Brave & Maiden Estate

Winery · Santa Ynez

Brave & Maiden Estate

Winery · Santa Ynez

1

649 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460

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Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null
Brave & Maiden Estate by null

Highlights

Nestled in Santa Barbara Wine Country, this upscale, appointment-only winery dazzles with impeccable service and stunning ambiance, making each tasting unforgettable.  

Featured in Food & Wine
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649 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 Get directions

braveandmaiden.com
@braveandmaiden

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649 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 Get directions

+1 805 693 2989
braveandmaiden.com
@braveandmaiden
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@braveandmaiden

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Jul 11, 2025

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"Posh tasting experience in a contemporary room by appointment." - Lauren Mowery

8 Sustainable Santa Ynez Valley Wineries to Visit
View Postcard for Brave & Maiden Estate

Katie Hargrove

Google
Truly a one of a kind experience! My wife and I came with our pup and it was the highlight of our time in the area. Summer walked us through our tasting and she was honestly so knowledgeable and just a joy to be around. Our pup was treated like royalty and everyone was so sweet to him. We left with multiple bottles of wine and we will definitely be coming back to the area just to visit again. Every single person working here was so friendly and kind and the estate itself is breathtaking. From start to finish, our visit here was remarkable and we can't thank the entire crew here enough for making our anniversary trip so lovely. We LOVE Brave & Maiden!!

Idean Hashemian

Google
An easy 5/5! Brave & Maiden delivers a polished, modern tasting room experience backed by estate-grown wines that speak to the region’s potential. The Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon stand out with true balance & structure. Hospitality is warm and attentive, making for an engaging, upscale visit without pretense. A rising star worth watching in the Santa Ynez Valley :)

Lawrence Fung

Google
Having been members for several years now, every visit is always never short of amazing. The property is very well kept, the staff are super friendly, warm and informative. Ever time we visit we are always just blown away. A special thank you to Phil and the team for making our most recent visit just what we needed. We unfortunately had to leave LA last minute due to the fires and the poor air quality affecting our own health and the health of our little puppy. The B&M property was a perfect sanctuary for us to be able to breathe in fresh air with our dog on the beautiful outdoor patio. As always B&M winemakers are producing some of the best wines in all of CA with our Merlot being one of our favorites. We look forward to coming back again.

Dave Gorsline

Google
My wife and I discovered B&M 6 years ago when we first moved to the area. It was love at first visit... sumptuous big reds, knowledgeable and warm staff, stunning architecture...all against the beautiful backdrop of the vineyard. Since that first visit we've explored dozens and dozens of wineries across every central coast AVA. The best of these illicit the comment "almost as good as B&M". The product is superior, but it's the staff that inspires us to turn to B&M for all the poignant events in the life of our family; engagements, bachelorette weekends, weddings...and the quiet moments of two empty nesters who appreciate the perfect place for an afternoon date. These people understand hospitality like no other team. It's a joy to watch them work their magic, whether it's teaching guests how good wine elevates love and life, or diplomatically corralling unsupervised children before they kill the vibe, their commitment to providing a special experience never wavers.

John Nguyen

Google
This is by far the best vineyard experience i have ever had. So did the wine tasting and with no exaggeration, every detail was phenomenal. From the knowledgeable staff to the atmosphere, I could not have asked for a more perfect day. The vivid differences in tasting notes were so unreal that I had to get a few bottles to ship home. This is where the problems begin. I had the bottles shipped back home to Florida, and UPS somehow lost the package. When I notified the host, he assured me that a second box would be shipped with a tracking number. UPS AGAIN somehow fumbled the ball and failed to deliver the package. Third attempt now and this time, we used fed ex and I finally received my wine. The team of brave and maiden assured me I would receive my wine and they delivered. Would highly recommend and will be back! UPS, you can suck it.

Jim Foster

Google
One of the best tastings I’ve been to. The gentleman who led our tour and tasting was very knowledgeable and very polite. The wines were delicious and they ordered a beautiful cheese tray for us. The space was gorgeous with great lighting and the landscaping was top notch. It was worth every penny. So far one of the best wineries in the Santa Ynez valley.

