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Malibu Wine Safari – Unique Wine Tasting with Stanley the Giraffe

Malibu Wine Safari – meet Stanley the giraffe at this unique wine tasting in Los Angeles

Tucked away in the hills of Malibu lies a perfect spot for wine lovers called the Saddle Rock Ranch. Wine tasting in Los Angeles may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people plan their sunny so-cal vacations, but it’s an excellent activity for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city! The 1,000 acre property is home to lush vineyards with sweeping views of the Santa Monica Mountains and home to zebras, camels, alpacas, bison, and Stanley the Giraffe. Stanley is a regular retired superstar, retreating to the hills for a life of luxury and seclusion with feedings from his adoring fans. Myself included!

Isn’t he adorable? Giraffes were my favorite animal as a kid!

The experience at the Malibu Wine Safari begins with a quick registration on an iPad so you can confirm your tour and receive the proper wristband. Afterwards you are lead outside where your guide will come and whisk you away in a custom-built and super cute open-air Safari vehicle. Along the tour your driver will give you an animated history of the ranch and the Semler family as well as the animals that live there. I like to think of the Malibu Wine Safari as an adult petting zoo. The wine tastings happen in between feedings, and each guest has the opportunity try six different local wines over the course of the safari. The sprawling vineyard contains some 80,000 vines growing grapes for producing everything from moscato to sauvignon blanc. 

Don’t mind me – just making friends with some llamas!

The feedings began before the wine got flowing with a stop to visit the llamas. Each of us were given carrots to offer our newfound furry friends. Afterwards we walked over to the Zebras, which we were encouraged to feed but advised not to pet. We also encountered some horses and water buffalos before we made our way to visit Stanley. Most people discover Stanley by way of the ‘gram (he has over 30,000 followers and counting,) but those who have seen the Hangover 3 will be sure to recognize him as well. After the grand finale with Stanley guests are offered an opportunity to wander a bit for photos, or enjoy some crackers and a trio of tapenades accompanying the final round of wines. 

Let the tasting begin!

Stanley is not visited on their regular explorer tours because they want him to stay healthy and avoid overfeeding, so make sure to be specific when booking your tour. The Explorer Giraffe Safari is $95 per person and lasts about 105 minutes. Tours do leave at their scheduled departure time, so make sure you arrive early! The staff recommends arriving at least 30 minutes beforehand. I strongly suggest taking traffic into account if you’ll be coming directly from Los Angeles. Don’t forget your state ID or driver’s license since the law requires that guests be 21 and over to drink! A passport will also suffice if you’re coming from another country.

I loved meeting the Zebras!

I enjoyed the experience with my human friend Jennifer! 😀

Overall it was a fun experience and the perfect staycation activity for my friend Jennifer and I! 

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Have you ever done a safari before? How about with wine? Comment below!

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July 31, 2018 at 12:58 pm

This does look like fun, but I’m not so keen on petting the animals – I would just stick with the wine I think! I hope no one gets too rowdy after drinking all the wine – in my experience animals & wine don’t mix too well!

July 31, 2018 at 11:10 am

I never knew anything like this existed!! I’ve not yet visited Malibu when in the US, but it looks nice. I’m actually jealous that Stanley has 30,000 followers on IG; he must be doing something right!

July 31, 2018 at 2:13 am

I’m from Los Angeles and I’ve heard of this but I had NO idea there’s a giraffe there! Gamechanger. I don’t drink but I still think I’d really enjoy a visit for the cute animals alone lol.

Rhonda Albom

July 30, 2018 at 10:08 pm

This sounds like a fun idea. A great diversion from city life and I do love the animals (although I’d never admit to going to a petting zoo).

July 23, 2018 at 1:45 pm

The Saddle Rock Ranch sounds amazing! Wine and animals! What’s not to love? Stanley has way more instagram followers than me too! I’ll be sure to check this out when I get round to visiting Malibu

July 23, 2018 at 10:54 am

Ahhh Stanley the giraffe is soooo cute. Giraffes are my fave animals. Totally worth the price ticket. Seems like you had a fab time.

FlySoulmates

July 23, 2018 at 12:57 am

Wow I never heard of a wine safari. Thanks for sharing that!

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Malibu Wine Safaris Tour And Tasting: Exotic Animal Adventure

August 15, 2019.

An LA Safari? Only on the Malibu Wine Safaris Tour!

