Paradise Springs Winery — Attraction in Santa Barbara

One of the most shockingly rude customer service experiences I’ve ever had.

I’ve never felt the need to leave a negative review until now — but my experience with the manager, Stephen Goularte, was so appalling that I couldn't stay silent.

Last Tuesday (6/10/25), I was planning a bachelorette weekend in Santa Barbara and called Paradise Springs to inquire about a reservation for 11 people. Stephen told me it would be $39 per person and asked me to email him to get the process started. I explained clearly that it would take me about a week to confirm the minimum price per person with my group and that once I did confirm it, I would call him directly with my credit card information as I wasn’t comfortable sending it by email.

Two days ago, he emailed me a credit card authorization form, and I reiterated via email that I was not comfortable providing my credit card information over email but that I would call on Monday (6/16/25) with my card details. He acknowledged that this was fine but made it clear that I must fill out the credit card authorization form but that I could leave the credit card information blank. When I followed up by phone today (6/16/25) — less than a week after our initial call, exactly as I said I would — I was not at all prepared for the level of hostility I encountered.

Stephen answered the phone already in attack mode. He immediately lit into me with an aggressive, demeaning tirade about how I hadn’t signed the authorization form yet. I tried to calmly explain that I couldn’t access the form on my work computer at the moment and that I’d complete it later today or tonight — but this didn't seem to quell his anger over my apparent slowness to sign this authorization form. He kept interrupting and speaking to me with such unnecessary condescension and fury that I was genuinely stunned. He was erratic, talking extremely fast, scolding me as though I had broken some major rule, even accusing me of dragging my feet — despite the fact that he knew I needed a few days.

Even after all of that, I still tried to continue the reservation and offered to give him my card. At this point, I still felt like Paradise Springs was worth ignoring his hostility as they have a DJ on Saturdays, which would have been a great time for me and my friends. Before I provided my credit card information, I asked a very normal, polite question to reconfirm that it was $39 per person. This set him off again — he snapped, “It’s in the form — if you actually read it, you’d know!” and launched right back into another rant. I tried asking a second question about the cancellation policy, and again, he jumped down my throat, practically yelling at me that I should have read the form before even daring to speak with him.

Stephen’s tone throughout the entire conversation was downright hostile, aggressive, and mean. Not once did he speak to me like a customer — let alone a person. He was completely unprofessional and unhinged, and frankly, it felt like he was looking for a reason to explode. I was just trying to finalize a reservation for a special occasion, and instead, I was berated like a child and treated like an inconvenience.

When the call still didn’t end after I gave him my card — and he launched into a third aggressive tirade — I finally reached my limit. I told him to cancel the reservation on the spot and hung up. I’ve never experienced anything like this, especially not from someone in hospitality. I was left shaken, frustrated, and shocked. A winery should make you feel welcome and excited about your visit — not stressed and verbally attacked. He was combative, erratic, and downright mean. His behavior was so extreme that I honestly questioned whether something more serious was going on.

If this is how Paradise Springs treats people trying to give them business, I can't imagine what an in-person experience would be like. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere that actually values its guests — this place...

Currently sitting here at the winery and my friends and I were treated horribly. I came with a group of friends, and we all paid for the drinks and food in advance only to find out they didn’t have all that we ordered - then we were offered a charcuterie board in a to-go container. Our table asked Steve (the manager) for another order, and he said ask your waiter (Cambien - I believe) or get it yourself. This is not good customer service and one of the worst experiences we have ever experience.

Later we asked Camdien for our bill, and when he told us they don’t give change, we said, OK, that’s fine - yes, it was inconvenient, but what can we do when there’s no change. But then the waiter proceeded to throw the dollar at my friends on the table and walked away. After he gave the table next to us a rag and said, here, turn it over, and you can wipe the table. As customers, we shouldn’t be doing the employee's job, especially after we paid for our wine and food. To be treated this way was very upsetting because if the manager shows by example to treat customers poorly, then it allows the other employees to treat other...

Paradise Spring Winery was my very first stop in Santa Barbara and in California in general. The place surprised me with a friendly people working there. It wasn’t crowded since it was pretty windy Sunday evening. I ordered red wine flights, and was surprised by getting well poured cups. I also was treated with an extra glass of wine that wasn’t included in the flight option I chose. I am picky to wine but I need to admit all the wines I’ve had were interesting in flavor and enjoyable to drink. I sat at the high chair table, but there’s also a comfortable couch by a fireplace....