Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Cushman Block Viognier is a fresh and bright style of Viognier. On the nose are dazzling notes of honeysuckle flowers and fresh apricot, with just a touch of something reminiscent of sea spray – clean and invigorating. With a sip we find a lovely balanced acidity, a hallmark of our crisp and dry style of Viognier. Notes of almond and kumquat sashay across the palate, followed by a spritz of citrus-like acidity. It is pretty and light on the palate, just as it is on the nose.
Have a little fun with food pairings for this wine! Try a bacon and onion tart with arugula, or a sweet & savory Thai curry dish. A classic olive and cheese plate would also be heavenly with this wine.
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
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.