Winemaker Notes
This Grenache Blanc, sourced entirely from Rodney’s’ Vineyard on the Fess Parker Home Ranch, springs to life on the nose with aromas of honeydew, candied ginger, white peach, and lemon. The pale straw color evokes the scent of jasmine, which you’ll find before sipping into flavors of grapefruit, white nectarine, key lime, and Meyer lemon.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of roasted apple and wet cement combine on the nose of this brisk bottling. It's zesty and fresh on the palate, where lime and crisp green-pear flavors meet with wet stone.
Producing full-bodied white wines, Grenache Blanc can be unctuous and soft or floral and fresh. Some of the finest examples are terroir-driven, age-worthy wines. It is a key ingredient in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and many white blends across southern France and NE Spain. Somm Secret—Grenache Blanc plays a key role in the vins doux naturels of Rivesaltes and a subsidiary role in those of Banyuls and Maury.
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.