As a native Angelino, I have been to the ever popular Malibu Wines birthday party over the years, but had yet to do the Malibu Wine Safaris tour at Saddlerock Ranch mainly because it’s just really pricey.  However, now that Stanley the Giraffe has come out of retirement and pivoted to a new role as an Instagram model (he used to be a hot commodity in Hollywood), the safari has almost become an LA right of passage. Needless to say, I was super excited that I did get the opportunity to go when my mom decided that the annual family holiday card picture should be us feeding Stanley.  So now that I have been myself, I wanted to share my experience with a comprehensive review in the hopes of enhancing your experience on the Malibu Wine Safaris tour and tasting.

First off, there are 5 tour options to choose from although you only get to meet Stanley on 2 of those…the giraffe tour which is $95 per person or the Vineyard & Lunch Tour at $180 per person. If you plan on going, I highly recommend a tour that includes a meet & greet with Stanley.  Yes, it is $30 more than the standard Explorer tour, but worth it in my opinion.  The tours run between an hour and a half and two hours and are 21+.  They sell out really far in advance so make sure to book early, a month out would probably be best!

Getting There:

It’s a bit remote but we had no issue getting there with Waze.  We decided to uber because we all wanted to partake in the wine tasting but it did take a little while to get out of there between trying to connect to the wifi (no service for AT&T) and waiting for the closest car to come from Agoura.  If you eat ahead of time and stick to the 6 tastings, you probably would be okay to drive but of course, use your best judgment.    

One of the BEST parts of the whole experience is riding in Indiana Jones style jeeps along the Malibu vineyards.  After check in, your guide will call over the group and everyone will grab a seat and head off to the ranch.  Be sure to bring sunglasses and a hair tie because it will get windy, but on a nice day, it is so exhilarating driving around in the safari trucks.  Also, I know we are all doing this for the gram, but do not wear heels!  It’s dusty and you will be walking on dirt and getting in and out of the jeeps every so often.  Dresses and booties people!   

And, of course, the main highlight of the tour is seeing all of the exotic animals. I think what I was most surprised by was just how generous they are in allowing you to feed most if not all the animals that you encounter on your wine safari.  On the tour, you will get to see zebras, llamas, alpacas, horses, bison, water buffalo or some close variation of these.  One of the best parts was hearing the clever names that have been given to the animals!  I’m not going to spoil the names here, but they are quite the comedians over there at Saddlerock Ranch.     

After feeding a slew of animals, you will get your first tasting of 3 wines (3 whites/rose). You’ll then hop back on the truck to visit more animals on the 1,000 acre Malibu ranch before you stop again to indulge in your 3 reds next to some Malibu airstreams and stunning views. My guides also gave us a “roadie” for the jeep ride.  So, in total I had about 8 tastings although “officially” you get 6. 

The Food Situation:

Eat prior to coming!  For some reason, I assumed there would be some extravagant spread of cheese crackers, dips, etc. even though the website said nothing of the sort and I did not eat anything all day even though we had a 12:00 PM tour.  I was already hangry prior to my arrival so that was my bad especially because the website clearly states that they would only be providing crackers and spreads (3 dips).  If you are looking to continue your day in Malibu after the tour, I have some restaurant suggestions on my post here such as Malibu Farm and Taverna Tony.

Hotels Near Malibu Wine Safari: 

If you are coming into town and want to stay near Saddlerock Ranch, all of these hotels are under or around 10 miles away from the safari and have excellent reviews.  The first two properties are more affordable ($100 range) while the last three are luxury options ($300-600).  

The Anza Hotel (Calabasas): Click here to see the latest prices .

Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills:  Click here to see the latest prices .

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village:  Click here to see the latest prices .

Malibu Beach Inn:  Click here to see the latest prices .

Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club:  Click here to see the latest prices .

Malibu Wine Safari Discount:

While there have been deals for Malibu Wine Safaris on Groupon and Goldstar in the past, the safari tour has become so popular that I think it would be very unlikely for them to offer any discounts currently.  Hoping I am wrong about this!  

Overall Thoughts:

Was I happy I did it? Yes, absolutely.  The wine safari was a lot of fun and really well organized albeit quite expensive for what you get.  We all thought they could improve the experience by including more of a spread with your final wine tasting…perhaps some cheese or small sandwiches?  Also, this is SO hypocritical of me, but I am not a huge fan of doing things just for the photo which is exactly what we did.  It’s difficult to live in the moment and really enjoy the experience when you do that and I think that might have been why I enjoyed myself, but wasn’t blown away.  I accept full responsibility for taking part in this, but I just think it’s important to share that this whole experience is really one giant photo opp for the majority of people.  If you can get past that and take that for what it is, it will be a great time.  The views are stunning, it is a lot of fun to feed the animals, and driving around on a real life Indiana Jones safari truck makes for quite an entertaining day. 

