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Just nine barrels were produced of this expressive and captivating Pinot Noir, sourced from Rancho La Viña Vineyard. Native yeast fermentation with 100% whole clusters and extended barrel aging lend the wine remarkable complexity and aromatic lift. Black cherry fruit leaps from the glass, laced with incense, smoked paprika, and exotic spice. Finely layered apple-skin tannins provide excellent grip and texture across the mid-palate, while the dark cherry and spice notes carry through an everlasting, savory finish.

Oh my goodness—just wait until you stick your nose in the glass. As the name suggests, this Chardonnay will romance you (and fool you) into thinking it hails from Burgundy. It doesn’t—it’s pure Sta. Rita Hills—but it delivers all the elegance and tension you’d expect from France. The nose is a stunner: lemon oil, lemon zest, white peach, wet river stone, and that unmistakable crushed oyster shell sea spray character from the region’s diatomaceous-rich soils. And that’s just the beginning. On the palate, it’s broad yet focused, with saline-scented acidity underscoring layers of lemon and tangerine oil. Pressed wildflowers and mineral energy carry the finish, which seems to go on forever.
Like a glassful of crunchy, juicy kumquats dusted with crushed almonds and a hint of wildflower honey, this white wine is framed by soaring lime-bright acidity that electrifies the palate. The finish is all candied citrus peel and crushed rock minerality—zesty, bracing, and undeniably vibrant. If you don’t serve it with oysters, you’re missing a golden opportunity.
Sourced from the own-rooted Syrah blocks surrounding the estate house—named Villa Angeli, after relatives on Pete Stolpman’s mother’s side—this wine is fermented with two-thirds whole cluster in concrete and aged for 15 months in neutral 500-liter puncheons. The aromatics are initially subtle, needing a bit of swirling to unlock layers of brambly blackberry and red cherry fruit, along with high-toned violets and rose petals. On the palate, the wine delivers super powerful, robust tannins with a muscularity that builds and builds—soaring skyward before resolving into juicy blue fruit and intense graphite on the finish. A brooding, structured Syrah with incredible lift and presence.

Woah—this is seriously delicious. Super savory, with notes of black olive, dried thyme, and orange peel, accented by hints of woodsmoke and incense. The tannins are soaring, building across the palate into a lengthy, meaty finish—like the flesh of a perfectly cured green olive. White pepper, wet slate, and pressed flowers linger on the finish, adding nuance and complexity.

There’s a great story about the planting of this Sangiovese—and it involves Pete Stolpman’s dad, Tom Stolpman, suing the Vatican. Ask Pete about it, or if you see Tom around Santa Ynez or Los Olivos, ask him yourself. The vines were planted in 1994 after the case was settled. Aged for 19 months in neutral 500-liter French oak puncheons, the wine is super bright and fruit-forward now, though it will eventually develop more of that leather and tobacco character with age. For the moment, it’s all about vibrant red fruit and zesty lift, framed by grippy, youthful tannins that could use a bit of time to mellow. A total crowd-pleaser.

About 50% whole cluster, this Syrah is native fermented in concrete and aged for 11 months in neutral 500-liter puncheons. It’s sourced entirely from the winery’s own-rooted Syrah blocks. This is one of the finest California Syrahs under $40 you’re likely to encounter. It brims with coiled energy and delivers super expressive red and blackberry fruit, with blue fruit nuances woven into a tapestry of brown baking spices, clove, incense, violets, and crushed stone. Medium-bodied with powerful, expressive tannins that resolve into a powdery texture, the wine finishes with fragrant wild herbs. Gorgeous and layered from start to finish.

These are the Clape Reynard plantings from 1903. In 2013, 50 cuttings were brought over—49 were planted individually, while the 50th became the mother vine, planted at the highest elevation in the northeast corner of a 10-acre block with a planting density of 6,000 vines per acre. This wine includes fruit from within the interior of that mother vine. The first vintage was 2017, with 2018 marking the first commercial release. It was native fermented in stainless steel with two-thirds whole clusters, then pressed to barrel—mostly free-run juice—aged for 18 months in neutral 500-liter puncheons. This is a bold, powerful wine, yet it carries an elegant intensity. The complexity begins in the perfume: rose petals, violets, and white pepper rise from the glass, building into a full-bodied palate framed by mineral-laced, meaty tannins with a fine granularity. Blue fruits and blood orange acidity carry through the core, while more floral perfume unfurls on the long, layered finish.

