Peake Ranch
An estate winery on the eastern end of the Sta. Rita Hills farming three distinct vineyards, from the protective saddle of Peake Ranch itself to the raw, wind blasted slopes of John Sebastiano five miles north, all bottled by a team with deep UC Davis roots.
A physicist comes back to farming
John Wagner grew up working his family lemon and avocado orchards in Ventura County, took a bachelors and masters in physics at UCLA, and spent a career in finance always intending to return to agriculture. He and his wife Gillian sealed that return when they bought Peake Ranch, built a winery and a small house on the property, and completed the UC Davis Certificate in Winemaking along the way.
The team around them is unusually academic for a winery this size. Viticulturist Michael Anderson taught and researched viticulture at UC Davis for more than thirty years and managed the university’s legendary Oakville Station. John met him as a student in his viticulture class. Consulting enologist Dr. Maria Nikolantonaki is a wine chemistry professor at the University of Burgundy in Dijon, and assistant winemaker Max Hara holds a UC Davis masters in viticulture and enology.
Three vineyards, three personalities
Peake Ranch Vineyard is a 105 acre parcel on Santa Rosa Road at the eastern end of the Sta. Rita Hills, with 50 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Grenache planted across a dizzying range of aspects and slopes. Much of it sits in a protective saddle that tempers the Pacific wind, giving it a slightly warmer profile than the appellation trademark.
John Sebastiano Vineyard, almost five miles north, is the opposite: 120 raised, exposed acres that the team describes as not one vineyard but ten. Sierra Madre Vineyard sits on the western side of the Santa Maria Valley, cooler and closer to the ocean, where Chardonnay uses every last day of the growing season.
The wines
Estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Grenache, bottled by vineyard and in single block lots in the strongest years. Every wine below links straight to the winery.
2023 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot NoirSta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 Sta. Rita Hills ChardonnaySta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 Peake Ranch Vineyard Pinot NoirSta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 Peake Ranch Vineyard ChardonnaySta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 Peake Ranch Vineyard SyrahSta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 Peake Ranch Vineyard GrenacheSta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot NoirSta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 John Sebastiano Vineyard ChardonnaySta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 John Sebastiano Vineyard SyrahSta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 Bellis NoirSta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›
2023 Sierra Madre Vineyard ChardonnaySanta Maria ValleyView at the winery ›
2023 Grenache Block 9Sta. Rita HillsView at the winery ›The complete current release list is on the Peake Ranch shop.
Visiting Peake Ranch
The tasting room on Santa Rosa Road is open daily from 11am to 5pm. The Classic Tasting is a seated experience at 11am, 1pm or 3pm, walk-ins are welcomed as service allows, outside picnics are fine, kids get their own zone with a reservation, and dogs are welcome. On select Saturdays the Visit in the Vines walking tour takes guests hiking through the vineyard with wine from the vines around them.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Peake Ranch?
At 7290 Santa Rosa Road in Buellton, on the eastern end of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are strongly recommended. The Classic Tasting seats at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and walk-ins are welcomed as service allows.
What does a tasting cost?
The Classic Tasting is $50 per person. The Visit in the Vines walking tour, offered on select Saturdays at 11am, is $75 with a service charge added.
What vineyards does Peake Ranch farm?
Three estates: Peake Ranch Vineyard on Santa Rosa Road, John Sebastiano Vineyard five miles north in the Sta. Rita Hills, and Sierra Madre Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley.
Who owns Peake Ranch?
John and Gillian Wagner, who purchased the ranch and built the winery on the property. John grew up farming in Ventura County and completed the UC Davis Certificate in Winemaking.
Who runs the vineyards and winemaking?
Viticulturist Michael Anderson, a UC Davis researcher and educator of more than thirty years, has led the vineyards since 2017. Dr. Maria Nikolantonaki, a University of Burgundy professor, consults on enology, and Max Hara serves as assistant winemaker.
Can I bring kids or dogs?
Yes to both. Children are welcome with a reservation for the kids zone, and the property is dog friendly. Outside food and picnics are also allowed.
What wines is Peake Ranch known for?
Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills, plus Syrah, Grenache and the Bellis Noir blend, with single vineyard and single block bottlings across the range.
Nearby and related
- Sta. Rita Hills the AVA that shapes these wines.
- Santa Barbara County the wider region and its sub appellations.
- California winery directory every producer we cover.
Information sourced from the Peake Ranch official website, checked September 2026. Always confirm hours and availability before visiting.