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37 reviews for Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard
37 reviews in English
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Review from Richard K.
Manhattan Beach, CA
Updated - 10/9/2011
Wine Tour Stop #4
This is a favorite of ours and we are Club members. Was a bit surprised they have dramatically reduced the shop of picnic and wine accessories.
The wines are all great (Zingy, Devin, etc.) and this weekend there were some great sales.Listed in: Places I go in Santa Ynez
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/13/2008
They now have the old favs of Sauv Blanc, Devin and ... ZINGY!! A new white blend.
In addition,… Read more »
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Review from Clair F.
Buena Park, CA
9/3/2011
The cutest winery!
The property consists of a peach stand which by the way, has the biggest, juiciest peaches ever! We got 6 peaches, which ended up being $11 for 4 pounds, a little pricey, but well worth it.
Anyways, we went over to the tasting room first which felt like walking into someone's house. It was very homey and relaxing. It was $10 for 7 tastings, includes the glass. The person that did our tasting was very nice! She was very, very informative and kept the conversation going. The wine was very, very good. The tasting goes off a list and you taste every wine, the first one was probably my favorite, can't recall the name unfortunately. Everything was very reasonably well priced. Also while your tasting, you can walk outside and they have the most beautiful garden area, where you can in addition to drinking your wine, have a picnic as well or sit down and just enjoy life. It's so beautiful. -
Review from Melissa B.
Chino, CA
1/16/2012
I love this place!!!! My husband and I came here on our honeymoon. We have stopped by every time we drive through the Santa Barbra area. They have great wine, a fun, casual atmosphere and beautiful gardens to walk around in. One of our favorite parts is to go see the goats on the hills. If you bring your glass back, you can get a free tasting!
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Review from Colleen S.
Santa Monica, CA
10/24/2011
Beautiful place, lovely people. We were here last weekend, 10/15/11. We had a nice lunch here in a gorgeous picnic area right next to the peach trees, and very close to the vineyard. We indulged in a wine tasting during lunch and we were served whites outside, and reds inside. Very spacious tasting area, it was not cramped at all. The staff treated us very kindly and we were extremely impressed by how friendly and knowledgeable they were. Stand outs were: Kurt, Virginia, Gay and Deidre. If any of you see this, I would like to thank you for a very nice time. We will definitely visit you again soon.
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Review from Laura G.
4/18/2011
Really quaint grounds, great staff and a lovely Sauvignon Blanc. We went to the Hitching Post for dinner and had a glass and decided to go to the winery the next day to pick up a few bottles. We were greeted like old friends. They had us taste the wine we came to buy and a few others. The Syrah Rose was a fun summer wine, picked up a bottle of that as well.
They gave us a glass and told us the next time we come in to bring the glass and the tasting is free! Nice, even though they didn't charge us for the little tasting we did.
Quaint grounds, really nice for a picnic or just to relax with a glass of wine. -
Review from Carey V.
Santa Barbara, CA
5/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
All in all, just not my type of wine. Not talking about the varietals, but more or less the style in which the wines are made.
Every winemaker has their "signature" that helps differentiate their wines from the others'...but in my opinion I prefer other "signatures" in my wine passport.
I love the tranquil setting and the grounds. I think it would be an awesome setting for a picnic with friends.
Staff is courteous and friendly. -
Review from Mary Elizabeth M.
Irvine, CA
10/17/2011
This winery has amazing wine. The peaches they sell are the best we have ever had. Being a club member here is a no brainer. The staff is some of the best we have come across in the Santa Ynez Valley and we have been to over 100 wineries in that area now. Stop by taste and sign up for their awsome club it has great advantages....
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Review from Paul B.
Colorado Springs, CO
6/12/2011
Clearly yelpers have a wide range of wine tastes. I love Buttonwoods red wines! Love love love! So I joined the red wine club and now I enjoy regularly some of the best red wines I've ever tasted.
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Review from Jennifer E.
Tucson, AZ
I liked Buttonwood. Do I think that I am a wine connoisseur, no, but I like what I like and this wine was good.
