Malibu: Vintage VW Bus and Vineyard Tour

The memorable part of this Malibu outing is the ride itself: a vintage VW bus carries you through the views of Saddlerock Ranch and a private vineyard estate, with music playing from its old-school radio. It is a relaxed way to see a property that would be less fun to experience as a checklist of photo stops.

I like two things in particular: wine and snacks are included, so you can settle in without tallying extras, and the small group, limited to six people per vehicle, gives the guide room to keep the mood lively. The route also includes several places to take pictures, with the bus itself making a fine souvenir backdrop.

The main consideration is the short running time. Two hours is enough for a scenic outing and tasting, but not a long, detailed wine-country visit. You also need to arrange your own transportation to the ranch, and the tour is for adults 21 and older.

At a glance

• A vintage ride: Explore Saddlerock Ranch and a private vineyard estate in a VW bus with music on the radio.
• A compact schedule: The two-hour outing includes about 80 minutes on the bus, 20 minutes for wine tasting, and 20 minutes for local snacks.
• A small group: Each vehicle can take up to six participants, making this a more personal outing than a large bus tour.
• A guide-led visit: Guides such as Stephanie, Ben, and Elena have been praised for their energy, humor, and ability to share information. Your guide may differ.
• Food and drink included: Wine tasting experiences and snacks are part of the tour price of $99 per person.
• Bring the basics: Wear comfortable shoes, and bring a camera, sunscreen, and water.

A Malibu vineyard tour with a bit of bus personality

This is not a formal tasting-room crawl. You spend much of the two hours riding through Saddlerock Ranch and a private vineyard estate, stopping to take in the views and enjoy the setting. The VW bus gives the outing a playful character, while the guide, music, wine, and snacks keep it social rather than instructional.

That balance is the point. You get a guided look around the property, a chance to taste wine, and time to snack, without needing to plan a full day around vineyard visits. If you want a close study of grape varieties or winemaking methods, the available details do not promise that level of technical instruction. Think of this first as a short, scenic ranch tour with wine included.

The tone depends in part on the guide. Stephanie has been praised for keeping a birthday outing fun while sharing information; Ben for his quick wit and personality; and Elena for making the tour both informative and enjoyable. Those names give you a sense of the style to expect, but they are not a guarantee of who will lead your departure.

Starting at the ranch check-in office

The tour starts at the Malibu Wine Tours Ranch Check-in Office, at 32111 Mulholland Hwy. Your own transportation to and from Saddlerock Ranch is not included, so plan that part separately. This matters when comparing the $99 tour price with a tasting closer to where you are staying: the fare covers the guided activity, wine tasting, and snacks, but not the journey to the meeting point.

Once the tour begins, the vehicle holds no more than six participants. That limit can make the ride feel more like a small outing than a coach excursion, and it gives the guide a better chance to talk with everyone. It is also a firm capacity, so a group of friends or family should check that the vehicle has room for everyone in their party.

The stated duration is two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you have in mind. Since the tour is in the open surroundings of a ranch and vineyard, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and water are practical things to bring, along with a camera for the photo stops.

The 80-minute ride through Saddlerock Ranch

The longest part of the outing is the bus tour, at about 80 minutes. You ride through the ranch and private vineyard estate, taking in the views from the vintage bus and making multiple stops. These pauses matter: they give you time to look around and take photos instead of trying to capture everything while the bus is moving.

The scenery is a main reason to book. The tour promises vineyard views and photo backdrops you are unlikely to find elsewhere in Malibu, with the ranch setting providing a change of pace from the area’s better-known coastal scenes. The specific route and individual stop locations are not detailed, so avoid building your day around any one promised viewpoint. The useful expectation is a guided ride with several chances to step out, enjoy the setting, and take pictures.

Music plays on the bus’s vintage radio, adding to the easygoing feel. This is a small but telling part of the tour’s character: the vehicle is not just transportation between tasting stops. It is part of the entertainment, with a guide who is there to keep the energy up. If you prefer a quiet, formal tasting, that lively approach may not suit you as well.

Wine tasting, without a full-day commitment

The itinerary allows about 20 minutes for wine tasting. Wine is included, which makes the $99 price easier to assess: you are paying for a two-hour guided outing, the ride, and the tasting, rather than a vehicle tour with every drink charged separately. The available details do not specify the number of wines, the pours, or the varieties, so it is best not to expect a particular tasting flight.

