Evans Ranch

Norreen is an awesome pourer! Great conversationalist! Nice wines, we enjoyed all of them.

I would give more stars because the wine was great, but the customer service unfortunately trumps any of my positive thoughts about this tasting. We were immediately met with a warning that they were closing soon, despite getting there about 35 minutes prior to close, and from there, only felt completely rushed and uncomfortable the whole way through the tasting. I don’t usually have a lot of negative things to say on here (check my reviews… I really don’t have any…) Point is, it takes a lot for me to feel compelled to say something on here. Just want to save others from spending the money for a rushed tasting from someone who spends her time on her cell phone and prepping her close so she can leave right at closing time and not a minute beyond. Just a major bummer!

This winery is owned by Gainey and features higher end wines, meaning higher prices. However, do not let that scare you! Their wine is fantastic! You definitely get what you pay for. The Lone Oak Pinot Noir is hands down the best wine I have ever tasted. I have told others (some have not even been Pinot fans) to try that wine and they also love it. My parents belong to the Evans Ranch wine club and I have them pick me up a few bottles every time they are at the tasting room (for a discounted price). If you are in the Los Olivos/​Santa Ynez/​Solvang area, do not pass this winery up!
The only drawback to the town of Los Olivos is the bathroom situation. No flushable toilets.

My husband and I stopped in for a tasting at 5:26pm while waiting for take out from Hardware & Shoes. The sign said open until 6pm but the lady turned us away just 2 feet in the door saying they were closed for new tastings at 5:30 (the sign did not say that… but also it was 5:26). Ridiculous. Unfriendly. We will not go back.

Gainey’s High End
Wine: This is Gainey’s High End. I know Gainey, their whites are pretty good (although not as good as Sunstone). The Pinot and Syrah were average, somewhat flabby and fast at he end. However, the La Marina 2013 Chardonnay is worth every penny of the high end price I paid.
Experience: nice little room in downtown Los Olivos. After the forth (no exaggeration) time I declined a membership in the wine club I experienced the discomfort one feels when a hard sell becomes a desperate sell. Then, after the purchase we were told THEY DO NOT HAVE A BATHROOM. My wife was instructed by the server to go down the the street and USE THE BATHROOM AT THE CHURCH. Not only is that outrageous, it is disgusting and ridiculous.
The Wine is a 4 Chardonnay 5 Pinot Noir 2.
P. S. we walked down the street and found Jedlicka’s Saddlery. We asked if there was a public porcelain convenience and they asked «do you want to use ours?» No THAT’S consideration.
To paraphrase Ronald reagan ««Evans Ranch OPEN YOUR RESTROOM!!»

Great Pinot’s and Chard’s! This is Gainey’s high end wine and they taste every bit of it. Great little tasting room in the heart of Los Olivos. The Lone Oak Pinot is one of my favorite wines. The hostess behind the counter was very friendly, knowledgeable and allowed us to re-​visit several wines. We ended up joining their club (along with already being a member at Gainey). We also brought our lunch from the grocery down the street… the best Santa Maria tri-​tip ever.

I have made many a trip to Los Olivos for wine, and out of all of the wineries I have visited Evan’s Ranch is still my favourite. The location is smack dab in the center of «downtown» Los Olivos, the staff is always highly knowledgeable and very friendly, and most importantly the wines are AMAZING! My picks are their Lone Oak Pinot Noir, Morgan’s Pinot Noir, and Las Brisas Chardonnay; although you really can’t go wrong with ANY of their wines!

I like the wine. Cool atmosphere. Staff was pretty friendly when I walked in.

I usually prefer to visit vineyards instead of tasting rooms (because they’re pretty), but even so Evans Ranch is the number one place I recommend friends go to when wine tasting in the area. Every bottle is amazing. I love their Chardonnay even though, as a general rule, I don’t like Chardonnay. As for the tasting room itself, it’s centrally located and gorgeous. They have a beautiful big bar and stemware with copper stems. And if you still want to see a pretty vineyard head over to their sister winery, Gainey. It sometimes offers tastings of Evans Ranch wine (no promises) and the grounds are stunning.

Their wines are pricy but you definitely get what you pay for and hey, what’s wrong with a nice bottle of wine every now and then. I highly recommend everything on their flight. There was not one wine that I disliked. I’ve purchased about nine bottles of wine from Evan’s Ranch within the last year and can’t wait to open them up for a special occasion! CHEERS!

