Life & Work with Devon Freeman of West Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Freeman.

Hi Devon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Malibu Wines & Beer Garden was founded by the Semler family, who are also behind Saddlerock Ranch and Saddlerock wines in Malibu. Their vision was to create a space that brings the spirit of Malibu—its relaxed energy, beautiful surroundings, and love of good wine—to a more accessible setting in West Hills.

As the General Manager, I’ve had the opportunity to help bring that vision to life. Our focus is on creating a welcoming environment where guests can unwind, connect, and enjoy Saddlerock wines alongside local craft beer in a beautiful outdoor garden setting. On weekends, guests can enjoy wood-fired pizza from our on-site vendor, and throughout the year, we host a variety of creative experiences that pair perfectly with wine—from art markets and floral workshops to seasonal events and pop-ups.

At its core, Malibu Wines & Beer Garden is about community and connection. We’re proud to offer a space that celebrates great wine, local creativity, and the simple joy of spending time together.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any hospitality business, it hasn’t always been a completely smooth road. Opening and operating an outdoor tasting destination comes with its fair share of challenges—from navigating local permitting and licensing to managing the day-to-day logistics of hosting hundreds of guests in an open-air setting.

We also opened Malibu Wines & Beer Garden with the goal of bringing a bit of Malibu’s charm to West Hills, which meant finding the right balance between staying true to the brand’s roots and adapting to a new community. Building awareness, fine-tuning our operations, and creating consistency in guest experience all took time and a lot of teamwork.

The past few years have also brought their share of external hurdles—everything from weather impacts to staffing shifts and changes in guest habits post-pandemic. But through it all, our team has stayed incredibly dedicated. Each challenge has pushed us to be more creative, more intentional, and more connected to our community.

At the end of the day, it’s those challenges that have shaped us into what we are now—a place built on resilience, collaboration, and genuine hospitality.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to stay adaptable and people-focused. Hospitality is constantly evolving, and success comes from being willing to learn, pivot, and grow with your team and your guests. Every day is different, and the ability to stay calm, creative, and solutions-oriented makes all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.malibuwines.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malibuwinesandbeergarden/