A warm welcome amid challenging times
Our hearts go out to all of you who have been affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California over the past few weeks. We know that this has been a difficult time, and that many of your friends, families, and neighbors are suffering unimaginable losses. We stand with you in grief and concern, and wish you all the strength and support you need to get through this.
As we indicated in an email to you last week, should you be seeking refuge or a moment’s reprieve, we are offering the Villa to our members at a significantly discounted rate for the next few weeks.
While it is hard to look ahead in the midst of such heartbreak, we do have some hopeful news to share about our upcoming wine releases and our annual Eros Release Celebration, our most anticipated event of the year! We hope these plans can provide a small measure of light during this challenging time, and when you are ready, we will be here to welcome you with open arms.
Eros Release Celebration
As longtime members know, the February shipment is the most anticipated release of the year because it includes Eros, our coveted, flagship Bordeaux style blend named for the Greek god of love! And our Eros Release Celebration weekend is scheduled to coincide with Valentine’s Day every year.
Don’t miss the biggest event of the year: Join us from February 14th to 17th for a celebration of Love and Wine. The weekend’s activities include:
- Release of the new 2022 Eros
- Wine & Chocolate Pairings
- Valentine’s Day Dance/Pickup Party
- “Blend in Love”- Make Your Own Wine
- Live Music & Food Trucks
- Peppermint Pig Boutique
- 4 More New Wine Releases
- Club Member Order Pickup
Your Winter 2025 Shipment
All Reserve Club members will receive the newly released 2022 Eros, our signature Bordeaux style blend, the new 2022 Grenache, and the 2021 Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles. Members that have chosen the Mixed option will also receive the new 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, which was harvested just four months ago.
Thank you again for your continued support. Read below for more details on all the wines in your upcoming release. Cheers!
Sauvignon Blanc
Retail: $30.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Sauvignon Blanc Nolan Ranch Vineyard, Alisos Canyon |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.50 Acidity: 6.5 g/L Alcohol: 13.8% 3 months in stainless steel |
| Case Production | 370 |
| Tasting Notes | Captivating aromas of lemongrass, chamomile, jasmine, and pineapple mesh with fresh notes of minerality. Light bodied on the palate with nectarine, white raspberries, grapefruit, and tart plum character and a finish that balances afuit and acidity. |
| Winemaking Notes | Our 2024 Sauvignon Blanc grapes were sourced from Nolan Ranch Vineyard and harvested on September 10th, 2024. Our wine production team whole cluster pressed the juice into a stainless-steel tank and then inoculated the juice to ferment for 16 days. Our winemaker's yeasts of choice were BA11 & MSB, which enhances sensory notes of floral, lemongrass, tropical, stone fruit, pear, apricot, citrus, green apple, grapefruit, and pineapple aromas. BA11 yeast promotes tropical floral aromas and enhances the viscosity of the wine. In contrast, MSB yeast offers a bouquet of floral, grapefruit, lemongrass, fresh pineapple, and minerality. |
| Food Pairing | Three Cheese Baked Farro w/ Winter Veggies and Ground Turkey. |
| Cellaring | The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, SBC can be enjoyed now and for the next 12-18 months. It is not a candidate for long term aging. |
Eros
Retail: $80.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 77% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.56 Acidity: 5.3 g/L Alcohol: 14% 26 months in 70% neutral/30% new French oak |
| Case Production | 752 |
| Tasting Notes | Bold aromas of dark berries, black tea, black pepper and espresso, dusted with hints of lavender and plum. Smooth tannins on the palate with blackberry, huckleberry, and black licorice character and rich chocolate undertones leading to a warm, lingering finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | The three grape varietals for our 2022 Eros were hand-harvested from the Sunstone Estate Vineyard throughout October 2022. Our team crushed the fruit, fermented & pressed each lot individually, and blended it later in the aging process. The wine was fermented using various yeasts, including D80 and BM45, along with nutrients to balance the layers and complexity. Secondary bacteria was then added before completing primary fermentation, allowing for a round mouthfeel and softer tannins. The 2022 Eros was blended in February 2024, then racked to 70% neutral, 30% new French oak barrels to age until being bottled to 752 cases in December 2024. |
| Food Pairing | Beef Wellington w/rich black truffle reduction sauce, including roasted garlic, cilantro, crème fraiche on mashed potatoes, and broccolini. |
| Cellaring | The 2022 Eros can be enjoyed for the next 8-15 years if stored in proper conditions. |
Grenache
Retail: $45.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Grenache Rancho Del Prado Vineyard & Lieff Ranch Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.65 Acidity: 6.1 g/L Alcohol: 14.3% 23 months in 10% new American oak, 15% new French oak, and 75% neutral oak |
| Case Production | 669 |
| Tasting Notes | Beautiful floral aromas of iris and hibiscus blend harmoniously with notes of brown sugar, raspberry leather, and cherry blossom. Soft, dry tannins on the palate broadcast its floral, plum, raspberry and vanilla bean characteristics before culminating in a warm, lingering finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | The grapes for our 2022 Grenache were harvested on October 4th and 12th, 2022 from two different vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. Each Vineyard block and clone were crushed and fermented separately. Our production team crushed, cold-soaked, and then fermented the Grenache for 12-15 days before pressing the wine from the grape must into another tank to settle the lees or sediment, before racking it into oak barrels for the extended aging process. Our winemaker's yeasts of choice were GRE-IVC and BM45. These yeast styles enhance sensory and tannin notes and accentuate the characteristics of Bing cherry, raspberry, floral, stone fruit, vanilla spice, and smooth, elegant texture. The 2022 Grenache was sent through malolactic fermentation to reduce the sharp acidity of the malic acid. This wine was aged in 10% new American Oak barrels, 15% new French Oak barrels, and 75% Neutral oak barrels for 23 months before bottling on July 2nd, 2024. |
| Food Pairing | Pressed Pork Belly with Port Cherries |
| Cellaring | The 2022 Grenache can be enjoyed now and for the next 4-6 years if stored in proper conditions. |
Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles
Retail: $45.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Cabernet Franc Pear Valley Vineyard & Defiance Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 4.2 Acidity: 5.5 g/L Alcohol: 13.5% 19 months in 15% New French Oak |
| Case Production | 588 |
| Tasting Notes | This wine captivates you with its rich aromas of fresh plum, earthy figs and dark berries, inviting you to discover its complex flavors. On the palate, this wine shows a refined structure and elegance, with a smooth acidity, complemented by hints of cocoa nibs, espresso and tobacco. This wine has a distinctive old world smoky, and earthy style character. |
| Winemaking Notes | The 2021 Cabernet Franc from Sunstone Winery is a pure expression of the Pear Valley Vineyard, in the Paso Robles AVA. The grapes were picked by hand in September 2021 and underwent a meticulous winemaking process that included crushing, cold soaking, fermentation, and pressing. The final blend was crafted in June 2022 by adding 8% of Cabernet Franc from the Defiance Vineyard, another exceptional source in the region. |
| 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. |