A 20-minute tasting is brief. That is enough to add a wine element to a scenic outing, but it is not the same as spending an afternoon comparing bottles or asking detailed questions about production. If wine is the central reason for your visit, check whether the tasting format meets your expectations before booking. If you mainly want a relaxed way to enjoy a vineyard setting, the short tasting fits the tour’s pace.

The tour is restricted to people 21 and older. That makes the outing a fit for adult groups celebrating a birthday or sharing a day out, but not for families traveling with younger children. Assistance dogs are allowed; other pets are not.

Local snacks and the final stretch

The schedule gives about 20 minutes to local snacks. This is a welcome part of a short tour: you have time to pause and eat rather than spending the full two hours moving between the bus and tasting. The exact snacks are not specified, so treat them as a pleasant included extra rather than a meal you can plan around.

Wine and snacks are both included in the tour. That helps keep the outing simple once you arrive, but it does not remove the need to eat beforehand if you expect a substantial lunch. The two-hour format is designed around a tasting and snack break, not a full meal.

After the tasting and snacks, the tour returns to the same starting point at 32111 Mulholland Hwy. Because the departure and return are at the ranch, you can plan your onward transport around a clear endpoint. Just leave room for the two-hour activity itself, and check the selected starting time when arranging the rest of your day.

Is $99 a fair price?

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to taste wine in Malibu. Its value comes from putting several things into one short outing: a guided ride around Saddlerock Ranch and a private vineyard estate, a small group, wine tasting, snacks, and the vintage bus experience. If you would otherwise pay for a tasting and seek out the property on your own, the guided ride and ready-made route are meaningful parts of the price.

The value is strongest if you care about the full mood of the tour: scenic stops, music, a personable guide, and a photo with the bus. The guide can make a real difference to the outing’s energy. Past tours led by Stephanie, Ben, and Elena have been singled out for their humor, information, and ability to keep the group engaged, but guides can vary.

The price may feel less compelling if your priority is a long tasting, a meal, or a deep look at wine production. The tasting and snack portions are each about 20 minutes, and your transportation to the ranch is extra. Compare the price with what matters most to you, not just with the cost of a glass of wine.

Who will enjoy this small-group outing?

This tour suits adults who want a low-effort, social way to see vineyard scenery and taste wine without spending half a day on a formal wine itinerary. It can work well for a birthday or a relaxed outing with friends, especially if you enjoy a guide who brings humor and keeps the pace lively. The bus and photo stops also give the experience a distinctive souvenir feel.

It is less suited to anyone under 21, visitors who want to bring a pet, or wine enthusiasts seeking a long, technical tasting. You may also want another option if you prefer to explore at your own pace, since the route and schedule are guided. And if you do not have a way to reach the ranch, factor that into your plans before deciding the tour is convenient.

Booking can be kept flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is eligible for a full refund. Check the available start times for your date. English is the stated tour language.

Should you book the vintage VW bus tour?

Book it if the appeal is the combination of vineyard views, a distinctive ride, a lively guide, and a taste of wine in a compact two-hour outing. The small group and included snacks make it feel more personal and straightforward than a simple drive-through, while the bus gives the day a memorable visual hook.

Skip it if you want a long, wine-focused visit or need transport to the ranch included. Before you reserve, check the start time, confirm your group fits the six-person vehicle limit, and plan how you will get to and from 32111 Mulholland Hwy. For the right expectations, this is a fun, scenic slice of Malibu rather than a full wine-country day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two hours. The schedule allocates about 80 minutes to the bus tour, 20 minutes to wine tasting, and 20 minutes to local snacks.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and returns to the Malibu Wine Tours Ranch Check-in Office at 32111 Mulholland Hwy.

Is transportation to the ranch included?

No. You need to arrange your own transportation to and from Saddlerock Ranch.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $99 per person.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the two-hour guided outing, wine tasting experiences, snacks, and music on the vintage radio.

How many people can join each vehicle?

Each vehicle can accommodate up to six participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 21.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not allowed. Assistance dogs are permitted.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, sunscreen, and water.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.