Explore the exquisite wine tasting experiences at The Hilt and Jonata Winery near Santa Barbara, California. Discover The Hilt and Jonata Winery's Bordeaux and Rhône-style wines.
Coastal fog slips through Santa Barbara County and settles over The Hilt's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, while farther inland Jonata draws darker fruit from Ballard Canyon for its Bordeaux and Rhône-style cuvées. You can taste both estates in one sitting at The Barn.
Stan Kroenke of Screaming Eagle owns both estates, which share a tasting room at The Hilt Estate. Winemaker Matt Dees works with Sta. Rita Hills and Ballard Canyon fruit, letting each appellation speak in its own register. Tastings are by appointment only, with options from $40 to $125 per person, and private experiences available for $1,200. Reservations are required, which keeps the visit personal in a modern, coastal setting designed by top architects. Plan ahead if you want time with these acclaimed wines in a quiet, considered room.
The Hilt Winery sits at 2240 Santa Rosa Road in Lompoc, California, within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Coastal fog and marine breezes shape this cool-climate pocket, giving Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the long, measured growing season they need.
Jonata's 586-acre estate in Ballard Canyon, part of the larger Santa Ynez Valley, includes 84 acres of planted vineyards. The Ballard Canyon AVA runs warmer inland, a natural fit for Rhône and Bordeaux-style wines with depth and structure.
Both estates sit within Santa Barbara County, where east and west mountain ranges pull cool Pacific Ocean air inland. That geography creates distinct microclimates, allowing each estate to focus on different wine styles. The result is not a single Santa Barbara profile, but two sharply drawn expressions of place.
Stan Kroenke's ownership has reshaped the estates with capital, patience, and a clear appetite for site-driven wine. Kroenke's ventures extend beyond wine to include ownership of the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Arsenal, and Napa Valley's Screaming Eagle winery, and he has brought significant resources and vision to these properties.
In 2014, The Hilt expanded with the acquisition of a 3,600-acre property in the Santa Ynez Valley. The property became the site of a state-of-the-art winery and hospitality complex. The Barn at The Hilt Estate, a centerpiece of the development, officially opened in August 2021.
Those investments give Matt Dees a strong foundation for a winemaking program built around precision, vineyard character, and range.
Matt Dees, lead winemaker for both The Hilt and Jonata, draws out the character of each vineyard rather than folding the estates into one house style. Critics including Robert M. Parker Jr., Jeb Dunnuck, Antonio Galloni, and Stephen Tanzer have taken notice.
Jonata wines, including labels such as El Desafio and El Alma, consistently receive top-tier scores ranging from 95 to 98+ points for recent vintages. These wines often debut at prices exceeding $100 per bottle, a reflection of their critical standing and demand. Through Dees's work, the distinct terroirs of each estate come into focus.
The Barn at The Hilt is the main tasting venue, with three seated flight options. Prices typically range between $45 and $65 per person, giving visitors a focused look at the estate's wines.
All tastings take place in The Barn's modern, welcoming rooms, where hosts connect the wines to the estate's coastal influences and vineyard sites.
For a more personal visit, private tastings are available at both estates. The Hideaway Room offers an intimate setting with tailored service, advance reservations, and premium pricing.
Guests can taste wines from both estates in a single visit. That means The Hilt's cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir alongside Jonata's Bordeaux-style reds, including La Sangre. Advance bookings are essential, and the estates' mailing lists are worth joining if you follow allocation wines and special releases.
The Hilt Estate, in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, depends on three vineyard sites: Radian, Bentrock, and Puerta del Mar. These vineyards form the backbone of its cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Radian carries a strong coastal influence, while Bentrock and Puerta del Mar bring their own textures and flavor profiles. The Chardonnay balances oak integration with refined texture, while the Pinot Noir layers red fruit, earthy undertones, and evolving tannins. Winemaker Matt Dees captures the character of this coastal terroir in wines that feel unmistakably tied to the region.
Jonata takes a different path, focusing on its La Sangre vineyard for red wines. Among its offerings, the flagship La Sangre de Jonata stands as an elegant Bordeaux-style blend that consistently draws high praise from critics.
Both estates have earned broad acclaim. The Hilt's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are noted for their expression of Sta. Rita Hills terroir, while Jonata's La Sangre de Jonata is recognized for its polished Bordeaux-inspired style and place among top-rated wines.
Both estates operate by reservation only. Here is how the tasting experiences break down.
Both estates operate by appointment, so it pays to plan before you go.
