Within the heart of Santa Ynez Valley wine country, Roblar Winery and Vineyards unfolds among grapevines, grazing land, and sprawling valley oaks. The setting alone makes an impression, though Roblar’s appeal goes far beyond the landscape. What distinguishes this Santa Barbara County estate is the way wine, food, farming, art, and hospitality converge into a complete destination experience.
You may arrive intending to sample Cabernet Sauvignon or enjoy lunch overlooking the vines. More often than not, you’ll end up staying for an entire afternoon.
A Family Vision Takes Root
That sense of immersion is central to the vision behind Roblar. Under the umbrella of Gleason Family Vineyards, proprietor Kevin Gleason leads the winery alongside his children, Max Gleason and Callie Gleason Bieszard, along with son-in-law Matthew Bieszard. Together, they have shaped Roblar into a property that reflects both the relaxed spirit of Santa Barbara wine country and the growing sophistication of the region’s wine scene.
“Here, we are about the experience of living,” says Kevin. “Those experiences that resonate with the soul. That’s what gives life joy and purpose.”
The family’s roots in Santa Barbara County winegrowing date back to 2004, when Gleason acquired the property that would become Refugio Ranch Vineyards. The purchase of Roblar Winery in 2017 expanded that vision considerably. What the family saw was an opportunity to create a true estate experience, one grounded in agriculture, hospitality, and a strong sense of place.
Since then, nearly every aspect of Roblar has evolved. The vineyard program has been refined, the culinary experience expanded, and the guest offerings elevated while maintaining an approachable atmosphere that feels authentically Central Coast.
A Winery Built Around Place
Wine remains the foundation of the estate. Roblar’s vineyard is planted primarily to Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, grapes well suited to the warm days and cool evenings of the Santa Ynez Valley. The wines emphasize structure and balance while retaining freshness and energy.
That direction sharpened further with the arrival of winemaker Max Marshak in 2020. After seven years at Jonata, Marshak brought a detail-oriented approach centered on sensory analysis and small-lot winemaking. His influence is increasingly evident throughout the portfolio, which has gained attention for its wines that are thoughtfully made and easy to enjoy.
While Bordeaux varieties anchor the estate program, Roblar also produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from acclaimed vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills. These cooler-climate wines offer a contrast to the estate Bordeaux varieties and speak to the breadth of the region.
Beyond the Tasting Room
Yet Roblar’s identity extends well beyond the cellar.
The estate farm and Chef’s Garden play an essential role in daily life at the winery. Vegetables, herbs, flowers, and seasonal produce harvested from the property move directly into the kitchen, shaping a culinary program (lunch, supper, Sunday brunch) that has become one of the estate’s defining features. Under the direction of Executive Chef Terri Buzzard, menus shift with the seasons and with what is coming out of the ground that week, creating dishes that feel deeply tied to the rhythms of the property itself. (In 2025, the estate earned national recognition when its restaurant was named the #1 Winery Restaurant in the United States in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.)
A seated tasting may lead to lunch on the expansive patio beneath vineyard views and sprawling valley oaks, where the menu exceeds the expected winery cheese board. Seasonal salads, house-made focaccia, fresh seafood preparations, garden vegetables, and larger entrée plates arrive alongside estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay. Sunday brunch has become a destination unto itself, drawing locals and travelers alike.
If you seek a more immersive experience, Roblar also offers elevated tastings with vineyard tours, curated food pairings, and access to small-production wines. You can spend the afternoon wandering the grounds, settling beside the outdoor fireplace, or browsing the onsite Indah Gallery, which features rotating exhibitions from local artists curated by Max Gleason.
A Wine Country Escape
And finally, if you want to turn a tasting visit into a longer escape, Roblar also offers accommodations at the Roblar Farmhouse, a sprawling Santa Ynez ranch home set on the estate. The 12,500-square-foot retreat sleeps up to ten guests across five bedrooms and includes expansive gathering spaces designed for everything from celebratory weekends to corporate retreats and family getaways. Visitors can spend afternoons beside the private infinity pool and hot tub, gather around the firepit, or simply settle into the slower pace of wine-country living that defines the property as a whole.
Throughout the year, the estate also hosts farm dinners, winemaker events, live music gatherings, seasonal celebrations, and harvest experiences that further connect guests to the agricultural life of the property. The result is a winery that is so much more than simple stop along the trail. It’s a complete wine-country retreat, one where the vineyard, farm, kitchen, and hospitality experience continually intersect.
For wine lovers exploring the Santa Ynez Valley, Roblar offers a compelling reminder that the most memorable wineries are rarely defined by wine alone.
Photos courtesy of Roblar Winery & Vineyards
