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 2021 Grenache Blanc with this club release! We’ve also included the 2021 Rapsodie with the jazz-inspired label, 2021 Soleil Rouge, and a bottle of our 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Paso Robles.
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 Grenache Blanc
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Grenache Blanc 100% La Presa Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | pH: 3.18 Acidity: 5.8 g/L Alcohol: 14.0% 5 months in 100% Stainless Steel (no oak) |
| Tasting Notes | Delicate nose of yellow pear, chamomile, and lychee, accented by notes of orange blossom and grapefruit. Vibrant acidity on the palate highlighted by apple, caramel, and lemon zest, with notes of graham cracker and honeydew melon leading to a surprisingly round finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | The Grenache Blanc grapes were hand harvested at La Presa Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley. The fruit was whole cluster pressed, and fermented with tropical style yeast to enhance grapefruit, tropical and floral notes in the wine. |
| Food Pairing | Seared Ahi Tuna w/ garlic, lime-limon, miso, mustard, black sesame seed ponzu sauce over orange olive oil, balsamic tossed arugula. |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Grenache Blanc can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 12-18 months if stored in proper conditions. It is not a candidate for long term aging. |
2021 Soleil Rouge
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 63% Sangiovese 34% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Cabernet Franc 56% Los Alamos 34% Valley View 7% Camp 4 3% Coquelicot Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.46 Acidity: 6.2 g/L Alcohol: 13.3% 18 months in 28% New French Oak, 2% New American Oak, 70% Neutral Oak |
| Tasting Notes | On the nose, you'll find delicious notes of blackberry, figs and blackcurrant. The palate is velvety smooth and approachable, with flavors of cherry, sage, pepper and cloves, as well as hints of tobacco leaves and espresso, leading into a warm, long finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | Sunstone’s 2021 Soleil Rouge Varietals were hand harvested from three vineyards, and two style terroirs in Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez Valley). Between October 29th, 2021, to November 2nd 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 seven months before our trial blending to finalize the complexity of these characters, textures, and aromas prior to the actual blending. |
| Food Pairing | Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi with Tomato-Butter Sauce |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Soleil Rouge can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 3-4 years if stored in proper conditions. |
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. |
2021 Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Cabernet Franc 92% Pear Valley Vineyard 8% Defiance Winery |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 4.2 Acidity: 5.5 g/L Alcohol: 13.5% 19 months in 15% New French Oak |
| Tasting Notes | Rich aromas of fresh plum, earthy figs and dark berries swirl around your nose before inviting you in for a sip. On the palate, this wine is structured and elegant, with a soft acidity, balanced by nuances of cocoa nibs, espresso and tobacco. This wine has a bold old world smoky, and earthy style character. |
| Winemaking Notes | Our 2021 Cabernet Franc was hand harvested from 100% Pear Valley Vineyard, in one AVA in Paso Robles, during harvest September 2021, our team crushed, cold soaked, fermented, and pressed the grapes. Our winemaker began the trial blending to finalize the complexity of these characters, textures, and aromas prior to the actual blending in June 2022, by adding 8% of Defiance Vineyard 2021 Cabernet Franc. |
| Food Pairing | Ground Beef-Stuffed Bell Peppers with Cheddar or Mozzarella |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles can be enjoyed now and for the next 4-8 years if stored in optimal conditions. |