The Estate Is Evolving and Summer Is the Perfect Time to See It
Summer is in full swing at the Sunstone Estate. The vines are full with fruit, working through the final weeks before veraison, that brief window when the grapes begin flushing with color and the countdown to harvest officially begins. It’s the most beautiful time of year to be here- there are more reasons than ever to come…and maybe even stay the night.
In Case You Missed It: The Sunstone Cottage Is Now Open
A little more than a month ago, we officially announced the opening of the Sunstone Cottage, our brand-new overnight accommodation situated right here on the Estate, adjacent to the vineyards and the iconic Sunstone Villa. If you haven’t had a chance to visit or book yet, here’s what’s waiting: each suite features limestone floors, a spa-inspired bathroom, Mascioni Italian linens, and L’Occitane bath essentials. Outside, the private Cottage Lawn, Porch, and Common Courtyard offer lounge seating, a 10-seat dining table, and a fire pit, with the Estate’s vineyards open for exploring on foot.
The Cottage features three beautifully appointed suites- The Champagne Suite, The Rhône Suite, and The Bordeaux Suite- each available individually or combined for groups of up to 10. Now through December 31, 2026, book 2 nights and get your 3rd night free. Go to SunstoneVilla.com for rates and availability. There’s never been a better reason to book that long weekend getaway and enjoy a wine country retreat unlike anything else in the Valley.
A Summer of Change in the Vineyard
The first phase of our multi-year replanting program is now complete, and if you’ve visited recently, you may have noticed some sections of the vineyard looking a little different as the newly grafted vines get established. Over the next couple of weeks, our remaining mature vines will begin veraison, when the grapes start transitioning from green to deep, rich color.
Because of this year’s grafting and vine removal, we expect a lighter harvest than usual, but what this vintage may lack in volume it will make up for in the quality and character our Estate consistently delivers. We think that’s a worthwhile trade for what those new vines will eventually bring, including the Estate Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc that we can’t wait to pour for you in the years ahead.
Still Setting the Table
An update on the culinary front: as we communicated in our Spring newsletter, we had hoped to have our new full-service kitchen and dining experience open for you this summer. But we’ve made the decision to take a bit more time to get every detail right, and we now expect to open toward the end of the year.
This has been one of the most anticipated additions to the Sunstone experience, and we’re committed to making sure it lives up to that. Thank you for your patience. The announcement is coming, and it’ll be worth it.
Rapsodie Release Weekend & Upcoming Events
The big event of the season is just around the corner: Rapsodie Release Weekend, July 31st through August 2nd. This is your opportunity to pick up your Summer shipment in person, raise a glass to the new release of our signature Rhône-style GSM blend, and enjoy the estate at its summer best.
Looking ahead, mark your calendar for the Summer White Party on Labor Day Weekend, STOMP on September 26th (a members-only harvest celebration you don’t want to miss), and the Haunted Ball on October 30th. The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be one for the books, and we look forward to celebrating it with you.
Your Summer Shipment
All Founder’s Club members will receive the newly released 2023 Rapsodie Reserve, our signature Rhône-style GSM blend with the “jazzy” art label, as well as the new 2023 Teddy’s and the 2021 Syrah Reserve, rated 91 points by Wine Enthusiast.
Members that have chosen the Mixed option will also receive the new 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve.
Thank you again for your continued support. Read below for more details on all the wines in your upcoming release. Cheers!
Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
Retail: $45
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Sauvignon Blanc Nolan Vineyard, Alisos Canyon AVA |
|---|---|
| Tasting Notes | Aromas of wet stone, fig, and beeswax create an earthy depth resulting from extended lees aging. The palate is creamy and broad from barrel aging, yet vibrant and bright from ripe pineapple and green melon, finishing fresh with a mouthwatering zing. |
| Winemaking Notes | Fruit for the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve was harvested from Nolan Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon appellation, just three miles east of Los Alamos, on September 22, 2025. Fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak, the wine is crafted to balance vibrant freshness with added texture and weight. Extended time on fine lees adds natural preservation and depth, while regular bâtonnage- the gentle stirring of lees back into the wine- builds a creamy, layered richness on the palate. This wine was bottled to just 53 cases in June 2026. |
| Food Pairing | Creamy Lemon-Thyme Skillet Chicken, and Melon, Cucumber & Feta Salad with Honey-White Wine Vinaigrette and Mint |
| Technical Specs | pH: 3.28 Acidity: 7.2 g/L Alcohol: 13.2% 8 months in 56% Stainless Steel/44% neutral French oak barrels |
| Case Production | 53 |
| Cellaring | The 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve can be enjoyed now and for up to two additional years if stored in proper conditions. It is not a candidate for long term aging. |
Rapsodie Reserve
Retail: $70
| Grape Blend and Source | 47% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 13% Mourvèdre Vineyards: Nolan, Rancho Del Prado, Coquelicot, La Presa, and Hill Top |
|---|---|
| Tasting Notes | Black cherry, red plum, and hints of blueberry rise from the glass, lifted by warm baking spice and subtle notes of dried herbs and cedar. On the palate, the red fruits are vibrant and focused, accented by a whisper of white pepper and framed by a taut, structured backbone. The tannins are well integrated and refined, carrying the wine to a lingering, expressive finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | The 2023 harvest brought an unusual abundance of fruit, handing us a rare opportunity to craft two distinct expressions of Rapsodie from a single vintage. The original 2023 Rapsodie, released in 2025, was sourced from a single vineyard and led by Grenache at 54%.
