THE TASTING ROOMS: KALYRA WINERY & HELIX TASTING ROOM
Whether you’re visiting Buellton or Santa Ynez Valley wine country, Kalyra has two tasting room options that are sure to be the most talked about destination of your trip. To make your experience the most pleasant possible, groups of 6 or more require a reservation ahead of time with the tasting room manager. Click here for contact information. Please note that our group calendar at Kalyra Winery fills up quickly on Saturdays, so be sure to make your reservation at least 1 week in advance.
MONDAY-FRIDAY 11AM-5PM & SATURDAY/SUNDAY 10AM-5PM
Kalyra Sampler Tasting- $15
Reserve Dessert/Port Tasting- $15
Nestled among hundreds of acres of rolling vineyards is the original Kalyra Winery. With some of the most sweeping views in the Santa Barbara wine country, Kalyra Winery offers a laid-back beachcomber’s vibe to its tasting room and gift shop. You’ll be served from the bar featured in the ‘Sideways’ movie, and enjoy browsing the extensive Kalyra Boutique, located next to the tasting bar. Its full-length deck and side lawn offer a fantastic, tranquil picnic spot for your full tasting day as well.
Dog Policy: We love all dogs! While they cannot be in the tasting room, you are welome to bring leashed dogs on our deck or side lawn during your visit.
HELIX: THE EVOLUTION OF WINE
Friday-Sunday 12pm-5pm
HELIX Tasting- $15
Stop by the Toast of the Town! The new tasting room, HELIX, is now open in Buellton. Specializing in Sparkling and Dessert wines, it is ready to spark The Evolution of Wine. Located at 140 Industrial Way, it is a MUST-STOP for tourists and locals alike. This tasting room is unlike any other with it’s unique style and is a relaxing place to sit down on our rustic patio with a glass of bubbly and watch the world go by. We also have a travel trailer on site for you to lounge in with fun, vintage items for sale. Perfect for Bachelorette parties and pre-date night drinks. Come on in and see the evolution!
Left to right back row first:
Anita (Tasting Room Staff) Mike Brown (Winemaker/Owner), Kathy Brown (Wine Boss/Winemaker’s wife/CFO), Sergio Jr. & Sergio Sr. (Heavy lifting, Forklift drivers, Vineyard maintenance)
Front row left to right: Sarah (Organizer of all things/Wine Club Admin), RaeLynn (General Manager/Director of Marketing), Darlene (Tasting Room Staff), Adrienne (Wine Lover, Tasting Room Guru), Not pictured, Jennifer (Wine Club Admin), Kimberly (Tasting Room Staff)
THE STORY BEHIND KALYRA WINERY & MIKE BROWN
The vineyards you can see out the winery’s window are special. Planted in 1968, they were part of the original ‘Vina de Santa Inez’— legendary in these parts for what many credit as the inaugural vineyard in Santa Barbara County. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Mike Brown was working in the vineyards of Australia’s Barossa Valley. His viniculture studies at UC-Davis opened doors in the ever-growing wine region of Santa Barbara. In 1989, Mike’s first label was introduced: Kalyra, a translation from the Australian Aboriginal meaning ‘A Wild & Pleasant Place.’ Its fun, international blends made the label wildly popular, and in 2002, this tasting room opened, reflecting the same qualities as its root meaning.
AND THERE WAS SIDEWAYS
So popular was this new destination that it attracted the attention of movie producers working on comedy-drama film about the Santa Barbara wine country. The movie, ‘Sideways,’ was a perfect fit for the funky Kalyra vibe, and its tremendously successful release in 2004 thrust Kalyra into the national spotlight.
Despite the publicity, Kalyra stayed true to its original roots of a laid-back atmosphere; an international flair blending the best of Santa Barbara varietals with Australia, Portugal, France and Spain; and value-priced wines that wine aficionados of all levels enjoy. It continues to be a destination for wine enthusiasts around the world on a mission to find;
A Wild & Pleasant Place.