A Glimpse into Sunstone’s Next Great Era
Happy New Year! There is a beautiful contrast currently unfolding over the winter at the Sunstone Estate — the vineyard may be dormant, but behind the scenes, Sunstone is very much alive as our team works hard to prepare for a year that promises to be one of the most transformative in Sunstone’s history.
That journey begins with the “heart” of it all: Eros Weekend, the release of our flagship Bordeaux-style red blend named for the Greek god of love! This annual Celebration of Love and Wine is our most anticipated event of the year and takes place on Valentine’s Day weekend each year. See below for more details on this year’s festivities.
The Next Chapter is Taking Shape
Looking ahead, 2026 will bring two more major developments. As we announced in October, we will be opening a second location in Montecito in the near future. We are making incredible progress on our new coastal home-away-from-home and we will provide updates on an opening date soon.
But we’re also cooking up something special behind the scenes — literally. To further elevate your visits, we are planning to open a full-scale kitchen and culinary program at the Estate in Santa Ynez later this year. Soon, your favorite Sunstone pours will be paired with a curated, chef-driven menu of fresh made dishes. This transition from simple snacks and grab-n-go bites will mark a new chapter in our history, and we can’t wait for you to be the first to take a seat at our table!
Eros Release Celebration
On to the details of our Eros Release Celebration weekend. As longtime members know, the February shipment is the most anticipated release of the year because it includes Eros.
Don’t miss the biggest event of the year: Join us from February 13th to 15th for a celebration of Love and Wine. The weekend’s activities include:
- Release of the new 2023 Eros & a special 2021 Eros Grand Reserve
- Wine & Chocolate Pairings
- “Blend in Love” — Make Your Own Wine
- Live Music & Food Trucks
- Peppermint Pig Boutique
- 2 More New Wine Releases
- Club Member Order Pickup
See more Eros Weekend details here and make sure to check our full Event Calendar regularly for more details on upcoming events throughout the year!
Your Winter 2026 Shipment
This month’s wine club shipment includes a special bonus! All Founder’s Club members will receive the rare treat of not one but TWO new Eros releases: the new 2023 Eros, and a special new 2021 Eros Grand Reserve. In addition, all Founder’s Club members will receive the new 2021 Malbec Reserve.
Members that have chosen the Reds Only option will also receive the 2022 Teddy’s. Members that have chosen the Mixed option will also receive the 2024 Chardonnay Reserve, a beloved Sta. Rita Hills gem.
Thank you again for your continued support. Read below for more details on all the wines in your upcoming release. Cheers!
Wines in This Shipment
2024 Chardonnay Reserve
Retail: $45
Tasting Notes
This elegant Chardonnay captivates with aromas of butterscotch, pineapple, guava, and plumeria tropical flower, enhanced by white grapefruit notes. The palate reveals layers of pineapple, nectarine, guava, peach, grapefruit, butterscotch, and green apple. Light-bodied with low tannins and medium acidity, this wine finishes dry and crisp with excellent balance across the front, middle, and finish.
Food Pairing
Seared Lobster & Sea Scallops with Champagne Thyme White Truffle Reduction Sauce served with garlic lemon orzo
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested from a 50-year-old vineyard stewarded by multi-generational family farmers, our Clone 76 Chardonnay grapes were whole cluster pressed and fermented for 14 days in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then racked into 100% four-year-old French oak barrels from two different coopers. CY3079 and BA11 yeast strains were selected to enhance tropical fruit, butterscotch, pineapple, guava, apricot, grapefruit, and floral characteristics. The ancient sandy alluvial soils, unique to Santa Barbara County and located on the edge of the Santa Ynez River basin, contribute to this wine’s distinctive character.
Specifications
- Grape Blend and Source
- 100% Chardonnay (Clone 76)
- Hilltop Ranch Vineyard, Sta Rita Hills
- Technical Specs
- pH: 3.54
- Acidity: 6.6 g/L
- Alcohol: 14%
- 9 months in four-year-old French oak barrels
- Case Production: 261
Cellaring
The 2024 Chardonnay Reserve can be enjoyed now and for up to two additional years if stored in proper conditions.
2023 Eros
Retail: $80
Tasting Notes
Wild aromas of dried country herbs, dried flowers, purple lilac, and a slight gaminess. Mouthwatering cranberry, red plum and sweet spices are supported by broad, fine, dry tannins and a long-lasting finish.
Food Pairing
Pork Tenderloin with Allspice, Clove & Dried Cherries and Walnut Stuffing
Winemaking Notes
For the 2023 Eros, our flagship, Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were hand-harvested from the Sunstone Estate vineyard. Each varietal ripens at a different time during harvest, so the wines were made separately. Gently de-stemmed and fermented in open-top fermenters with hand punchdowns fermentation took about 14 days. In the spring of the following year 2023 Eros was blended and the wine was racked to 30% new, 70% neutral French oak barrels. Before bottling the wine to 435 cases, we touched it up with a splash of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Specifications
- Grape Blend and Source
- 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
- Sunstone Estate Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
- Technical Specs
- pH: 3.84
- Acidity: 5.8 g/L
- Alcohol: 13.9%
- 24 months in 100% French oak (30% new, 70% neutral)
- Case Production: 435
Cellaring
The 2023 Eros can be enjoyed now or cellared for an additional 8-15 years to develop additional complexity and tertiary notes. With proper storage conditions, this wine will continue to evolve gracefully.
