WARM WEATHER & FINE WINES AHEAD
Spring has arrived at Sunstone! The weather is warmer, and the vineyards are coming back to life with new growth, turning the estate into a refreshing green oasis perfect for a weekend escape. Take a relaxing walk through the vines, enjoy tastings in our members’ lounge, and experience the peaceful charm that makes Santa Ynez Valley so special.
With longer days and sunny skies ahead, we’ve put together an event calendar with something for everyone. In addition to Sundays at Sunstone– live music and mimosas every Sunday through the end of Summer- we’ve got an exciting lineup of events planned at the Estate to make your Spring visits even more enjoyable.
- May 9th to 11th– Spring Club Release Weekend, including Member Pickup Party and Mother’s Day Paint & Sip
- May 23rd to 26th– Memorial Day Weekend, including Friday Movie Night
- June 7th– “K9s in the Vines” Dog Adoption Day
- June 15th– Father’s Day BBQ & Live Music
- June 28th & 29th– Summer Market & 2024 Grenache Rosé Release
Whether you’re looking forward to sampling new wine releases, attending special events, or just enjoying the natural beauty of our estate, there’s plenty of reasons to spend some time with us this season.
Your Spring Club Release
On to the details of your next wine shipment!
All Signature Club members will receive the 90-point-rated 2021 Fred’s Red and the popular 2021 Soleil Rouge. Members that have chosen the Mixed option will also receive the new 2024 Viognier, SBC, while Reds Only members will receive the newly released 2022 Syrah, SYV.
Thank you again for your continued support. Read below for more details on all the wines in your upcoming release. Cheers!
2024
Viognier, SBC
Retail: $35.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Viognier Los Alamos, Valley View, La Presa Vineyards |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.83 Acidity: 4.7 g/L Alcohol: 15.4% 5 months in 60% neutral French oak & 40% New American oak |
| Case Production | 483 |
| Tasting Notes | Vibrant aromas of apple pear, apricot, and grapefruit are complemented by tropical guava notes, subtle peach, and gentle hints of vanilla and cedar. Well belanced with luscious flavors of dried apricot and nectarine mingle with tropical pineapple and guava and refreshing citrus notes and a crisp finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | Sunstone's 2024 Viognier grapes were hand-harvested from three vineyards in Santa Ynez and Los Alamos, in Santa Barbara County. The grapes were whole cluster pressed separately as each vineyard was harvested, and then fermented for 10-12 days before racking to 60% three-year-old French oak barrels and 40% new American oak barrels. Our winemaker's yeasts of choice were CY3079, BA11 yeast, which enhances sensory notes of tropical fruit, caramel, pineapple, guava, apricot, grapefruit, and floral characters of the Viognier varietal for a more aromatic balance. |
| Food Pairing | Herb-roasted chicken, grilled sea bass with tropical fruit salsa, creamy lobster risotto, Thai green curry with coconut milk, or soft ripened cheeses. |
| Cellaring | The 2024 Viognier, Santa Barbara County can be enjoyed now and for the next 18 months, best consumed while fresh and vibrant. It is not a candidate for long term aging. |
2021
Fred's Red
Retail: $70.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 72% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot Sunstone Estate Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.71 Acidity: 5.3 g/L Alcohol: 13.5% 18 months in 25% New French Oak |
| Case Production | 427 |
| Tasting Notes | This velvety smooth blend combines two of the region's finest varietals, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, creating a complex flavor profile that boasts intense aromas of dark berries, pepper and coffee beans. The palate reveals layers of blackberry, fresh fig, dark chocolate, and tobacco, with subtle hints of dried herbs and spice that unfold gracefully. |
| Winemaking Notes | The grape varietals for Sunstone's 2021 Fred's Red blend were hand harvested from Sunstone's Estate vineyard. All five blocks of fruit were made grape to wine in separate lots. During harvest October 2021, our team crushed, cold soaked, fermented, and pressed each of the two varietals by block separately as they were harvested. 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 in June 2022. |
| Food Pairing | Blackberry-Ancho Balsamic Glazed Lamb Chops with organic arugula and Brulée fresh fig. Also pairs beautifully with grilled ribeye, wild mushroom risotto, or aged hard cheeses. |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Fred's Red can be enjoyed now and for the next 8-15 years if stored in optimal conditions. |
2021
Soleil Rouge
Retail: $45.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 63% Sangiovese, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc Rancho Del Prado Vineyard & Los Alamos, Valley View, Camp 4, Coquelicot Vineyard |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.46 Acidity: 6.2 g/L Alcohol: 13.3% 18 months in 28% New French oak, 2% New American oak, and 70% neutral oak |
| Case Production | 980 |
| Tasting Notes | On the nose, you'll find delicious notes of blackberry, figs and blackcurrant. The palate is velvety smooth and approachable, with flavors of cherry, sage, pepper and cloves, as well as hints of tobacco leaves and espresso, leading into a warm, long finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | The grape varietals for Sunstone’s 2021 Soleil Rouge were hand harvested from three vineyards, and two style terroirs in Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez Valley). Between October 29th, 2021, to November 2nd 2021, our team crushed, cold soaked, fermented, and pressed each of the three varietals separately as they were harvested. Each lot of wine was aged for seven months before our trial blending to finalize the complexity of these characters, textures, and aromas prior to the actual blending. |
| Food Pairing | Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi with Tomato-Butter Sauce |
| Cellaring | The 2021 Soleil Rouge can be enjoyed now and for up to an additional 3-4 years if stored in proper conditions |
2022
Syrah, SYV
Retail: $45.00
| Grape Blend and Source | 100% Syrah Coquelicot, Lieff, and Valley View vineyards |
|---|---|
| Technical Specs | PH: 3.65 Acidity: 5.8 g/L Alcohol: 14.8% 25% New French Oak, 30% New American oak, 45% neutral oak for 29 months |
| Case Production | 410 |
| Tasting Notes | Enticing aromas of boysenberry, cherry, and hibiscus are complemented by floral notes, cloves, raspberries, espresso, cocoa, and ripe plum. Rich flavors of blackberry and wild blueberry integrate seamlessly with espresso, cherry, plum, cloves, and cocoa nibs, leading to a warm finish. |
| Winemaking Notes | The grapes for Sunstone's 2022 Syrah SYV were hand-harvested from three vineyards in Santa Barbara County from one AVA. In the first few weeks of October 2022, our team crushed the fruit as they arrived on different harvest dates, and each allotment of fruit was cold soaked for two days before fermenting them individually. Our winemaker's yeast of choice was Rhone4600, which enhances sensory notes of black cherry, black licorice, black pepper, espresso, cloves, and plum. The wine was aged in 25% new French oak, 30% new American oak and 45% neutral oak for 29 months before bottling in March 2025. |
| Food Pairing | Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, pepper-crusted beef tenderloin, wild mushroom risotto, barbecued ribs with espresso rub, or aged hard cheeses. |
| Cellaring | The 2022 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley can be enjoyed now and will continue to develop complexity over the next 4-7 years if stored in proper conditions. |
Important Dates
Last Day for Credit Card & Address Changes, and Bottle Swaps
April 28
Credit Cards are Charged
April 29
Club Orders Available for Pickup
May 9
Non-pickup orders Shipped out
May 12