Martian Ranch & Vineyard

Los Alamos, United States

4.7

Closed now

15 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 805-344-1804
Website:
www.martianvineyard.com
Address:
9110 Alisos Canyon Rd, Los Alamos, CA, 93440
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Los Alamos) 18:57 Friday, 27 June 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Martian Ranch & Vineyard is an eclectic grower of grape varietals both esoteric and otherwise. We are a young, biodynamically-​farmed vineyard on Alisos Canyon Road, Los Alamos where we take our farming much more seriously than we take ourselves.

Located just three miles off highway 101 and minutes south of the town of Los Alamos, Martian Ranch provides an out-​of-​this-​world experience for guests.

A highlight for many Martian Ranch visitors is a vineyard tour on a 4-​wheel drive «mule». For groups up to six people, visitors can take a guided tour of the property, stop at the pond for some amazing vistas and see the small but growing herd of Irish Dexter cows — which are an important part of he ecosystem at the ranch. Please call ahead for vineyard tour availability.

Varietals Grown:

Albarino, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Gamay Noir, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Tempranillo

Fun Facts:

The name Martian Ranch comes from Nan’s two sons, Martin and Ian and their combined alien nickname.

Bring a picnic and enjoy our expansive grounds with a game of bocce ball or horse shoes!

History

Established in 2008.

Winery owner, Nan Helgeland, is the earthly force behind Martian Ranch & Vineyard. Originally from Cape Cod, Nan found her inspiration in the world-​class wines of Santa Barbara County. She purchased the 102-​acre property in 2006, and with the help of biodynamic vineyard consultant Philippe Armenier, planted the vineyard in 2008. The first estate wines were bottled from the 2011 vintage.

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15 reviews of Martian Ranch & Vineyard