I heard the wines were delish. Sadly I didn’t get to try them. Walked in with 4 friends, the lady behind the bar was on the phone, asked if we were wine club members. When we replied no, she said she’d be off shortly and completely snubbed us. Being in the industry, I would NEVER treat anyone that way. We walked right through the tasting room to the exit and proceeded to the next place. Totally unacceptable treatment. I hope the owner reads this and speaks to and trains his/​her employees on the very important matter of customer service. They lost what could have been great sales and long time customers.

A new one on my list of places I «must stop» when in the area. Loved it!

We come up from Oxnard once every other month or so, but Gainery and Evans have not been a stop prior to a couple of weeks ago. We have had their wine at a friend’s house, and after tasing at Evans, I can confirm that their Pinot and Chardonay are in the top 10 of all time that I have tasted.
If you are going to buy a case for those really special evenings once a month, this is the place.
I Love Los Olivos, and there are some other wines worth tasting there in town, but hit this one first, and last.

Love this place, can’t say enough good things about it. I’ve been a member of their wine club for almost 2 consecutive years now and on and off for longer but their wines never cease to impress.
Recently came up to Los Olivos on an awesome wine trip with friends/​co-​workers and my fave gal behind the bar, Melissa, totally hooked it up. Even the guys who are avowed reds-​only drinkers were giving the Chards props (as well they should because the La Marina is, as my friend has coined, «liquid gold.»)
The location is great, too, smack in the middle of wino’s Disneyland — they have a sister (or brother, I think) venture adjacent to them that does oil and vinegar pairings, yum!

A bit over due for a review…
First stop on the Santa Ynez wine tasting we went on in November 2011.
Totally, hands down, the best tour and tasting we had all day! (Skip Firestone it’s a waste of time and super expensive) Wine was poured generously and seconds or thirds were even offered. Delicious and comfortable all the way!
Signed up with their Wine Club and have been impressed with all wines to date.
My favorite chardonnay of all time.
Will be back this October 2012 for more pampering! Thanks Evan’s Ranch.
Peace
PS. Demetria Winery came in a close 2^nd! Gotta see this place and taste their wines as well.

The address is partially wrong — the street and number are correct, the town is Los Olivos, not Santa Ynez.
LOVE THE WINE.
Comfortable bar with seating (unlike Gainey Ranch where you stand)
I went twice and both servers were good.
This is Gainey’s upmarket sister, so if you didn’t love Gainey’s come here.

On a cold winters night nothing is more comforting than a pair of sweat pants, an old soft t-​shirt, a cracklin fire, and a bottle of Evan’s Ranch Pinot and Syrah. This is my comfort place.
All ER’s three varietals, chardonnay/​pinot/​syrah are simply put luxurious, consistent, a great value, and velvety smooth. They are the Lexus of wines!
Only about 60 cases (total among all three varietals) are produced for any given vintage. You will never see these in any restaurant or wine store. They are all sold to members and through their tasting room.
ER’s reds tend to be more of an old-​world style and provide a nice big mouth feel. Plenty of french new oak, but never too much. Earthy undertones of red clay, dust, and mushroom. And an abundance of fruit. My favorite are their Las Brisas Pinot and Syrah. Their Lone Oak is also very nice.
ER’s two chardonnays are Las Brisas and La Merina. Both of these wines are extremely balanced with plenty of fruit and the perfect amount of cream and butterscotch. However, I find the La Merina to be superior with greater balance and a little more creaminess. They both have zero malolactic fermentation.
For anyone visiting Los Olivos it’s a must to stop by Evans Ranch tasting bar and enjoy a glass of heaven.

Easily the best tasting room thus far in Los Olivos. I was so happy with everything. Nice tasting room, educated tasters, and killer wines. I liked it so much I became a member. Seriously try it. Dont be a cheap ass and go to other tasting roooms because they 8 tastings or something like that. I f you truely are a wino you must go here. There is a perfect balance of ambiance, knowledge, and great wine and thats why they get a 5 star. Cheers!

We’re members of both Gainey and Evans Ranch and between the two, the staff here at Evans are so fun. They greet us like we’re old friends and always remember us. We love their wines, they’re all yummy. Jan at the ‘bar’ is a hoot… we’ll be back soon when we’re on vacation! :)

This is the newest tasting room in Los Olivos, owned by Gainey. The 2007 Las Brisas Pinot Noir is delicious!