Foley Estates Vineyard & Wine

About this place

Foley Estates was founded by vintner Bill Foley in the late 1990s. After a 1998 search using topographical maps, soil research, and climate data, he found Rancho Santa Rosa, a historic thoroughbred horse ranch in the Sta. Rita Hills with steep south-facing hillsides and limestone soils. He planted 230 acres divided into 59 micro-blocks farmed and vinified separately, converted the ranch's stables into the winery, and released the inaugural Rancho Santa Rosa wines with the 2002 vintage. Today the estate totals 500 vineyard acres, planted primarily to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, including Rancho Las Hermanas with Lindsay's and Courtney's vineyards, named for Foley's daughters. Winemaker Lorna Kreutz, who joined the Foley Wine Group in 2011 and holds an enology degree from Fresno State, leads winemaking for Foley Estates, Lincourt, and Firestone. Per the winery's website, tastings are currently offered as pop-ups on Saturdays and Sundays at sister property Lincourt Vineyards during wine club pick-up windows; contact tastingroom@foleywines.com about private events at the Lompoc estate.