Santa Ynez Valley

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This wine is emblematic of the level of attention we take in crafting our wines. We start in the vineyard, and actually prune our blocks differently than the rest of the vineyard. Here we use the cordon method, which gives us more even shoot growth, which in turn gives us more evenly ripened fruit. The only problem is that our yield per acre is about half of what the rest of the vineyard bears, and since we pay for the fruit by the acre, these sauvignon blanc grapes are always among the most expensive in the state. We also have our blocks grown organically for us. Beyond the health reasons for doing so, we think this gives us fruit of higher quality.

Our careful growing allows us to harvest fruit with great natural balance. The juice was fermented and aged in older French oak barrels and the wine was bottled after seven months of sur lie aging (aged on the yeast lees). The 2011 vintage gave us a gentle wine with a beguiling spicy, smoky aroma. It possesses a delicious mouth watering texture that, while less tart than the notable 2010, comes off as fresh and lively.

Blend:  100% Sauvignon Blanc | Vineyard: McGinley | Location: Santa Ynez Valley |Alcohol 13.5% | Vinification: 100% Neutral French Oak | Barrel Aging: 7 Months | Total Production: 512 Cases

Press Reviews

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Green-tinged straw. Strikingly pungent bouquet of pear, lemon, herbs and minerals, complicated by white flowers and anise. Impressively fresh and precise, showing tangy citrus zest and orchard fruit flavors and a sexy floral nuance. Dry and nervy on the finish, which leaves notes of candied lemon and honeysuckle behind. Tolmach told me that he paid $5,000 a ton for this fruit and that he normally pulls 2.5 tons per acre off his parcel of this vineyard but only got 1.5 in 2011. To put things into perspective, most California sauvignon blanc is cropped at 5 to 7 tons per acre, according to Tolmach.” -AG 91 Points

International Wine Cellar

“The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc McGinley is striking. Bright citrus, jasmine, mint and oyster shells literally jump from the glass. A piercing, brilliant wine, the 2011 stands out for its vibrancy and purity. Varietal notes ring out on the finish. The 2011 was aged in neutral oak and the malo was blocked. This is another beautiful wine from Adam Tolmach.” -JR 92 Points