I enjoyed the Marsanne, the Sauvignon Blanc and the Cab. We also tried a Grenache that was very good.
Our server knew her stuff. I had a lot of fun at this place and will definitely be back. The grounds are pretty and a great place to picnic.
They also sell their peaches nearby. They are so good! -
Review from Marthie D.
Corona, CA
2/8/2010 5 photos
Oh there she blows!!!!
I was totally blown away by the picnic area and peach trees, despite the lack of greenery since it was January. Hence the ugly-beauty!
This was our 2nd winery with Wine Edventures and our appetites were eager for more wine!!! Here we tasted 4 white wines and 5 red wines. Of the white wines I loved the 2007 Devin. And of the reds, I definitely loved their 2006 Merlot. Mmm.
All the other wines were just alright. I probably would have learned more about the wines if my part of the group had more attention from one of the workers here. I didn't get his name but he poured us our white wines, older man, and he only paid attention to the "older" people in our group. When I would request for my next wine to taste, he would pour it, say what it was, and automatically resume speaking with the "older" tasting group. I guess he thought our "younger" group wouldn't be interested in learning.
How ever, I got to give it to Anna! She was SUCH a sweetie And told us everything and more about the red wines she poured us. She also gave us recommendations of where to go to since we were visitors in town. I didn't get a chance to visit the places she referred us to, but I definitely took note of them all for later. Also, she said to come back during summer when their peaches are in bloom. With that said, if I am ever in town in summer, I will surely drop by to take that up!Listed in: Santa Barbara.. Santa Ynez..…
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Review from Jeannie P.
Los Angeles, CA
4/10/2007
Buttonwood has a split personality ... the first time I went, I too had stumbled on a bus tour like Rafa. If the wine isn't memorable, then the gift shop should be, but there was absolutely nothing I wanted to buy. This time around, it was mercifully empty, and our server was low-key. I asked about the art -- pieces that looked like Chinese calligraphy line the walls, and the wine labels are classy -- which were all done by one of the owners. We asked which of the neighboring wineries were her personal favorites, and she steered us to the superior Beckman winery down the road (tricky to get to, though). We felt obligated to buy something after that.
I was annoyed to find later that our http://Entertainment.com book for Santa Barbara had a coupon for a free tasting here that we had somehow missed. -
Review from Anya E.
Hilo, HI
7/29/2008
Buttonwood was the last stop on our tasting tour after being rejected by Branden Vineyard (apparently they did not have enough staff to accommodate our party of 15). Buttonwood has a very comfortable ambiance. The tasting house is surrounded by peach trees. The wines were ok. The peaches were delicious. They have ample picnic tables intertwined throughout the peach orchard which provided a lot of privacy (should you need it).
The most memorable thing about Buttonwood was the cranky old man who was serving our party. He was annoyed that we did not make a reservation for our party. What difference does it make if it was a group of 15 or two groups of 7. Right after he helped our group, two different groups of 7 people walked up, and he didn't give them a hard time. I thought that maybe he was having a bad day, but my friends who had been here before said that he was always cranky. -
Review from Helen C.
2/4/2007
A nice stop for solid, if not spectaculor wines. The wine-pours were friendly and did not push to make sales. I suppose if you're looking for a history of each type of wine you're trying this is not the ideal place since the staff seemed more focused on making people feel comfortable in a chill setting than educating their patrons with the history of the vino -- which is ideal for someone like me.
A visit worth the $5 tasting. -
Review from Brandon S.
Olympia, WA
10/8/2007
A small group of us rolled on down from Los Olivos and enjoyed lunch in the picnic area out back of the winery. That was very nice and very relaxing. I liked that they didn't have any problem with me tasting their wine while wandering the grounds, some places frown on that for various, usually understandable reasons.
The wines were average. My favorite was their Marsanne, a white wine that had a buttery flavor that I had never tasted before. The Reds were solid but not memorable although the Cabernet Sauvignon had a good, peppery flavor.
When we first arrived it was fairly sedate and not particularly busy, but in no time three big tour buses dropped off a gaggle of frat brothers and sorority sisters on a pre-wedding trip. It got kind of a scary, date-rape vibe in there after that. -
Review from Heather W.