Named after Pete Stolpman’s wife, Jessica, this wine is sourced from Les Grandes Places Serine, with the inaugural vintage in 2022. It was native fermented in stainless steel with two-thirds whole cluster, and aged for 18 months in two neutral 500-liter puncheons—mostly from free-run juice. This is an intensely concentrated wine, bursting with pure dark berry fruit and layered spice. The tannins are powerful and robust yet beautifully integrated, with a velvety quality. High-toned violets, mulberry, and mouth-gripping acidity give the wine remarkable freshness and drive. Exceptionally expressive and focused, with excellent depth of fruit and a precise, laser-like finish.

The Great Places Ruben Solorzano Syrah comes from a one-acre block planted to Sérine cuttings from Rostain’s Côte Blonde, propagated in 2006. Fermentation is done with native yeasts in stainless steel, using two-thirds whole cluster. The wine is focused on free-run juice and aged for 18 months in neutral 500-liter puncheons. I tasted this with Ruben Solorzano and asked him what he thinks of the wine. He smiled and said he loves the name—and the mid-palate. And it’s true: the mid-palate is wonderfully expressive, bursting with juicy, plump fruit, layered spice, and gorgeously powdery tannins that carry a cocoa powder texture. Rich blue fruit and violets are backed by volcanic crushed rock minerality. The finish goes on and on. It’s a wine with great density, yet it floats—light on its feet.

A crushable charmer with undeniable poise: this cool‑climate Grenache greets you in the glass with a light‑to‑medium ruby hue that glows with transparency. It unfolds with crunchy, candied red‑berry fruit—think fresh strawberry and cherry blossom—lifted by vibrant tangerine and grapefruit brightness. Cocoa powder quietly blooms beneath the fruit, lending a deep, slightly bitter richness that adds intriguing complexity.

Hair of the Bear—an old trapper term—was the perfect name for this wine, says Pete Stolpman, because Petite Sirah is the ultimate California grape, and this is its ultimate California expression. And it truly is. Super approachable, it bursts with rich, lavish dark berry fruit that moves from black to blue, accented by rose petals, violet, and a hint of rose stem. Bright blood orange acidity adds lift, while powerful, chunky tannins bring grip and structure. It’s a wine of unapologetic power and grit, yet it’s fruit-forward, expressive, and overflowing with juicy dark fruit.

The La Cuadrilla gives back to the vineyard workers. This is a collection of so many lots, free run, gentle press, and serves as a stamp of each vintage, says Pete Stolpman,. Femrernedin concerte with 20-30% whoel cluster, and aged in neutral 500-liter pucnhoens and bottled after 10 month. As such it is an expressive, red cherry and blackberry fuited win with loads of juicy fruit character, cola spices, and ripe sinewy tannisn that are broad shouldreed and resolve with whtie pepper and black truffle nuances. It’s one of the most rfeind expression of this bottling I have tasted in years. It’s on a great track.

So Fresh is a skin-contact blend of 40% Pinot Gris, 34% Tocai Friulano, 18% Gewürztraminer, and 8% Orange Muscat. It’s super tropical, bursting with exotic fruit, yet balanced by intriguing notes of black licorice and dried wild herbs that lend a savory intensity. Expressive, layered, and far from ordinary.
This 100% Sangiovese undergoes a 9-day carbonic fermentation, resulting in a wine that bursts with rich mulberry fruit and zesty, zippy, zingy, tangy acidity. It’s incredibly juicy, easygoing, and downright delightful. You’ll love how vibrant and fresh this wine is—pure joy in a glass.

