Winemaker Notes
Viognier is a white grape variety indigenous to the Rhône Valley of France. We are so taken with this beautifully aromatic varietal that we have dedicated 20 acres of our estate vineyard to the grape. The 2017 is a stunning, pure and elegant expression of Viognier. The nose is laser focused with stone fruits, pear skin and white flowers, spotlighting mineral notes of wet stone and chalk. With beautiful energy on the palate, its mouthwatering acidity carries persistent flavors of nectarine and citrus peel.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Nectarine, red-apple and lemon-rind aromas are shy but just expressive enough to draw in the nose on this estate bottling from a longtime Rhône leader. The palate is tense and fresh, with flavors of apple, chalk and a hint of underripe pineapple.
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.