March 5, 2025 — Set amongst the rolling hills of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley, Demetria Estate is a leading family-owned producer of Rhône and Burgundian varietal wines. The 213-acre estate sits in one of the best wine neighborhoods in the region, located just off Foxen Canyon Road in the idyllic town of Los Olivos, CA. Often described as one of the area’s best-kept secrets, a visit to Demetria quickly reveals what matters most—45 high-elevation biodynamically farmed hillside acres planted to vine, exceptional wine, unpretentious hospitality, and genuine, passionate people.
Today, Demetria Estate is owned and operated by second-generation vintner Alexis Zahoudanis, whose immigrant father and mother founded the winery in 2006. Guided by an old-world holistic winegrowing philosophy in which the estate and cellar are intrinsically connected, the winemaking team is led by Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Ryan Roark and Winemaker and Operations Manager Emily Myers. Only the most attentive care and intention goes into the wine that Demetria Estate produces; each bottle reflects the land, ambition and commitment to regenerative and biodynamic farming practices. With honesty, hard work, and sustainable viticulture at the forefront, the team is dedicated to producing wines that are natural, excellent, and authentic to the land.
Estate Visit & Events
Tucked along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in Los Olivos, Demetria Estate blends natural beauty, refinement, and a refreshingly unpretentious charm. The winding drive in sets the tone: rolling vineyards unfurl on either side, ancient oaks cast shifting patterns of light, and the hush of the countryside settles around you. As the Mediterranean-style winery emerges, its ochre walls and terracotta roof seem less built than placed, an effortless extension of the land itself. There is a stillness here, the rustling of vines, the warmth of the sun and the feeling that you’ve arrived somewhere special and rare.
Rooted in both Greek heritage and Southern hospitality, the Zahoudanis family has cultivated more than a winery—they’ve shaped an experience. That philosophy informs everything, from the wines themselves to the way guests are welcomed.
Tastings take place on the patio, tucked into the hills and surrounded by vineyards that stretch toward the horizon. The valley opens in every direction, a patchwork of vines and golden hills, while dappled sunlight filters through the oaks. The air is alive with the sounds of nature: the distant trill of birds, the gentle stir of leaves, the quiet pulse of nature at ease. Here, time slows.
Led by the small, deeply knowledgeable team, tastings are available daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last seating at 3:30 p.m., for $30 per person, featuring a rotating selection of wines from the Demetria portfolio. Reservations are encouraged via Tock, though walk-ins are accommodated as space allows. For a more in-depth experience, Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Ryan Roark offers private cellar tastings, where barrel samples and discussions on vineyard and cellar techniques provide a rare glimpse into the craft behind each bottle.
Beyond the tasting experience, Demetria Estate is one of the most striking and serene event venues in Santa Barbara County, with both indoor and outdoor spaces suited for weddings, birthdays, family reunions, corporate gatherings and more.
A Holistic Approach
Demetria Estate sits in the rolling hills of Los Olivos, within the Santa Ynez Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County—a region shaped by its rare transverse mountain ranges that run east to west, channeling cool Pacific breezes inland. This natural corridor tempers the valley’s warmth, extending the growing season and creating a striking contrast between the Sta. Rita Hills, just 15 miles west—where chardonnay and pinot noir thrive—and the eastern part of the valley, where Rhône varieties like syrah and grenache reach their full potential. Moderate afternoon breezes further regulate daytime temperatures, allowing for an extended growing season and the development of concentrated flavors—an essential characteristic that defines the vibrancy of Demetria’s wines.
Spanning 213 acres, Demetria’s estate vineyard is a mosaic of high-elevation hillsides ranging from 1,100 to 1,450 feet, with 45 acres under vine, each block benefiting from unique aspects and exposures. Here, the art of blending begins in the vineyard, guided by a philosophy that intertwines farming and winemaking into a seamless, thoughtful craft. At Demetria, the vineyard manager is also the winemaker—a true vigneron in practice, whose hands are in every step of the process, fostering a deeper connection between the land and the wines it yields.
For Demetria Estate, this is more than a place of cultivation—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem, nurtured with intention and harmony. Embracing biodynamic farming principles, the team works in tandem with the cosmic rhythms of nature, minimizing outside inputs, enriching the soil with organic compost, planting cover crops to protect the topsoil and nourish the vines and working in tune with the lunar cycle to enhance the vitality of each vine. Integral to this ecosystem, sheep move across the estate daily, mimicking natural grazing patterns that aerate the soil, provide natural fertilization, and eliminate the need for herbicides—an intricate, self-sustaining system that strengthens the land rather than depleting it.
