Malibu: Vintage VW Bus and Vineyard Tour

Malibu’s wine country is best seen from the back of a vintage VW bus, with the radio playing and the hills opening out around you. This two-hour outing takes you through Saddlerock Ranch and the private grounds of Malibu Family Wines, combining scenic drives with wine, vineyard stops, vintage cars, and a bit of ranch life.

I like the tiny group size, capped at six, and the way the tour adds more than a tasting-room visit. The views and personal guiding are the main draw, especially when your guide, such as Kurt, explains the land, the Chumash people, wine production, and the property’s past. The main caution is comfort: the bus can get hot, seating is unusual, and the small charcuterie serving is not a meal.

Key points at a glance

• Vintage VW bus ride: Travel around the ranch in an old-style Volkswagen with music playing on the radio.
• Small-group setting: The tour accepts no more than six people, so the ride feels more personal than a large coach outing.
• Wine with a view: Tastings take place around the vineyard and at scenic points, not only at a bar.
• More than vines: The route can include the owner’s vintage car collection, farm animals, vineyard rows, and hillside viewpoints.
• Light food only: Charcuterie and chocolates are provided, but you should eat before arriving if you need a full lunch.
• Plan for sun and heat: Wear comfortable clothes, bring sunscreen and perhaps a hat, and use the provided water to stay hydrated.

A vineyard tour with a Volkswagen twist

This is not a simple stop at Malibu Family Wines followed by a tasting flight at a counter. The property is the setting for the experience, and the old VW bus is the way you move through it.

That matters because Malibu wine country is spread across hilly ground with broad views. You get a sense of the setting as you ride between stops instead of seeing only the winery entrance. The bus also gives the outing a relaxed, slightly playful mood. The radio plays fun tunes, and the pace is more about enjoying the surroundings than rushing through a formal tasting.

The group limit of six is another real advantage. A small vehicle lets the guide talk with you rather than deliver a speech to a crowd. If you are lucky enough to be the only booking, the tour may feel close to a private outing, though that depends on the day and the number of people booked.

The tradeoff is that a vintage vehicle is part of the charm, not a modern shuttle. One seat arrangement described by a guest is two people in the front, three in the back, and one in another front-facing position. Couples may be separated for part of the ride, so do not book this expecting every pair to sit together throughout.

Starting at Saddlerock Ranch

You meet at 32111 Mulholland Highway in Malibu, California. The ride ends at the same place, which keeps the logistics simple and means you do not need to arrange transport between a winery and a separate drop-off point.

The approach to Saddlerock Ranch is less intimidating than you might expect. The route includes hills and winding roads, but the drive is described as manageable, with wide views along the way. Once you arrive, staff check you in, and portable restrooms are available nearby. Those facilities have been described as clean and more comfortable than the bare minimum, a small point that matters during an afternoon on a rural property.

The setting is part of the value here. You are not paying only for wine. You are paying for access to a private estate, a guided ride around the grounds, and time in a part of Malibu that is difficult to appreciate from the highway.

The first glass sets the pace

The wine portion begins early, with an initial bottle of Chardonnay described as tasty and well received. The exact tasting lineup is not specified, so I would not book this expecting a fixed list of varietals or a formal lesson built around a printed flight.

Instead, the tasting is tied to the ride and the property. You may sip wine while learning about how the vines are grown, hearing about the owner’s background, and stopping at points with a better view. The guide explains the wines as part of the wider visit, which suits people who want an easy afternoon rather than a technical class.

The wines have drawn especially strong praise. If you care more about flavor than ceremony, that is good news. One practical disappointment is that the wines may not be available for purchase at the property, so do not assume you will be able to take your favorite bottle home directly from the tour.

The opening glass also means you should think about food and transport. The tour includes alcohol, and the property is reached by car. Plan your own safe way to and from the meeting point, and do not treat the included snacks as a substitute for lunch.

Riding through the vineyard in a vintage VW bus

The VW bus is the heart of the outing. You ride around the growing vines while music plays, with the guide pointing out details along the way. The vehicle turns a standard vineyard visit into something more memorable, but it also changes what you should wear.

Choose comfortable clothes that allow you to get in and out of the bus. Avoid treating this like a polished tasting-room event where you remain seated at one table. You may move between the vehicle, viewpoints, and other parts of the property.

Heat is another consideration. The bus can become warm, particularly on a sunny afternoon, so sunscreen, a hat, and water are sensible. Water is provided, but I would still arrive ready for sun. The experience lasts about two hours, and the reported timing of one afternoon outing ran from roughly 1 p.m. to almost 3 p.m., so a warm middle-of-the-day start is possible.

The music and old vehicle create atmosphere, but the ride itself is not the only point. The bus gives you a moving view of the vineyard and the ranch, with stops that let you pause instead of simply looking through a window.

Vintage cars, animals, and the story of the property

The route can include the owner’s collection of vintage cars, a small group of farm animals, and the vineyard itself. These additions make the tour feel more like a visit to a working private property than a standard wine excursion.