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Heading elsewhere along the coast? Check out some of my other posts for more of that Cali lifestyle!

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Wine Tasting in Malibu (With Stanley the Giraffe!)

This is what you can expect when wine tasting in Malibu (giraffe included).

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It was a beautiful, sun-filled Southern California day, and we were off on a quest to go wine tasting in Malibu. It was Easter, and my boyfriend and I were celebrating our one year anniversary. Before I go any further, I just want to say that when I look back on this past year, I can’t help but smile at how far we’ve come, and how much I’ve grown. For those of you who don’t know the backstory, I couldn’t even get this boy to hang out with me just 2 years ago (in fact, I kind of paid for his friendship once upon a time, but that’s another story…). But hey, look at us now.

With all the chaos of preparing to move, paying bills, and buying furniture, we didn’t have too much money to blow on celebrating, but when I heard there was a place in Los Angeles that you could go, drink wine, and come face-to-face with a giraffe (Yes. A giraffe.) all in one afternoon, that was it. There was no convincing me otherwise. We. Had. To. Go.

Malibu Wine Safaris is situated on Saddlerock Ranch, a sprawling 1,000-acre expanse of vineyards, farmland, and charming event venues and houses. There are several tiers of wine tasting packages available, varying in everything from the number of wines you actually get to taste to the types of animals you get to meet. We, of course, went with the giraffe encounter.

I have this thing with giraffes. They’ve been my favorite animal for as long as I can remember. A few years ago, when my parents were in town, we went to the San Diego Safari Park and–I kid you not–my poor dad ran all over the damn park (it’s a BIG park, people) to try and make it to the scheduled giraffe feeding on time so I could have my first encounter. It didn’t work. We were too late. I was heartbroken (and so was he).

Flash-forward to today; I was going to finally get my one-on-one time with Stanley (in my world, all giraffes are named Stanley or Geoffry). This particular giraffe was actually named Stanley (I was right all along)!

The tour started off with us and about 15 other people climbing into a safari-style jeep to drive around the property, which, you guys, was insanely beautiful. You pretty much forget that the bustling, stressful streets of the Los Angeles are only a short drive (without traffic) away. On every stop, we fed animals, tasted wine, admired a pristinely preserved collection of RVs (that casually lives on the property grounds), and snacked on crackers and dip. We met zebras, horses, llamas, alpacas, water buffalo, and ponies along the way.

And then, there was Stanley. You guys might recognize Stanley–he’s the giraffe from The Hangover III. He’s kind of a big deal in Hollywood, and now he lives, retired, on a vineyard in Malibu. What a life.

So there I was, standing 20 short feet away from a real live giraffe. I could not stop freaking out. It was like I was meeting someone on a blind date, and I had to worry about what to say, and where to put my hands, and whether to make physical contact or just stare awkwardly. But you guys, I was in love.

Oh wait, right. We’re on our one-year anniversary date here. Oops. Okay, where was I.

Anyway, when the tour ended, we hopped on a shuttle bus over to the tasting room on the Ranch (take the shuttle and leave your car–it’s free!). We spent the afternoon tasting more wine and enjoying the sun outside accompanied by a live band and an energetic crowd. It was bliss.

On the way back to Hollywood for dinner (we went to Gracias Madre for vegan Mexican-inspired fare–oh so typical LA), I slept. I slept hard . In fact, I slept on the way home too. Blame it on the sun, the early morning, the excitement over seeing Stanley, or the real culprit (the wine), but that’s not the point. Everything about our Easter was everything that I hoped it would be. If you’re in LA and hoping to get out of the city and try something new, or if you just have a ridiculous inexplicable love for giraffes like I do, I highly recommend spending the day wine tasting in Malibu and hitting up this vineyard. You won’t be disappointed!

Are you as much of a giraffe lover as me? Would you try a wine tasting here? Tell me below!

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Hey there! I’m Rachel, a travel writer and a full-time advertising / marketing expert. In 2019, I traveled more than 25 times while working 9 to 5, and since then I’ve committed myself to living a more adventurous life, even if it means bringing my laptop along for the ride. Are you hungry to travel more, but overwhelmed with how to juggle work and play? You’ve come to the right place!

Recent Adventures:

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• Updated on: May 20, 2017

5 Responses

Reblogged this on Lincoln Life Blog .

Sounds like a great time, never met a giraffe before., wish we could have been there.

