Sunstone Winery — Attraction in Isla Vista

First off, if you are looking for a wine tasting experience where you learn about how the wine is made and have really good quality wine then this is not the place for you. It’s very much a party atmosphere where you sit at a table and your waiter just pours each tasting without giving a knowledgeable description of the wine. This is subjective but I truly thought the wines were subpar and it was the least favorite of the three wineries I visited. Fast forward to Sunstone announcing they will be doing last call soon, I go inside to the wine bar area to order one last glass for my husband and I. The employee, whose name is Karen was busy attending to the other customers. I was patiently waiting for a good 15 minutes before she comes to my area and I tried to grab her attention. She put her hand to my face signaling that she’s busy without looking at me or saying anything. I was utter disbelief! I understand if she’s busy but to just put her palm to my face without saying anything was beyond disrespectful. She finally acknowledges me a few minutes later and I told her my husband and I would like to order a glass of wine. She looks at her watch and says, “it’s 5:03. We do our last pour at 5.” I responded with, “well I’ve been waiting her for 15 minutes”. And she shrugged and just walked away. Wow! So I go back outside to sit at the table with my husband. Our waiter, Issac comes over and I explained what just happened to him. He didn’t look concerned or apologized about this experience. He responded by saying, “well if you want a tasting, I can get you just one if you’re buying bottles”. And I said, okay well I definitely need to taste it before committing to a bottle. He responded by saying “ok, then forget it..let’s just call it. I’ll get your bill”. Umm what?! This place is absolutely rude and ridiculous and only cares if you buy bottles. Karen and Isaac - you two are the worst wine servers EVER!

Updated August 2022 The manager, Don called me after I posted this review to get a better understanding of what happened. Not only did he apologize on behalf of Karen, but he offered a redo of the experience with a complementary private tasting. We decided to give it another shot and it was truly a wonderful experience. He set us up in the private library cellar in the back which was such a cool and lovely experience in itself. He had a superb sommelier, Jessica host our tasting and she was so lovely and knowledge with wine! Exactly the experience we were looking for. Tristan was shadowing and she was great as well. We thoroughly enjoyed our tasting with them and would now come back! Big thanks to Don for providing us with a great do-over experience and thank you to Jessica and...

I’ve been a member since 2018-ish. Recently I assume there’s been a change of mission or change of priorities. The wine is still good but my review is mainly about the customer service.

One of the last times I visited I was in the newer member area and was pretty much ignored by the one individual who was working there. We were there for maybe 3 hours and were only “checked in” on twice. I had full plans to buy more wine but after 45 min of waiting we decided to move on…even after attempting to flag the person working down. I refrained from mentioning this because maybe it was a one off thing. Bad days do happen.

But during the most recent wine shipment, I only received 1 bottle out of the 6. I called, explained the issue. The person I spoke with said the warehouse must have pushed through my box without fully completing the order. I was assured they would send me the bottles asap. A week and half went by and I had heard nothing. There was nothing in my order history that the remaining 5 bottles would be shipped, so I called. Someone answered. It seemed they had no idea what I was talking about but assured me. They would follow up and get back with me same day. I also sent a message via member portal same day after I got off the phone because I wasn’t confident the issue was handled. 2-3 days later I still have no call or email about the issue (even after I called and spoke with someone and emailed as well) with my most recent shipment. Because of the lack of confidence and the lack of follow through I have decided to write this review.

Don’t get me wrong, the wine is amazing, and Sunstone will always hold a special place in my heart, but the place has changed drastically since I joined. I don’t feel the “close knit” vibes I once felt visiting where the servers knew who you were. I don’t feel the customer service for their members is up to standard and honestly it makes me sad knowing that that area of basic customer service has...

Sunstone Winery is a hidden gem that transports you to the heart of Tuscany, right in the middle of California. As a wedding photographer, I’m always on the lookout for venues that offer something unique, and Sunstone certainly delivers. The moment you step onto the property, you’re greeted by the stunning, well-manicured grounds that are both intimate and expansive, creating an idyllic setting for a romantic celebration.

The architecture and landscape of Sunstone are what dreams are made of—there’s a magical quality to every corner of the estate. From vine-covered stone walls to sun-drenched courtyards, there’s an abundance of nooks and crannies perfect for capturing timeless, elegant images. The venue is so versatile that it truly allows the couple’s personality to shine through, whether you’re aiming for something classic and sophisticated or more relaxed and organic.

The staff at Sunstone are equally wonderful, providing warm, professional service that makes both the couple and vendors feel completely at ease. Their attention to detail and willingness to accommodate ensures that everything runs smoothly, so we can focus on what matters most: creating beautiful memories.

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that feels like an escape to the Italian countryside without leaving California, Sunstone Winery is your place. It’s a photographer’s paradise and an absolutely stunning backdrop for your...