Sydnie Jones

Google
My boyfriend and I had the best experience at B&M this weekend. Phill was the friendliest and most detailed host during our experience. Although we came at a busy time he was overly accommodating and made our experience wonderful. We will definitely be back! Thank you Phill

Chris Smith

Google
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION! Gorgeous winery, elegant building and interior decoration, spotless! Beautiful light crisp pale pink rose! Phil is super knowledgeable and pleasant! Wine is delicious! Owner is a successful Indonesian businessman from Singapore who has obviously travelled the world's best, and brought back that knowledge to Santa Ynez. Very impressive, especially with so many terrible unsophisticated businesses that are so prevalent in the Santa Barbara area. Definitely will bring out of town guests to this winery. Brave & Maiden Estate is the best in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Lisa S.

Yelp
The grounds are stunning. The server was warm and friendly, plus very knowledgeable. But the WINES...the wines were amazing. The grenache...100% grenache grapes makes this grenache the best I've ever had. Their Cabernet...incredible. OK...ALL of their reds were individual...and difficult to pick which one would be my favorite. I could have stayed there all day savoring the delicious flavors rolling on my tongue...and the snacking on the wonderful charcuterie. It is truly a sensory experience for the eyes, noses and of course, taste buds. GO TO BRAVE & MAIDEN.

Lawrence S.

Yelp
Having been members for several years now, every visit is always never short of amazing. The property is very well kept, the staff are super friendly, warm and informative. Ever time we visit we are always just blown away. A special thank you to Phil and the team for making our most recent visit just what we needed. We unfortunately had to leave LA last minute due to the fires and the poor air quality affecting our own health and the health of our little puppy. The B&M property was a perfect sanctuary for us to be able to breathe in fresh air with our dog on the beautiful outdoor patio. As always B&M winemakers are producing some of the best wines in all of CA with our Merlot being one of our favorites. We look forward to coming back again.

Hyunhee N.

Yelp
I visited this place last birthday with my husband. The ambiance was nice. But our male host made us uncomfortable. He wasn't rude, but I felt he was acting kind rather than genuinely being kind. The wines were not good for us. The wines were simply not my type. Or I was expecting more for a $50 wine tasting.

Eleni A.

Yelp
Our favorite estate of our visit to the valley! This place is STUNNING, everywhere you look is a view, I've added photos that show how amazing it is. Our host was Summer, who was fantastic, kind, incredibly knowledgeable, and had great humor - the right host can make or break an experience during a tasting where the host stays with you during it - so we were very happy to have her as our host and recommend! The wines were beautiful, we learned a lot and walked away with some bottles - Rule of Thirds and the Merlot, B&M might've changed my opinion towards Merlot, so they might change yours too. I recommend the cheese pairing, it was very cute, nice variety of cheeses and meats and went well with the wines. Also a recommendation is to take their latest appointment, the sunset over those gorgeous hills and landscaping was so beautiful. We will absolutely be returning during our visit in the Spring!

L O.

Yelp
Wine and ambiance are immaculate, the staff aren't very personable though, we did a tasting and didn't get the same experience through the som as we did at other wineries. Very touch and go. Would definitely come back though!

Cynthia B.

Yelp
My husband and our friends love Solvang and have been countless times but this past weekend was the first time we ever experienced Brave & Maiden and let me tell you, we were blown away! Summer was our host and was just so lovely and accommodating. We had the whole place to ourselves and were able to relax and learn about their fantastic wines. The charcuterie was unique and delicious. We had to join the membership before leaving as we can't wait to return! Highly recommend this winery!

Lauryn T.

