Winemaker Notes
With gracious thanks to the beautiful growing season of 2018, this wine celebrates the 6th vintage of Tuesday night grace. Representing five vastly different expressions within this climate: the Highlands with her 3200 feet elevation extremity and wide open skies (Alban and Noir clones), the Vie Caprice vineyard with 5’ x 4’ spacing amidst Santa Ynez horse country, an organically farmed haven in Happy Canyon, and the wind-swept natural amphitheater of Spear Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. 20% whole-cluster, 11 months in neutral barrique and puncheon, racked once under the new moon of July 2019, and bottled two weeks later.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the Grenache releases, the 2018 Grenache Santa Barbara County comes from Santa Barbara County and is 100% Grenache that was destemmed and brought up in neutral oak. Pretty cherry and strawberry fruits as well as a touch of violets and spice give way to a medium-bodied Grenache with a Pinot Noir-like elegance and purity. It's a lively, balanced effort to enjoy over the coming 3-5 years.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.