Small-Lot Wines from Santa Barbara County
Grenache that drinks like sunshine. Syrah with spice and soul. Pinot Noir from windswept ridges. Chardonnay that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about Chardonnay. This is what Santa Barbara County does best, and this is what we love to share.
This Wasn’t the Plan
Carucci Wines didn’t start with a plan. It started with curiosity, a finance job Eric hated, and grapes fermenting in his parents’ garage. The first punch-downs were done with a garden hoe. The money came from what was supposed to be a wedding fund.
Somehow, it worked.
Fifteen years later, Eric is still making the wines himself—small lots from cool-climate vineyards in Santa Barbara County—and still pouring them in Los Olivos. Today, Carucci is still small, still hands-on, still built around the same idea: make wines you want to open. Not save for someday.
Taste with the Winemaker
Taste in Los Olivos
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays | 12–5 PM
Our tasting room on Grand Avenue is 499 square feet of wine-loving personality. Eric pours most weekends, which means you’re tasting with the person who can tell you exactly why this vintage of Cab Franc smells like green chilies. Tastings are casual, conversational, and there’s zero pressure to buy anything or join the club. (Though the club is pretty great if you end up wanting more of what we’re making.)
What to know:
- Tastings of 5-6 wines run about an hour
- Walk-ins welcome, but reservations help
- Dogs are welcome
- If the patio’s full, that’s a good sign
Buellton Winery Tours
Tuesdays & Wednesdays | By Appointment Only
This is where the real magic happens: barrels stacked in the cellar, tanks waiting for the next vintage, equipment we use every single day. It’s not polished or pretty, but it’s honest and it’s ours. Eric will walk you through the whole operation, pull samples from barrels, and encourage you to taste wines at different stages of their life. Ask anything you want. He’ll tell you what’s working, what surprised him, and what he’s trying next year.
What to expect:
- 90 minutes with just your group
- Barrel samples and current releases
- Direct access to the winemaker
- The real behind-the-scenes
Wines You’re Sure to Love
The Wines We’d Keep (If We Could)
The Carucci wine club exists because we make small amounts of wine, and club members are how we know it’s going to good homes. Twice a year (March and October), we’ll send you wines we’re genuinely excited about. You’ll get first access to new releases, library wines, and those single-barrel experiments that turn out better than expected. Plus, you get the best prices we offer year-round.
And when you visit, Eric’s usually around to pour for you and answer whatever questions you’ve been saving up.
Your membership includes:
- 10-20% off everything, always
- First dibs on limited releases
- Fully customizable shipments
- Free tastings for you and guests