Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2004

Winter rains were scarce this year, and total rainfall down twenty-five percent. Budbreak came early, but bloom was late, delayed by cold April weather. Having set a small crop for the third consecutive year, the vines required little thinning. Harvest began on schedule; most parcels were picked in the first ... more

Calera Jensen Vineyard Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir 2006

The 2006 Jensen Pinot Noir has gorgeous ruby color and a perfumed bouquet of dark plum, briar spice, cranberry and tiny pinches of both anise and orange zest. A restrained slate minerality and subtle smokiness pull us into a palate of mouthwatering black cherry and dark spice. This wine is ... more

Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2007

In this cool, mountainous region, each season presents its own grape-growing challenges. Our goal, as farmer and vintner, is to fine-tune the vineyard so the grapes will ripen before the first storms. We anticipated an early harvest this year; that changed abruptly when cold weather stalled the vines. We picked ... more

Qupe Central Coast Syrah 2007

The wine is essentially a blend of cool-climate Santa Barbara grapes and warm-climate Paso Robles grapes. The cool-climate fruit gives spice, acidity and balanced alcohol while the warm-climate fruit give softness, roundness, ripeness and more up-front fruit flavors and aromas. 2007 was a fairly cool vintage, in general. The first ... more

Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay 2005

The grapes were handpicked and delivered to the winery in the morning and then whole cluster pressed using a small bladder press. The more delicate, low phenolic juice offsets the lower yeild of whole-cluser pressing. The juice was cold settled for 24 hours and then racked to 48 barrels. Fermentation ... more

Au Bon Climat Sanford & Benedict Historical Vineyard Chardonnay 2006

For a region known for its cool climate fruit, Santa Rita Hills appellation is HOT right now, and global warming has nothing to do with it. An amazing location with the perfect combination of soil, climate and exposure, it set the standard for the region. more

Mandolin Pinot Noir 2008

The Mandolin winemaking style leans toward emphasizing balance and expressive fruit flavors, rather than sweetness or excessive oak, and the result is a very accessible, flavorful wine that appeals to experienced wine drinkers and neophytes alike. The broad appeal of Mandolin wines is credited to their full middle palate, which ... more

Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2008

This wine is just easy to drink. There is nothing pretentious here, just well balanced, nicely textured, brightly fruity wine that seems to go with everything. more

Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnay 2008

All the grapes for this wine were pressed as whole clusters and 55% of the wine fermented in stainless steel without undergoing malolactic frementation. These two steps lend brightness to the fruit intensity that then integrates with the mouth pleasing weight and supple flavors enhanced by barrel fermentation.  more

Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir 2008

The 2008 Central Coast Pinot Noir has a vibrant, beautiful garnet color. Aromas of black cherry with a hint of sweet oak wrap around a comforting core of boysenberry pie. The taste is lively – spicy blackberry and cassis, with bramble & briar and good structure. This is a smooth, ... more

Calera Central Coast Chardonnay 2009