Yelp
So I came here for a small girls weekend of Solvang and wine tasting. This place came recommended. Made reservations for a private tasting. First the grounds are absolutely stunning. The building is beautiful and so is the outside. Very photo worthy. However, I'm giving it 4 stars because of a few things. We got to try 4 different wines but each glass had 3 small sips 4 if you were really trying to stretch it out and if you liked one they didn't offer to repour more in that glass which typically wineries will do. They also were already poured in the glasses prior to us even sitting down which made the white and the rose warmer then how they should be served. While our host was very nice and entertaining we did just have more time talking then tasting because of how small of servings in the glass. The wine was good but being able to go back and try something again I feel like is important especially before buying wine with a slightly higher price tag. And we weren't offered that he just asked us to try the 1 sip we had left if we wanted to go back. Overall the wine was good, the views and setting were beautiful, and the host was nice. They just need to be able to offer small pours of the ones you want to go back and try before you buy. Also this is separate but there is no service in the area so they can call a car for you which is nice because it will be hard to get a hold of a lyft or uber with no reception. Don't drink and drive.

Sara H.

Yelp
Last minute pop in. Incredible property, stunning views. I only had one wine, their only white a fantastic sauvignon blanc. We will be back for a tasting!

Nancy B.

Yelp
Wines were spectacular and the ambience was gorgeous. So relaxing. They gave extra nice touches for my husbands birthday! Summer was amazing as well. So informative kind and made the experience so nice

Nicole B.

Yelp
I had a phenomenal wine tasting experience today! The service was excellent, and Phil was amazing - he truly knows his wine. He not only guided me through the tasting with great expertise but also took fantastic care of my dog and me, making the experience even more special. The estate itself is absolutely stunning, adding to the overall charm. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a memorable wine tasting!

Todd R.

Yelp
What an absolute amazing experience! My wife and I had planned a honeymoon in the SYV and I wanted to do a day of wine tasting, but with so many wineries in the area it was a little hard to choose.....I finally settled on an itinerary and our first stop was Brave and Maiden. First of all, the winery is absolutely amazing! Everything from the landscaping, to the estate, to the interior of the tasting room itself, it's a stunning sight to see and quite peaceful too. When we approached the gate, we used the call box to get in and they informed us our host would be out on the bridge to greet us. We were greeted by Summer and taken to our tasting area. We got the star treatment and got to do our tasting on the big comfy couches in their library! Summer already had our wines laid out for us with tasting notes and gave us a nice intro to the wines, the estate, and all things Brave and Maiden. She even threw in some extras for us for our honeymoon! Summer had an amazing personality, was easy to talk to and even helped me out in ordering some wines to ship back home. Brave and Maiden was the first stop on my list and to be honest, they set the bar so high that they ended up being my favorite winery. I just received my wines and can't wait to open them up! I highly recommend checking out their estate and booking a private tasting with them, the entire experience exceeded my expectations and it was such a nice way to start our tasting in SYV.

Barbara T.

Yelp
Amazing place! Probably one of my favorite wine experiences in years. Worth every penny. It was one on one and personalized. The wine was very good and our hostess Dianna was knowledgeable, nice and funny. There is a great story to go with the label and the grounds are just stunning. We bought a couple bottles and are definitely considering joining the wine club.

Alyson V.

Yelp
We had been wanting to check out Brave and Maiden for quite some time and so glad we finally made a reservation! Phil was awesome and took great care of us. It's such an inviting atmosphere on a beautiful property. You feel like you're in someone's living room. The wine was delicious and we loved the story behind the label. Next thing we knew we joined the wine club and brought 6 bottles home with us.

Aida F.

Yelp
Visiting Santa Barbara for a few days, make your way to the San Ynez Valley to the Brave & Maiden winery. From the moment you park & walk towards their bridge towards the tasting room, one is surrounded by gorgeous grounds. This time there was 6 of us for a semi private wine tasting; the table was set, wines lined up, a beautiful cheese box with prosciuttos, olives, fig cookies sorts & 3-4 types of cheeses. If you're a Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet, GSM, they just might have what you're looking for. Rarely do I find a winery where I like both their reds & white, Brave & Maiden did. Our server walked us through the winery's history, along with telling us a little bit about each of the wines. Definitely a must stop if you're into wine.

Hope R.

