Rusack Vineyards

A nice place, but not one of the best in the area. The winery is pretty, but doesn’t take advantage of the space. There are some tables on an outdoor deck so you can sit outside with some snacks if you want. The tasting room is small and every time we went back for a tasting took some time. They seemed a but under staffed, although everyone was very friendly.
Their wine is okay. We did not buy a bottle, but I did like their buttery Chardonnay.
Will probably skip this one next time and try something new.

My wife and I are both in wine industry. We have been wine tasting several times a month for years. Rusack is an awesome winery. Rick the tasting room hostess is very nice and knowledgeable. He is probably one of the best I’ve ever dealt with. The Catalana Island Pinot Noir was really good.

Really good wine in an ideal if setting, this is what wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley should be. The deck provided our group with a near private tasting experience during our recent tour. The drive in includes buffalo and rolling hills. I highly recommend this place.

My fiancé and I visit here a couple times a year. We always have such a great experience that I think it’s about time I reviewed this fine establishment!
Rusack is absolutely beautiful and the view from the patio garden area is breath taking. We are always treated wonderfully by all the staff and enjoy doing our tastings there with the polite and well informed staff.
It’s a smaller winery so the selection is limited, but what they do have is great! They also give away free Rusack wine glasses with every tasting. You can even write on your glass with wine glass markers.
Every time we come we are reminded of its beauty and are welcomed greatly by the staff. I can’t wait until our next visit!

I wasn’t overly impressed. I personally won’t be back. The wines were just okay but not worth the visit.
Also, a big turn off was the size of the pours. Really. Half the pour of every winery I’ve been to. I can’t tell if I want it with it with it barely coating my tongue. We all agreed and bought nothing.
Another turn off was when we were all walking toward the building, we were greeted by a worried looking man who ran out to tell us our dogs weren’t allowed OUTSIDE of their winery. I’ve never heard of that. I could see inside but… Mind you, I had 6 lb Tallulah with me (on my arm) and our friends had their floppy Mr. cuddles face of fluffernutter with them. Not a pitbull. Not a barking jackass. Two calm doggies.
We were only allowed in a tiny square area in the front which was also in the blazing sun.
So we asked if we could at least get an umbrella. We were told yes, but only if we help set it up and then put it away. Really?
My personal experience was off-​putting so it’s a 2-​star (Meh, I think not) experience.
With so many great wineries and wines to taste, moving on from here.

I’m relatively positive that this is my new favorite winery in the area. We brought our lunch in to eat on their patio and we had the most gorgeous and incredible view of the surrounding area. Every single person we interacted with was pleasant, friendly, accommodating, and anticipatory. They knew what we were looking for always and were ready to answer every question we had.
Aside from the perfect ambiance and wonderful employees, this was one of the BEST cabernets I’ve ever, ever, ever tasted. I don’t have TOO much of a developed tongue for wine, but I certainly can tell when a wine is good or not. I wasn’t expecting to do it, but when I tasted their Cab (after having tried most of their other wines), I couldn’t stop myself from saying «Oh my God» out loud. That got my families attention… and a few other patrons… and most everyone seemed to agree with me!
We also got a private tour with Steve, the winemaker. He was obviously knowledgeable, and so patient with our group. He explained their entire wine making process, let us try their grapes while in the fermentation process, took us through where all their barrels are living, showed us their entire process. It was the most in-​depth tour I’ve ever taken. I’d do that tour over and over and over again. I am so happy that this was our first stop on our trip, as it had my favorite wine and favorite tour. I will absolutely revisit this vineyard the next time I travel to the area.

Fun tasting, knowledgable and engaging staff. Cute grounds and interesting wine blends. Worth a visit.

This is an AMAZING PLACE! I named my dog Rusack. I don’t want others to know about it but I’m writing this review to shame the idiot who thinks its ok to drink and drive. You were stupid enough to do this but even more stupid for blaming Rusack. I’m glad they reported you. You must have been floridly drunk and risking the lives of everyone around you.

Beautiful serene ground. Shaded areas outside was great for picnic. There were cheese plates available for purchase. Decent wines.

We visited on a Sunday afternoon, peaceful and serene environment, which is what we were looking for. There were a couple of moms with their very young children, and though I’m also a mother, I didn’t think that was an appropriate spot to take active toddlers, when grown ups are trying to enjoy «mommy & daddy» time as my boyfriend and I call it. Granted, it was still a great time, excellent wine, the folks at the bar were so knowledgeable and friendly. We joined the wine club, and I’m looking forward to being a regular visitor even though we live far. Mardi is a DOLL!

