We have a new release in the tasting room, the 2007 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay (color label). We transitioned from the 2006 to 2007 yesterday, and put it on the tasting list along with a few other changes. The 2004 Nebbiolo is on the list, which is an interesting one to taste as it is unlike any of our other wines, and a very unique grape. We also have the 2007 Pinot Gris on the list, as well as the 2007 ZCS. The 2007 Rose and 2005 Sangiovese will stay put for now.
Our color label Chardonnay is one of our most popular wines, our signature wine I guess you could say. It makes up about a third of our total production. It is relatively consistent through the years, but this year we had a different assistant winemaker, Ryan Ralston, than previous vintages. Always interesting to see what a different winemaker brings to the mix… Come try the new tasting list, which is offered daily from 10-5.
Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery
Bottling is no one’s favorite part of winemaking - but it could be the most satisfying. Getting the wine into bottles safely is a sort of accomplishment. It is not the end of the road — it still needs to get into the hands of the consumer.
These were all bottled in the classical high shoulder Bordeaux bottle. Six wines, five of Italian origin and one, Cabernet Sauvignon, of French origin. They have all spent 16 to 18 months in 60 liter barrels and are being bottled without filtration.
Winemaker Bruce McGuire jumped at the chance to make his first Nebbiolo back in 1998 when a small amount became available from the Stolpman Vineyard out in Ballard Canyon. Bruce did not get a chance to make a second edition until this 2004 vintage when a small amont was available from this vineyard, a vineyard rapidly gaining a good reputation for Italian varieties.
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