Reservations are required for all tasting experiences. You can book in two ways: online through the Tock platform using the "RESERVE" links on the wineries' websites, or by calling (805) 564-8581. For general questions, email info@thehiltestate.com or info@peakreservewines.com.
Pricing for tastings varies by experience:
For private experiences, The Hilt Hideaway Experience is available for $1,200. This includes an $800 buy-out fee and a $400 wine minimum, accommodating up to 10 guests.
Jonata wine community members receive exclusive perks, including VIP access to reserve The Hideaway Room at The Barn once a year for up to 12 guests. Weekends fill quickly, so booking several weeks ahead is wise.
Once your reservation is confirmed, review the visitor guidelines so the tasting runs smoothly.
To preserve the room and the wines in the glass, the estates follow a few guidelines:
During the tasting, these small habits help the wines show clearly:
Talk with the staff if you are curious about grape varieties, winemaking techniques, or the story behind a particular cuvée. Share your impressions, and give other guests room for theirs. A little patience with each pour lets the wines open in the glass.
To make the most of your visit, consider staying overnight or dining locally. The Hilt Estate is located at 2240 Santa Rosa Road in Lompoc, in the heart of Santa Barbara County's wine country. While specific recommendations are not listed, the estate's position within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and its proximity to the Santa Ynez Valley put a variety of lodging and dining options within reach.
For a safe, relaxed trip, arrange transportation in advance. Options include a designated driver, wine tour service, or an overnight stay nearby.
Round out your wine country retreat by visiting other wineries in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and Santa Ynez Valley. It is a natural way to understand the region's range.
The Barn at The Hilt Estate pairs modern California design with the rugged beauty of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. It is more than a tasting room. Architecture, light, and vineyard views frame the wines, and the setting reflects the estate's broader design approach: every detail should feel connected to the land around it.
The Barn's architectural vision came from a notable team, including Howard J. Backen of Backen & Backen Architects and Silvia Nobili of Nobili Marqués Arquitectura, with interiors designed by Amber Lewis. The result is understated California farmhouse elegance.
Inside, the space is divided into private areas, including the Hideaway Room and the La Poesia tasting room, which has its own private courtyard. Natural materials, clean lines, and warm tones create a room that feels both polished and intimate.
Every detail supports the wine-tasting experience, pairing visual calm with the character of the region's terroir.
The Barn is as much about the landscape as the room itself. Coastal light fills the space, and vineyard views frame the Sta. Rita Hills' distinctive microclimate. Outdoor terraces invite guests to take in the scenery, linking the architecture to the natural world. The design echoes the philosophy of The Hilt and Jonata: the tasting should tell you something about the land, the climate, and the wines.
The Hilt and Jonata bring together serious wines, intimate rooms, and informed hospitality. The experience places celebrated Bordeaux-style blends beside The Hilt's cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Each wine carries a clear line back to the Sta. Rita Hills region.
Because tastings are reservation-only, you will want to book ahead. That structure gives the visit its pace: personal attention, room to ask questions, and time to sit with the wines rather than rush through them.
The wines from The Hilt and Jonata stand out because of their vineyard locations and Matt Dees's hand in the cellar. In Ballard Canyon, Jonata crafts bold, Bordeaux-inspired wines that thrive in its sandy soils. In the Sta. Rita Hills, The Hilt focuses on cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown in distinctive diatomaceous earth.
Those site conditions, paired with precise winemaking, produce wines that consistently earn high praise. Each bottle captures a different facet of Santa Barbara County's diverse terroir, which is why collectors and wine lovers follow both estates closely.
To arrange a personalized wine tasting at The Hilt or Jonata, book in advance through their official reservation channels. Public tasting schedules can vary, so check availability before you build the rest of your itinerary. Private tastings are also available and require prior scheduling.
A private tasting gives the visit a quieter rhythm. You may access spaces such as The Hideaway Room and taste wines including Jonata's La Sangre or The Hilt's cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With a knowledgeable host guiding the selection, the setting feels tailored and unhurried.
To get the most from a tasting visit to The Hilt and Jonata, remember that reservations are a must: all tastings are by appointment only. Booking ahead matters even more if you want a private or VIP experience.
There is no formal dress code, but smart-casual attire is the right note. Choose something comfortable and refined that suits the estate's warm, contemporary feel, whether you are tasting indoors or walking near the vineyards.
For etiquette, punctuality matters. Arrive on time, ask questions, and engage with the hosts. If you are interested in exclusive or allocation-only wines, the mailing list is the quiet insider move for special releases.
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