Our Producers
Ryan Deovlet
Ryan Deovlet makes Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay from Sanford & Benedict, La Encantada and Zotovich vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills, plus Bordeaux blends from the Happy Canyon AVA.
Ryan Deovlet is one of the most passionate, humble and communal winemakers we’ve ever met. His commitment to teamwork, whether in the vineyards he sources from, in the cellar with his own team, or with the retail partners who support him, is as important to him as the craft of winemaking itself. He’s a community builder in the Central Coast.
When Ryan’s minor league baseball career ended abruptly due to an injury, he drifted for a while in search of his next passion. A visit with his cousin in Hawaii opened his eyes to coffee, and to how the site, the soil and the fermentation of the bean shaped the flavors in his cup. The intrigue didn’t end when he returned home to Orange County. Through the Willing Workers on Organic Farms program, he found hands-on agricultural work that took him to vineyards in Australia and New Zealand. That experience opened doors to work alongside Central California winemakers Stephen Dooley and David Ramey, then a stint in Argentina learning from Paul Hobbs.
With that experience and passion, Ryan met Richard Sanford in 2008, and with as heartfelt a plea as he could make, secured his first 2 tons of grapes from La Encantada Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. From there, Deovlet Wines was born. Based in San Luis Obispo, Ryan took inspiration from Richard Sanford to plant the first vineyard in Los Osos (west of San Luis Obispo) in 2023, noting the same kind of terroir that led Sanford to plant the first vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills in 1971. His first estate-grown grapes were harvested in 2026, and we can’t wait to taste them!
THE VINEYARDS
Ryan has sourced grapes from Sanford & Benedict, La Encantada and Zotovich vineyards for his Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay since 2008. For his Bordeaux blends, he sources from the Happy Canyon AVA in eastern Santa Barbara County. Just as important as the vineyards are the aging vessels Ryan chooses for each one. For Sanford & Benedict, he typically uses large-format oak barrels that impart minimal oak to the destemmed juice from these 50-year-old vines, resulting in a classic, cherry-noted Pinot Noir he considers his “Grand Cru.” The thinner-skinned, higher-acid grapes from sandy-soiled Zotovich Vineyard age well with some stem inclusion in standard-size barrels. Most of his Chardonnay is aged in cigar-shaped barriques, which spread the lees over a greater area and add a richness that balances the acidity.
WHAT'S IN THE
GLASS
Deovlet Wines are classic expressions of their varieties. Think fresh, light- to medium-bodied wines that are elegant yet approachable, more savory than fruit-forward, and all incredibly balanced.
VISIT
When you want a high-quality, artisanal Pinot Noir or Chardonnay for less than $65, we strongly recommend Ryan Deovlet. His single-vineyard Pinot Noir makes an appearance on our Reserve Flight, and his blends can be found on our Flight of the Day. Ryan only makes 1,500 cases of wine each year, so with such small production, consider yourself lucky to taste them!