Free from synthetic chemicals, the land flourishes, yielding wines that capture its purest expression. This is more than a farming method; it is a philosophy rooted in respect—for the earth, for the fruit and for the generations to come.
The Wines
Demetria Estate produces Rhône and Burgundian varietal wines that reflect the distinct character of their vineyard sites, balancing freshness, vibrancy and elegance. Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Ryan Roark has built a career rooted in hard work, curiosity and an unshakable commitment to doing things the right way. Raised on a Texas ranch, he took the self-taught and “find a great mentor” route, absorbing everything he could about viticulture and working his way up from the ground level. His counterpart, Winemaker and Operations Manager Emily Myers, balances his instinctive, hands-on approach with precision and artistry. Her sharp eye for detail and innate sense of craft brings clarity and finesse to every bottle. Guided by biodynamic farming and minimal intervention, they produce wines that speak to both place and process—limited-production, small-lot releases available primarily direct-to-consumer.
Demetria produces four single varietal red wines from its estate vineyard. The Estate Syrah ($50) is the purest expression of the land—unfiltered, unembellished and true to its origins. The North Slope Syrah ($55), sourced from the vineyard’s finest Syrah blocks, pays homage to the power and elegance of the Northern Rhône. Agno ($50), meaning “pure,” is a 100% Mourvèdre, while O Dromos ($80)—Greek for “the road” or, more poetically, “the journey”—is a 100% Grenache. Demetria produces two red blends from the estate: Pantheon ($40), a vibrant, everyday red named for “all gods,” and Cuvée Constantine ($60), a tribute to owner Alexis Zahoudanis, both Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre blends.
Several white and rosé bottlings are also produced from the estate, the first being Cuvée Papou ($45), a Rhône blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne— a tribute to Demetria Founder John Zahoudanis— a Viognier ($45), Grenache Rosé ($45) and Sparkling Grenache Rosé ($65).
Beyond the estate, Demetria sources fruit from top Central Coast vineyards to expand its portfolio with wines that capture the full potential of Santa Barbara County. The Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir ($65) showcases the depth of the region, blending multiple clones and microclimates from select vineyards for a balanced, rich wine. Sourced from Rancho La Viña in the Sta. Rita Hills, the Cuvée Sandra Pinot Noir ($85), is bright, fruit-forward, and full of personality—a tribute to Demetria’s matriarch, Sandra Zahoudanis. Wabi Sabi Pinot Noir ($85) offers a more restrained, earthy expression, embracing the beauty of imperfection. The portfolio rounds out with Chardonnay ($55), a precise and elegant reflection of Santa Barbara County, and Pantheon Blanc ($42), a bright and fruity 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from White Barn Vineyard in Santa Ynez, CA.
Demetria lovers are invited to join the highly sought-after Wine Society, which offers exclusive perks, including pre-release pricing, complimentary tastings for you and three guests, invitations to private events, and coveted access to the estate’s charming guest house.
History of Demetria
It all began in the early 2000s when the exuberant Los Angeles-based couple, John and Sandra Zahoudanis, set out in search of the perfect vineyard property. John, a Greek immigrant and successful real estate entrepreneur, and Sandra, a successful travel agency owner, had together cultivated a lifelong passion for wine and the joie de vivre that came with it. Having grown up on a farm near Mount Olympus, John’s childhood was dotted with olives, citrus groves, and a small plot of grapes used for homemade wine. His lifelong dream had always been to own a vineyard and winery for his family to enjoy.
John and his son Alexis, already partners in real estate, spent years searching for the right opportunity to establish a family winery. Their patience paid off with the acquisition of Ashley’s Vineyard in 2005—an expansive 800-acre property on the westernmost edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Within a year, the duo leveraged the increased value of the vineyard and sold the property at a high profit. This move allowed them to purchase what is now Demetria Estate outright, which had come on the market by the parents of winemaker Andrew Murray and had been a source for his eponymous label at the time. Upon finding the property, it was love at first sight. John and Sandra named the property after their daughter Demetria, who herself was named for the Greek goddess of harvest, Demeter.
In 2009, Alexis joined his parents at the estate, taking the reins of the day-to-day management of the vineyard and winery. He understood early on that Demetria’s success would be built not just on great wine, but on relationships—deep connections with those who shared a love for craftsmanship, community, and authenticity. Over the years, he has grown Demetria’s wine club into its beating heart, a gathering of kindred spirits. But to Alexis, the real foundation of the estate is the team beside him—his extended family: Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Ryan Roark, Winemaker and Operations Manager Emily Myers, and the hospitality and wine club team, Logan Livermore and Nick Marchi.
Instagram: @demetriaestate
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