FROM THE VINES TO THE COAST- BIG NEWS THIS SPRING
Spring at Sunstone means new growth. And this year, that phrase takes on more meaning than just the vines. If you’ve been following our updates, you already know that 2026 was shaping up to be a big year for Sunstone and we’re happy to report we’re delivering on that promise. We have some significant updates to share with you this quarter, each one a piece of a larger story about where Sunstone is headed and what that means for you as a member.
Visit Us in Montecito- Your Benefits Come With You
Our new Sunstone Wine Lounge in Montecito, located at 1294 Coast Village Road, opened its doors three weeks ago, and the response from the community has been wonderful. As a Sunstone member, all of your benefits travel with you: complimentary tastings, your member discount, and the ability to schedule an appointment to pick up your quarterly wine releases are all available to you there. As an added bonus, you can enjoy a unique menu of not only wine, but wine cocktails, and Solis by Sunstone™ non-alcoholic mocktails. Whether you’re local or visiting the South Coast from out of town, we hope this becomes your new favorite spot to drop in for a casual coastal afternoon.
We’re Planting the Future, Literally
As you enter the Sunstone Estate over the next couple of months, some sections of the vineyard will look a little bit different. That’s because we are embarking on a multi-year vineyard replanting program designed to ensure the long-term health and productivity of the Estate.
While our vines have given us three remarkable decades, this is an ideal time to refresh certain blocks and add exciting new varietals for the first time. Using a technique called grafting, which allows us to introduce new varietals onto existing root systems, the first phase of this process will include planting Grenache (for both red and rosé), Sauvignon Blanc, and Carignan alongside expanded plantings of Syrah and Mourvèdre.
Down the hill near the Santa Ynez River, Grenache and Sauvignon Blanc will replace existing Syrah vines. Near the Estate entrance, new Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan will replace a portion of our Merlot block. The result, over time, will be a richer, more diverse portfolio of Estate wines, including an Estate Rosé and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc that we can’t wait to pour for you.
Your Table Is Almost Ready
We know many of you have been looking forward to this one and so have we. As we shared in our last newsletter in February, a full-service kitchen and culinary program is coming to the Estate in Santa Ynez. We’re putting the finishing touches on it now, and we expect it to open in the coming months, bringing a chef-driven menu of fresh dishes to pair alongside your favorite Sunstone pours. Keep an eye on your inbox and social media for that announcement.
Spring Club Release & Upcoming Events
Our Spring Club Release is coming up in less than a month- May 8th to 10th– and following tradition, it falls on Mother’s Day weekend, making it an easy answer to the question of “Where should we take Mom?” In addition to picking up your new shipment (details below), taste 5 newly released wines, enjoy live music and food trucks Saturday and Sunday, unwind with special experiences, including Morning Yoga with Mom, Paint & Sip in the Vineyard, and a Bouquet Making Station. It’s going to be a spectacular weekend, and we hope to see you there.
Can’t make it to the Estate for the Spring Club Release? Mark your calendar for these upcoming events: Memorial Day Weekend (May 22-25), K-9s in the Vines (June 6), Rosé Release Weekend (June 13), and Winemaker Dinner (June 26). We look forward to hosting you soon!
Your Spring 2026 Shipment
All Founder’s Club members will receive the new 2023 Syrah, Estate and the new 2023 Fred’s Red, and the Wine Enthusiast 93-point rated 2021 Syrah, Estate.
Members that have chosen the Mixed option will also receive the new 2025 Linda’s Estate Viognier, the first wine made by our new winemaker Michael Miroballi to be released.
Thank you again for your continued support. Read below for more details on all the wines in your upcoming release. Cheers!
Linda's Estate Viognier
Retail: $50
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Viognier Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | pH: 3.48 Acidity: 6.2 g/L Alcohol: 13.5% 6 months in stainless steel (95%) and neutral French oak barrels (5%) |
| Case Production | 42 |
| Tasting Notes | Our Estate Viognier named for Sunstone's late founder, Linda Rice. It has elegant notes of white flowers, orange blossoms, honeysuckle, and lemon zest. On the palate there is an interesting play between subtle roundness and a lean, firm edge that encapsulates the wine. |
| Winemaking Notes | The 2025 Linda's Estate Viognier comes from a special block in honor of our founding matriarch, Linda Rice. Fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve the floral aromatic and left on fine lees for an extended period for natural preservation. The barrels were stirred to reintroduce the lees into the wine, a process called battonage. During aging the wine went though partial malic acid conversion to create a more supple mouthfeel. |
| Food Pairing | Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Saffron Beurre Blanc, and Roasted Fennel & White Peach Salad with Marcona Almonds, Fresh Tarragon, and Champagne Vinaigrette |
| Cellaring | The 2025 Linda's Viognier can be enjoyed now and for up to two additional years if stored in proper conditions. |
Syrah, Estate
Retail: $70
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Syrah Sunstone Estate Vineyard, Blocls E&F Santa Ynez Valley |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | pH: 3.68 Acidity: 6.2 g/L Alcohol: 13.5% 30 months in 100% French oak (26% new, 74% neutral) |
| Case Production | 571 |
| Tasting Notes | Bold aromas of cherry, red plum and fresh flowers are lifted by clove and slight cedar notes from new French Oak barrels. On the palate, the red fruits are vibrant with hints of white pepper, and a taut structure. |
| Winemaking Notes | The 2023 Syrah, Estate grapes come from the lower bench of Sunstone Estate Vineyard. These old vines still have a vigorous approach producing beautiful canopies to help ripen grapes next to the Santa Ynez River. This section of the vineyard produces a light and delicate expression of Syrah with a blend of fruit and spice. |
| Food Pairing | Herb-Roasted Rack of Lamb with Garlic Jus, and Roasted Cherry Tomato & Beluga Lentil Salad with Herbed Shallot Vinaigrette |
| Cellaring | The 2023 Syrah, Estate can be enjoyed now or cellared for an additional 5-9 years to develop additional complexity. With proper storage conditions, this wine will continue to evolve gracefully. |
Fred's Red
Retail: $70
| Grape Blend and Source | 87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | pH: 3.67 Acidity: 5.6 g/L Alcohol: 14.1% 26 months in French oak (20% new, 80% neutral) |
| Case Production | 394 |
| Tasting Notes | A sought-after Estate blend with bold aromas of raspberry and cherry leading a plume of red fruit with subtle baking spices and black tea notes. On the palate, this wine is a taut framework of red fruit with fine tannins. |
| Winemaking Notes | Fred’s Red is an homage to the founder of Sunstone, Fred Rice. It is modeled after the beautiful Merlot based wines of Pomerol. Small batch ferments from several blocks of Merlot along with our estate Cabernet Franc were combined early on to let the wine blend together during aging. |
| Food Pairing | Duck Breast with Black Cherry & Black Tea Reduction, Baking Spice Gastrique, and Wild Mushroom & Roasted Shallot Tart with Fresh Thyme and Gruyère |
| Cellaring | The 2023 Fred's Red can be cellared for up to 8-12 years, where it will continue to develop complexity, if stored in optimal conditions. |
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. |
