Current Release 2008

The 2008 Grenache, Santa Barbara County remains a gripping, dark wine with aromas of plum, dried flowers and spice, a high-tannin mouth feel, and a lingering finish. Made with fruit from the Thompson and Stolpman Vineyards, it is a big, multifaceted wine. Tablas Creek and Alban grape clones make the wine deeper and more aromatic. The Davis 1 clone adds notes of strawberry and cola, plus its characteristic mouth “grip”. Older French and American Oak barrels were used allowing the native grape tannins show through to fill your palate. (292 cases)

• The wine is a blend of three Grenache clones: Tablas Creek Clone (35%), Alban Clone (22%) and Davis Clone 1 (43%).
• The Stolpman Vineyard Tablas Creek Clone Grenache was harvested October 3rd at 25.5 brix, 3.15 pH. (43% of final blend)
• The Stolpman Vineyard Alban Clone Grenache was harvested October 3rd at 26.1 brix and 3.2 pH. (28% of final blend)
• The Thompson Vineyard Davis Clone Grenache was harvested October 22nd at 24.0 brix and 3.0 pH. (29% of final blend))
• The Tablas and Davis clone fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes, chilled for 24 hours, and went through 14 days of fermentation. (72%)
• The Alban clone fruit was fermented whole cluster and foot stomped (28% of blend)
• Final blend is 100% Grenache.
• The must was inoculated with D254 and RC 212 yeasts.
• Went through ML fermentation completing in January.
• Thirteen older, neutral barrels were used in the making of this wine. This preserves the delicate aromatics of the wine and exposes the native grape tannins.
• This wine fills the mouth with tannins felt high in your cheeks and under the back of your tongue (that’s good). When young, it is fruit driven (plums, rhubarb, strawberries, pomegranate). With age, the cola and spice aromas come out.
• Racked in early July and again before bottling.
• Barrel Aged for 16 months.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• Bottled in May 2010

Retail Price $34.00

Purchase this wine now at our Online Store

New Release 2009

The 2009 Grenache, Santa Barbara County is a gripping, dark wine with aromas of plum, dried flowers and spice. It is fruit forward with a high-tannin mouth feel, and a lingering finish. Made with fruit from the Thompson and Larner Vineyards, it is a big, evolving wine. Thompson's Alban clone grapes make the wine deeper and more aromatic. Larner's 362 clone fruit is darker yet elegant with notes of strawberry. One new French and one new American, plus 13 older barrels were used. (292 cases)

• The wine is a blend of two Grenache clones: Alban Clone (77%) and 362 Clone 1 (23%).
• The Larner Vineyard 362 Clone Grenache was harvested October 7th at 26.1 brix and 3.55 pH. (23% of final blend)
• The Thompson Vineyard Alban Clone Grenache was harvested October 28nd at 26.3 brix and 3.4 pH. (77% of final blend))
• The Thompson fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes, chilled for 24 hours, and went through 14 days of fermentation. (77%)
• The Larner fruit was fermented whole cluster and foot stomped (23% of blend)
• Final blend is 100% Grenache.
• The must was inoculated with D254 and RC 212 yeasts.
• Went through ML fermentation completing in January.
• One new French and one new American, plus 13 older barrels were used.
• Racked in early July and again before bottling.
• Barrel Aged for 16 months.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• Bottled in April 2011

Purchase this wine now at our Online Store

Food Pairing:   This wine is slightly lighter than our other reds wines and pairs with a wide variety of foods.  It is a superb Thanksgiving or Easter feast wine.  Its fine tannin structure and grapey- pomegranate-spice aroma goes well with foods you might pair with a good Pinot Noir.  Try it with braised or roasted beef, game hens, roast pork with baked apples.  Less sweet, fruit sauces work well - try cherries, raspberries, or even black figs.