The car collection is especially unexpected. If you are interested in old vehicles, it adds a second theme to the afternoon. If you are not, it still gives the guide another way to explain the owner’s background and the character of the estate.

The farm animals add a simple, down-to-earth touch. They are not presented as a separate attraction, and you should not book the tour as an animal visit. They are part of what you may see as you move around the grounds.

The guide also discusses the Chumash people who lived in the area and the history of the land. This is an important part of the experience because it places the vineyard within a much older human story. You get more than a description of grapes and wine. You hear how the property relates to the people and uses that came before it.

Guide Kurt has been singled out for clear explanations about wine, the property, and the area. Guides can vary by date, but Kurt is one name associated with the experience. The strongest version of this tour depends on your guide making those connections feel natural rather than rushing from one tasting to the next.

Viewpoints, charcuterie, and chocolate stops

The bus tour includes stops at scenic points where you can look across the hilly countryside and continue tasting. These are the moments that give the outing its sense of place. You are not simply drinking Malibu wine indoors. You are linking the wine to the hills, vines, and open views around you.

A small charcuterie spread and chocolates accompany the tastings. That pairing is useful because it gives you something salty or sweet between sips, but keep your expectations in check. The portions are light, and one serving was considered too small to count as a substantial snack.

I recommend eating before the tour, especially if you are booking an early afternoon departure. A proper meal beforehand lets you enjoy the wine without waiting for food that will not come. The included items work best as pleasant extras, not lunch.

The stops also give you a chance to get out of the bus, stretch your legs, and take in the view. If you prefer a formal seated tasting with a generous food board, this may feel limited. If you like tasting wine as part of a moving outdoor visit, the format makes sense.

What $125 buys you

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to taste Malibu wine. The price is easier to justify if you place value on the full package: a two-hour guided outing, a small group, transport around the estate, multiple tasting moments, scenic stops, light food, and access to sights such as the vintage cars and farm animals.

The six-person limit is important when judging the cost. A large group tour can offer a lower price, but it may also mean less conversation with the guide and less flexibility at stops. Here, the small vehicle and personal explanations are part of what you are buying.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging your own visit to a tasting room, then finding a separate way to see the surrounding property. The VW ride and guided access add something you would not get from simply ordering wine at a table.

Still, the price may feel high if your only goal is to taste several wines. The food is modest, wine purchases may not be available on-site, and the ride is short. Choose it for the combination of scenery, storytelling, and transport, not for the largest tasting menu.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I think the tour suits couples, friends, and small family groups who want a relaxed Malibu activity with a clear sense of place. It also works well for a honeymoon or a special afternoon because the old bus, hillside views, and private-estate setting give it more character than a routine tasting.

It is a good match for people who enjoy unusual transportation and informal guiding. The small group means you can ask questions, and the subject matter ranges from wine to cars, animals, local Indigenous history, and the owner’s connection to the property.

You should think twice if you dislike getting in and out of vehicles, need a cool enclosed shuttle, or want a full meal included. The tour requires good weather, and the bus may be hot. Seating may split couples, and the charcuterie is not enough to replace lunch.

Most people can participate, and the experience is offered in English. No special access limitations are stated, so if you have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the vintage bus will suit your needs.

Timing, booking, and weather details

The outing lasts about two hours, begins and ends at the Mulholland Highway meeting point, and uses a mobile ticket. It is often booked about 17 days ahead, so I would reserve earlier if your Malibu schedule is fixed.

The tour requires a minimum number of bookings. If that minimum is not reached, the provider offers another date or experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can also cancel the outing, with the same choice of a new date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses Malibu local time. These rules are worth noting because the experience depends on outdoor conditions.

Should you book the Malibu VW bus wine tour?

Book it if you want your wine tasting to include a scenic ride, a small group, local stories, and a few surprises beyond the vines. The strongest reasons are the vintage VW bus, the views around Saddlerock Ranch, the chance to see the owner’s old cars and farm animals, and the personal feel created by a maximum of six people.

I would also book it for a relaxed special occasion, provided you eat first, dress for heat, and accept that the seating may not keep couples together. The wines and guiding are the highlights, while the light food and possible lack of wine sales are the main limits.

Skip it if you want a long formal tasting, a full lunch, or a modern vehicle with predictable seating. For everyone else, $125 is fair when you value the whole two-hour experience rather than just the glasses in front of you.

FAQ

Where does the Malibu Vintage VW Bus and Vineyard Tour start?

The tour starts at 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, USA.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends back at the meeting point on Mulholland Highway.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $125 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of six participants.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What does the experience include?

You ride through Saddlerock Ranch and a private vineyard estate in a vintage VW bus, taste wine, hear about the property and its history, and may see vintage cars, farm animals, vineyard rows, scenic viewpoints, charcuterie, and chocolates.

Is food included?

A small charcuterie spread and chocolates are included. The food is a light snack, not a full meal, so you should eat beforehand if you need substantial food.

What happens if the weather is poor or the minimum group size is not met?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.