AVAILABLE STARTING AUGUST 5TH, 2022
2021 CHARDONNAY
Retail: $35
| GRAPE BLEND & SOURCE | 100% Chardonnay Goodchild and Hill Top Ranch vineyards |
| TECHNICAL SPECS | pH: 3.51 Acidity: 5.6 g/L Alcohol: 14.5% 7 months in 20% new French oak, 5% new American oak, and 75% neutral oak |
| TASTING NOTES | Fresh nose of lemon zest, lychee, melon and honeysuckle with vanilla, white pepper, and a subtle smokiness in the background. Mouth-watering acidity on the palate with pear, cinnamon stick, and yellow raisin character and an extra-long finish. |
| WINEMAKING | The grapes for our 2021 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay were hand-harvested on October 10th, 2021, from Hill Top Ranch in Sta. Rita Hills and October 29th, 2021, from Goodchild Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. Each lot of Chardonnay was fermented separately. They were whole cluster pressed and placed into a stainless-steel tank to settle for three days before the inoculation for fermentation of both lees and juice. Our winemaker’s yeast of choice was CY3079 which enhances sensory notes of Citrus, Pineapple, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Honey, and Floral characters. On the 8th day, bacteria culture was added for the secondary fermentation as the fermentation ended on the 12th day. The two separate lots were then blended in December 2021 while aging in 25% new French & American Oak for 8 months before being bottled to 588 cases in June 2022. |
| FOOD PAIRING | Baked Cod with Lemon |
| CELLARING | The 2021 Chardonnay, SBC can be enjoyed now and for the next 12-18 months. It is not a candidate for long term aging. |
2021 ChaRdonnay ReservE
Retail: $45
| GRAPE BLEND & SOURCE | 100% Chardonnay Spear Vineyard |
| TECHNICAL SPECS | pH: 3.74 Acidity: 5.0 g/L Alcohol: 14.4% 9 Months in 25% new French oak, 15% new American oak, and 60% Neutral oak |
| TASTING NOTES | Warm aromas of toasted almonds, salted vanilla ice cream, cloves and Allspice play well with the lemon rind and pineapple notes on the nose. Light-bodied with a round mouthfeel, and bruised apple, cinnamon, lemongrass, honey, and smoke character on the palate. |
| WINEMAKING | The grapes for our 2021 Chardonnay Reserve (Eden and Wente clones) were hand-harvested on September 22nd, 2021, from Spear Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. Our team whole cluster pressed the juice into a stainless tank to settle for two days before the inoculation for fermentation of both lees and juice. On the 6th day, bacteria culture was added for the secondary fermentation as the fermentation ended on the 10th day. Our winemaker’s yeast of choice was CY3079, which enhances sensory notes of Citrus, Pineapple, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Honey, and Floral characters. After spending nine months in a mix of new and neutral oak, the Chardonnay Reserve was bottled to 269 cases in June 2022. |
| FOOD PAIRING | Pan-seared salmon with lemon garlic butter sauce |
| CELLARING | The 2021 Chardonnay Reserve can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 3 years if stored in proper conditions. |
2020 MALBEC RESERVE
Retail: $65
| GRAPE BLEND & SOURCE | 100% Malbec Valley View, Lucas & Lewellen Los Alamos, Coqulicot, and Pear Valley vineyards |
| TECHNICAL SPECS | pH: 3.87 Acidity: 5.1 g/L Alcohol: 13.4% 20 months in 10% new American, 20% new French, and 70% neutral oak |
| TASTING NOTES | Luscious aromas of raspberry preserves, blackberry jam, Earl Grey tea, figs, and vanilla extract on the nose. Round on the palate well-integrated tannins and character of blackberry, raspberry, pepper and currants with sea salt minerality on the finish. |
| WINEMAKING | The grapes for our 2020 Malbec Reserve were hand-harvested from four different vineyards, three in Santa Barbara County and one in Paso Robles between the end of September 2020 and the end of October 2020. When the fruit from each vineyard arrived, it was crushed into bins and fermented separately, then pressed 12-14 days later to tank for settling before being racked to 30% new and 70% neutral oak barrels. The wine was blended and then aged for 20 months before being bottled to 582 cases in June 2022. |
| FOOD PAIRING | Moroccan Lamb Meatballs |
| CELLARING | The 2020 Malbec Reserve can be enjoyed now and for an additional 5-8 years if stored in proper conditions. |
2020 ZEPHYR
Retail: $45
| GRAPE BLEND & SOURCE | 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 14% Grenache, 4% Syrah Six different vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County |
| TECHNICAL SPECS | pH: 3.60 Acidity: 6.3g/L Alcohol: 14.6% 20 months in 28% new/72% neutral French and American oak |
| TASTING NOTES | Distinct aromas of dark chocolate and black pepper frame the plum, lily flower, cherry cola, and earthy notes. Dusty tannins on the palate with pomegranate, crushed pepper, and smoky character with a sweet cherry finish. |