San Diego, CA
1/4/2010 3 photos
Not the greatest wine ever, but you can find a good taste or two here. Cute grounds, charming shop, nice staff, albeit a bit on the grunge side, but nice all the same. He didn't quite explain things, but I believe he assumed that my boyfriend at the very least knew a lot about wine, so perhaps he went with that.
I wouldn't write that Buttonwood is a MUST, but if you have the time, surely not a horrible stop. -
Review from Justin K.
Winnetka, CA
7/19/2010
Pros - beautiful setting, comfortable tasting room, well-crafted wines
Cons - expensive tasting, only very dry wines, not overly excited about younger (early 30's) tasters
This was recommended to us by another winery that we really liked in Los Alamos, so we did the beautiful drive down and tried it out. We met another great younger couple from Orange County and had a great conversation with them while tasting. Unfortunately, our pourer seemed fairly disinterested with both of us and immediately gravitated towards an older couple (50's) that came in later.
As for the wines, they are very well-crafted but all very dry; not much variation as you go through the list. Maybe we have gotten spoiled at other wineries, but usually if we are friendly and end up buying a bottle of wine or two, they give a discount or throw in the tasting or a glass for free. Not here. Our pourer actually forgot to charge us for our glass (an additional $6 on top of the tasting fee), and caught us at the door and made us come back. Kinda uncomfortable.
If you're looking for friendly to all (legal) ages and a good variety of wines, check out Bedford Winery in Los Alamos. -
Review from Amy S.
Simi Valley, CA
6/22/2010
Beautiful little area for wine tasting! They have a lovely patio where you taste the white wines. The garden goes back deep within the peach orchard and is lovely. They have plenty of picnic tables set up throughout.
We brought in our own cheese, crackers and apples and enjoyed them with our wines. Just took turns returning for the next taste. Christina was very sweet and fun to spend time with. She even allowed my father in law to have a second tasting of his favorite in lieu of the next tasting. He was pretty partial to what they called the Devon (a white wine).
You do have to go inside for the red wines and it is a bit cramped, since everyone was trying to get around the bar to get their tasting and not much room to move around. We were there on Father's day and ended up getting the wine and tasting outside for space. This was really the ONLY negative. $10 for a long tasting list (4 whites and 5 reds) plus the glass... pretty affordable. We ended up staying there for about two hours. They also sell their peaches across the way -- amazingly delicious! I think we will be returning... -
Review from Michael S.
Pasadena, CA
5/21/2007
Seriously, the wine's here were terrible. I hate Rose's. I think that they should wiped from the collective oenophiliac memory, but somehow the Syrah Rose ended up being the most drinkable out of all the wine's we tasted. The Cab Franc tasted like rotten bacon. That sweet old woman that owns the place needs to fire the wine maker.
It was super busy when w went and staff seem only kinda knowledgeable and too overwhelmed to spend any time talking about the wines. It's just as well, I may not have had anything nice to say.
On the up side, the grounds were nice and rustic. -
Review from Lisa S.
Detroit, MI
12/16/2008
As the last stop on our winery tour, I had to forgo tasting here (I was all wine-d out). The boy went for it, though, and said the wines were all pretty average. They have the standard deal as most wineries in the area: $10 plus you keep the glass.
While he threw back his tastings, I wandered the grounds -- sooooo nice. The courtyard in back of the boutique-shop-and-tasting-room is beautiful, and if you walk back far enough you'll encounter the farm -- including a ton of goats and chickens! And as an fyi.. baby goats (kids?) just might be cuter than puppies. There are also tons of pomegranate trees dotting the area, and the shop not only sells said pomegranates, but they also have pomegranate cookbooks and special events with the fruit theme.
Annnyway, bringing it back to the wine: nothing super spectacular, but they have great deals! We bought a case (12 bottles) of a random red table wine for a grand total of $60 (or $5/bottle). They market it as something to drink with pizza or leftovers, and it is quite good with a lot of different foods. I would definitely stop by Buttonwood if I were in the area again just to look around the shop and scope out their sales. -
Review from Heather M.