You’ll have to come back to California soon!!

Aw thank you! It really was. Not sure how we’ll top this one next year honestly!

SAME. I always plan for the MOST for my birthdays haha.

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Travel | malibu wine safari pairs vineyard tour with exotic animals.

Alison Bowen / Chicago Tribune

The property also features trailers, including this one a guide said was from the film "Little Miss Sunshine."

Malibu Wine Safari trucks take visitors around the sprawling property.

Animals are part of the scenery at Saddlerock Ranch, part vineyard, part wildlife habitat.

Donkeys include Dixie, Champ, Tacquito and Burrito.

Roughly 20 exotic animals call Saddlerock Ranch home.

Wine is served at the second stop, with sweeping views in the background.

A striking white horse, Annie, performed stunts in "The Lord of the Rings."

The two stops for wine include three different pours.

In the distance, Stanley the giraffe stands in his habitat. Tour guides note that Stanley was in "Hangover III."

Many places on the property are picture-perfect, and guides are happy to oblige by snapping photos.

The property's 80,000 vines grow many different varietals, from sauvignon blanc to syrah.

Visitors can feed and pet the animals on the first stop of the wine safari tour.

Some of the animals' names are celebrity-inspired, like llamas Barack Ollama, Kendrick Llama, Llama Odom and M. Knight Shamallama.

A zebra gets fed at the ranch.

A baby water buffalo was a new addition at the ranch.

Giant frames scattered throughout the property help guests get that perfect shot.

That’s because your typically tame wine-sipping experience takes place at a sprawling estate that’s part vineyard, part wildlife habitat.

Owned by California’s Semler winemaking family, the 1,000-acre Saddlerock Ranch is home to about 20 exotic animals, such as zebras, camels and a semi-famous giraffe. His name is Stanley, and his movie credits include (appropriately enough) “Hangover III.”

“Welcome to Jurassic Park,” joked our tour guide as he sat atop one of the safari-style trucks that would take us on our afternoon wine-tasting adventure in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Located less than an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, the vineyard contains some 80,000 vines growing grapes for everything from sauvignon blanc to syrah.

Guests climb into the safari trucks and take a tour of the property, which happens to include a herd of vintage Airstream trailers and roughly 120 horses. Stops along the way allow passengers the chance to soak up the canyon views — as well as some of the reds, whites and roses from the Saddlerock label and Semler wines from estate-grown grapes.

The basic tour involves three stops: first, the animals. Safari-goers wanting to become better friends with these creatures can hand out bananas and other snacks provided by a guide, who also dispenses interesting tidbits about the ranch’s four-legged denizens. A water buffalo’s preferred snack? Carrots are popular. Can zebras be saddled? Not advisable.

Petting the animals is allowed, which is why this stop comes before the booze starts flowing. (One vineyard worker said previous visitors had shown a post-pinot penchant for poking and prodding animals.)

After visiting the wildlife, guests are treated to gorgeous vistas of the hills that double as a scenic backdrop for the wine. Glasses are set atop barrels, and a huge yellow frame captures the view at an Instagram-friendly stopping point. (Malibu Wine Safari’s Instagram account is sprinkled with shots of celebs like Selena Gomez and a Kardashian casually nestled next to Stanley the giraffe.)

A final stop showcases the property’s quirks, such as Airstream trailers dotted around an animal-less area. According to the company, the collection includes one of the yellow Volkswagen Microbuses used in the movie “Little Miss Sunshine.” This is where we enjoyed crackers and a trio of tasty tapenades accompanying the final batch of wines.

Special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries often bring people to the tour — and the property in general. The land is a popular setting for weddings, with statuesque Stanley serving as a potential backdrop.

Stanley is such a hit that his inclusion in the tour merits a $30 surcharge. The Explorer Tour, $65, includes sampling of six wines and a drive-by past Stanley, offering just a glimpse of the long-necked celebrity. If you want to see the giraffe up close, book the $95 tour, which also includes camels. Stanley isn’t the ranch’s only star. Annie, a striking white thoroughbred, did stunts in “The Lord of the Rings.”

Guides stress that the animals are treated well, noting that some of them are rescues.

“They’re here living the good life,” our guide said about a couple of bison, Chipotle and BBQ Sauce. The bison pair hail from Catalina Island, where company lore says they served as extras in a John Wayne movie. Filmmakers reportedly left 14 bison behind, and the Catalina Island Conservancy now manages up to 200 of them.

