SBC Grenache 2023

Cool Climate Grenache
Light hued, cool climate Grenache has proven itself as one of the most compelling success stories out of Santa Barbara County.  When we nail the harvest date, the Grenache varietal naturally gives a ripe, fleshy red-fruit profile while retaining bright verve and balance.  
Many people come to Santa Barbara County in pursuit of “Big Cali Pinot Noir”.  To achieve this denser, riper profile, winemakers must leave the Pinot hanging on the vine.  The grapes raisin, creating a jammy, dried wine profile.  Meanwhile, Grenache wants to give us the richer profile while the grapes are still taut and energetic.
In the winery, we extract gently for finer tannin and a lighter colored red wine, perfect for summertime grilling.
Healthy late season rains pushed back bud-break and the growing season by 3-4 weeks.  We escaped the summer without any extreme heat events that would have accelerated ripening.  Slow, even sugar accumulation and phenolic ripening marched forward through October, and all lots were harvested mid-month.  
Pretty shade of ruby red with transparency.  Wallop of red fruit running the spectrum of yumminess from cherry blossom to fresh strawberry all the way to compote.  Toast and a quiet, already integrated, oak backbone frame the wine, while not taming the deliciousness quotient.  The oak gives the wave of red fruit a kiss of fresh crispness while elongating the continuum into further ripeness.  With air, misty menthol notes arise alongside the beautiful world of red.   We are excited to pair this wine with fresh fish and the texture will work in tandem with a frothy, creamy-but-light finishing sauce.