Long Beach, CA
10/1/2011
This winery was more like you were tasting at someone's home. They have a beautiful garden and grounds. The people pouring are very knowledgeable and helpful. The wines weren't my favorite, but the people were nice and they had great little gifts.
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Review from Melissa S.
Oakland, CA
12/13/2006
The Devin is Divine.
Other notable wines are the Sauv Banc and the Cab Franc.
I like how you taste whites outside, amongst the fruit trees when seasons allow. And taste reds inside. Helps break up the crowds and makes everyone seem happier and more jovial, because you're not all crammed in...
Buttonwood is zen. -
Review from Clayton P.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2009
Looking to drink crappy cheap wine with a nice setting? Then BUTTONWOOD is your spot.
$10 for 7 tastes and you get to keep the glass - this should tell you something
Or maybe a case of wine for $60?
They are trying to give this wine away!
I would without a doubt rate this as the worst wine I have ever had (all 7 tastes!). -
Review from Diana T.
Covina, CA
4/23/2010 5 photos
I've been here twice now and each time we always end up sitting on a bench and spending the most time at this winery. The grounds are picturesque and I'd recommend bringing a picnic lunch to eat while you're there. Their wine tasting list is super long, we didn't even finish tasting all of them.
Likes:
2008 Marsanne
2009 Sauv Blanc
2007 Syrah
2007 Merlot
2006 Cab Savu
Perks:
Pet friendly
Picnic tables
Beautiful, well-tended garden
And like I send, always end up spending the most time here, it's too pretty to get up and move on to the next winery. -
Review from Miss S.
Los Angeles, CA
4/18/2011
Very charming and pretty! One of the smaller/more cozy wineries in the area. The picnic area in the backyard is just so beautiful and perfect for lunch. The staff is friendly and they have have almonds, fruit (peaches) and olive oil for sampling usually. The wines are okay-nothing great; I would venture down on foxen trail for better wines after a lunch here!
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Review from jim g.
Glendora, CA
3/29/2010
Was the first stop on our day of wine tasting. As far as ambiance, it is ok, nothing special. The whites were being tasted out back and the patio area was nice. The gentleman doing the pour was very good and did a great job of explaining what we were tasting including giving idea's of pairings with foods. Nice touch. However, none of their whites were blowing us away... so inside we went for the reds.
Lady inside was also very helpful, although not as informative as the gent outside. She described the pour but that was about it. However, she was extremely nice and we had interesting conversations about general stuff during the pours. We did like the reds a little better and ended up buying a bottle of a Bordeaux-style blend .
Overall, the price was right, we got some glasses a little knowledge and had a good time. The ambiance is not that great, but they do a good job. -
Review from Shelly T.
Orange County, CA
11/10/2008
Of the 4 wineries my girlfriends and I visited on Saturday, Buttonwood was my favorite. I think I liked the outside area - it had a really nice ambiance. The wine was okay - the whites were kinda blah, but there were two reds that we all liked. There was a very helpful gentleman that assisted us.. so that was nice.
Overall, nice outside area. Great on a sunny day. -
Review from Kirsten G.
Long Beach, CA
9/13/2009
We just stopped off the road at Buttonwood enroute to some other Vineyards.
The wine was the most lack-luster we had in all of Santa Ynez/Santa Maria. Definitely would not go back.
The employees were friendly, but the guy serving us seemed pretty clueless. -
Review from She who must not b.
Santa Maria, CA
9/9/2008 5 photos
This place is beautiful. Truly a place to come and breathe in fresh air. Whatever may bring you to Buttonwood... a weekend rendezvous or a spontaneous day trip it is absolutely relaxing and fun. Yes, they may have bus loads of people at times, but lets remember its your choice to embrace the lively energy or loose patience. Bring a picnic, walk around, sip your wines and enjoy the day. Instead of worrying about the people around you, enjoy the ones you are with. After all every winery has a story. Within the winery there is the winemaker, the tasting room staff, every hand that helped make the wine, the vines, the grapes, the dirt, the sun and much more. In one day of observation you surely cannot read the whole book. I always do something twice, even if the first time was a bad experience. The next time around just might be the best you've had!