Guests at this Malibu vineyard tend to come more for the safari charm than for the wine, but some good options to drink include a not-too-dry rose and a cabernet.

Our tour guide, who brought to mind a taller version of Justin Bieber, injected humor throughout the trip, offering guests “revisits” to the wine because that sounds classier than requesting “refills.”

One thing to note: The safari trucks have tiered seating that requires big steps and a bit of a climb. Also, lose the heels because you’ll be doing some walking. And watch where you step; where there are animals, there’s often manure.

People under 21 can join the Family Safari, $55, offered on weekends. Other specialty tours are built around mimosas and cheese.

For a bit more post-tour wine, guests can take a free shuttle from the parking lot to the company’s tasting room. Picnics are encouraged on the grounds, and admission is free, although groups are asked to buy at least one bottle of wine.

Next up? Wine on the water. The company soon plans to offer sailing tours . But don’t expect Noah’s Ark — animals aren’t included. www.lasafaris.com

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Malibu Wine Safari Accused of Booking Tours During Pandemic and Pocketing the Money

Plus, Lettuce Feast’s GoFundMe, more on Hollywood’s plant-based meatballs, and inside the Apple Pan’s coronavirus changes

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Share All sharing options for: Malibu Wine Safari Accused of Booking Tours During Pandemic and Pocketing the Money

A number of customers have begun to accuse beach-adjacent day-drinking stop Malibu Wine Safari , known for its upscale wilderness appeal and actual giraffe named Stanley, of failing to follow through on booked and paid-for wine tours over the past year or so. In short, these customers say that the Saddlerock Ranch company that runs the safari wine excursion took money for bookings that never happened, in part because of the pandemic, and have yet to offer customer refunds when asked.

ABC-7 located dozens of people who purchased wine tasting-wildlife packages, even though the grounds were closed throughout the pandemic. ABC-7 reports that one person booked a wine safari in July for a September bachelorette party, but was offered a voucher for a hike or bike tour. She spent $900, but says she cannot get a refund from company. Numerous Yelp reviews show numerous customer complaints who bought tours in March 2020, who also say they cannot secure a refund.

Malibu Wine Safari’s troubles extend beyond the refunds. The Semler family — who owns both Malibu Wine Safari and Saddlerock Ranch — has also had their famous giraffe seized by California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Stanley is being held “in place” because of the logistical challenges of transporting a giraffe. The agency alleges Malibu Wine Safari never obtained the required county permits to operate a business with wild animals.

In other news:

• The Los Angeles Times captured the Apple Pan’s transition during the pandemic, including the use of credit cards for the first time in its 74 year history.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brothers Meatballs (@brothersmeatballs)

• Coastal city Carpinteria is recovering well from the economic impact of COVID-19. According to KEYT , local residents supporting local businesses was a key factor.
• Massimo Bottura’s Beverly Hills Gucci Osteria has reopened for lunch and dinner service. Most of the restaurant is situated on an outdoor terrace, and there’s some new menu items available.
• Popular food truck Lettuce Feast launched a GoFundMe after the truck caught fire on March 6. The entire structure was destroyed, and owners Willie Perrymon and Eva Cannon hope to open a brick-and-mortar or a second truck with the funds. So far, the pair raised almost $45,000. Meanwhile longtime Black-owned bar the Living Room has also started a GoFundMe to try to stay afloat after having been closed for more than a year.

Save The Living Room from closing due to covid as they're the oldest standing bar around. https://t.co/u4oBZycm4w — MAINTAIN THE MYSTERY (@DeMarcoSmith) March 21, 2021

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Malibu 4x4 Vineyard Tour

The 4×4 Vineyard Tour is a specialty tour in which you and your closest friends and family will be driven throughout a majority of the 1000 acres of Saddlerock Ranch by a knowledgeable and passionate tour guide. This tour can seat up to 5 people per vehicle.

per vehicle

Explore 1,000 acres of our vineyard in 4x4 vehicles.

For those craving adventure, our 4×4 Malibu wine tour is the ultimate off-roading adventure across 1,000 acres of Saddlerock Ranch, nestled in the heart of Malibu Wine Country. This tour offers it all  – breathtaking scenery, incredible photo opportunities, and a delightful wine tasting experience, all from the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle. It’s the VIP treatment you deserve! The two-hour adventure begins at just $425 per vehicle.

Our 4×4 vineyard tour promises a unique and exhilarating way to explore this unique property. Covering more ground with minimal effort, you’ll visit exclusive locations not accessible on other tours. Witness panoramic views, encounter adorable wildlife, and immerse yourself in the rich natural flora and fauna. Don’t miss the chance to capture memories with our most iconic photo spot, “The Frame.”

