Craig's Ramblings:

April 14, 2008 We bottled half of our new wines last month - all the vineyard designated Syrahs. They came out pretty well. We'll release them once they get settled and return to the fine flavors we know and expect. We'll bottle the 2008 white wines in May - just in time for summer!

The Vineyards are coming to life nicely thanks to mostly mild spring weather, but we had some frost last week that hurt the Thompson Syrah and Petite Sirah. It is too early to tell how this will effect the vines. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

February 28, 2008 We've had good rain this winter and the grapes love it. Most of the vineyards are pruned. Viognier is thinking about pushing out its first shoots. Grenache is just behind it. Syrah is still asleep. Here we go again.

December 4, 2007 We had great surf here. Craig caught a few nice ones at Big Drakes.

December 3, 2007 Harvest is over and we are in clean up mode. I think things came out very well. The whole process was almost graceful. The Syrahs show power and restraint. The Viognier shows acid and balance. New items like Mourvedre show promise and interesting atributes like aromas of black tea. On the personal side, we all got through unharmed despite the heroic and sometimes brutal work that my crew performed. My note on the hawk is a somewhat abrstract reason why we have good harvests and vintages, but the real reason is my crew and my growers. They make it all happen. I just drive the forklift. Thanks everyone. Happy Holidays!

Other News and Events:

Our Wine Futures offering of 2006 Jaffurs Designated Syrahs starts May 1, 2008. We'll be sending e-mail out to all our club members and to our general mailing list formally announcing this event. In this program, we offer our vineyard designated Syrahs (Ampelos, Thompson, Bien Nacido, and Verna's) for sale at one-time discounted prices. We'll be shipping your wines beginning October 1, 2008. If you are picking the wines up at the winery, they will be ready for you after that date. You can order these wines online.

Our 2007 white wines (Viognier and Roussanne) will be bottled May 10, 2008 and released the following month. Our 2006 vineyard designated Syrahs and Petite Sirah will be bottled March 22nd and released by October. Our 2007 Grenache, Larner Vineyard Syrah, Ampelos Syrah, and SB County Syrah will be bottled during a marathon bottling session at the end of August. Because of increased demand for these wines, they were all released October 1st.

Wine Club Barrel Tasting March 1, 2008 - Join Craig and the winery staff as we take a look at the new 2007 Viognier to see how yeast selection effects flavor. We'll also explore the effects various Syrah clones and vineyard sites have on the wines. This Jaffurs Wine Club only event is sold out.

March 14 and 15, 2008. The Santa Barbara Vintners’ Foundation sponsors The American Riviera Wine Auction. This bi-annually event is a fundraiser for Direct Relief International.

The Viva Vino party on Friday, March 14 at the Direct Relief International warehouse in Goleta will feature local winemakers and chefs, a Cuban band and a silent auction.

The black-tie Wine, Dine and all that Jazz on Saturday, March 15 at the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel will enjoy a multi-course gourmet dinner presented by Suzanne Goin of Lucques, A.O.C. and Hungry Cat in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Dinner is complemented by an array of library and currant release wines from member vintners. The celebrity honoree is John Cleese, and in addition to a live jazz band, there will be an exciting Live Auction featured Winery Parties, Fine Dining, Entertainment, Fine Jewelry, U.S. and International Travel, and other Lifestyle offerings. The bidding is furious and fun, and the proceeds of the evening generate aid for less fortunate people throughout the world. Contact the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation for more information on these two events.

Jaffurs Wine Maker Dinner April 18, 2008 at Quantum Private Dining in Santa Barbara. Join winemaker Craig Jaffurs and Chef Crystal Harris for a family style dinner pairing Crystal's modern American grill cuisine with Craig's Rhone varietal wines. Cost is $70 per person. Reservations are required. Space is limited. Call Quantum at 805-884-0885. Quantum is located at 201 W. Carrillo Street in downtown Santa Barbara.

You can purchase wines directly from us - click here to find out how. Or, e-mail us with your home address and we will add you to our mailing list. Hurry, the vineyard designated syrahs are selling fast.  You may also press the Tasting button to find a retailer or restaurant near you that carries our wine. 

Our New Home is 6 Years Old - Come and Visit!- In March 2000 we purchased a small industrial lot in the city of Santa Barbara.   Construction of our new winery began in March and completed in five short months - just in time for the 2001 harvest.  Among other things, the winery has a walk-in chiller, environmental control, and affords us the ability to work at a careful and natural pace.  In addition, it is only only 7 minutes from home.  This new facility helps us reach toward our full winemaking potential. It also preserves the quality of our home life. 

Jaffurs Winery Open for Tasting - Jaffurs Wine Cellars is now open for tasting on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 until 5:00 (or by appointment).  You get a nice tour of our winery and you'll try a couple wines.  If we are working on something, you can help.  Fee is $8.  To get here, exit highway 101 at Milpas Street in downtown Santa Barbara. At the bottom of the off ramp, turn north (away from the ocean) and go four blocks to Montecito Street. Turn left. Go 100 feet and turn right into our parking lot at 819 E. Montecito Street.

Other Events? - ask via e-mail