2021 Eros Grand Reserve
Retail: $80
Tasting Notes
Aromas of delicate dried flowers, cedar cigar box, dried red fruits, and slight vanilla bean. Light body with silky tannins, mid weight on the palate and a clean, long-lasting finish.
Food Pairing
Veal Scallopini with sage and prosciutto, and a Gruyere and Mushroom casserole
Winemaking Notes
For the 2021 Eros Grand Reserve, our flagship, Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were hand-harvested from the Sunstone Estate vineyard. Each varietal ripens at a different time during harvest, so the wines were made separately gently de-stemmed and fermented in open-top fermenters with hand punchdowns. In the spring of the following year 2021 Eros was blended and the wine was racked to 25% new, 75% neutral French oak barrels. The Eros Grand Reserve was aged in barrel an additional 18 months beyond the original 2021 Eros.
Specifications
- Grape Blend and Source: 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, Sunstone Estate Vineyard
- Technical Specs
- pH: 3.62
- Acidity: 5.3 g/L
- Alcohol: 14.1%
- 42 months in French oak (25% new, 75% neutral)
- Case Production: 609
Cellaring
The 2021 Eros Grand Reserve can be cellared for up to 15-18 years, where it will continue to develop complexity, if stored in optimal conditions.
2021 Malbec Reserve
Retail: $55
Tasting Notes
Interesting notes of black tea, currants and blackberry rise out of a muscular base of crushed gravel and tar. To experience this wine’s complexity we recommend decanting and even enjoying the next day.
Food Pairing
Char-grilled lamb kebabs with sumac and cumin, and grilled portobello mushrooms with balsamic and thyme
Winemaking Notes
The grapes for our 2021 Malbec Reserve were hand-harvested and gently de-stemmed into open top fermenters. Fermentation was curated with gentle punchdowns by hand and after 16 days the wine was pressed off to settle heavy lees before being barreled in 25% new, 75% neutral French Oak barrels. The wine was blended and then aged for 23 months before bottling to 507 cases.
Specifications
- Grape Blend and Source
- 100% Malbec
- Valley View Vineyard, Los Olivos District, Santa Ynez Valley
- Technical Specs
- pH: 3.81
- Acidity: 5.5 g/L
- Alcohol: 14.4%
- 23 months in French oak (25% new, 75% neutral)
- Case Production: 507
Cellaring
The 2021 Malbec Reserve can be enjoyed now, but will continue to develop for another 5-7 years if stored in optimal conditions.
2022 Teddy’s
Retail: $70.00
Tasting Notes
Abundant red fruit aromas, including Bing cherries and raspberries, mesh with notes of espresso, cloves, and cedar, and purple floral undertones. On the palate, dark fruit character is front and center with blackberry, boysenberry, and dark cherries combining with dark chocolate and black tea leaves, leading to a lingering, spicy finish.
Food Pairing
Braised Brisket with Plum, Star Anise and Port
Winemaking Notes
The Teddy’s blend of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache mimics the blend style of the Languedoc and Roussillon regions of France’s Rhone Valley. The Teddy’s Reserve grapes were harvested in mid-October 2022 from Nolan Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon AVA. Our team crushed each varietal together for a 15-day co-fermentation, pressed the wine and barreled down into American and French oak wine barrels to extract the oak tannin from the barrels into the wine during the aging process. Our winemaker’s yeast of choice was a combination of ICV-GRE which enhances sensory notes of tropical, cherry liquors, lavender, melon, fresh plum, dark berry, anise, spice, and floral essence to the characters of each varietal typical character for a more aromatic balance. The wine was sent through malolactic fermentation to reduce the malic acid sharp acidity. This wine shows an amazing velvety soft front attributing its earthy, fruit forward, floral and spice characters as it remains complex from start to finish. The wine aged in 30% New American/French Oak for 19 months before bottling April 2024.
Specifications
- Grape Blend and Source
- 42% Syrah, 36% Grenache, 22% Carignan
- Nolan Vineyard
- Technical Specs
- PH: 3.79
- Acidity: 5.8 g/L
- Alcohol: 14.8%
- 19 months in 30% new/70% neutral French oak
Cellaring
The 2022 Teddy’s Reserve can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 6-8 years if stored in proper conditions.
Important Dates
- February 2 — Last Day for Credit Card & Address Changes, and Bottle Swaps
- February 3 — Credit Cards are Charged
- February 13 — Club Orders Available for Pickup
- February 16 — Non-pickup orders Shipped out