Adding a touch of magic and history, the tour guides will introduce you to the enchanting Chumash Native American cave paintings, a unique aspect of the Saddlerock Ranch’s heritage. Along the way, you’ll make stops at charming gardens, picturesque picnic spots, and lofty peaks with breathtaking views that stretch across acres of the property and beyond. Explore the vineyard, learn its secrets, and hear captivating tales from our passionate tour guides.

Enjoy malibu on a vineyard tour with a large group

If you’re planning an adventure for a bigger group, consider our 7 and 9 passenger private 4×4 vehicles, priced at $600 and $700 respectively. These options are ideal for accommodating larger parties, making it convenient to organize private or corporate 4×4 wine tours . Book multiple vehicles and ensure everyone can revel in the excitement together.

• Ride in style on a fun off-roading vehicle or a truck that will take you safely from stop to stop.
• Learn about the history of the property, the vineyard, and the family that owns it.
• Visit exclusive spots on Saddlerock Ranch that are not available on any other tour.
• Taste numerous delightful beverages, some of which come from the property you are touring.
• Enjoy a cheese and charcuterie board at a fun picnic spot.
• View the Chumash Native American cave paintings and learn about the history surrounding it, all privately with your closest family and friends.
• Take fun and memorable pictures in front of sweeping overlooks, our famous photo-ops and unexpected marvels along the way.

This tour involves a drive to two-to-three beverage stops and three-or-more stops in which the views, ranch animals (if the tour takes place before sunset), and hidden gems are the focal points. There will be picture opportunities at “The Frame,” among many more exciting photo-ops, a walk-through of Ron Semler’s private car, buggy, and carriage collection, a private viewing of the Chumash Native American cave paintings, and much more.

Check-in will always occur at the check-in cabin at 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA. The check-in cabin is found down the wooden steps in the parking lot. Tours end in the same parking lot where you park your car. Available restrooms are in the parking lot in white, flushing portable toilets.

Tours begin on the hour or the half-hour and end approximately two hours later.

No pets allowed. Dress accordingly! Riding in the 4x4s is known to get windy at times, so bring a sweater if the weather calls for one. Also, check Agoura Hills weather for a more accurate temperature, rather than Malibu weather. Each vehicle has a specific seating capacity please review you order when booking the appropriate size vehicle. Please arrive 15-20 minutes before the tour begins to allow for unexpected traffic and the time it takes to check-in.

Reviews from Our Guests

Frequently Asked Questions

This 4×4 Adventure Tour is 2 hours long and will include multiple stops during the tour.

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, closed-toed shoes, and bringing a jacket just in case! A hat is also recommended on sunny days, but remember that it gets very windy while riding through the mountains! The more secure, the better!

We allow guests of all ages on the 4×4 tour. All people under the age of 21 must be at minimum 57” (approximately 4’ 8’’) tall to go on the 4×4 tour.  We do not offer discounts for guests under 21.

No. Only the tour guide will be driving the vehicles.

(818) 578-4077

32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

9:30 AM – 5:00 PM PST (closed on Tuesdays)

Seasonal hours may affect tours available*

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• abc7 investigations

Stanley the giraffe seized as evidence as dozens fight for refunds at Malibu Wine Safaris

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) -- Stanley the giraffe of Malibu Wine Safaris is at the center of two pending criminal trials and has been "seized in place" as evidence by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Stanley, famous for his selfies with celebrities and a cameo in "The Hangover Part III" is for now, still located at the sprawling Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu where he's lived since 2015 among other animals like zebras, water buffalos, camels and llamas.

But Eyewitness News has learned that members of the Semler family, who own the ranch and Malibu Wine Safaris , have never held the required county permits to operate a business with wild animals.

"Right now, they're in unlawful possession of a giraffe," says Capt. Patrick Foy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who explained that Stanley was "seized in place" because it's no easy task to move an 18-foot tall giraffe.

Dakota Semler, owner and CEO of Malibu Wine Safaris, is facing misdemeanor criminal charges of "maintaining an animal facility or a wild animal without a license."

Ron Semler is Dakota's father and owner of Stanley the giraffe. He is facing misdemeanor criminal charges of providing false information on his application for Stanley's "restricted species" permit with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Both Ron and Dakota Semler have pleaded not guilty to the charges and both declined to speak with us for this story.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, no animal facility license has ever been issued to any member of the Semler family or Malibu Wine Safaris.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife cited Ron Semler in June of last year for falsely certifying on his state restricted species permit applications that he was in compliance with all county laws.