| WINEMAKING | The grapes for our 2020 Zephyr blend were hand-harvested from six vineyards in Santa Barbara County. We crushed and fermented the four varietals (Rhone and Bordeaux) from each vineyard separately during the month of October 2020 as they arrived. The grapes from each vineyard were processed separately, then cold soaked for 2-3 days while macerating the fruit, skins, and seeds for flavor through to pressing the fruit. Each lot was inoculated individually with a combination of BM45, RC212, and D80 yeasts to soften tannin structure and enhance sensory notes of Blackberry, Boysenberry, Cloves, Cherry, and Bourbon. The fermentations lasted approximately 12-18 days before pressing and racking to French & American oak barrels for aging and to complete secondary fermentation “malolactic fermentation”. Our wine 2020 Zephyr was blended in February 2021 and bottled to 537 cases in June 2022. |
| FOOD PAIRING | Grilled Wagyu Ribeye with Roasted Fig Miso |
| CELLARING | The 2020 Zephyr can be enjoyed now and for an additional 4-8 years if stored in proper conditions. |
2020 Five ERas
Retail: $45
| GRAPE BLEND & SOURCE | 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 24% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot Valley View, Lucas & Lewellen Los Alamos, , Coqulicot, Area 51, and Pear Valley vineyards |
| TECHNICAL SPECS | pH: 3.66 Acidity: 6.2 g/L Alcohol: 14.2% 20 months in 20% new French, 6% new American, and 74% neutral oak |
| TASTING NOTES | Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and elderberries dominate the nose, accented by spicy notes of crushed peppercorn, anise, and ginger. Tart character on the palate with cranberries, sour cherries, blackberries and coffee beans and an extended finish. |
| WINEMAKING | The grapes for our 2020 Five Eras Bordeaux-style blend were hand-harvested from five vineyards, four in Santa Barbara County and one in Paso Robles. Between the last week of September 2020 and mid-October 2020, our team crushed, cold soaked, fermented, and pressed each of the four varietals separately as they were harvested individually. 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. Our winemaker’s yeasts of choice were RC212, BM45, and D80, which enhance sensory and tannin notes of bright rich berry, spice, cedar, licorice, earth, and mineral. The wine was sent through malolactic fermentation to reduce the malic acid sharp acidity. After aging for 20 months in 26% new and 74% neutral oak, the 2020 Five Eras was bottled to 584 cases in June 2022. |
| FOOD PAIRING | Steak Burgers with au Poivre Sauce |
| CELLARING | The 2020 Five Eras can be enjoyed now and for an additional 4-6 years if stored in proper conditions. |
2020 Villa SOleil
Retail: $70
| GRAPE BLEND & SOURCE | 44% Merlot, 34% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Franc Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
| TECHNICAL SPECS | pH: 3.68 Acidity: 5.2 g/L Alcohol: 14.4% 19 months in 18% new and 82% neutral oak |
| TASTING NOTES | Delightful aromas of lavender, figs, blackberry, and pomegranate complemented by notes of clove and raw cocoa. Soft tannins on the palate with cherry, white peppercorn and espresso character through to the finish. |
| WINEMAKING | The Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah grapes for our Villa Soleil are hand-harvested each year from vines centered in front the Sunstone Villa. For the 2020 Villa Soleil, the grapes were hand-harvested by varietal and block on October 20th, 2020. The fruit were then crushed and destemmed together and cold soaked for two days before making the starter for the co-fermentation. Our winemaker’s yeast of choice was RC212 which enhances additional sensory notes Bing Cherry, Blackberry, Anise, Clove, and Cocoa. Our fermentation was 14 days, with the primary fermentation ending and the secondary fermentation beginning on the seventh day. We barrel aged this wine in a combination of 21% new French oak and 82% neutral oak for 19 months prior to hand bottling to 194 cases in July 2022. |
| FOOD PAIRING | Memphis-style BBQ Spareribs with Baked Mac & Cheese |
| CELLARING | The 2020 Villa Soleil can be enjoyed now and for an additional 5-8 years if stored in proper conditions. |
2020 Cabernet Franc, Estate
Retail: $70
| GRAPE BLEND & SOURCE | 100% Cabernet Franc Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
| TECHNICAL SPECS | pH: 3.81 Acidity: 5.1 g/L Alcohol: 14% 20 months in 30% new/70% neutral French oak |
| TASTING NOTES | Rich aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, cherry pie, and jasmine coupled with notes of clove and dates. Well-structured on the palate with a soft berry front and notes of cocoa nibs, figs, and brown olives before settling in to the lingering finish. |
| WINEMAKING | Our 2020 Estate Cabernet Franc grapes were hand-picked from the Sunstone Estate Vineyard Block H on October 16th, 2020. Our team crushed the fruit, then cold soaked the grapes for 4 days before fermenting. Our winemaker’s yeast of choice was D80, which enhances sensory notes of Black Pepper, Blackberries, Olives, Anise, Floral, Cocoa Nib, and Espresso essence to the characters of the Cabernet Franc varietal for a more aromatic balance. Our fermentation took place in a stainless-steel tank where we had ultimate control for a longer fermentation of 18 days. Our secondary fermentation was added on the 10th day prior to finishing the primary fermentation. The wine was pressed to tank, settled, and racked to 30% new French oak barrels and aged for 20 months. The wine was bottled to 212 cases in June 2022. |
| FOOD PAIRING | Ground Beef-Stuffed Bell Peppers with Cheddar or Mozzarella |
| CELLARING | The 2020 Cabernet Franc, Estate can be enjoyed now and for the next 4-8 years if stored in optimal conditions. |