Winemaker Notes
Dried cherries, pipe smoke and matchstick. Salty aromas of prosciutto. Earthy, saline, bright and dense. Comes by its name honestly. More packed with aromatic intensity, mouthwatering acidity and precision than any of its predecessors. There is richness and fruit on the palate, but I love the charge of acid and young short grained tannin that leads the way. This is real sangiovese. Perfumed, gamey, salty, acid driven and perfectly rustic. A pleasure to drink today with grilled meats. For the sangiovese purist in all of us.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even more lively and aromatic, the 2011 Tierra de Jonata is a beauty. Blackberry, currants, dark chocolate and big dusty earth-like qualities all emerge from the glass, and while still youthful and structured, it’s awesomely textured and pure on the palate. While this cuvee can age gracefully for upwards of two decades, I’m not sure it actually improves, so there’s no harm in drinking in its youth. Drink now-2026.
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.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
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.