"The department notes that your facility has never been licensed by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control," says a letter issued by CDFW to Ron Semler.

"One of those criteria for being authorized via a permit is they cannot be in violation of any local ordinances," Capt. Foy tells Eyewitness News.

We asked why CDFW didn't verify that the Semlers had the proper county permits.

"The fact of the matter is we rely on the honesty of the permittee, the applicant, to tell us the truth," says Capt. Foy.

The June 2020 letter gave Ron Semler 30 days to either transfer Stanley to a permitted facility, move the giraffe out of state, humanely destroy Stanley -- or face having the giraffe seized by the state. A case supervisor later stated that CDFW has no plans to destroy the giraffe.

Ron Semler is appealing CDFW's denial of his permit and has argued that he is not legally affiliated with Malibu Wine Safaris, and that neither Fish and Wildlife nor County Animal Care and Control ever raised the issue before the Woolsey Fire tore through his property in 2018.

But that's not true. Eyewitness News found reports dating back to 2015 that ordered Malibu Wine Safaris to apply for a license with Animal Care and Control. What's odd is that even though county animal control officers did regular inspections at the ranch for years, they did not take action on the lack of licenses until after the Woolsey Fire.

In the aftermath of that fire, social media erupted when people learned that Stanley and most other animals on the ranch were not evacuated.

"Stanley was sheltered in place as per our evacuation plan," Dakota Semler said in an interview with ABC News at the time, adding that Stanley was moved into an area with no fuel around it.

But the uproar focused renewed scrutiny of the ranch and may have pressured county and state animal control officers to finally crack down on the lack of permits.

Eyewitness News repeatedly reached out to Dakota and Ron Semler and received no response. Jesse Harbison, general manager of Malibu Wine Safaris, spoke with our producer briefly by phone, but declined to comment on the permit issues because of "ongoing litigation."

Eyewitness News began digging into Malibu Wine Safaris after viewers reached out to complain that they'd booked safaris either before or during the pandemic and cannot get refunds.

"I just thought it would be beautiful to spend my birthday in Malibu with, you know, a giraffe and sipping on wine with the family," says Britney Boyd, one of seven would-be safari guests ABC7 spoke with who say they have yet to receive refunds for canceled wine safaris.

Dozens more are venting their frustrations about the lack of refunds on Facebook and Yelp . The Better Business Bureau has 41 similar complaints about Malibu Wine Safaris. A BBB spokesperson says Malibu Wine Safaris has not responded to the complaints.

Britney booked her safari in July, thinking that Malibu Wine Safaris was open, but they were not. She's out $400 and says they've refused to give her a refund.

"We're not giving you a refund, we're holding onto your money," says Britney. "They knew they were closed, yet they're still allowing people to book tickets and, you know, reserve and take their money."

Maureen Rigogne also booked a wine safari in July for a September bachelorette party. She's out $900. Maureen, like all of the women we spoke with, was offered a voucher instead for hike or bike tours.

"I was already 32 weeks pregnant at the time," says Maureen. "And I was like, I'm not doing a bike tour in the heat 32 weeks pregnant."

"I'm not sure what they're doing with the money at this point," Maureen tells Eyewitness News. "They're literally taking it in. So, what are they doing with it?"

Andrea McAdams booked a wine safari for a group of twelve friends from a "Meetup" group in Orange County. She's still trying to get her $1,200 back.

"The last time I heard from them was in July," Andrea tells Eyewitness News. "I haven't heard anything since. I mean, it's been complete radio silence."

Jessica LaCour booked her safari in March of last year when the Malibu Wines Safari still appeared to offer refunds. Their website now says, "no refunds may be submitted."

"I only purchased two tickets, luckily. So, I'm out $200," says Jessica. "This is no way to run a business - what you are doing is stealing from people's pockets."

Harbison of Malibu Wine Safaris told Eyewitness News by phone that they have "every intention of processing the refunds," but it's taking longer than anticipated. Harbison said they've already processed "thousands" in refunds, but did not follow up on his promise to share proof of that and stopped returning calls and emails.

So, are the Semlers too short on cash to give the refunds? Records show that Malibu Wine Safaris' LLC "Bucket List Experiences" received a PPP or Paycheck Protection Program loan of $630,762 in April of last year.

Ron Semler's Saddlerock Ranch has been assessed at more than $12 million, according to Los Angeles County property records. That assessment is far under market value given that the ranch was purchased decades ago and Proposition 13 keeps the base value low.

