2006 Chardonnay - Solomon Hills Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
This is the first Chardonnay for our Vino V label. We were fortunate to get a tiny amount of fruit from the Solomon Hills Vineyard near Santa Maria. Focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir only, it is at the far west boundary of the Santa Maria Valley AVA so the fruit sees very cool growing conditions.

This unique vineyard is owned and farmed by the same folks that own Bien Nacido Vineyard. Greg Phelan manages the vineyard with the care and vision of a winemaker.

Our 2006 Chardonnay spent 17 months in aging in ½ old, neutral barrels and ½ in stainless steel barrels. I prevented the wine from going through malo-lactic fermentation. The wine has aromas of toasty bread with apple and lemon zest. Flavors of mouth watering citrus and yeast round out the complex finish that lasts forever… Finally, a Chardonnay made for food!(40 cases made)

2004 Syrah - White Hawk Vineyard, Santa Barbara County
I initially offered this wine last year and while it was great at the time, I found that it was just not ready to strut its stuff. After another 12 months of bottle age this wine is ready to make another appearance.

This wine was made entirely from the Estrella River clone of Syrah. It spent 21 months in barrel (1/3 new) and was racked twice – once at about 12 months and again at bottling. It has always shown a beautiful dark plum and violet aroma thrown in with oak spice that reminds me of some sort of exotic Indian dish. The extra bottle aging has rounded out some of the initial angles and has integrated the oak and slightly chalky tannins. This wine will age beautifully for another 5+ more years. (75 cases made)

2005 Pinot Noir - Solomon Hills Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
In 2005 I was able to source our Pinot Noir from the Solomon Hills Vineyard. It is located just southeast of Santa Maria at the western most end of the cool climate Santa Maria Valley AVA.

The wine is a little heady at first and after a short time in the glass this wine really shows its stuff. Aromas of black cherry, mint, mushroom, spice and earth evolve and are followed by a mouth full of fruits, tea and herbs along with a broad, supple mouthfeel and velvety tannins. This wine spent about 18 months in barrel (20% new). (112 cases made)

2005 Confundido – Santa Barbara County
For those of you new to this wine of ours, I take a handful of barrels, pretty much regardless of variety, from the cellar and create a blend with the intent on making a wine that just plain tastes GREAT. And I think we have done it again.

This year’s version is 80% Syrah and 20% Pinot Noir. The Syrah is the base of this wine showing its rich, fat fruits while the Pinot Noir contributes a bit of earth and brightens up the backbone of the wine, keeping it from getting too klunky. (120 cases made)