Tom and Marilyn Stolpman founded Stolpman Vineyards in 1990 after making the decision that Marilyn’s dream of an “investment we can enjoy” could include finding the perfect piece of property that could grow world-class wine grapes.Through extensive experimentation with many varietals, the team has perfected its offerings of Syrah, Roussanne, Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc. Limited plantings of Grenache, Viognier, Petite Sirah, and Chardonnay serve as blending grapes.
Pierre Lafond opened Santa Barbara Winery in 1962. Lafond Vineyard first planted in 1971 and Lafond Winery opened in 2001. Bruce McGuire: winemaker David Lafond: General Manager.Bruce's winemaking philosophy begins in the vineyard. He believes the quality and integrity of the wine is extricably linked to what happens in the field, from pruning in winter, to the harvest in autumn.
Jim Clendenen graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with High Honors in Pre-Law in 1976. It was during his "junior year abroad" in 1974, while turning 21 in France, that he discovered life beyond tacos.In 1982, Clendenen decided, along with now ex-partner Adam Tolmach, to start his own winery in leased quarters. Au Bon Climat (which means "a well exposed vineyard") has grown over its history to over 30,000 cases through careful re-investment from its own production.
Bankers by profession, Jim and Mary are no newcomers to wine. They've owned one of America's oldest wineries, Hermannhof, since 1974. It's located in their home state of Missouri, where Jim was raised in a farming tradition.The wines at Hermannhof are good, but the Missouri climate is not conducive to growing the European varietals that have made France and California famous. This winemaking couple are constructing their dream winery on the Star Lane property. It's dug into the hillside for efficient use of energy and will host some 26,000 square feet of caves for barrel aging.
When producing world-class Pinot Noir, location is everything. For years, vintners have coveted a stretch of land in the western end of Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills AVA known to have the perfect microclimate, soils, and exposure to grow world-class Pinot Noir. In 1999, fulfilling a long-held dream of owner Bob Davids, this sought-after stretch of land became Sea Smoke Vineyard.Sea Smoke does not feature a tasting room because we have no wine available for sale at the winery. Sea Smoke wines are pre-allocated to our List Members and to our distributor partners before release each year, and are sold out upon release. This leaves no wine to offer for sale to potential visitors.
Recently the World’s most respected wine critic, Robert Parker, Jr. awarded Blackjack Ranch a Five-Star rating for the production of Bordeaux varietals, specifically Billy Goat Hill Merlot and for Harmonie. Blackjack Ranch Vineyards & Winery is one of only two wineries outside Napa/Sonoma to achieve his highest ranking. In issue #148 of The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker included the following pronouncement: “Blackjack Ranch is one of the best-run wineries in Santa Barbara.
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The tasting room is reminiscent of some of the small wineries in the Provencal French countryside, featuring a kitchen complete with a wood-burning oven and two stone barrel-aging caves built into the hillside. The gorgeous courtyards and picnic grounds provide the perfect place to experience the wines. The Villa at Sunstone now serves as an extension of the Sunstone Winery lifestyle by providing a culinary center to entertain guests for weddings, winemaker dinners and private culinary retreats.
Rusack was established in 1995 by Geoff Rusack and Alison Wrigley Rusack with a commitment to creating world-class wines. In the years since then, this dedication to quality has meant some dramatic changes at the winery. The most visible change is in the vineyard. Following the 2001 harvest, many of the original vines were pulled out and replanted. Utilizing cutting edge technology and taking advantage of Ballard Canyon’s unique terroir, varieties to be grown were carefully chosen and limited to those clones best suited to the microclimate. Syrah, Sangiovese, and Sauvignon Blanc have been planted, along with smaller lots of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot to be blended into the renowned "Anacapa."
lair Fox Cellars sources from only the most exceptional vineyards in Santa Barbara County, which can compare to the best vineyards of France and Australia. With meticulous canopy and crop management these vineyards create excellent quality grapes that can be bottled under independent vineyard designations such as: Paradise Road Vineyard; Purisima Mountain Vineyard; Thompson Vineyard; Tierra Alta Vineyard and The Fox Family vineyard.
After 40 years in the hospitality business, we understand the value of building relationships, sharing a table for special moments over food and wine, and experiencing the beauty and bounty of Santa Barbara Wine Country.
With a concentration on our estate vineyard, we have sought to produce wines that are “a window to a place.” Each one of our wines is different in expression, with its own subtle, yet distinctive character and voice. Each year renews in us an intense drive to understand, react to, and work with the vineyard to allow it to reach its full potential. This process, led by our winemaker, Steve Clifton, is crucial for the execution of successful wines.
