Sunstone Winery & Villa

Sunstone Winery & Villa is an organic vineyard, winery and villa retreat located in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California, about 35 minutes north of Santa Barbara. The estate was founded in 1989, when the Rice family moved from Santa Barbara to a 52-acre Santa Ynez ranch to grow wine grapes. Fred and Linda Rice, together with their children Bion, Ashley and Brittany, chose the terraced site overlooking the Santa Ynez River for its south-sloping exposure, sandy rocky soil and a micro-climate of early morning fog, warm breezy afternoons and cool evenings. The property became the first organic vineyard estate in Santa Barbara County. The winery is named after the estate's exposed, sun-dappled shale and stones, and its architecture and grounds are designed to evoke the Provençal French countryside. Visitors can taste Sunstone wines in Provençal French courtyards, stone barrel-aging caves or picnic grounds. Sunstone produces limited-production wines that are not sold in stores; they are available directly from the winery and through Club Sunstone, a wine club offering discounts on wine, olive oils and merchandise, complimentary tastings in the members-only lounge known as "La Cav," and invitations to member-only events such as the annual Grape Stomp. Linda Rice described the family's goal as creating a place where wine and food could be enjoyed in a picturesque atmosphere, bringing together environmental preservation, organic growing and the celebration of food, family and friends. She passed away in 2010, leaving the vineyard, winery, tasting room and Sunstone Villa as a monument to her and Fred's passions. In 2019, the Sunstone family welcomed Teddy and Djamila Cabugos as new ownership. The estate continues to operate as a family-run winery and destination in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Sunstone Winery & Villa traces its origins to 1989, when the Rice family moved from Santa Barbara to a peaceful 52-acre Santa Ynez ranch to grow wine grapes. Fred and Linda Rice, along with their children Bion, Ashley and Brittany, selected the terraced site overlooking the Santa Ynez River for its ideal south-sloping exposure, sandy rocky soil and a micro-climate featuring early morning fog, warm breezy afternoons and cool evenings. The choice proved fortuitous: the family soon discovered it was a perfect spot for growing top-notch organic grapes and enjoying a wine country lifestyle, and the property became the first organic vineyard estate in Santa Barbara County. Linda Rice articulated the family's vision: "Our goal was to create a place where wine and food could be enjoyed in a picturesque atmosphere. There is a sincere camaraderie and a sense of sharing is so much a part of this lifestyle. All of our interests, from environmental preservation and organic growing, to the celebration of food, family, and friends came together here at Sunstone." The winery was named after the vineyard estate's exposed, sun-dappled shale and stones, and its design evokes the Provençal French countryside, with French courtyards, stone barrel-aging caves and picnic grounds. Linda Rice, described as a true visionary, passed away in 2010, leaving a legacy to her children and to winery visitors from around the world. The Sunstone vineyard, winery, tasting room and Sunstone Villa are described as a monument to Fred and Linda's passions and dedication to family, friends and the environment. In 2019, the Sunstone family welcomed Teddy and Djamila Cabugos as new ownership. The estate continues to operate as a family-run winery and destination in the Santa Ynez Valley, with wines sold directly to consumers and through Club Sunstone rather than in stores.

• 2019

  Teddy and Djamila Cabugos become new owners of Sunstone.

• 2010

  Linda Rice, co-founder and visionary, passes away.

• 1989

  Rice family moves from Santa Barbara to a 52-acre Santa Ynez ranch to grow wine grapes, founding Sunstone.

A family-run organic vineyard estate and Provençal-style destination winery offering limited-production wines sold direct-to-consumer.

• Sunstone wines

  Limited-production organic wines sold direct-to-consumer, not available in stores.

• Olive oils

  Olive oils offered to Club Sunstone members and for purchase.

• Merchandise

  Branded merchandise available with club discounts.

1. 1Sunstone Winery - Santa Ynez Valley Wine Tastingsunstonewinery.com
2. 2The History of Sunstone Winery and Vineyard, Santa Ynez, CAsunstonewinery.com
3. 3Sunstone Winery & Villa - Wikidatawikidata.org