Yelp
Hands down the best winery experience in all of Santa Barbara County! This place feels exclusive and sexy from the get go! The property if stunning and impressive, with gorgeous architecture and luscious foliage. I know I'm using a lot of adjectives but I am trying to get across how aesthetically beautiful this winery is. This is a very intimate experience, there are usually only three groups there at once. My party arrived at 12pm and we had the property to ourselves for the first hour. Our host Phil was gracious, witty and gregarious. He made us feel at home and made the entire experience wonderful. The wine tasting started off with their 2021 Pride Rosé. Before I get to how delicious this wine is, I want to mention that this special edition rosé was produced to celebrate Pride month, and some proceeds of those bottles sold were donated to the Pacific Pride Foundation of Santa Barbara. It even has a rainbow on the label. It means the world to have companies not only be socially conscious but to actually partner with foundations that are actively working in providing services to our LGBTQ+ communities. AND the wine is delicious! This is not a porch-pounder. It is full bodied, luscious and has the duality of cream and bright acidity. All of their wines are beautifully balanced and thought provoking. From Sauvignon Blanc to Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, they will have a wine that will fit anyone's palate. This place is so special. Please make this a stop on your next wine adventure in Santa Barbara.

Melissa Z.

Yelp
Gorgeous wines and delicious views. This winery was one of our favorites. We enjoyed the wine so much we purchased several bottles. It is a family owned property so much better quality wine than most of those corporate held wineries that focus on profits instead of dedication to the craft. We visited in April 2021 and places in CA were all still under the COVID precautions. Luckily we researched before going and got a reservation bc this winery like most others were doing very limited seating. They had the most darling wine tasting setup for us! Although there are many wine tastings in this area, this is one that we would actually make a return visit. Definitely add this to your itinerary.

Lexy E.

Yelp
This was an amazing place to wine taste, it is very impressive. We stopped here on a wine tour with Wellington Wine Tours. It is an absolutely beautiful building with amazing views. We had a private tasting in one of the tasting rooms. We had a great time chatting with our tasting host and trying the wine. It definitely felt like a high end experience with great wine!

McKenzie S.

Yelp
Brave & Maiden is definitely one of the best wineries in the area. Do yourself a favor and make it a priority to book a reservation ASAP. You'll need it some weekends. We certainly did during the latter part of March during the pandemic. AND WORTH IT! We arrived at Brave & Maiden in the afternoon - the golden hour! It was a pleasant late March day and social distancing was still in affect. It appeared we were the only two people on the property tasting, but the property being so large could have been deceiving. The estate is magnificent yet also blends seamlessly into the natural landscaping. The attention to detail is appreciated. The Brave & Maiden wine tasting appointment is intimate and unhurried. It's a full sensory and educational experience. Our wine pourer was a Wine Sommelier Level 3 (if I recall) and was an exceptional host. He was patient, informative, and provided wonderful conversation. Sitting in the courtyard with a nice evening breeze, sipping wine made for one heck of a nice experience. So much so, we opted for the wine club. We had to! Upon our exit, our host was so kind as to give us a bottle of wine for our anniversary. It was so unbelievably kind! Brave & Maiden is a true five star experience.

Alexandra Y.

Yelp
New member at this magnificent winery. If you are a lover of fine wines - this should be your first stop! From full bodied cabs to some very polished whites. They even have seasonal roses. One of the most gorgeous settings, great member perks and the staff!! Top not and not stuffy for a high end experience

Bernadette D.

Yelp
What a lovely setting to enjoy delicious wine! Come early to walk the grounds and enjoy the stunning surroundings. Once inside, you'll be greeted by sky high ceilings. The interior design is warm and welcoming. Several areas to enjoy your wine, either inside or out. We sat outside in a perfect spot to enjoy the vineyard views. So much has been already shared about the property - don't let it overshadow the wine. The wine is delicious, especially for such a young winery. The true test is when you take the wine home - it'll be just as delicious as it was at the winery. Also, the best part is they are super dog friendly!

Justin D.