We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the wines. Equally impressive was the sommelier who was not only very knowledgeable, but very engaging.

Good wines, extremely relaxing setting with great views. Bring a picnic basket with you, buy a bottle of wine and unwind.

Dog owners touring wineries beware, this winery is not dog friendly. There are no signs posted saying it but we were told by more than one employee that dogs were not allowed inside the tasting room or out on the shaded patio. We were told if we wanted to stay we could keep the dogs at a table by the entry, which was in the full blazing sun. As if that was some sort of special exception. I said no thanks. I did not care for the attitude I was given after I declined. There are so many other wineries, many that are more than welcoming to dogs, that Rusak is not worth the trouble.

Great wine and one of the best tasting deals in town! The venue itself is beautiful with indoor standing room and shaded tables and chairs outside. It looked like they welcomed outside food which is a plus for next time!

On the back side of Ballard canyon is where you will find this little gem. Fine wine and a cozy tasting room are nice. The real find is the outside seating. Grab a table bring your picnic and enjoy a little slice of heaven. The Reds here have a lot of flavour and a nice spicy note.

One of the nicest views you can have in this area while picnicking. I read some of the reviews that said it’s impossible to find a seat but I guess it depends when you come. Mid-​November no problem whatsoever. Make sure to bring your own picnic, preferably a sandwich from Panino!

This was our favorite vineyard that we visited — beautiful setting — wines were delicious and Kevin was super knowledgeable and also very friendly. Bought some pinot for home! Highly suggest a visit!

Rusack was a really nice vineyard to end our tasting at during a recent visit to Santa Barbara. The space was small, but cozy (and nicely decorated for the holidays). The person helping us was in still in college (actually grad school I think), but was really knowledgeable about the wines and was quite friendly to chat with.
I liked that this spot seemed so much more relaxed than some of the other spots in the area and they were more than willing to talk about the wines and the grapes, region, etc.
I also thought that the wines were quite good and some of the better ones we tried for this part of California. Had I not already shipped quite a bit of wine home, I would have purchased more here. Thankfully, they said I could buy online. Price-​wise, I would day that many of the wines were quite reasonably priced for the quality and the fact that they do not make many cases.
Definitely worth a visit for a relaxing tasting!

This was my first Santa Ynez valley winery, so I don’t have a lot of basis for comparison, but I thought Rusack was great.
Get off the 101 to a windy road flanked by farms and horses and soon you will find Rusack. It is one main tasting room with a bar, but the fun part is the large outdoor area with nice wicker tables and huge old trees. The view consists of rows of grapevines and a few sets of rolling hills in the distance. This is the perfect place to bring a date or your family, and I thought it would be absolutely beautiful for a wedding.
For $ 9 they set you up with a six-​wine tasting menu and they let you keep the nice glass embossed with «Rusack» as a keepsake. The wine list starts with the lightest white and then proceeds through progressively more serious reds (okay let’s face it, I’m no wine connoisseur) and finally it ends with a white dessert wine sweeter than candy. I don’t know a lot about wine, but I liked how they were set up in order so that even a wine dummy like me could follow the progression. You pay up front and then sip and get more at your own pace, so you could easily spend an afternoon enjoying the scenery.
Note: They have light food options (I specifically remember prosciutto) but judging by the zillion other people doing this they let you bring your own food. Some families brought coolers with lunch and snacks and others brought containers full of takeout. They are also kid-​friendly.

What a place for picture perfect and scenic wine tasting in the Santa Ynez valley!
Pack a picnic basket and head out to Rusack’s where ample outdoor seating overlooking the vineyards in the shade of magnificent Old California Oak trees.
The tasting room is open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm. The tasting fee is $ 9.00, and includes a beautiful crystal logo glass to take with you as a souvenir of your visit. Their wine club members (Anacapa Cellar Club) get complimentary wine tasting and may bring up to four people in their group! They were very nice, organized and courteous even on a busy weekend afternoon. A decent line up included 7 samples…
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Rosé
Pinot Noir
Sangiovese
ANACAPA
Syrah
” Soul of the Vine” Their dessert wine, stole the show. «Rich and mellow, with a honey — caramel nose and subtle flavors of honeysuckle, pear and orange sherbet, this wine truly embodies the soul of the vine» Not syrupy or sappy as many dessert wines tend to be…
Located close to Solvang this a winery worth the trek to their somewhat remote location. I would and plan on making a repeat visit, picnic basket in hand.