Cheers & Imbibe too! -
Review from Elizabeth K.
San Diego, CA
7/18/2011
This is a FANTASTIC little winery - gorgeous gardens that are very well kept. Peach picking when available! The staff was so passionate and interesting, if you want to learn about wines go here! They had some amazing sauv blanc and a syrah rosé that I ended up buying bottles of - very reasonably priced in the $14 - $20 range! there are picnic tables in the garden area so you can relax and enjoy your wine, peaches, and snacks.
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Review from Heather M.
Cincinnati, OH
9/6/2006
Not only did Buttonwood have some of the best peaches I've ever had (yes - they really are a farm too!), their wines were also really solid. I enjoyed the Sauv Blanc as well as their other whites. Their muscat is a steal for $14.
Listed in: Doing Wine Country Right
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Review from Lizzie D.
La Mesa, CA
6/30/2009
The only reason we came here was because they allowed dogs. We weren't about to leave lil Floyd in the car since it was about 95 out. This was one of the only wineries that we found that allowed dogs. So it's the only winery we went to, so we don't have much to compare it to. As soon as we got inside all of the employees were very friendly. Gave F some treats and told us we could go outside and have a picnic and just relax. Very friendly. We got a bottle of savignon blanc. I am not typically a white wine drinker, but it was so hot out I needed something cold. Not bad. We got a bench and had our wine and snack and Floyd was able to relax people watch, and nap! The winery is sort of small, but that really wasn't a prob. The peeps were nice and the wine was good, what else do you need?
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Review from Heidi v.
Thousand Oaks, CA
8/1/2010
Yummy wines, nice cozy tasting room with knowledgeable folks doing the pouring, and realistic price points. These are cork and sip wines - not cellar and anticipate. Nice crisp whites and a pretty darn good cab franc. Wonderful stop - make sure you try the peaches, too.
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Review from Annie y.
Park La Brea, CA
6/24/2007
Buttonwood was very cute! It had an outside tasting station and really beautiful gardens to roam around in. The wines were pretty good...I didn't love them all but I did like a few, the 2006 Rose and the 2002 Cab Sauvignon. I really did though enjoy how you could take your glass out into the gardens and enjoy it quietly.
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Review from Rafa C.
Mar Vista, CA
1/21/2007
OK, if there ever were a reason to never visit a winery, Buttonwood would be the poster child for not going to a winery! Let's start with the fact that the staff is completely unknowledgeable about the wine they are pouring to the bus traffic that has obviously made a pact with the enotecic demons. Like the young men and women who drove up cigar prices in the dot com bubble, these young wannabe wine connoisseurs are the focus of the staff, leaving those of us who want to sample this small winery and actually BUY a case of wine to wait like flotsam. A better choice is Zaca Mesa, which is remote enough to not draw the wine tour bus trade and ACTUALLY treat you decently!
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Review from Ed H.
Saratoga, NY
8/29/2009
Very friendly staff, more than average number of tastings for $10. Simple tasting room but worth the stop!
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Review from josh c.
Weymouth, MA
11/13/2007
cool place, pretty good wines. part of my wine tour
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Review from Shane M.
Sierra Madre, CA
9/27/2009
This was our third stop during the passport weekend. The grounds were nice and even though it was about 100 degrees there were plenty of people. The grounds were well maintained and the wine indicated it. Out of the wine's we tasted, the '05 Merlot was the best. At 18 bucks a bottle I made a return trip to this winery the next day. Upon arriving I recognized our pourer from the prior day and she was amazingly helpful and friendly. I would give her 6 out of 5 stars! The long dark haired lady had a friendly smile and remembered me from the day before. I told her how much I liked the '05 Merlot and that I was returning to buy a bottle, so she stopped me and poured me a '02 Reserve Merlot that was not on the list. Wow! I'm not a merlot fan, so the fact that I returned at all was evidence enough for me but I enjoyed the reserve merlot so much that I payed almost twice as much for it. It really was THAT good! And the service was at the same level!