Yelp
This winery is a 5 star experience. When you park you get to view the beautiful vineyard and the grand building B&M. The beautiful surrounding landscaping really makes you feel transported into a an oasis. When you enter the building, the views are breathtaking, Open concept floor plan, classy textures, and decoration that makes you feel like you're in a celebrities mansion. The seating areas are all tasteful in their own ways. The view of the vineyard is the best spot on the property in my humble opinion. The service was so great and Sam did a wonderful job taking care of my group. I will definitely be coming back when I am In the area. I highly recommend this spot for anyone looking to enjoy great wine in an elegant and aesthetic space! They also offer cheese plates!

Meg K.

Yelp
Best tasting ever. From the aesthetic of the vineyard to the wines were all fantastic. A lot of thought and attention to detail went into this place. Our whole family loved it. Phil was the best and really made our experience.

Enrique R.

Yelp
Great wines in a beautiful setting and wonderful service. This is what I would call an intimate tasting experience. Trying to get away from the crowds? Book a tasting here. We loved the wines.

Ian R.

Yelp
This was my girlfriends number one spot on our trip to Solvang. When we pulled up to the gate we quickly realized that we were supposed to book a reservation to come in, but when we called the winery through the call box they said although they were booked for tastings for the day, we were more than welcome to come in and have a glass. Chris then met us at the bridge and took us outside where we had the whole outdoor area to ourselves. Even though he was in the middle of another tasting he still made us feel welcome and provided amazing service with knowledgeable wine recommendations and even a second winery recommendation based on our pallet that was next to our dinner reservation!

Teryn C.

Yelp
My partner and I had a LOVELY time with Summer, who went far and beyond to make our time wonderful for our tasting. HIGHLY recommend this winery if you're in the area, or visiting for any amount of time

Abbey F.

Yelp
Amazing wines and a gorgeous property!! We couldn't have asked for a better afternoon of wine and friends. We made a reservation in advance for Covid times and were treated to a perfectly social distanced afternoon of delicious wine tasting!! The rosés were definitely the highlight of the winery but the Bequest was an incredible wine! Every wine was truly stunning. Though they're a new winery, you can tell Brave & Maiden will quickly be an established and winery in the area.

Diane R.

Yelp
We made a reservation to participate in a tasting at this Santa Ynez winery. To enter the property we had to buzz in the call box. Once we parked we were greeted at the entrance by Vanessa. While here there was only one other couple tasting. Our wine was already poured and there was a brief description of the wines on the placemat. Vanessa walked us through the tasting and explained the history of the winery and the winemakers. Vanessa is a sommelier and very knowledgeable. There is a large parking lot just for the tasting area. There was a large inside beautiful tasting area that was closed due to COVID restrictions. We walked through to a lovely patio where we had our tasting. We fell very safe as there were no crowds, social distancing and masks were enforced. We enjoyed the wine and loved the serenity of the location. We look forward to our next visit.

Jen E.

Yelp
What a class act. Friends had planned a trip here for my birthday...just before the pandemic. Flash forward to August 1, four months out. When we had initially re-booked, we felt that postponement was SO far in the future, but there we were that Saturday. Pandemic not yet over (as we had initially thought) all of us a little nervous but excited (as we had all collectively quarantined for weeks), and curious what our experience would be like (given reservation were VERY limited). First of all, this place is absolutely gorgeous, a mecca in Santa Ynez after driving for so many hours from LA. It has this very elevated, private feel about it as soon as you hit their gate. We called to let them know we were close, and John (who turned out to be our host for our private tasting) greeted us on the bridge, and didn't seem agitated, even as we were nervous and apologized for running about 20 minutes late. Not only that, but he didn't make us feel rushed at any point during the entire experience. And this was one for the memory books for sure: John came not only with a wealth of knowledge/experience but a clear passion for what he does. No question we posed was too simple or asinine - he was patient and answered them all earnestly. I am detail-oriented with these experiences and noticed the care with which they approach everything, from table setup: personalized welcome card with tastings listed, pristine Riedel glasses, each a different variant to go with each pour...to the cheese plate we pre-purchased, which also came with a story that tied nicely to our late afternoon Solvang visit where they procured the plate from. And the wines...the WINES... Typically I don't go into tastings with high expectations but literally every single tasting was DELICIOUS and perfectly progressive. The whole experience felt patient, informative, delicious, and reflective. We took more pics of the estate than we could count. And every single one of our party of 5 walked out with 1-2 bottles, EACH. It's that kind of place. A crowd pleaser, even for the most discerning of palates. P.S. Later we went to Sunstone for our 2nd tasting and we all agreed after going to a place like Brave & Maiden let's just say it really sets the bar high...

