Holus Bolus & The Joy Fantastic - Los Olivos, California

Michael T.

At the risk of sounding like a wine snob... (which may be true...) over the years I've become more and more passionate about wine, developing my palate and just knowing what I like. My wife and I have visited many places and tried and enjoyed LOTS of wine, but right now there are no wine makers that I'm more passionate about than the folks at Holus Bolus. Let's be honest and to the point... these cats are the tops. They know how to make wine. They (no pun intended) CRUSH it with every varietal I've tried there.

When we go tasting, we tend to enjoy the tasting itself and only buy a bottle when one really kicks our ass. I'll never forget my first tasting here... I was almost angry how good everything was because it wasn't a choice... I HAD to buy a bottle of varietal after varietal! I think we left with 6 bottles!!! Not because I wanted to... but because I HAD to! They were THAT good!

And it's not just the Holus Bolus label, but also their Joy Fantastic and even the Wine Slut... everything they make is excellent! Some particular favorites over these past few years has been their Grenache (which I call magical unicorn juice because of how good it is), Syrah (which has smokey pipe-tobacco notes that bring me back to visiting "The Newshop" in the 90s), Roussanne, The Joy Fantastic Gamay just to name a few.

The price point is on the higher side, which is disappointing, but I guess when you're the best, that has to happen. I would buy a lot more if the price points were a bit lower.

The next time you're in Los Olivos, make SURE you put Holus Bolus FIRST on your MUST-VISIT list!!!

Michelle S.

This winery's tasting room was a delight to visit! While not spacious, there is indoor and outdoor seating. Amy, one of the two winemakers (the other is her husband Peter) poured for me and explained their viticulture. Other winemakers in the area recommended them to me and I can see why. Highly recommended!

Craig E.

I had a great time last month at Holus Bolus. Amy has an exciting winemaking style that showcases the best of what the Santa Rita Hills can be. It was also great to hear about her experiences making wine and plans for the future of her brand.

Corrine K.

A group of eight of us came here because one of us had been gifted one of their wines and had liked it so much that they decided we MUST visit them while in Santa Ynez. We were not disappointed! We enjoyed tasting the different offerings they had, and Matt did a great job explaining what we were tasting, and how their wines came to be.

Cory H.

We had a fantastic time! I am in the business but visited with my family. We had an informed tour of their wines. Definitely a winery in tune with the region.

Lisa N.

Go here. These wines are fantastic. I have the merch also! I get constant compliments when I wear my wineslut tshirt. These wines are amazing. If you love gamay you have to try this one! Matt is excellent at providing education during your tasting, I have learned so much from him. He really goes above and beyond. You have to go her, you will love it.

Faye W.

My friend in Orange County, an earner of master's degrees and a self-made female business owner, tells people that her tattoo of an octopus was chosen for three reasons: these undersea creatures are intelligent, mysterious, and delicious. If it were possible to judge wines by a label, the same would apply to the vintages of Holus Bolus. The tentacled and eight-armed cephalopod beckons from the bottle, hinting at inky riddles swirling within. Peter poured us a splash of Grenache from the Lyons vineyard with a mention of the days he spends combing the hillsides of the vineyards to gauge and guess the state of the grapes in his wines. There is no doubt, from first sip to last, that his wisdom in the fields has made the end result indubitably delicious.
Besides the octopod-inked varietals, there are repertoires rivaling Van Halen in the Joy Fantastic and associated side labels. Uncovering and discovering the 'Genuine Risk' Cabernet blend brought all the pleasure of a romp through currants and cassis, while the Presqu'ile vineyard Syrah cut in with fresh grass and green peppercorns. One other bonus: a corgi winery dog is on-hand to greet guests and lap in attention with all the unbridled affection that can be expected of man's best friend. Whether your tasting flight of fancy is tickled by Prince lyrics or by an earthy expression of deep-rooted single clones, Amy and Peter offer the premier experience at their Los Olivos tasting room.

Brian G.

Recently visited in April 2022. Peter and Amy were great hosts. Enjoyed many of their wines. We love the Los Olivos low key vibe. Make a point to stop by if you are in the area along with Tercero on the next block.