Winemaker Notes
This 3-acre vineyard in the heart of the Santa Maria Bench was planted 43 years ago. Situated in a wind-protected swale at the mouth of Tepesquet Canyon, it is named for Dick's great uncle, Ernesto Wickenden. The grapes are hand-harvested grapes are gently whole-cluster pressed. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks for approximately 45-60 days before then aging in neutral French oak for four months. The wine is bright and lively, and displays notes of citrus, pear and melon, with a long clean "minerally" finish.
Vegan-Friendly
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Spiced apple aromas and crisp green apple flavors on a silky texture give this wine a pure, focused feel that's a pleasure to sip. Mineral, lime zest and toasted biscuit notes develop in the glass and linger in the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Equal parts charming curiosity and time-tested mainstay, the 2023 Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard was sourced from vines planted in 1966. It opens with a clean, steely nose of tropical fruit and crushed stones, introducing a palate that straddles plush, weighty power and vibrant, cleansing refreshment.
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Wine Spectator
Bright and fresh, with a generous, lip-smacking core of apricot, chamomile, melon and apple skin notes. This firms up on the finish, showing a peach blossom accent. Drink now. 1,169 cases made.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
A lesser-known but elite AVA within the larger Santa Barbara district, the Santa Maria Valley AVA runs precisely west to east starting near the coast. The valley funnels cool, Pacific Ocean air to the vineyards more inland, allowing grapes a longer hang time to ripen evenly and achieve their full potential by harvest time. Combined with minimal rainfall, consistent warm sunshine, and well-drained soils, it is an ideal environment for grape growing.
Many of the wineries here are small and highly respected, having established a reputation in the 1970s and 80s for producing excellent Central Coast wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More recently, Syrah has also proven quite successful in the region. Many vineyards are owned by growers who sell their grapes to other wineries, so it is common to see the same vineyard name on bottlings from different wineries. Bien Nacido Vineyard is perhaps the best-known and most prestigious.