Santa Barbara Winery Syrah 1998
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Winemaker Bruce McGuire used fruit from two other vineyards, in addition to our Lafond Vineyard, to craft this exceptional wine.
The two vineyards include the Stolpman Vineyard, in the Ballard Canyon area and the other the Joughin Vineyard in the Los Olivos area, both in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Andy Joughin is also the vineyard Manager at the Lafond Vineyards and is a long-time Valley farmer.
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2014-
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In 1962, Pierre Lafond re-established Santa Barbara County's winemaking tradition by founding Santa Barbara Winery. The winery was the first since prohibition and is part of an association that has grown to 40 wineries located in Santa Barbara County. In the early years, Pierre made wine from purchased fruit, but soon realized the potential for premium wine made from Santa Barbara County grapes. In 1971, he purchased land in the western Santa Ynez Valley and began planting what is now a 95 acre vineyard. Today, annual production is around 32,000 cases.
Bruce McGuire was working as a winemaker in the Sacramento Delta in 1981 when Pierre Lafond invited him to take over the winemaking operation at Santa Barbara Winery. Since then, the winery has produced world class red and white wines. Bruce's winemaking philosophy begins in the vineyard. He believes the quality and integrity of the wine is inextricably linked to what happens in the field — from the pruning in the winter, to the harvest in the autumn.