Malibu: 4x4 vineyard tour with local guide & tastings

4.94

(111 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what Malibu smells like after a morning rain? I hadn’t, not really, until we bounced up those dirt roads at Saddlerock Ranch in this open-air 4x4. Our guide, Jamie, handed me a piece of wild sage to crush between my fingers — the scent was sharp and earthy, mixed with the faint sweetness from the grapevines all around us. I kept thinking how different it felt from the city just down the hill. It’s only about 40 minutes from LA, but honestly, it could’ve been another country.

We stopped at this old Chumash Native American site — Jamie told us stories about the people who lived here long before anyone thought of planting vines. There were these smooth stones scattered around, and he showed us how they’d been used for grinding acorns (I tried it; turns out I’m terrible at it). The wind picked up and you could hear nothing but birds and our laughter echoing off the hills. Snacks came out next — crackers, cheese, some kind of tapenade that I kept going back for even though I pretended to be polite about it.

The best part? We got to taste some of the wines right there among the vines that grew them. The sun broke through just as we reached this overlook — not dramatic or anything, just soft gold on the hills and rows of grapes stretching out below. Jamie poured us each a glass and pointed out where the ocean was hiding behind a line of eucalyptus trees. I still think about that view when I’m stuck in traffic on Sunset Boulevard.