Ground. Grapes. Grit.
Vineyards
Growers we love.
throughout the years
All the Vineyards
Alisos
3 D Ranch
Bentrock
Bolton
Camp 4
Christy & Wise
Curtis
Demetria
Estelle
Hampton Family
Hapgood
Hayes Ranch
Hilliard Bruce
Hinnrichs
John Sebastiano
Jorian Hill
Kaerskov
Kimsey
La Presa
Peake
Perilune
Portico Hills
Robert Rae Ranch
Tierra Alta
Tres Hermanas
Turner
Two Wolves Left Right
Shokrian
Spear
Sutter Home
The Yard
Thompson
Via Caprice
Vina de Santa Ynez
White Hawk
Zaca Mesa
Zotovich
Planted in 1999 | 34 acres
Larner
Planted in 1999, the vineyard generated immediate buzz with the first wines created from the property. When I started in the wine industry in 2004, LA sommeliers could be found whispering sweet nothings about Larner to anyone who’d listen. Nothing has changed 20 years later.
Michael Larner is as dedicated to this property today as his parents were when they first created their dream, purchasing this parcel at a time when vineyards were still an anomaly. Larner sells fruit to vintners who have remained clients since day one, a testament to the family’s dedication to the land and respect for their relationships. Today, as many of the vines are growing tired, Michael is rehabbing each vine, one by one, preserving the historic legacy his family began. “I know every square inch of that vineyard,” Michael once told me, and it shows, vintage after vintage. We have been sourcing Grenache from Larner since 2012, and recently in 2023, happily added Syrah, as well.
Soils: Marina Sands and chalky loam
9 x 5 bilateral spur pruned cordon VSP
580 ft elevation
CCOF Certified Organic
Michael Larner farmer/contact
Planted in 2014 | 12 Acres
ROBERT RAE
At every opportunity we love talking about how valuable Robert Rae is to our portfolio and what this beautiful, intimate site means to us. Owners Nikki and John have taken chances that most others would not in planting unconventional varieties for us to explore our understanding of what the Sta. Rita Hills can accomplish. Along with the 12 acres under vine, the entire 100-acre property is also home to chestnut and olive trees, a variety of fruit trees and lavender bushes, along with a large portion of open space for cattle grazing. Although I am biased in favor of the vineyard, Nikki and John are perhaps most delighted by the 501c3 they have created onsite named Martha’s Farm Animal Sanctuary, dedicated to Nikki’s mother. This nonprofit provides a forever home to farm animals.
This special site sits above Santa Rosa road on the eastern end of the Sta. Rita Hills. The reality on the ground, with dense fertile soils and an elevated sunny exposure, rebels against the nomenclature of its cool north facing hillside description. This place is a pocket of wonder. We source four+ out of the 12 acres. One acre of Grenache, a half an acre of Garnacha Tinta grafted with budwood from Christy & Wise vineyard in 2021, along with two acres of Mourvèdre (Enz and 469 clones) and a half acre of Roussanne field grafted at the same time. People have asked doubtingly why on earth I would elect to grow hardy Rhône varieties in a cool site. Then I take them here.
Organically farmed
Los Osos-San Benito clay loams
Grenache, Mourvedre, Roussanne, Spanish clone Garnacha, Syrah.
Farmer: Chris Kind and Alice Anderson of Cosecha Farming
planted in 2016 | 37 acres & Planted in 2019 | 14 acres
CHRISTY & WISE
When I first began working with Brook Williams with his first harvest in 2019, he had two clones of Grenache available: Garnacha Tinta and Alban. I knew nothing about Garnacha Tinta and neither did Brook. He was the first to plant this unique beauty in our area. We didn’t know how the vines would produce nor what the wines would be like. That’s my kind of fun. I am elated he took the initial risk and trusted the site. These grapes are unlike anything I have ever worked with in intensity and drive, perfectly suited to this unrivaled site. We love this vineyard and its farming, so of course, we double down on the good stuff. We also source Mourvèdre Enz + Tablas clone, too.
Marina sand (Grenache) Tierra sandy loam Mourvèdre
Biodynamically farmed Demeter Certified
9 x 5 spacing
Head trained
Planted in 2008 | 120 acres - Fluctuations since then.
