Visiting Malibu & Ventura wine country for the first time: where to start, what to expect and the mistakes to skip.
Begin at The Ojai Vineyard firehouse, add Casa Barranca across the Arcade, then finish on the water at Deep Sea's Ventura Harbor patio
Expect cool-climate Syrah and Pinot Noir from Ojai's pioneers, Malibu Coast AVA estate reds, and Ventura's eclectic urban lists, poured mostly by people close to the winemaking.
Ventura's urban rooms keep flights affordable and walkable; Old Creek Ranch's $30 six-wine flight is the region's benchmark sit-down value.
The region sits about an hour from central Los Angeles via the Pacific Coast Highway; plan the driving and every stop gets better.
Don't overpack the itinerary: three stops with time to talk beats six drive-bys anywhere, and doubly so here. And check hours before every stop; small family rooms adjust schedules seasonally.
Every winery we track in the region, each with its own page.
See the full Malibu & Ventura guide → · Browse all wineries →