Kristin M.

Yelp
Absolutely stunning, breathtaking design and the most wonderful, personalized wine tasting! Have never had an experience like this, and a must-visit for your day in Santa Ynez! Wine is delicious and just did not want to leave!

Mikaela S.

Yelp
Took a weekend trip to Solvang and stumbled upon this charming vineyard, which is only a 10-15 min Uber ride away from the downtown area. Booked a private afternoon winery tour for me and my boyfriend, and ended with indoor seated wine tasting. Our host Chris took the time to walk us through their wine making process and answered all of our questions. TBH, I haven't been to many vineyards but I had such an amazing time here, learning about their specific process and all the little nuances of each blend. The charcuterie plate was perfect, too! I couldn't leave without taking home a bottle of their award winning Rosé and Cabernet Sauvignon as a souvenir. Highly recommend this experience!

Alice W.

Yelp
Okay.. You pretty little thing. Where have you been hiding? So this is a newer winery as one can imagine from the few Yelp reviews. I've come up to the SY/Los Olivos area for wineries and tried several different places, but this is by far... hands down... the prettiest, most chic winery we've been to up here, PLUS the wine is GOOD. (wuuuuuttttt...) Reservation: Make a reservation online through their website. It was $30 per person and yes you have to pay in advance. I personally loved that it was by appointment only bc we ended up being the only ones there and it was perfect for our group to feel relaxed and hang out (plus with our dog off-leash). Get buzzed... in: When you get to the entrance, don't miss the buzzer on the left hand side. We missed it and had to back our car up. Parking: There's a little parking lot. Bc it's by appointment only, there's plenty of parking for you and your guests. Entry: upon entry, we were each offered a complimentary glass of rose while we waited for our tasting to be set up. That gave us time to enjoy the outside area, soak in the sun, and look at the fields and fields of grape vines. Building: This place is freaking gorgeous. The building where the tasting happens is so pretty. UGH. I wish I got married here. Outside, there's seating in the shade, and you can look out into the vineyard. There's also a beautiful house across the way... You'll hear more about it during your tasting. :) (Also, FYI... this place can be used as a wedding venue. We asked since we had 2 couples who are venue hunting right now. It hold about 80 guests. There's also the barrel room, which was cool to check out.) Dog friendly: Yes. This place is dog friendly. When I made the reservation online, I informed them that our dog was coming. They had a bowl ready for him. Bc we were I believe the last appointment of the day (and only appointment at that time), our dog went off-leash and was able to roam around the property. I think it was kind of magical for him. Wines: We tasted 4 different red wines. I don't think I've had Cab Franc at any other winery so far in this area, so this was a treat. The Syrah was good as well... But my FAVES were the Cab Sav and Rule the Thirds. I actually like the setup here. They pour you all 4 wines, suggest that you try each, and then revisit them and drink at your own pace. I prefer this much more than waiting for others to finish their pours before we have to go back to a bar or flag an employee down to get our next pours. We literally spent 2 hours here. According to Yelp, this place closes at 4 p.m., but we totally overstayed our welcome by hanging out until 5:30, I think. I honestly don't know where the time went... but we had a blast just chilling, taking photos, drinking wine, and learning about the cool history of the place and the story behind the Brave & Maiden name. Dianna was our wonderful host during our time and she was just amazing!! Conclusion: I ended up purchasing the Cab Sav ($75) and the Rule of Thirds ($65)... and couldn't resist becoming a member (8 free tastings and 6 bottles). (AH! WHO AM I!?) BUT... This is 100% the best winery we went to up here for wines and ambiance. Def coming back and would highly recommend. I'd love to just keep this place hidden and NOT let anyone know about it, but it's so deserving of all the highest compliments.

