July 2026

When Kim Busch sat in medical center waiting rooms with her husband, Andy, she couldn’t help but notice the forlorn faces of other patients who couldn’t afford to have their families there with them. The Busches knew they were fortunate... That contrast between what the Busches could afford and what they watched other families go without became the seed of Grapes for Glioblastoma, the nonprofit Busch launched through Folded Hills, the Santa Ynez Valley, Calif., winery she co-founded with Andy. She chose to fund something most cancer giving overlooks: the everyday costs of living with brain cancer.

July 2026

Some places leave an impression long before the first glass of wine is poured. Tucked into the rolling hills of California's Santa Ynez Valley, Folded Hills is one of those rare destinations where every winding road, ancient oak tree, and vineyard row tells a story. It is a place where luxury is measured not by extravagance, but by authenticity. Here, hospitality is deeply personal, nature takes center stage, and every guest is welcomed like family. At the heart of it all are Kim and Andy Busch.

While the Busch name is forever woven into American history, the couple has spent the last two decades creating a legacy uniquely their own. Their journey from St. Louis to California wine country wasn't simply about opening a winery. It was about creating a meaningful life centered around family, stewardship, community, and the simple joy of bringing people together.

June 2025

At Folded Hills, six generations of family devotion to animals, land, and extraordinary hospitality have produced something the Santa Ynez Valley had not yet seen: a winery with horses in its very bloodstream.

Beyond the Estate tasting room, which is open daily to the public, lies a magical private experience at Folded Hills: six hundred acres of coastal California at its most luminous, where the folded golden hills that give this place its name rise and fall like a slow exhalation, and the air carries the mingled perfume of ripening Grenache, organic orchard blossoms, and the particular sweetness of well-tended land. You have not simply arrived at a winery. You have arrived at a family’s life’s work, offered to you with the extraordinary openness of people who were born, quite literally, to welcome strangers and make them feel at home.

May 2026

Folded Hills – “Madre” Chenin Blanc
Named after “Madre” — the affectionate name owner Kim Busch’s sons call her — this expressive chenin blanc is both a personal and universal tribute to motherhood. Bright and layered, the wine offers notes of crisp pear, citrus, and subtle honey, balanced by fresh acidity and a textured finish. Rooted in Folded Hills’ commitment to thoughtful, sustainable farming, Madre reflects the nurturing role of both mother and land — making it a meaningful, elegant choice for Mother’s Day gifting.

April 2026

Kim Busch is the co-founder of Folded Hills Winery in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Alongside her husband Andy, she transformed a historic ranch into a certified organic, biodynamically farmed vineyard rooted in sustainable living, genuine hospitality, and giving back. Philanthropy has always been central to the Buschs’ lives. When Andy was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM4) in 2023, that mission became even more personal. Seeing how many families face this diagnosis while also carrying overwhelming financial burdens, Kim and Andy founded Grapes for Glioblastoma. A portion of every bottle sold supports direct financial assistance for GBM4 families, so they can focus on being together rather than worrying about the bills. As Kim puts it: “We didn’t want to build a business just to sell a product. We wanted to build something that held meaning for ourselves and others.”

April 2026

Santa Barbara Vintners is pleased to announce the return of the highly anticipated 42nd Annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival, taking place Saturday, October 17, from noon to 4 p.m., with an exciting new setting at the scenic Folded Hills Private Ranch in Santa Barbara Wine Country.

January 2026

Made using the méthode traditionnelle and finished with zero dosage, this sparkling rosé is crafted from organically and biodynamically farmed Grenache. Fine bubbles carry notes of alpine strawberry and citrus, supported by a clean mineral backbone. It feels celebratory without excess, making it a natural fit for January occasions that call for sparkle while staying aligned with more intentional drinking habits.

January 2026

Founded more than a century ago, Folded Hills, a winery and farmstead set just minutes from the Pacific shoreline, invites couples to wander down ‘Lovers Lane’ for a private seasonal experience unfolding across its storied 600-acre ranch. Rooted in sustainability and old-world tradition, organic vineyards share the land with orchards, grazing sheep, and roaming farm animals, creating a setting where nature and winemaking exist in quiet harmony. Kisses of cool air drift inland from the Gaviota Coast as guests enjoy a secluded lakeside wine tasting guided by a personal host, with moments to encounter the ranch’s beloved residents, from Gus and Dolph the Clydesdales to George the camel, Zazu the zebra, and a charming cast of donkeys, llamas, pigs, and peacocks. Crafted in an old-world style on an old-world farm, Folded Hills’ Rhône-inspired wines anchor the experience in authenticity and place, weaving agriculture, romance, and time-honored craft into an unforgettable celebration of love.
 

November 2025

The terrific 2023 vintage in Santa Barbara County, California, set a very high bar for succeeding vintages to meet, but now that more reds and whites from 2024 are becoming available it’s increasingly clear that it, too, is a vintage to pay attention to, as Staff Writer & Taster Brian Freedman found out during his recent tastings there.

Folded Hills saw particular success. Their Folded Hills Grenache Santa Ynez Valley Sundance Reserve 2024 is a notable winner – a postured, well-spiced gem with mixed mountain berries and cherries showing layers of scrubby herbs and juniper, all of it ending with a sizzle of peppercorns and crunchy minerals. It’s the kind of wine that’s hard to resist in the short term but has the dusty tannins to promise several years of evolution in the cellar.

October 2025

Pro kayakers Nick Troutman and Emily Jackson set out on a family adventure along California’s Central Coast. From surfing in Ventura and kayaking the Channel Islands, to parasailing in Santa Barbara, they dive into the region’s mix of outdoor thrills, hands-on activities, Folded Hills Ranch, Winery, and Farmstead, and family fun.

October 2025

While enjoying a bottle of Pinot Noir from Ron Rubin Winery (owned by former St. Louisan Ron Rubin), the question came up, and we strained our synapses to remember other California wineries owned by current or former St. Louisans...the most spectacular of them all might be Folded Hills Winery. In 2016, Kim and Andy Busch hosted a launch party at the “Big House” at Grant’s Farm for the first release of wines from their 600-acre working ranch, sustainable farmstead, and winery near Santa Barbara. A few years later, the wines were racking up enviable 92- to 95-point scores and continue to do so.

September 2025

Kim Busch is the co-founder of Folded Hills Winery in Santa Ynez Valley, CA. Kim brings heart, hospitality, and a deep respect for the land to everything she does. Alongside her husband, Andy Busch, Kim transformed their historic ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley into an organically grown and biodynamically farmed vineyard and ranch, rooted in a desire to share seasonal, sustainable living with others.