A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Roussanne, this is crafted as a full-bodied white. The richness of the Roussanne provides depth and texture, while the Chardonnay—picked early—adds layers of sea spray minerality and lemon-bright acid tension. Talk about a perfect sushi wine—vibrant, structured, and mouthwatering.
Fermentation started with as many lees as possible. Matt Dees explains that they prefer to kick things off with native yeast—but if it doesn’t take, they’re not dogmatic and will inoculate. They don’t add any sulfur until June at the earliest. Around that time, they roll the barrels to mix the lees thoroughly, then rack the wine back to tank for roughly eight months before bottling. This approach allows them to limit sulfur additions later in the aging process. The wine opens with early-season orchard fruit—nectarines, apricots, white peach, pear, and yellow apple and white flowers. It has a medium-bodied, silky richness on the mid-palate and a persistent finish marked by spicy ginger, fresh sage, and a gorgeous pink Himalayan sea salt minerality. It lingers and lingers on the palate, like the perfect Maldon crystal.
This is 75% Calera clone, though the 2024 blend will be 100%. Here, the Calera shines through with dark black cherry and rose petal—super pure, ripe, and crunchy, like a perfectly ripe farmers market cherry. Layers of brown baking spice add personality and warmth. The 2023 is one of the most approachable wines I’ve tasted from Matt Dees and his team in years—they’re truly nailing both the farming and the cellar protocols. It’s medium-bodied with impressive density and chunky tannins, and purity of fruit, bursting with complex notes of blood orange and grapefruit zest. There’s incredible fruit width and concentration, yet it remains light on its feet.

A blend of Radian and Bentrock fruit. We select the most extreme expressions from both vineyards—those with the most intensity and edge—which ultimately make their way into the Estate bottling. The result is a wine of harmony and precision, with a mix of white flowers, citrus, and orchard fruit. There’s a real purity to the fruit character, with finely delineated notes of apple, pear, nectarine, and white peach. An incredible thread of saline-acid tension runs through it all, accenting a perfectly spicy element that lifts the richness of the fruit. The wine shows marvelous mid-palate density yet finishes with an ephemeral lightness of being—melting away with grace.
This is one of the most approachable Estate Pinot Noirs from The Hilt I’ve ever tasted—but make no mistake, it’s layered with incredible structure, electric acid tension, and a saline minerality that will carry it gracefully in the cellar for decades. The purity of red and blackberry fruit is striking—so vivid and clean, with the viscosity of beautifully mineral-rich spring water. Exotic spice notes shine throughout, with gorgeous Indian and Chinese five-spice aromas, while a hint of tangerine oil brings freshness and silkiness. Mouthwatering and wildly expressive, this wine is as seductive as it is age-worthy.

This is a north-facing site—and you simply won’t believe the aromas. This Syrah is truly special, with notes of tar and roses, high-toned candied violet pastilles, and a wild, sauvage edge. On the palate, it’s an anomaly in the best sense: intensely floral with layers of rose petals and stems, violets, and a core of blueberry and blood orange. The tannins are beautifully chalky, long, and multidimensional—mouthcoating yet refined. They resolve into an extraordinary purity of crunchy black raspberry fruit and spice. It’s stunningly complex and hauntingly expressive.

This is a lean, bright, focused, and vivid Chardonnay, its energy driven by an even-keeled growing season without major heat spikes. There’s a subtle tannic quality to the wine—a gentle grip from the toughness of the grape skins, constantly buffeted by ocean breezes. A gorgeous salinity runs through this lemon-lime-bright white, with lifted floral notes and expressive black sage aromatics, accented by subtle hints of elderflower.
Fragrant notes of sage, black pepper, nori, and rose petals rise from the glass, leading into a wine of superb density and remarkable fruit clarity. On the palate, it’s perfectly balanced, with the finest tannins—like moon dust laced with cocoa powder—framing a gorgeously textured red wine that sends you off daydreaming. Its ethereal presence and ephemeral textures captivate and draw you in, with bursts of grapefruit zest and blood orange acidity, all sprinkled with pink Himalayan sea salt. The finish goes on for days. I could go on about this wine—it’s perfect. It will resonate differently with each person who encounters it, but it is absolutely riveting, contemplative, and belongs in the pantheon of the world’s great wines.

This is a beautifully composed, acid-driven wine that’s as food-friendly as it is pretty. Bursting with bright, expressive, and crunchy red berry fruit, it’s seamlessly layered with integrated baking spices and lifted by vibrant energy. Sourced from a steep 5-acre hillside vineyard planted in 2014 by Amy Christine MW and Peter Hunken, the wine delivers electricity and elegance in equal measure. A perfect companion for a leisurely meal with friends—or a nostalgic binge of classic SNL episodes.