Daniel G.

Yelp
I'm always a little hesitant to go to these high priced tastings ($50), especially from a producer I'm not really familiar with. But in the case of Brave & Maiden, it's more about the experience than the wine itself. With only 4 wines in the tasting flight it's a steep $12 per wine tasted, but I think what you're really paying for is the fancy tasting barn and the attentive service. The place itself is pretty impressive. Opened in 2018, it still looks new. It's professionally decorated with modern pricey furniture. Almost like you walked into someone's mansion. The tasting experience is definitely not standard. There isn't a bar you walk up to, or standard restaurant tables you sit at. Each tasting party is given their own private area. There's an area with couches near the fireplace, a long impressive dining table in the main room in a partitioned off area, another room off to the side with another tasting area. It's all very well thought out. The one thing that we thought was strange but some people might like is the host interaction. The host meets you at the door, invites you in, takes you to your tasting area and ... sits down with you. We had a little conversation about wine. But it felt kind of awkward to taste with our host sitting there watching me. I'm an introvert so maybe this just wasn't the experience for me, but after enough awkward silence our host got up and gave us some privacy. My wife said it felt like a job interview. Beyond that, the wine isn't much to talk about. I thought it was rather mediocre and nothing stood out to me as being good enough to purchase. I guess the experience is supposed to put you in the mood to buy wine, but I go to a lot of tastings and if I don't like the wine I'm not buying any bottles regardless of the experience. So overall, it was an interesting experience that I'm glad I did once, but I doubt I'll be back again.

Mike M.

Yelp
Always SPECTACULAR!!! Chris and Summer are the greatest hosts!!! Probably, without a doubt, the best winery in the whole region!! NEVER come up here unless we secure a reservation for a tasting! Amazing!

Reter S.

Yelp
I did not have the reservation prior my arriving. However the sales from winery offered my buying with short visiting. Thanks for their offering.

jenny d.

Yelp
My friend and I had a really great experience at Brave & Maiden. The wines are fantastic, I enjoyed every wine I tried. In addition, the tasting room is beautiful and it is obvious that a great deal of care has gone into making sure everyone who visits this beautiful winery has a lovely time. Chris, who was our host, was very knowledgeable about not only the wines at Brave & Maiden but the entire region as well. Thank you to Chris and everyone at Brave & Maiden for making our visit to the winery such a fantastic time. I can't wait to visit again.

Andrew J.

Yelp
By far the best winery in Santa Ynez IMO. This place is STUNNING! But even better than that - the wine. They are making some of the best, full-bodied reds in SY right now. The rose is hands down a star during the summer. The experience itself is 5 stars! Ask for Phil. Every time we go we ask for him and are not disappointed. They treat you like family and it feels magical. They are dog friendly which is great and also kid friendly. The tastings are private and don't feel rushed. MUST Go!

Kristin A.

Yelp
We did not plan to stop at this winery on our weekend trip, but after getting a recommendation from a winery that we joined as club members we figured we would try to get a last minute reservation. Well they were so kind, found out that they would have an opening the next day if one of their team members stayed late and finished the shipment orders, and he did! We were so thankful! They have a large and gorgeous property that gives off the vibe that they are a large distribution winery, but they are not, the owner just likes big open modern spaces. The tasting was outside on the patio and they only do 1-3 tastings at a time, each with your own personal tasting room manager. The staff were very welcoming, greeting us at the door and leading us to our tasting spot. The tasting menu was perfect! Great wines and all amazing! If we weren't already members of multiple wineries we would have joined. We can't wait to go back and try their wines again, this time making an appointment in advance! It's a must try! Cool, laid back place to enjoy some great wine!

Megan P.

