FALL 2011
Grapes are, of course, the essential ingredient in wine. And that is why we are so fanatical about how our vineyards are farmed. Since the colossal harvest of 1997 we have insisted that our growers keep the crop modest, and we back that up by paying for them by the acre rather than by the ton. This relives the farmer from worrying about cutting the crop since he will get paid regardless. These much reduced yields are costly, we consistently pay among the top prices for grapes in Santa Barbara County, but quality rarely comes cheap.
Mother Nature is a fickle thing and that is why it is so important to have the ability to control the crop. Anyone can weave a yarn about the half-ton to the acre crop they got once, but it takes real economic commitment to pay for modest crops year in and year out. It is obvious from what I see when visiting the vineyards we work with that there are very few wineries with that kind of wherewithal.
I make wine for one reason: craft. For me it is all about capturing the essence of a vineyard--its terroir--and celebrating its uniqueness. In this pursuit there is no place for excessive yields, excessive ripeness or excessive oak. The truly harmonious wine displays its originality without the need for artifice. I hope you enjoy our most recent efforts!