JOHN SEBASTIANO
Driving up to John Sebastiano Vineyard you are immediately struck by the ambition and hope of the Sta. Rita Hills. This vineyard defies explanation. Planted in 2008, it rests at the eastern edge of the appellation, winding up the hillsides in a dizzying array of aspects and slopes, the vision of someone who relishes extreme challenges and heartbreak. The raised elevation of this vineyard planted in tiny blocks that crisscross the terrain exposes the vines to the raw elements that make the Sta. Rita Hills famous. From 2014 – 2016 we sourced Grenache from this site. In 2022 vineyard manager Mike Anderson grafted Grenache Blanc and PIcpoul Blanc onto Pinot Noir vines at the tippy top of the hill for exploration. It worked marvelously. These vines are thriving in the sunlight and the cool breeze. We are fortunate to source both blocks starting in 2024.
Soil: Elder shaly loam, Botella clay loam
Trellising: VSP
Farming: Organic and Sustainable on various blocks with science/data driven analysis
Farmers: Mike Anderson
planted in 2008 | 22 Acres
KIMSEY
Years ago our dear friend Matt Dees’ was raving about the Grenache at Kimsey, saying it was the craziest thing he’d seen in a while. Of course, I was intrigued. The cherry cola fruit pop in the Grenache was a wonder, yet, even more exciting, was the Grenache Blanc. Phenolic, intense and full of color this tiny half acre section of low-yielding fruit gets wind swept from the cool afternoon winds blowing east off the Sta. Rita Hills. The results have been smaller clusters, less fruit per plant and pure potency.
In the past we were sourcing Grenache, Grenache Blanc and Mourvèdre from this site. Today we have limited our selection exclusively to the Grenache Blanc. Being a small boutique producer of 3,000 cases, we need to be ultra selective in our choices that best represent our voice.
Soils: Santa Ynez gravelly fine sandy loam
Unilateral spur pruned cordon VSP
CCOF Organically farmed
Coastal Vineyard Care, Ruben Solarzano
Ballard Canyon AVA
Planted in 2014
TWO WOLVES LEFT RIGHT
This site sits like a mirage on the edge of Happy Canyon surrounded by rolling hills as a solo experience all its own. The soil is dense, rich and red. The sunlight high and piercing. Yet even on hot days, the expanse of its surroundings creates a calm, cooling experience for vines and people alike. After working with different Graciano sites, this place exuded an unparalleled energy and finesse. Plus, vineyard manager Juve is amazing, kind, responsive, thoughtful and always ready with a smile and keen insights into each season.
Organically farmed
Soil: Positas find sandy loam
Bilateral spur pruned cordon VSP
Santa Ynez Valley
Coastal Vineyard Care
planted in 2000
TIERRA ALTA
I first met John Belfy at Tierra Alta vineyard in 2008 next to the Viognier vines on a hot July day. He is one of the kindest gentleman in our wine industry. He was mentored by the best, Dale Hampton, who was responsible for planting most of the Santa Maria and Los Alamos valleys. That afternoon, John, of course, told stories. Those who know him understand this beautiful characteristic. He was always in a rush and he always had time to tell long, detailed stories. After an hour, we shook hands and the deal was done. To this day I have never received a fruit contract from him. A smile and a handshake is the way John operated. He carried two cell phones, one for each part of the Santa Ynez Valley so he always had phone service. He wrote pick calls on a thick legal length yellow notepad stored on the dash of his white Ford F-150 with the Buona Terra Farming stenciled on the doors. I will miss him dearly. His indelible impact on my life and on hundreds of others will live on in our memories and, of course, our stories.
Soils: Linne Clay loam, Chamise clay
Bilateral spur pruned cordon VSP
10 x 5 spacing
Ivan Belfy, Buona Terra Farming
Ballard Canyon
Planted in 2014 | 50 Acres
PEAKE
John Wagner, owner of Peake Ranch, John Sebastiano Vineyards and Sierra Madre vineyards, is a former physicist who worked on nuclear energy. Science is what he does. In 2018 he hired fellow scientist Mike Anderson from UC Davis to manage his vineyards in Santa Barbara wine country. Mike was about to retire, or so he thought, before John made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Mike is always up for challenges and the combination clicked. John gets a massive infusion of science while Mike gets to rewire his brain to navigate an entirely new growing zone. Goal is to build a professional vineyard work force for a long-term sustainable future. Located about a half-mile north east of Robert Rae tucked into a protected saddle along Santa Rosa, you can’t miss the marvel of its slopes, luscious in the spring and the majestic in the fall.
