About — Holus Bolus & The Joy Fantastic

Handmade wines from the heart of Santa Barbara County

“We aren’t trendy — that’s not what we do. We work with time-honored noble varieties and we strive to produce wines that are elegant, restrained and provide a sense of refreshment.”

*Peter Hunken & Amy Christine, Holus Bolus’s owner/operators*

We launched HOLUS • BOLUS in 2005, with a commitment to releasing small batches of refined, artisanal wines, made from Chardonnay, Roussanne, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

In 2014, we planted a 5-acre hillside vineyard on the western boundary of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, known for its cool breezes and layered ancient marine soils.

A shared love for wine and the land that produces it

*Peter & Amy at the Joy Fantastic vineyard.*

Husband and wife winemaking partners Peter Hunken and Amy Christine aren’t afraid to be out of step with fads in the wine business.

“We aren’t trendy,” said Amy, who holds an MW (Master of Wine) designation from The Institute of Master of Wine in the UK. “We only work with time-honored noble varieties.”

Our grapes under the Holus Bolus label all come from single vineyards and are not blended to showcase the unique microclimates and soils in Santa Barbara County,” said Peter.

Amy and Peter have chosen the famed St. Rita Hills AVA to plant their flag — and their vines — for good reason. Known for cool morning temperatures and warm afternoons, their hillside Sweeney Canyon vineyard exemplifies the lively and sophisticated spirit of Sta. Rita Hills.

The don’t just love the land; the work to protect it. Holus Bolus and the Joy Fantastic wines are produced from organically farmed vineyards.

TJF is farmed without the use of synthetic fungicides, herbicides or pesticides, instead relying on naturally based products such as cinnamon and citrus oils, clay, and geranium-based sprays, plus mechanical weeding.

“In our climate, it’s not all that much more difficult to farm organically,” said Peter. “It is a touch more expensive, but it’s the right thing to do. Does it make better wine? I think so, but I leave that up to our customers.”

About Amy

Amy Christine holds a Master of Wine certification, one of just 419 individuals in the world, of which only 149 are women. She teaches WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) courses in Los Angeles with Fine Vintage Ltd. She's a die-hard Prince fan, and enjoys Yerba Mate in the morning and watching really really bad reality TV in the evening. A flat, warm Pamplemousse La Croix brings her infinite happiness.

About Peter

With a background in Studio Art from Pitzer College and a hard-won apprenticed education in enology, acquired over eight years of training at Stolpman Vineyards, Peter Hunken’s interdisciplinary approach is the perfect blend of the art and science of wine. He's a die-hard Grateful Dead fan, enjoys surfing, Bertie’s County peanuts and fantasy football (which his wife has to constantly remind him is NOT a real game).

About Joey Coco and Birdie

Every winery needs a good dog or two! We have Joey Coco who is a 7 year old Puggle and his little sister Birdie who is a 4 year old pug. You may see them when you visit our tasting room in Los Olivos!

Organic and sustainable viticulture.

Better for the land, better for wildlife,
better for the farmers and for you.

The Joy Fantastic Vineyard

Planted in 2014, The Joy Fantastic has humble origins as a former cow pasture. Situated on five acres at the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the low-yielding clay loam and diatomaceous soils (fossilized remains of Precambrian algae), provide Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Syrah grapes exclusively for The Joy Fantastic label.

This steep, rugged and rustic plot affords abundant drainage, and the proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides crisp, foggy mornings and sunny, warm afternoons. Densely planted rows means more competition between the vines for water and nutrients, resulting in reduced vigor and vines which devote their resources to ripening grapes instead of excessive canopy growth.

What makes the Sta. Rita Hills region special?

Sta. Rita Hills is one of the coolest regions for growing grapes in California due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, the transverse mountain range allows morning fog to blanket the hillsides and cool breezes to counter the warm, sunny afternoons. The resulting style are wines that show crisp, refreshing acidity, with ample fruit ripeness and a spicy, savory character that is unique to this region.

Peter Hunken and Amy Christine count themselves among the “third generation” of Santa Barbara County winemakers to explore the tremendous vinous possibilities of the region. They follow in the footsteps of pioneering coastal Central Coast winemakers of the last five decades 1970s, including Richard Sanford, Adam Tolmach, Jim Clendenen, Rick Longoria and Bob Lindquist.. Santa Barbara County continues to be at the forefront of California wine, and was called “the most compelling wine destination in the U.S.,” by Forbes magazine in 2021.

HOLUS • BOLUS in the press

9 Santa Barbara Wineries That Are Worth the Drive From LA

“Owners and winemakers Amy Christine and Peter Hunken have a fresh approach to winemaking—all you need to do is check out Amy’s Tasting Room Diaries on Instagram to appreciate the humor they have about what they do—which also comes across in their bright, cool-climate Syrahs they produce under their Holus Bolus and The Joy Fantastic labels.”

Hit the Highway

“Hit Holus Bolus and The Joy Fantastic and you’ll likely get to chat with one of the husband-and-wife winemakers, including Amy Christine (one of just a few hundred people in the world to hold the title master of wine) while tasting killer Syrahs bottled with whimsical labels.”

11 Women Who Are Changing the Face of Southern California’s Wine Industry

“Husband-and-wife team Peter Hunkin and Amy Christine have been making wines in northern Santa Barbara County since 2003. The pair farm their own vineyard and intentionally work with growers focused on producing high quality, organically grown grapes from unique spots around the country.

According to Kristin, ‘Based in LA part-time, Amy is a Master of Wine and insanely educated. They make really beautiful and classic reds.’”