Yelp
If you want to try some great wine AND enjoy a fabulous setting, this is the place for you. The hubs and I like trying out new places when we visit SYV and this is one we'd highly recommend to our friends. Diana was our knowledgeable and oh so lovely wine guide/host. We had such a good time learning about the winery and the property. The hour we reserved flew by but it was definitely the highlight of this trip. *Get the cheese platter! It was from Cailloux Cheese Shop in Solvang...soooo good* Can't wait to go back!

Gena O.

Yelp
Amazing! Beautiful! Summer was fantastic!!!! Would come back in a heartbeat! Love it

Mimi T.

Yelp
Wow wow wow!! Our favorite stop during our entire visit. We ruined it for ourselves by making brave & maiden our first stop bc they are truly unbeatable!! We had tastings at Vincent & Sunstone as well and Brave & Maiden is far far superior in all aspects! It is a beautifullllllll estate. Absolutely pristine and well decorated. Seating was spaced out perfectly, our tasting felt private and exclusive. Our host John was knowledgeable and such a delight. I've never experienced this at a wine tasting before, having someone sit with you and walk you through your tasting. I'm not sure if it's due to covid but this made it really special. Wine selection was top notch!! So yuuuumy and amazing quality. I cannot wait to come back!

I D.

Yelp
Beautifully tasting room and even more beautiful wines!! I totally favor their reds but they have an excellent rose. My favorites are the Syrah and the Cabs. My husband loves their merlot. We have been coming here for years and this place has been amazing throughout! We have done several tastings with Vanessa who is unfortunately has moved on and one with Phil who is equally delightful. We have brought our kids here and though everyone has been chill, this is not a place to let them loose. I would totally recommend this be a stop in your Santa Ynez Valley trip. The wines are worth it!

Brian E.

Yelp
If I could give 6 stars I would. The estate is absolutely beautiful, but more than that the service is amazing. Phil and the Brave and Maiden team made our tasting such a memorable experience. The knowledge and friendliness we experienced from our conversation set this experience apart. We cannot wait to come back.

D H.

Yelp
Oh my gosh!!! This place is AMAZING! The pictures do NOT do it justice. Such a magnificent winery with impeccable decor and pristine gardens. We were greeted by Leslie who was so warm and inviting. Phil did the tasting and was so knowledgeable, warm and personable. He is an excellent sommelier that shared so much of his knowledge, yet he is so kind and engaging. The wines were excellent and so unique. We loved the Rose and the Sauvignon Blanc was probably the best I've had. The reds were smooth and full bodied. This was a highlight of my husband's special birthday trip. Thank you Phil and Leslie for making this such an extraordinary and fun experience.

Ben D.

Yelp
Disappointed they aren't open for the posted hours at all. Looks absolutely beautiful but the sign says it's ok for walk ins If they aren't busy.. (and they were not!) only one car in their lot.. but they wouldn't let us come sample. Disappointed because this is the reason we biked all the way up here. Bummer

Michael K.

Yelp
Very upscale property. Beautiful building and very nice outdoor area. A Diamond in the rough in the Valley. Wines are very good. We are On the Waitlist to become a member. Michael and Michele K

Elizabeth C.

Yelp
Delicious wines in an immaculate setting! Outdoor seating is perfect during Covid times and the view is beautiful. Wish I could spend every day here!

Melissa M.

Yelp
To enter the property you have to buzz in the call box. Once we parked we were welcomed at the entrance. While here, we were the only couple tasting. Our wine was already poured when we arrived and there was a brief description of the wines on the placemat. It was quiet, gorgeous and the most relaxing experience. This is our second time here and we will go here every time we are in SYnez. Add this place to your list next to you visit, just be sure to make a reservation!

Patty B.

Yelp
Fantastic small bites and shared plates. Had the decadent pork belly, wow! The wine list and knowledgeable staff is impressive; we ordered by the glass to try as much as we can! Had so much fun. The space is airy, modern and lively. Can't wait to come back! Already told our friends about it!

Betsi E.

Yelp
We had such an amazing time and the whole vineyard to ourselves for a sunset wine tasting! Phil was a great sommelier and great company as well. We loved all of the wines, especially the rosé! We will definitely be coming back!!