Soils: Los Osos-San Benito clay loam
Bilateral spur pruned cordon VSP
6 X 3 spacing
Mike Anderson
Sta. Rita Hills
planted in 2008 | 15 Acres
MACHADO
Planted in 2008 by Brewer-Clifton, this 15-acre parcel is tucked into the shoulder along Gypsy Canyon Road amid a broad swath of Elder Sandy Loam soil in the center of the Sta. Rita Hills above Hwy-246. The Machado family came to the area from the Azores for ranching and agriculture and over the years amassed 1,200 acres. Apparently, the Machado name translates to machete, a fitting name for this tight knit resilient family. Brewer-Clifton was looking for an inverse to their 3-D ranch on the east side of the appellation planted primarily to Chardonnay. Machado is approximately 12 acres of select heritage Pinot Noir clones with a lovely 3-acres planted to the magically perfumed Sweeney Canyon field selection Chardonnay.
Soils: Elder Sandy Loam
Bilateral cane pruned cordon VSP
7 X 3 spacing
Bart Haycraft, Jackson Family Wines
Sta. Rita Hills
Planted in 2017 | 120 Acres
PERILUNE
Named in honor for the region’s space legacy, Perilune is the point in an orbit around the moon where the orbiting body is closest to the moon. Planted by Jackson Family Wines (JFW) in 2017, this is truly one of the most ambitious vineyards in the appellation. Recognizing that a missing piece in their diverse company portfolio was the acclaimed Sta. Rita Hills, JFW arrived with a grand statement when they planted 120 acres in a forgotten secret canyon to a unique array of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah clones. The vineyard covers steep hillsides and long valleys in striking zigzags across the landscape. The wines from this site are electrifying, as if staunchly defending their challenging upbringing.
Soils: Linne clay loam, Botella clay loam, Lopez shaly clay.
Bilateral spur pruned cordon VSP
6 X 4 spacing on flats, 8 x 4 hillsides
Bart Haycraft and Enrique Gomez, Jackson Family Wines
Sta. Rita Hills
Planted in 1973-2012
ZACA MESA
Situated along Foxen Canyon Road in two large parcels, Zaca Mesa is the pioneer for Santa Barbara county Rhône varieties. Established in 1973, it was the first winery to plant Syrah in our area. Thankfully they have been a fruit source to dozens of wineries like me over the course of their history, carefully tending vines in a sustainable manner, particularly with the oversight of Director of Winemaking Kristen Bryden. We source Grenache Blanc and Roussanne from Zaca Mesa from two distinctive parcels. These grapes are not rare, they are just not widely planted, and we covet our relationship with this estate. The vineyards grow next to the San Rafael mountains in a wild landscape with gorgeous views. It’s nice to be a vine here. The Roussanne comes from the Foxen block, planted at over 1,500 feet in elevation in Chamise shaly loam soils, and the Grenache Blanc is from the Zaca block near the winery in Elder loam soils.
Soils: Chamise shale loam, Elder loam
Bilateral spur pruned cordon VSP
Spacing varies among blocks
Ruben Camacho, Zaca Mesa
Santa Ynez Valley
Planted in 2015 | 12 Acres
LABARGE
Labarge is all about precision and focus. Nothing is left untouched. This Chardonnay we source is own-rooted Mount Eden clone taken from cuttings at 3D vineyard located in the eastern end of the Sta. Rita Hills. Organic farming in this cold, foggy hostile environment at the furthest western reaches of the appellation is not for the faint of heart. Vigneron Pierra LaBarge is on a mission. He is committed to maintaining the integrity of the fruit, this site and its expression, and some years that ends in heartbreak and others in grand triumph. We always said we would only make Chardonnay if the right opportunity came around. Here it is. 100% stainless steel Chardonnay sourced exclusively from this site.
