Tag Archives: Sta. Rita Hills

Tyler Winery: Growing Fast in the Sta Rita Hills

Posted on March 16, 2022 by don

Justin Tyler Willett began the Tyler Winery in 2005 at age 24 after working with winemaker Joe Davis at Arcadian.  His wine trajectory since that time has been steep.  In 2011 He established the Lieu Dit label with sommelier Eric … Continue reading →

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The Hilt: Cool Climate Wines from the Radian and Bentrock Vineyards

Posted on March 1, 2022 by don

In 1844, the Mexican governor of California granted Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes (“leave if you can”) to Pedro Regalado Cordero.  Fast forward 178 years, and Rancho Salsipuedes is home to two of California’s top vineyards for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir … Continue reading →

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Santa Barbara’s SAMsARA Winery: Current Releases

Posted on February 22, 2022 by don

Located in Goleta, home to UC Santa Barbara, the SAMsARA winery is owned by Joan and Dave Szkutak who purchased it in 2017 from Chad Melville.  SAMsARA sources grapes from some of Santa Barbara’s best vineyards in the Sta. Rita … Continue reading →

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Dragonette: Seeking Perfection in the Sta. Rita Hills

Posted on February 16, 2022 by don

Dragonette is a story about three wine-loving, young men, two of whom worked in a wine store in LA, decided to make wine and ended up producing stellar ones.  It helps, of course, that they ended up in one of … Continue reading →

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Liquid Farm: In Search of Burgundy in the Sta Rita Hills

Posted on February 15, 2022 by don

The Sta Rita Hills is a collegial place where vineyards share fruit and winemakers share their knowledge and experience. Inspired by the wines of Burgundy, Jeff Nelson started Liquid Farm in 2009 with assistance from Brandon Sparks-Gillis, winemaker at Dragonette. … Continue reading →

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Peake Ranch: New Releases from the Sta. Rita Hills

Posted on February 13, 2022 by don

Founded in 2012 by John and Gillian Wagner of Los Angeles, Peake Ranch occupies 105 acres (50 planted) on the southeastern end of the Santa Rita Hills on Santa Rosa Road.  The plantings at the ranch include seven different clones … Continue reading →

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Melville: Setting High Standards for Sta Rita Hills Wines

Posted on February 8, 2022 by don

Melville is a family-owned and operated estate winery consisting of 125 acres along Hwy 246 in the Sta. Rita Hills. About 75% of the plantings are of Pinot Noir and the balance of Chardonnay and Syrah. Melville was founded in … Continue reading →

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Winemaker Bill Brosseau’s 2019 Testarossa Pinot Noirs

Posted on December 1, 2021 by don

Testarossa has been successfully making a wide range of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines for well over two decades, quite a feat in the ever changing and trendy world of fine wine.They work with some of the most renowned vineyards … Continue reading →

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The 2019 Testarossa Chardonnays from Central California’s Premium Vineyards

Posted on October 31, 2021 by don

It seems like ages since we tasted with Diana and Rob Jensen at their winery in Los Gatos, but then almost everything pre-Covid seems to have happened a long time ago.  We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to again … Continue reading →

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Beau Marchais: New Expressions of California Pinot Noir

Posted on December 12, 2020 by don

We recently had the opportunity to taste three outstanding Pinot Noirs released by Beau Marchais, a new project launched in 2019 by two seasoned winemakers, Adam Lee of California and Philippe Cambie of France.  Their joint venture brought together the … Continue reading →

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