In a 2009 civil court case, Ron Semler stated that his net worth was " in excess of $100 million. "

"Just do the right thing," says Andi McAdams. "Literally, that's all we're asking is just to do the right thing... you know, it's been since July. What's going on?"

Ann Reyes booked a safari in March of last year for a July bachelorette party. She and her friends initially postponed it to August due to the pandemic, but then asked for a refund.

Anne was especially persistent and finally got an email promising her a refund. That was back in July and so far, no refund.

"There's five of us and it cost me $570 in total," says Ann Reyes.

Decades before Ron Semler got into the business of wine at the ranch, he made much of his money in a family business supplying military parts to the government. In 1987, Ron and his brother were charged with illegally selling 87 American helicopters to North Korea, which violated the Trading with the Enemy Act. Ron and Barry Semler both pleaded guilty to lesser charges in 1988 as part of a plea deal. Ron was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

Another convicted felon associated with the ranch is animal trainer Rick Nyberg. Nyberg has been listed in various documents as Stanley's trainer and Nyberg held a CDFW "restricted species" permit for the giraffe for some period of time.

In 2018, Nyberg was charged with three counts of misdemeanor child molestation. He pleaded no contest to one count in a plea deal that required him to register as a sex offender , stay away from the victim and not possess weapons or ammunition.

In 2019, Nyberg was charged with two counts, including felony unlawful possession of ammunition. He pleaded no contest to one felony count. Within months, he violated probation after a tip led probation officers to Nyberg's home where they recovered a hunting bow, arrows, a hunting knife and a sword, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

Despite the felony conviction, Nyberg is still listed on Ron Semler's "Emergency Action Plan" as one of the people qualified to use a firearm in the event of an animal escape. That plan, dated September of 2020, was submitted to Ventura County officials as part of possible plan to move Stanley to a property near Moorpark College.

Nyberg did not respond to our requests for comment.

Stanley is in legal limbo for now. Because he's been "seized in place" by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, he remains at the Malibu Ranch for now.

"This is an unusual case," says Capt. Foy. "I think what ultimately will force the decision on finding a new home for the giraffe is to let the criminal court cases play out."

Got a tip? Email ABC7 Eyewitness News Investigative Producer [email protected]

Related Topics

• PETS & ANIMALS
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY
• ABC7 INVESTIGATIONS
• WOOLSEY FIRE

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Take the giraffe tour to meet Stanley - Malibu Wine Safaris

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Amazing way to spend my first day on the west coast! Ask for Kurt to be your guide and you’ll get... read more

Marissa expeditiously cadjusted my tour time, a week ahead of my LA trip. Pre-aCtivity review... read more

Take the giraffe tour to meet Stanley

We liked everything about this tour: the open-air vehicles (with elevated seating so sightseeing as easy), the beautiful Saddlerock Ranch, the tour guide, the animals, and of course, the wines! Also appreciated the crackers and spreads during the stop with all of the vintage Airstreams. Our foursome went as a special occasion to celebrate my daughter's graduation from Pepperdine. It was a perfect way to kick off graduation weekend. The highlight was seeing Stanley the giraffe, made famous by appearing in "Hangover III." So nice that the guides give you vegetables to feed to the animals. It was time well spent.

This is quite possibly one the coolest wine tasting experiences. We fed zebras, llamas and saw water buffalos, giraffes and camels. We tasted 6 wines; 3 white, 3 red. They gave crackers and spreads at the last stop. Our guides were hilarious and made learning about the property fun. Areas for improvement: It was so hot the day we went the seats on the safari truck were so hot!! We would have appreciated a top to the truck since it was open. I would definitely recommend this wine safari for bachelorette parties and family outings for adults.

I had a big group of friends join me on the wine safari for my 50th birthday. We were able to go in one big jeep and it was really fun. It's beautiful there and the staff is great. I would highly recommend this!

had a wonderful time Holly and Rob , our tour guides... funny and totally entertaining.. and Stanley the Giraffe a total sweetheart! and of coarse the great wine... well worth the trip... Thanks again Holly and Rob!

I put my type of visit as friends, but there's no family listed as a choice. It was family entertainment but without kids or teens. It was so hot this time of year, so investigate the times when it's not so hot. Feeding the animals was fun. Wine was good, bit snacks they served upset my stomach, but nobody else had that problem.

This was absolutely epic... host was great and really funny. Unlike other wine tours they aren't stingy on the wines and encourage you to keep drinking. Views were unreal and I would deffo do this again!