2005 Zinfandel Reserve, Santa Ynez Valley $ 30.00

This Reserve Zinfandel comes from a small block of vines near the historic Santa Ynez Mission and the river of the same name. The cool, often foggy mornings, bright, sunny afternoons and alluvial soils produced a wine in the classic, California style typified by Sonoma County Zinfandel at its finest. Very dark with zesty acidity and bright brambleberry fruit this wine is vivacious, cutting edge and thoroughly delicious.

2006 Zinfandel LIMITED, Santa Ynez Valley $ 32.00

In 2006 for the second year I purchased Zinfandel from a single vineyard on the Santa Ynez River bench just east of the Danish village of Solvang.  It turned out to be the final vintage from this promising source as a new owner ordered the vines pulled out in the winter of 2007.  Two clones comprise this lovely, claret-style Zinfandel; a heritage clone from Sonoma County and a Primitivo clone of Italian origin.  This is an "old school" Sonoma style with bright acidity and pure, brambleberry fruit reminiscent of the wines I enjoyed as a young man.  It was aged in neutral oak for over two years and finished in new medium + toast American oak.

2007 Zinfandel Santa Ynez Valley $ 32.00

One of my winemaking passions is old vines.  Head trained and spur pruned. Gnarly and grizzled.  Another one is Zinfandel.  Put the two together with one of the great, mother lode Sonoma appellations and you've got this wine.  A lovely dark, brooding red color announces an aroma of jammy raspberry-brambleberry fruit with spicy notes and a hint of lanolin.  The flavors are ripe and juicy and altogether classic "Zin".  Fruit tannins are soft giving structure to a long, chalky finish.  Great with grilled red meats and Italian-Mediterranean foods.  Enjoy over the next ten years.  DRG 06/09

2005 Tempranillo "Incensio", Paso Robles $ 35.00

Tempranillo is not yet widely planted in California, even thought the Golden State's climate closely resembles that of Tempanillo's homeland; the Iberian Peninsula. Only two tons of these grapes were harvested for us in October from the first crop of a grafted vineyard. This is a very fragrant wine with plum, spice and damp earth notes. The wine is soft on the palate with blackberry and black raspberry flavors. Enjoy it over the next two-three years.

2005 Methuselah, Santa Barbara County $36.00

These three varieties are historically blending partners, the proportions of each depending upon numerous factors including regional tradition, actual plantings at the Chateau, and the blending preferences of the winemaker. For 2005 I have chosen to emphasize Cabernet Franc which is big, bold, spicy and rich with notes of blueberry and plum. The Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and length on the palate with black currant and blackberry flavors with a bit of Merlot adding smoothness and ripe sweetness on the palate making this Methuselah a classical, yet thoroughly Californian red wine. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years with beef, lamb and other hearty fare. DRG 12/07

2005 Sangiovese, Santa Barbara County $28.00

Sangiovese thrives in the moderately warm climate of the Santa Inez Valley where these grapes were grown. Cool nights, foggy mornings and warm to hot afternoons allow the vines to ripen their grapes slowly to perfection preserving balanced natural acidity and sugar at harvest. After fermentation the wine was aged in older French and American oak barrels for just over two years. This wine is bursting with wild strawberry and red cherry fruit flavors following similar aromas with alluring hints of tea leaf and spice. It is a wonderful companion with Italian and Mediterranean foods and may be enjoyed over the next 2-5 years. DRG 12/07

2006 Sangiovese, Santa Barbara County $28.00

After making Sangiovese, the great grapes of Tuscany, for the first time in 1997 I have gradually become hooked on the wines form this ancient grape whose name loosely translated to "blood of Jove", the Roman god. 2006 was a fine vintage year yielding red wines of authority, concentration and the promise of a long life.  So much so in fact, that 2 1/2 years of barrel aging in French and American oak were needed to tame this wine's youthful tannins.  Look for hints of wild strawberries, raspberries, dried grasses, sweet moist earth and spicy oak.  Outstanding with Italian foods, naturally. 254 cases produced.  DRG 04/09

2006 Pinot Noir, LIMITED, Santa Barbara County $ 36.00

This limited edition Pinot Noir was grown in the Santa Maria Valley appellation of Santa Barbara County. From a well established vineyard, this wine offers up ripe, black cherry and kirsch aromas with sweet earthy spiciness. The flavors are very smooth and well intergrated with blackberry overtones and spicy, black cherry nuances. It will be at it's best anytime over the next 3-4 years. Our LIMITED series represents our finest efforts, bringing you wines of the highest quality and distinction.

