The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival featured the wines of 100+ members of the Association. The weather was in the mid 50’s and felt more like the 40’s with the wind. The festival as well laid out and we didn’t find any lines to try the wines. In large events like these, you typically don’t run into the winemakers. At this event, all seemed to be in attendance.
Interaction with the winemakers gave HotCosts the opportunity to learn more about the different AVA’s and microclimates found within Santa Barbara County. For example, Lompoc (pronounced Lom Poke) also known as the Santa Rita Hills AVA has a cool costal climate and many of the Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Syrahs come from here. Just 15 minutes in land, you will find Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez AVAs suited to Rhone Varietals. This area is hotter and drier.
We had an interesting conversation with a winemaker on rootstock and vine clones. You may have seen this information in winemakers’ technical data on a wine you have purchased. A rootstock is a plant (usually just the stump) that has established a root system to nourish the vine clone being grafted. Growers choose the rootstock based on the varietal, soil and climate. Most Cabs for example use a drought resistant rootstock. Vine clones are numbered or named after someone. These clones can produce an amazing variety of flavors for the same grape varietal. For example, consider the number and type of apples we have available. All are apples but each type provides a very different taste. This is the same with grapes.
There were many wineries in attendance and too large to name them all. Below is a list of the smaller produces we visited and merit further review:
Au Bon Climat - A winery known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Beckmen Vineyards – Santa Ynez mountains, great Rhone varietals. Check out the Mountain Grenache.
Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery - Featured on Sideways, this winery is kicking out some great Chardonnay. They are also know for the highly regarded Harmmonie but were obviously not pouring it at the event.
Carina Cellars - Known for their Syrah but heard the Iconclast (not tasted) which is a Cab Syrah blend is a must try.
Epiphany Cellars - Produces single vineyard wines to accentuate the terroir’s influence to the varietal. Great Syrah’s along with lots of awards for the Rhone blend called Revelation.
Firestone Vineyards - Met with winemaker Kevin Willenborg at the event. Tried the lesser know varietals that they produce; Chardonnay and Syrah. Both were excellent!
Gainey Vineyard - Great Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noirs poured at the event.
Melville – Another Santa Rita Hills winery known for great Pinot Noirs.
Ovene Winery - This winery sources grapes through out Santa Barbara County. They had a really nice Viogner and Chardonnay for the event.
Paige 23 Wines - Unique wines that are produced with food in mind. Trying to enhance, not overpower the food, these wines had focused fruit flavors. The Syrah had a small amount of Viogner added for acid balance. Keep an eye out for this wine.
Presidio Vineyards and Winery - Certified organic and biodynamic vineyards, this produces makes small lot wines suited to the micro climates they grow in. Loved the estated Syrah from the cool climate of the Santa Rita hills.
Stolpman Vineyards - Also known as a source for great grapes for other premier winemakers, Stolpman keeps a few tons for their own label. The Estate Syrah has all the classic components of pepper and spice along with a very balance dark berry fruit flavor. Would love to try the Hilltop Syrah some day.
