This Winery Is Permanently Closed.
Winery Rating
Located at:
1584 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Wine Club Rating
Price Range For Tasting
Sanger Family Wines is a fusion of three complementary labels—Consilience, Tre Anelli, and Marianello—all brought together under the stewardship of Bill and Jan Sanger. Each label has its own personality, but they all orbit the same Mediterranean sun, both stylistically and philosophically. Think Old World charm with a California accent.
Consilience was the first to emerge, focusing initially on Rhône varietals but eventually stretching into other regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux, even embracing California staples like Zinfandel. Tre Anelli brought Spanish and Italian flair to the mix, wines that practically beg for grilled meats and open-air meals. Marianello rounds out the family, grounded in Italian heritage and deeply connected to the Sangers’ personal roots. It’s the home of olive oils, vinegars, and their flagship wine, the Cielo Rubio—a robust Super Tuscan-style blend that tells its own story with every glass.
Though each label stands on its own, together they tell a broader tale about California’s Central Coast—a region with a climate and attitude perfectly suited to Mediterranean-style wines and the kind of easygoing food culture that comes with them.
WinemakerAt the heart of it all is Brett Escalera, who’s been turning grapes into stories for decades. His winemaking journey began under the guidance of Bruce McGuire at Santa Barbara Winery, eventually leading him through Fresno State’s enology program and into the cellars of Byron and Fess Parker. It was during his time at Fess Parker that Consilience was born, followed by Tre Anelli not long after.
Brett brings a laid-back precision to his craft. His wines aren’t flashy for the sake of it—they’re grounded, expressive, and purposefully built to complement the local food scene. Whether he’s working with Rhône varietals or assembling a bold Super Tuscan, there’s a throughline of balance and structure in his portfolio. His fingerprints are on every bottle, though you’ll rarely catch him boasting about it. He’s more likely to be found hiking the trails of the Santa Ynez Valley or combing the beaches near his hometown of Carpinteria.
You’ll find Sanger Family Wines right in downtown Solvang, nestled along Mission Drive. The space is welcoming, comfortable, and refreshingly unpretentious. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating—ideal whether you’re ducking in from the summer heat or taking advantage of a cool Central Coast breeze.
This isn’t a winery with sweeping vineyard views or Instagrammable vistas. But it doesn’t need to be. The energy is focused inward, on the wine, the people pouring it, and the stories behind each bottle. That said, it’s located in the heart of a town that looks like a little slice of Denmark, which is its own kind of unexpected charm.
Inside, the tasting room has a rustic-modern vibe. It’s easy to settle in for a while, which is exactly the point. No reservations are needed, so there’s a kind of come-as-you-are hospitality that matches the wines being poured.
Sanger Family’s wine club feels less like a transaction and more like joining a circle of friends who also happen to have excellent taste in Mediterranean-style wines. With a 5-star rating, it’s clear they’re doing something right. Members get access to limited production releases, discounts, and priority on new vintages across all three labels.
The club is flexible enough to cater to different tastes, which makes sense given the diversity in their portfolio. Whether you’re leaning into Rhône reds, Italian whites, or Spanish-inspired blends, there’s a spot for you. The team makes it easy, and the benefits feel more curated than cookie-cutter.
And of course, there’s the added perk of being connected to seasonal releases of olive oil and balsamic vinegar from the Marianello line—something you won’t find in your average wine club shipment.
Tastings range between $30 and $40, and you’ll get a well-rounded sample of what the three labels have to offer. Expect five or so wines, spanning both reds and whites, with occasional surprises from their limited-production lots.
Our host during the visit was Rio, who was personable, knowledgeable, and knew exactly when to step in with helpful info and when to let the wine speak for itself. A good host can make or break a tasting, and Rio nailed it.
The wines poured ranged in quality from solid to excellent, with scores hovering between 88 and 93 points. What stood out most was the consistency—there weren’t any weak links. Whether it was a fresh white blend or a darker, brooding red, each wine held its own.
There’s no pressure here, just good conversation, relaxed pacing, and a clear passion for the product. If you’ve got questions about blending techniques or want to dive into the vineyard sources, the staff is more than happy to go deep. If you just want to sip and relax, that works too.
For us, on this day, anyway, the 2022 Marianello Cielo Rubio stands out as a particularly compelling bottle. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot, it opens with aromas of cranberry and blackberry before rolling into a palate of dark cherry and subtle spice. The tannins are firm yet youthful, giving it a structure that plays well with hearty food. It’s a wine with personality, depth, and just enough restraint to keep things interesting. Our full review gave it a solid 89 points—definitely worth a place on your table.
You can check out our detailed review of the 2022 Marianello Cielo Rubio here.
Sanger Family Wines might not have panoramic views or vineyard strolls, but what it lacks in scenery, it more than makes up for in charm, hospitality, and quality winemaking. With three labels under one roof—Consilience, Tre Anelli, and Marianello—it’s a rare chance to explore a wide spectrum of Mediterranean-inspired wines in one stop.
Whether you’re a Central Coast regular or passing through Solvang for the weekend, Sanger Family Wines makes for a thoughtful, flavorful stop. No reservation required—just good wine and good people, poured with intention. And, if you stay at The Landsby Hotel, one of our favorites, you are just a few steps away from the tasting room.
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