Pence Vineyards & Winery

Pence Vineyards & Winery focuses on estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA, three miles west of Buellton. Its 45-acre vineyard occupies a 200-acre working ranch, with 24 separately farmed blocks rather than one uniform sweep of vines. Pinot Noir grows in deep clay soils on south- and west-facing slopes; Chardonnay primarily occupies higher, limestone-rich ground. Gamay also has a place in the vineyard.

Associate Winemaker Brittney Rogers and Consulting Winemaker Drake Whitcraft oversee a cellar program built around native-yeast fermentation, concrete and oak vessels, and restrained oak use. The Estate wines bring several blocks together, while the Penny labels narrow the focus to particular parcels. Fugio Pinot Noir comes from Pommard vines on some of the ranch’s steepest slopes; Rosa Chardonnay comes from a north-facing block planted with Mt. Eden selections. Historic American coin images on the Penny labels give the wines a visual identity tied to the Pence name.

For a first visit, the $60 Foundry tasting makes the strongest starting point: vineyard time followed by estate and Penny wines in a reclaimed barn tasting room. The $100 Lincoln tasting compares current releases with older bottles in the private Heritage Room. Reservations are required, with tastings offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Tuesdays. The ranch has no picnic areas and does not allow pets.