Talk about an aromatic and spicy wine—no surprise given the name Cluster. This Grenache is fermented with whole clusters and undergoes carbonic maceration, a process where the juice ferments inside the intact berries. The result? A vividly expressive wine bursting with bright, juicy fruit. It’s succulent and energetic, with textured, grippy tannins that resolve beautifully into juicy acidity. Layers of purple violets and the fresh-cut stem of a rose weave through the mid-palate, while the super long and expressive finish is lifted by granular tannins and a flourish of rose petal.

A graceful, richly scented rosé offering raspberry, strawberry, and watermelon fruit notes, with a subtle whisper of mango on the creamy, medium-bodied palate. All that succulent fruit seems to have taken the scenic route to your glass—ripe, relaxed, and perfectly poised—until a crisp wave of acidity sweeps through, lifting the finish with a flourish of dried lavender and violet petals.
From Portico Hills Vineyard and aged for 6 months in neutral oak, this is a bright, zingy, and zesty red that crackles with energy. Tangy blood orange acidity drives the palate, while grippy tannins add structure to the medium-bodied frame. Notes of brown baking spices and a hint of incense lend complexity to the finish. Serve this slightly chilled alongside BBQ or pizza.

This wine was fermented in stainless steel using grapes sourced from the West Side Vineyard, where naturally low pH levels contribute to soaring, ripping acidity. It’s cold-pressed, cold-fermented, and cold-aged—every step designed to preserve freshness and minerality. There’s no oak influence and no lees stirring. Once fermentation finishes—after about three weeks—the wine is racked to stainless steel for an additional four months before bottling. The result is a bracing, delicious wine with lemon-lime brightness, white flowers, jasmine, and honeysuckle. The acidity is like a beam of light—laser-focused, bright, and crunchy—building toward a long, saline-mineral finish that’s practically perfectly made for seafood.
Just before harvest, the Grenache vines are lightened of their load and those grapes are used to make this rosé The grapes are foot-stomped with 48 hours of skin contact before being pressed to neutral barrels for fermentation. The wine is then aged for six months prior to bottling. Only about 300 cases are produced each year. This vintage is exceptionally fresh and focused, with bright, crunchy red berry fruit, layers of grapefruit zest, cherry, and cherry pit, and a hint of tangerine peel. A lovely saline-acid mineral tension carries through the long, drawn-out finish. Utterly refreshing, bright, and beautifully balanced.
The Tiradora white from Refugio Ranch is a dynamic, complex, and deeply layered wine with excellent fruit concentration. Aromas of apricot and charred pineapple lead the charge, nuanced by wildflower blossoms and grapefruit zest. The palate is bracketed by bracing lemon-lime acidity and framed with a taut saline-mineral tension that adds structure and drive. Subtle oak aging lends fragrant baking spice notes that weave seamlessly into the wine’s vibrant profile. A pleasure-packed white.
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Just four barrels were produced of this Donnachadh Vineyard Syrah from Alban and Estrella clones, aged 10 months in French oak. The nose is deeply enticing—rich with spicy charcuterie, violets, and black cherry fruit. On the medium-bodied palate, firm, mineral-laced tannins and zesty saline acidity deliver mouthwatering tension. Layers of blackberry coulis, cherry pit, vanilla, and ironstone minerality unfurl across a long, tightly coiled finish. Still youthful and structured, this wine promises a decade or more of compelling evolution.

From the Presqu’ile Vineyard comes this elegant, light- to medium-bodied Pinot Noir with supple, velvet-textured tannins and graceful, lifted acidity. Layers of strawberry-rhubarb interlace with bright baking spice notes, while a subtle pink Himalayan sea salt nuance adds intrigue on the medium-length finish.

The Runaway Vineyard Pinot Noir is a supple, juicy expression of the grape, offering generous dark berry fruit layered with fine cedarwood spice, a hint of agave nectar, and espresso bean. Gentle tannins and medium-bright acidity frame the wine, making for an easy-going, approachable, and thoroughly satisfying sip.

The winery is part of the historic Mexican land grant once owned by the James Flood family of San Francisco, located along the Sisquoc River in northern Santa Barbara County, east of Santa Maria. This Syrah is fresh and expressive, with bold notes of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and dark chocolate, lifted by floral accents of violets and a touch of white pepper. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers juicy, farmer’s market-style fruit with subtle baking spice nuances. Superfine tannins lend structure and poise, framing a long, balanced finish.