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Place rating: 5
Glendora, CA
With so many quality wineries in the valley it’s hard to choose. Martian makes it easy. This Thanksgiving weekend was our first visit to this winery and will not be our last. From the friendly greeting upon entering the tasting room to the variety of great wines. We had a chance to visit with Nan, the owner, whose positive and outgoing attitude lit up the room. And it doesnt stop with Nan. Her entire staff was warm, friendly and extremely welcoming. If you are looking for quality wines at a reasonable price at a location that feels more like home than a business, then Martain Winery is the place.
Place rating: 3
Pleasanton, CA
I think you need to be a seriously committed oenophile to come and taste at Martian Ranch& Vineyard. Driving here is second only to flying to Mars!
The hospitality here is very good: Gregarious servers, a decent tasting room and eclectic wines. As noted in other reviews the little Martian icon is clever.
I didn’t find any wines that moved me but that just means I need to make another visit.
Place rating: 5
Santa Ynez, CA
Best place ever, and love to take people there, Silver Cloud Tours 805−617−8742
Place rating: 3
Los Angeles, CA
Wow! So many 5 STAR reviews. We pass Martian each time we come up to Foxen and honestly, the name alone has prompted a few silly jokes in the car and I’ve never had any real desire to stop here until this past weekend.
We had purchased the Summer Sippin Passport ($ 20 for 20 tastings at select tasting rooms in the area) and one thing led to another. We decided we’d try a bunch of new places we wouldn’t have otherwise gone to. This open mindedness’ brought us to Koehler, Kenneth Volk and finally Martian — all on recommendations from others along the trail.
I’ll be completely honest, Martian was our last stop — after I had had 20 tastings and a bunch at Zaca where I’m a member. I don’t recall the Tempranillo as much as I would like to but I know we asked for their biggest red and this was what they poured.
What I do recall was the friendly service and bocce ball court! I LOVE bocce ball and to have found a court out this way is 5 STARS!!! :) Although all I wanted to do was sit down and photograph my boyfriend playing horseshoes.
I know I’ll definitely pay them a visit in the future. Probably my first visit on my next trip up here since they are always the first place we past.
I’ll try some wines, and start off here as brand new fresh Candace not 445P Candace after a summer passport deal ;) and we’ll see how things go.
Place rating: 5
Camarillo, CA
Patty and Bobby are an awesome welcoming duo to Martian Ranch. Despite the clever martian icon, the winery is named after the owners sons Martin and Ian. Took the mule (golf cart) to tour the property. Beautiful, organic, biodynamic property with a horse, some cows, goats, and a beautiful lake. Loved that they offered Spanish varietals (albarino and tempranillo) in addition to Rhone varietals. Excellent experience with delicious wines.
Place rating: 5
Arroyo Grande, CA
Beautiful facility with a super friendly staff. Love coming here and tasting, they make you feel like family.
Best of all they have great wines at a very reasonable price for the area Our favorites are their Grenache, Tempranillo, and Syrah, If you like white, they have a great Albarino.
A fun stop for all. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it outside while either tasting, or buying a bottle to share!
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
This new vineyard is on a beautiful property with stunning views and a comfortable atmosphere. Everyone who works here is welcoming, cheerful and knowledgeable. There is plenty of space to picnic and they will even take you on a tour of the property if you have the time! The wines are really rich, earthy and tannic– quite interesting and delicious. I think they are organic and a dry farm as well. We left with a few bottles to take home and will be back, next time with a picnic!
Place rating: 5
Culver City, CA
My all time favorite place to visit while wine tasting.
We are members here and love and adore these people!
We took a large group here yesterday late in the day. They accommodate our request to take us in their truck to the lake There’s the most amazing scenery in the world there … mountains, duckies, fish, a lil boat, picnic table.
PS — there is a clean outhouse there too!
Bring some wine. They have plastic cups. Bring cheeses and other goodies and just RELAX !! They’ll pick you up on time and give you a beautiful tour throughout. My pictures are worth a thousand words, but they don’t do this amazing place justice.
Oh, and their wines are fabulous too ! I almost forgot to mention ;)
Place rating: 5
Temecula, CA
Love this winery… great wines and very friendly owners and staff. Nice setting for a picnic. Server Bobby is the best … Makes the experience «out of this world!»
Place rating: 5
Burbank, CA
I’ve never felt so welcomed at a winery! One tasting allowed us to sample 11 of their wines. Yes, 11! (And, their pours were generous.) We were able to chat with all their staff members, listen to how they grow their grapes and learn how each wine is special. Nan, the owner, was there too and took the time to chat with everyone. The wines themselves were delicious. I preferred the reds — Local Group (Grenache Noir), Red Shift (Syrah), Dark Energy (Syrah) and Gravitas (Tempranillo). We were surprised when we realized we were there for over an hour!
Their tasting room is new (October 2013 I believe), and their patio has nice benches for picnicking. Not hard to find. It’s the first winery on Alisos Canyon (off Highway 101).
The Martian theme is clever and removes any ounce of pretense that comes with other wineries. At the same time, their unique concept does not lessen the quality of their wines.
Place rating: 5
San Fernando Valley, CA
When I was younger, I used to get warm fuzzies from a mocha frappuccino and good book. Now that I’m a bit older, and a full-​time working mama to a hilarious/​adorable/​totally crazy 2-​year old, it takes something a little *stronger* to get those same warm fuzzies! Thank goodness, Martian Vineyards exists to keep the juices flowing — and by juices, I mean «Mommy Juice,» aka sweet, luscious, GLORIOUS wine!!!
It *is* a little far out if you’re commuting from LA, but it’s not like *Mars* far… :rimshot: Just Los Alamos. Totally worth it, and I promise you that Dawn and the crew will make it an amazing, memorable day. …Just don’t do as I did and have so much fun that you leave your purchased wine behind!
Huge, huge thanks to the entire Martian team for the best weekend getaway I’ve had in two years… And especially to Dawn, for shipping me my forgotten wine and taking such good care of us. I plan to come back for my birthday this November! :)
Place rating: 5
Santa Maria, CA
Had a terrific time tasting the wines. The little golf cart ride to view the vineyards was excellent. Thank you so much John B. for the tour and Nan for your dedication to some delicious wines!
Place rating: 5
Santa Ynez, CA
Affordable, delish and great people. New tasting room on Alisos Canyon. Los Alamos is such a cool place.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
We were given a bottle from some friends and were just amazed at how delicious it was. Later we were invited to visit the winery to see some of the handmade jewelry! What a spectacular spot, the wine was excellent, the facility is just flawless and it was amazing to hear how they pick the grapes when the moon’s pull is strongest.
They truly care about the land and the art of making wine. It’s a little off the beaten path but truly not to be missed.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
stopped here from a recommendation from Bell St Farms. Driving through beautiful wine country stumbling upon a ‘martian’ on the side of the road! Before getting here my husband said he would only taste the wines that he liked and pour out the others. LIKED THEM ALL! Staff very knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming.
The wines are made biodynamics in mind –AMAZING! They definitely deliver on taste and style on whites and red variations. Thank you so much Craig, Dawn and Michael for a great experience. Wine club member!