The 2023 Rapsodie Reserve takes a different path: Syrah steps forward at 40% (compared to 28% in the original blend), while Grenache eases back to 47% and Mourvèdre plays a lighter supporting role. Sourced from five vineyards across three AVAs and aged several months longer, the 2023 Rapsodie Reserve offers a deeper, more layered counterpoint to its predecessor. Two different voices from one remarkable vintage.
Grenache from Hill Top Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills and Rancho Del Prado and La Presa vineyards in the Los Olivos District, was blended with Syrah from Coquelicot Vineyard in Santa Ynez and Syrah and Mourvèdre from Nolan Vineyard in Alisos Canyon to create the 2023 Rapsodie Reserve. All fruit was harvested and fermented separately between October 11th and November 3rd, 2023 and blended in early 2026 before being bottled to 558 cases in June 2026. |
| Food Pairing | Garlic-Herb Lamb Loin Chops with Black Cherry & Rosemary Pan Sauce, and White Bean and Spinach Sauté with Garlic and Smoked Paprika |
| Technical Specs | pH: 3.77 Acidity: 5.9 g/L Alcohol: 14.2% 30 months in French oak (13% New, 8% 2yr, 79% neutral) |
| Case Production | 558 |
| Cellaring | The 2023 Rapsodie Reserve can be enjoyed now and will continue to develop for another 6-10 years if stored in optimal conditions. |
Teddy's
Retail: $70
| Grape Blend and Source | 57% Carignan, 29% Grenache, 14% Syrah, Nolan Vineyard (Alisos Canyon) |
|---|---|
| Tasting Notes | On the nose, dried rose petals and fresh herbs meet bright red plum and cranberry, with a soft touch of cedar from French oak adding elegance to the bouquet. The palate is vibrant and focused, with red fruit laced with white pepper and well-integrated tannins and a refined finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | The fruit for the 2023 Teddy’s was harvested from Nolan Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, Santa Barbara County’s newest AVA, on October 13th and 16th, 2023. After fermentation, the three varietals were blended together and aged primarily in neutral French oak barrels before being bottled to 448 cases in June 2026. |
| Food Pairing | Pepper & Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin with a Cranberry Glaze, and Charred Green Beans with Toasted Almonds and Shaved Parmesan |
| Technical Specs | pH: 3.65 Acidity: 5.5 g/L Alcohol: 14.2% 26 months in French oak (17% New, 83% neutral) |
| Case Production | 448 |
| Cellaring | The 2023 Teddy’s can be enjoyed now and will continue to develop complexity for another 4-6 years if stored in optimal conditions. |
Syrah Reserve
Retail: $45.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Syrah Coquelicot, Camp 4, Nolan Ranch, Valley View, Spear Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Tasting Notes | This wine delights the senses with an inviting aroma of black cherry, ripe plum, black licorice, and a touch of cloves, complemented by notes of raspberry leather, cardamom, tobacco, peppercorn, and lavender. On the palate, it reveals a medley of flavors, including Bing cherry, boysenberry, redcurrant, and hints of anise, dark plum, espresso, cloves, and peppercorn, concluding with a refreshing blend of golden figs, rhubarb, and pomegranate. |
| Winemaking Notes | Grapes for the 2021 Syrah Reserve come from five unique vineyard sites spanning three viticultural areas. Each fruit lot was hand-harvested and delivered to the winery to be gently de-stemmed and crushed for cold-soaking. After 3-4 days of cold soak each lot was inoculated for fermentation. Four separate yeast strains were used to ferment the five wine lots. Post alcoholic fermentation the wine was gently pressed off the skins and inoculated for malolactic fermentation. After malolactic fermentation the wine was racked clean and the final blend was assembled in March 2022. The blend was returned to barrel to aged in 20% new French oak for 23 months before being bottled in August 2023. |
| Food Pairing | Coffee Spiced Smoked Pork Butt with Rhubarb Cinnamon Red Lentil Curry |
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.63 Acidity: 5.5 g/L Alcohol: 14.6% 23 months in 20% new/80% neutral French oak |
| Case Production | 828 |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Syrah Reserve can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 5-7 years if stored in proper conditions. |
