday to Sunday 10:30 to 4:30pm
Complimentary Tasting
5% discount on 6 to 12 bottles, 10% on 12 to 23 bottles and 20% on 2 cases.
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Tours:
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Informal Tours
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Price Range:
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$14 to $48 per bottle
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Established:
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2006
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Vineyards:
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Four acres
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Production:
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12,000 cases
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VIP Tasting:
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Yes
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Special Events
Check out where Kenneth Volk wines are being poured at these Winery Events
Kenneth Volk Vineyards Description
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.
Wines and Awards
Some notable accolades:
1990 - Winemaker of the Year, Wine & Spirits Magazine
1990 - Winemaker of the Year, Central Coast Wine Classic
1998 - 1st San Luis Obispo County Winemaker of the Year, CA Mid-State Fair
1998 - Outstanding Citizen Award, Central Coast Salmon Enhancement
1999 - Agriculturalist of the Year, Cal Poly State University
2001 - Wine Industry Person of the Year, Paso Robles Vintners & Growers Association.
Recent Awards
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2005 Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles
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Beverage Testing Institute
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Gold
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2005 Cabernet Pfeffer, Siletto Ranch Vineyard
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California Mid State Fair
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Gold
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2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
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California State Fair
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Double Gold
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2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Starr Ranch
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Beverage Testing Institute
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Gold
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2005 Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyard
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Vineyard & Winery Management
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Gold
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2006 Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyard
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Critics Challenge International
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Platinum
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San Francisco Chronicle
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Gold
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Beverage Testing Institute
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Gold
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California State Fair
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Gold
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Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Comp.
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Gold
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2005 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley
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Beverage Testing Institute
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Gold
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2005 Merlot, Paso Robles
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Lone Star International Wine Competition
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Gold
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2006 Mourvèdre, Enz Vineyard
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California Mid State Fair
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Gold
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Best of Class
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2004 Negrette, San Benito County
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Orange County Fair
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Gold
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2005 Negrette, San Benito County
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Vineyard & Winery Management
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Gold
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California State Fair
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Gold
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Best of Class
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California Mid State Fair
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Gold
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2005 Pinot Noir, Sierra Madre Vineyard
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Dallas Morning News
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Gold
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Wine Club
Unlike most wine clubs, this club allows members the choice of either selecting the wines they wish to receive in each shipment, or simply allowing the wines Ken has pre-selected to be delivered directly to their door.
This is accomplished by their interactive web based wine club. Thirty days prior to the shipment date members will receive an e-newsletter announcing the featured wines of the upcoming shipment. If a member would prefer to modify their shipment, they may select alternate wines from our portfolio. Very Cool!
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Cellar Door Wine Club Benefits
Click Here for more information
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Shipments per year
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Number of Bottles
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Time of year
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Discounts
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Four per year
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Four bottles per shipment
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March, June, September and November
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20% on all wine and merchandise
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Other benefits include:
· Wine club shipment preview with customized options
· Invitations to pre-release parties.
· Invitations to special Cellar Door Club events
· Informative newsletter.
· New release information
· Complimentary Reserve Tasting for you and three guests.
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Kenneth Volk Vineyards Features |
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Off the Beaten Path
Family Run
Country Charm
Casual & Relaxed
Dog Friendly
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Bordeaux
Burgundy
Rhone
Italian
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Tours Available
Picnic Sites- Superior
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Write Your Own Review
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 Worth findingbbarnett, Newbury Park 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.
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the last response was a flukebruce, santa barbara 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.
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 DisappointedShaun, 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.
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Harvest Weekend At KVEagle12, Chicago 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.
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One of our Favoritesvcgeno, Scottsdale 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.
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 My god this is good stuff!Henry, Seek these wines out. You will not be disappointed. Cool find in Santa Maria.
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 Smallest and most memorable Tasting Room aroundWino, 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!
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 Fine Central Coast Rhone Wineswineprospector, Los Angeles 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.
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 Chardonnay is the bomb!Rocko, 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.
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great pinot @ the Fair!blancsonoma, Sea Ranch Enjoyed the pinot! Tasty pairing with the tri-tip. We also tried it with our chocloate covered espresso beans.
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 Experience showsWineHound, San Luis Obispo 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.
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 Great find!James, Ventura 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.
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Ken Volk VineyardsWine Enthusiast, San Diego 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.
Review Disclaimer
The above reviews are the subjective opinion of Winery Advisor members and not of Winery Advisor LLC.
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