Happy Spring!
We are thrilled to welcome back sunny days, along with the verdant colors of our flowering vineyards! After an extended Winter marked by cold temperatures and heavy rainfall, we began to see sunbeams streaming through cracks in the grey cloud cover, wild cottontail rabbits hopping throughout rows of vines, and shortly after, the first buds made their appearance. As the days continued to lengthen and temperatures rose, the vineyards fully awakened from their dormancy, bringing a fresh new beginning, heralded by the arrival of budbreak.
At the tasting room, our dedicated construction crew continued to complete the finishing touches on our newly renovated bars, tasting courtyards and guest bathrooms. We look forward to welcoming you to Sunstone.
On to the wine!
We are thrilled to introduce a bottling of our 2022 Linda’s Viognier with this club release, made with 100% estate Viognier! For the reds, we’ve selected our favorite Pomerol style blend, 2021 Fred’s Red, 2021 Rapsodie with the jazz-inspired label, and finally, our 2021 Syrah, Estate.
Looking ahead to Spring/Summer 2023, we look forward to the return of our after-hours Summer series at Sunstone! Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming member events, benefits, and special projects. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the most up to date happenings at Sunstone.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at the Estate soon. Cheers!
WINES INCLUDED IN THIS SHIPMENT:
2021 Rapsodie
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 66% Grenache 26% Syrah 8% Mourvedre 50% Rancho Del Prado 26% Spear Vineyard 10% Leiff 8% Sunstone Vineyard 6% La Presa Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.71 Acidity: 5.1 g/L Alcohol: 13.8% 16 months in 28% French Oak |
| Tasting Notes | Beautiful aromatics of delicate Jasmine flowers, baked plum and tart cherry mixed with blackberry, redcurrants, lavender and coffee beans. Medium-bodied with characters of espresso, black peppercorn and acai berries, leading into a long, warm finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | Sunstone’s 2021 Rapsodie Blended Varietals were hand harvested from five Vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley. The grapes were harvested mid-October to beginning November 2021, our team crushed, cold soaked, fermented, and pressed each of the four varietals separately as they were harvested. Each lot of wine was aged for four months before our trial blending to finalize the complexity of these characters, textures, and aromas prior to the actual blending in February 2022. |
| Food Pairing | Mediterranean Beef and Bean Stew with Roasted Rhubarb Salad |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Rapsodie can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 4-8 years if stored in proper conditions. |
2022 Linda's Viognier
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Viognier Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.57 Acidity: 6.7g/L Alcohol: 14% 6 months in 65% New French Oak |
| Tasting Notes | Delicate nose of lemongrass, pear, and dried pineapple, accented by notes of golden figs, lilac and persimmon. Light bodied with bright acidity on the palate, and notes of honeydew melon, vanilla and star anise leading to a supple, smooth finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | Sunstone’s Estate 2022 Viognier “Linda’s Vineyard” grapes were hand harvested 3am September 5th, 2022, in Santa Ynez Valley. Our team whole cluster pressed the fruit then cold soaked the grapes for three days to settle solids (lees) and inoculated the juice for the fermentation process for 11 days before racking to French Oak Barrels for aging and to complete secondary fermentation “malolactic fermentation.” |
| Food Pairing | Roasted Chioggia and Golden Beets, white wine spiced poached pear with three Italian grated cheeses over arugula drizzled with Sunstone Balsamic Tuscan Olive Oil Blend and cracked black pepper. |
| Cellaring | The 2022 Linda’s Viognier can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 3 years if stored in proper conditions. |
2021 Fred's Red
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 72% Cabernet Franc 28% Merlot Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.71 Acidity: 5.3 g/L Alcohol: 13.5% 18 months in 25% New French Oak |
| Tasting Notes | This velvety smooth blend combines two of the region's finest varietals, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, creating a complex flavor profile that boasts intense aromas of dark berries, pepper and coffee beans. |
| Winemaking Notes | Sunstone’s 2021 Fred’s Red Blended Varietals were hand harvested 100% Sunstone Vineyards, in one AVA in Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez Valley). All five blocks of fruit were made grape to wine in separate lots. During harvest October 2021, our team crushed, cold soaked, fermented, and pressed each of the two varietals by block (five blocks) separately as they were harvested. Each lot of wine was aged for four months before our trial blending to finalize the complexity of these characters, textures, and aromas prior to the actual blending in June 2022. |
| Food Pairing | Blackberry-Ancho Balsamic Glazed Lamb Chops With organic arugula and Brulée fresh fig |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Fred's Red Reserve can be enjoyed now and for the next 8-15 years if stored in optimal conditions. |
2021 Syrah Estate
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Syrah Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.77 Acidity: 5.5 g/L Alcohol: 13% 18 months in 10% New American, 10% New French Oak and 80% Neutral Oak |
| Tasting Notes | Dark boysenberry aromas on the nose with notes of mission fig, black cherry, and plum taking center stage and cedar, cloves and black licorice serving as a backdrop. Well-structured on the palate with medium acidity, leading into a layered finish of fruit & spice. |
| Winemaking Notes | Sunstone’s 2021 Syrah Estate grapes were hand harvested from 100% of our Estate Vineyard by block “E” & “F’, in Santa Ynez Valley. The last week of September 2021, our team crushed the fruit together, and cold soaked the grapes for 3 days before fermenting them individually and pressed the wine as we racked the wines to New and Neutral French and American Oak for aging. |
| Food Pairing | Grilled Plum Barbeque Burgers with Pepper Bacon |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Syrah Estate can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 6-8 years if stored in proper conditions. |