Rooted Vine Cellars

Small-production California wines by winemaker Iaon Pohlit, with a walk-in tasting room in Solvang

Best known for: Small-production, minimal-intervention wines from California’s Central Coast

Rooted Vine Cellars pairs winemaker Iaon Pohlit’s small-production California wines with a tasting room in Solvang, California. Pohlit brings an unusual mix of pursuits to the cellar: a degree in printmaking, work as a freediving instructor, and ownership of Rooted Vine Tours. He lives aboard a wooden sailboat in Santa Barbara and favors minimal intervention in his winemaking.

The wines give visitors several directions to explore rather than a single signature grape. Spear Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA supplies the 2024 GrüVe Grüner Veltliner and 2024 Iter Grenache. The 2021 Ocean & Earth Pinot Noir also comes from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, while the 2023 Lovers Leap Syrah and 2025 Nekton Rosé represent the Ballard Canyon AVA. Bottle prices range from $40 for the rosé to $85 for the Pinot Noir.

The tasting room at 1693 Mission Drive, Suite C-1, welcomes both walk-ins and appointments. Afternoon service runs Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m., with Saturday extending to 6 p.m. Free parking and the option to stop in without booking make Rooted Vine Cellars an easy addition to a Solvang afternoon.