The winery sits on an original Mexican land grant once owned by the James Flood family of San Francisco, located along the Sisquoc River in northern Santa Barbara County, east of Santa Maria. This Pinot Noir is lush, layered, and expressive, offering ripe raspberry and cherry fruit bracketed by firm, mineral-scented tannins. Notes of blood orange and crushed cacao nibs underscore the wine’s saline-acid finish, which brings excellent tension and length.

This Rhône blend opens with a fragrant bouquet of violets, black currant, spiced plums, honeysuckle, and rich dark chocolate. These aromas transition seamlessly to a full-bodied palate where elongated beams of cedar-scented tannins provide structure and depth. Satiny and lush, the dark berry fruit expands across the mid-palate and lingers on the finish.

Such an easy-going and quaffable red, ideally served with a slight chill. Bright Bing cherry leads the way, accented by orange peel, grapefruit zest, and delicate rose petal nuances. A subtle espresso bean character adds depth, while juicy cherry and cherry pit notes carry through to the finish, where a gentle hint of incense lingers.

The Pommard-named Pinot Noir from Riverbench is a soft, supple, and satiny red that delivers immediate charm. Cherry and raspberry fruit take center stage, layered with sweet baking spices, a hint of vanilla, and new cedar wood nuances. Subtle notes of flamed grapefruit peel and tangy blood orange acidity add lift and energy. Featherweight tannins gently frame the juicy core, offering just enough grip to carry the wine through a long, polished finish.

A bold, dark-fruited Merlot that pulls no punches—bursting with kirsch, ground espresso, and cedarwood aromas, along with a subtle walnut husk character. The palate is dense and brooding, with ripe currant fruit wrapped in muscular tannins that carry through to a firm, structured finish. This is a hefty, full-throttle expression of Merlot—decidedly not for the faint of heart.

A very pretty and elegant red-fruited Pinot Noir, this wine opens with fragrant aromas of baking spices, espresso bean, clove, and a delicate touch of coriander. Juicy blood orange acidity brings lift and vibrancy, framing a lengthy, nuanced finish marked by pink sea salt and gentle, well-integrated tannins.

L’Avion is the tête de cuvée of the estate’s white wine program, fermented and aged for 19 months in all new 500-liter puncheons. From its beautiful orange-hued golden color emerges a deeply expressive wine, with aromas of honeycomb, wildflowers, and chamomile. The silky palate is laser-focused, driven by vibrant saline acidity that carries through a long, lingering finish. Elegant, precise, and quietly powerful.
From the organically farmed Two Wolves Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers expressive aromas of cassis, tobacco, and cedarwood. On the medium-bodied palate, savory notes of black olive and liquorice emerge, framed by crisp, finely structured tannins. Juicy blackberry and cherry fruit underscore the finish, adding lift and freshness.

This Chardonnay opens with bold aromas of Meyer lemon and sweet, toasty oak that mellow beautifully on the palate. Layers of lemon oil, apricot, ripe yellow apple, and pear create a rich fruit salad character, all framed by zesty acid tension. The finish evokes the indulgent pleasure of a decaadent, powdered sugar-dusted lemon bar.
This is a silky, easy-drinking Pinot Noir brimming with bright red fruit and lifted spice. Velvety in texture, it glides across the palate with notes of espresso bean, clove, and a subtle hint of coriander cream lingering through the finish.

Bold notes of yellow apple, quince, and apricot lead the charge in this expressive white, lifted by white flowers and honeysuckle aromatics. Medium-bodied, with crunchy apple-driven acidity and a core of crushed salty Marcona almonds, the palate delivers impressive length. Subtle layers of fresh ginger, lemon peel, and chalky minerality emerge on the finish, framed by just a whisper of toasty oak.
Totally captivating from the first sniff to the last sip, this Chardonnay opens with a burst of bright oyster shell minerality, layered with lemon zest and yellow apple that evolve into quince and ginger on the palate. Apple skin tannins lend texture and tension to this electric, acid-driven wine. Rich tangerine oil is beautifully balanced by Sta. Rita Hills’ signature lemon-lime brightness and sea spray salinity. A masterful wine—bracing yet rich, structured yet giving. Subtle hints of honeydew and honeycomb emerge on an almost everlasting finish. This should continue to develop wonderfully over the next decade, making it one to savor now or cellar with confidence.

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