Winemaker Notes
Blend: 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Ginger and turmeric aromas and flavors, a citrus-pith middle anchoring notes of compressed pineapple and saline minerals. Seashore herbs linger through the layered finish. Very textural through it all. Generous and savory. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2023 Flor bursts with explosive floral character that saturates every corner of the palate. Salty, juicy and mouthwatering, it weaves together notes of mint, cream, chamomile and bread dough yeastiness with ultra-ripe yellow plum, all heightened by tingly, mouthwatering acids. This is Sauvignon Blanc dialed up to eleven—pure, electric and impossible to ignore. Of note, the 2023 includes 3% Assyrtiko from the estate, which lends the wine a healthy kick of phenolic bitterness.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The most complete showing of this wine to date, the 2023 La Flor de Jonata is based around Sauvignon Blanc with additions of Semillon and, for the first time, a touch of Assyrtiko. Matured in half new wood with a small portion of stainless barrels, the nose opens with herbal, lifted and lightly floral aromas that float atop a waxy, lush core. The palate is seamless and spherical, closing with a grippy, phenolic finish that maintains a snappy, airy energy.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon, the 2023 Flor offers ripe lemon curd, minty flowers, and a kiss of pineapple on the nose. It's medium-bodied, bright, lively, and balanced on the palate, with integrated acidity and outstanding length. It's a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc that I suspect will keep for at least 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2033.
Jonata is the embodiment of land, soul, and people coming together for a common goal; to produce singular wines from a singular place.
Land – Jonata is a stunning 600 acre property, with 80 acres of estate vineyard on golden rolling hills in Ballard Canyon. High concentrations of Careaga sand run through the estate. A challenging landscape for cultivation and a key element to the qualities of Jonata, pushing our vines to drive deep in search of nutrients.
Soul – Timeless and diverse practices are in place to create health and community at Jonata. Polyface farming practices are implemented to create a diverse and sustainable ecosystem, utilizing a blend of sustainable practices that continue to build the health of Jonata.
People – Since 2004, a consistent team remains at the core. Winemaker Matt Dees & Vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano combine their experiences in winemaking, soil science and farming expertise to help Jonata thrive.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.