Santa Ynez Valley

Vines thrive in warm climates, so it was with great trepidation in 2005 that I watched the vines at Westerly, situated as they are in the warm Happy Canyon area of Santa Ynez Valley. A lot more hand work in the vineyard needed to be done for sure, but the poor soils on which our sauvignon blanc is planted did their magic, and, after some severe fruit thinning, we ended up with nicely balanced vines. Our sections yielded 2.9 tons per acre, roughly half of the vineyard’s potential in 2005. This reasonably modest crop gave us an intensely flavored, herb and mineral inflected sauvignon blanc that has tons of personality and a very dry, zingy finish.

Since 1998, all our sauvignon blancs have come from the same block at Westerly, and all of them are drinking well today. This 2005 can be enjoyed now for its zesty personality; however, I usually like these wines best after a year or two in the bottle

Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc | Alcohol: 13.5% | Vinification: 100% Neutral French Oak | Barrel Aging: 7 Months | Total Production: 606 cases

Press Reviews

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate #172 Aug 2007

“I included Adam Tolmach’s 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Westerly since it is one of the finest made in California. Gorgeous aromas of orange blossoms, lemon custard, and honeysuckle emerge from this expressive white. Barrel-fermented, aged in neutral wood, and made from naturally low yields, it possesses excellent concentration for a Sauvignon, crisp acidity, and terrific minerality as well as length. ” -RP 92 Points

Wine Advocate #166 Aug 2006

“The 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Westerly Vineyard offers stunning notes of wet stones, melons, and lemon blossoms as well as gorgeous acidity, a beautiful texture, and an intense Sancerre-like style.”  -RP 91 Points