2007 Pinot Noir, LIMITED. Santa Maria Valley $ 35.00

This Pinot Noir was grown in the Santa Maria Valley appellation of Santa Barbara County which has been the foremost source of quality Pinot Noir in this region for over three decades.  It is from an own-rooted vineyard planted in the 1970's on gravelly soils near the Santa Maria River.  Patient aging on the yeast lees in French oak barrels for eight months has revealed ripe, black cherry and kirsch aromas with a smooth, sweet, earthy spiciness.  It will be at its best over the next 3-4 years.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast $ 20.00

Our 2006 Cabernet is the product of two cool climate vineyards, each noted for a Bordeaux-style wine that is sleek, well colored, well balanced and great at the table with good food. This vintage produced sturdy, age-worthy red wines deserving of the patient cellaring which this wine has received; over two years old at time of bottling. Barrel aging added a touch of nutmeg and allspice to the primary fruit aromas of cassis and blackberries. Deeply flavored with good acidity, smooth tannins and a bright finish this is a fine example of what the Central Coast can produce.

2007 Merlot, Central Coast $ 20.00
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Merlot, in the serious yet easy drinking style that has become my trademark, is enjoying something of a revival in the eyes and wine glasses of many. This is a dark, vivacious, well scented blend in which Cabernet Franc also playes an important role providing a violet-like dash of blueberry and perfume. The whole is well supported by spicy, toasted French oak, medium -full body and the varietal’s patented smooth palate and long finish. Enjoy over the next five years with roasted meats and bistro-style foods.

2005 Syrah, San Luis Obispo County $20.00

San Luis Obispo County, lying between Monterey to the north and Santa Barbara to the south, encompasses a veritable cornucopia of macro and micro climates where well chosen matches of site and varietal produce outstanding wines. This Syrah is such a wine from an excellent 2005 vintage. Deep, dark, bursting with ripe, blackstone fruit, spicy, toasty French oak and a lush, savory palate this 100% Syrah will turn skeptics and doubters into true believers. DRG 2/08.

2006 Syrah, Santa Barbara County $20.00

With 1400 acres planted Santa Barbara County is among the top six Syrah producing counties in California and with good reason: the variety thrives here. Warm days and cool nights assure a long growing season and well balanced, fully ripe grapes.  The Syrah has a complex aroma of wild blackberries, a damp forest and wild mushrooms infused with a smoky-sweet French oak.  Flavors of jammy blackberry, toast and spice are smooth and balanced with mild tannins framing the finish.  Enjoy over the next 3-4 years with grilled foods, red meats and cheeses.  DRG 06/09

2005 Delirio. Santa Barbara County $36.00

This is a blend of the Italian variety Sangiovese together with the red Bordeaux stars Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. I blended in all three of the major Bordeaux varietals because the more I blended the better it got. I finally had to stop and here it is: Wild strawberry and earthiness (Sangiovese 54%), blackberry and currant (Cabernet Sauvignon 36%), a blueberry perfume (Cabernet Franc 5%) and smooth, black cherry (Merlot 5%). DRG 1/09

2005 Vixen Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley $ 32.00

To the musically inclined, the word harmony refers to a simultaneous combination of sounds considered pleasing to the ear. In winemaking, the purpose of blending two or more vineyards is to create a combination of flavors considered pleasing to the palate. “Harmony” is a delightful blend from the Satchwell micro-vineyard and the Harmon Family vineyard, with each bringing nuances that combine to produce a truly exceptional wine. The prelude begins with aromatic notes of light smoky tobacco and violets. This wine sings with a luscious ensemble of black and red berry tones, then finishes with well integrated tannins and juicy acidity leaving you longing for an encore.
Only 46 cases produced. - Jennifer Gehrs

2007 Syrah Central Coast $ 20.00

My interpretation of Syrah leans toward the style and tradition of the Rhone with moderate alcohol, smoothness, balance and a real appetite for food. It has been aged for 30 months with a portion on heavy toast French oak which adds an enticing, smoky aroma to the dominant elements of black stone fruit and fresh, sun-warmed thyme. I highly recommend this delicious Syrah with grilled meats of all types and the bold flavors of Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy over the next five years. DRG 3/10

2007 Grenache, Santa Ynez Valley $ 29.00

Grenache has long been a mainstay of blends and single variety wines from Spain to France to Australia to California.  It has succeeded in gaining a solid foothold in our region in the past decade as well and continues to gain in popularity. This wine has an enticing aroma of wild strawberry, cherry and spice.  Flavors continue with spicy black cherries.  It is round and smooth with a jammy-juicy impression with well structured fruit tannins supporting its ripe character.  Versatility is Grenache's middle name so enjoy with many foods where a red wine is preferred.