Tag Archive for 'Primitivo'

Zinfandel / Primitivo Article

Published on October 19, 2009 in Harvest, Joanie Hudson and Primativo. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Check out this article on Zinfandel and Primitivo, referring to the two grapes as “Identical Wine Vino Cousins…”

Zinfandel wines denote California grown, yet DNA tests reveal that the variety is of European descent with “the same DNA as the Italian grape Primitivo.”  

Also interesting in this article is the discussion of the uniqueness of Zinfandel grape clusters, which states that the berries in the clusters do not ripen evenly, producing “unique flavor dynamics… There is bright acidity from slightly underripe grapes, perfect fruit flavors from the ripe berries, and concentration and depth from the slightly withered or overripe ones.”  

We used to have Zinfandel vines planted at Lafond Vineyard, until as recently as 2004, but as we get to know our vineyard site better with each year, we have discovered that the Sta. Rita Hills are a bit too cool to successfully grow consistent quality Zinfandel.  Replantings of Pinot Noir is a result of this key cool climate (warm days, cool nights, and a long growing season) aspect to our vineyard.

Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
To order Santa Barbara Winery Primitivo

Close to 85 tons of Chardonnay

Published on October 8, 2009 in Chardonnay and Harvest. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Today was a big Harvest day for Chardonnay.  Winemaker Bruce just told me that we got in about 85 tons (ONE ton is about 2000 pounds!) of the varietal, which makes up the largest portion of our total production.  Chardonnay came in from our newer block of Wente clone at Lafond Vineyard, Thompson Vineyard, and Los Alamos. 

Tomorrow Joughin Vineyard Primitivo (genetically identical to Zinfandel) is coming in.  Also, Thompson Vineyard Petite Sirah will come off the vines and into Lafond Winery. 

Fork lifts are still beeping, and I’m making some export stickers for bottles going to Germany (2006 Lagrein and 2008 Orange Muscat).

If you like the music on our website, come see Chris Fossek live at Lafond Winery’s Open House this Saturday October 10, 10am-5pm.  And even if you don’t, you should still come…

Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards

Ojai Festival Recap

Published on June 15, 2009 in Santa Barbara Winery and Special Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Yesterday was my first time attending the Ojai Wine Festival at Lake Casitas Recreational Area (about a 35 minute drive from Santa Barbara).  The crowd was big at the 23rd Annual, hitting its peak halfway through the festival around 2:30.  The weather was perfect, a cool breeze brushed through the booths every couple of minutes, keeping the space at a pleasant temperature for sipping both white and red wines.  Free 20 minute boat rides were given on the lake, Kettle Korn was popping, pork was pulled, and oysters were shucked.

Santa Barbara Winery Wines Poured:

2007 Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Chardonnay
2007 Reserve Chardonnay
2007 Riesling 7.3
2007 Pinot Noir
2005 Sangiovese
2006 Primitivo

The Ojai Wine Festival is the major fund raiser for the Rotary Club of Ojai-West benefitting the American Red Cross, Ojai Police, Ojai schools, and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, among others.

Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing
Santa Barbara Winery/Lafond Winery & Vineyards

Ojai Wine Festival

Published on May 26, 2009 in Joanie Hudson and Special Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

The 23rd Annual Ojai Wine Festival is coming up on Sunday, June 14, and we will be pouring a selection of six Santa Barbara Winery wines from noon to 5pm at the Lake Casitas Recreational Area.  Tickets are only $30 advance purchase, and $40 at the gate.  A ticket buys you entrance to the music filled event, ten tastes of beer of wine (35-40 wineries attending), and a souvenir wine glass.  This year they are trying out a Wine by the Glass area for $6 a glass in a lounge atmosphere with free hors d’oeuvres and music. 

Wines we will be pouring:

2007 Chardonnay

2007 Reserve Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills

2007 Riesling 7.3

2005 Sangiovese

2007 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

2006 Primitivo

Click Here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

2009 Vintners’ Festival Recap

Published on April 19, 2009 in Joanie Hudson and Vintners Festival. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

I think that my favorite part about being on the pouring side of the table at the Vintners’ Festival is hearing peoples’ “tasting strategies” for navigating through the tremendous amounts of wines available to sample.  An intimidating venue? Maybe. But those who stuck with a strategic plan seemed to be pleased with their journies. 

While Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah are grown most successfully in Santa Barbara County, the variety beyond these wines is impressive.  Winemakers are growing these grapes while also experimenting with lesser known varietals, and this was evident at the festival. 

We had a range of wines to please different palates from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Negrette, Primitivo, Riesling, and a wax sealed magnum of golden Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc.  A few tasters were only tasting Pinot Noirs, a few only Chardonnay, and a few were seeking out the small number of tables who were pouring a dessert wine or two.  And then there were the smirking faces of those who only wanted to taste the winemaker’s favorite, or flagship wine. 

The Lompoc event, held at River Park, was heavily attended, and the grass park venue was a perfect stomping ground for a beautiful (and unlike last year, warm) day.  The Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association hosts bi-annual gatherings like this for all of the member wineries to come together and proudly pour their wines for industry friends and guests.  The Vintners’ Festival (Spring) and the Harvest Festival (Fall) should not be missed by Central Coast wine lovers trying to keep up with what’s fresh, new, and delicious. 

I did get a chance to get out there and taste a couple of favorites (Palmina and Flying Goat Pinot Noirs).

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Vintners’ Festival Wines

Published on April 15, 2009 in Joanie Hudson, Santa Barbara Winery and Special Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Here are the wines that we will be pouring for the Santa Barbara Winery label at the Vintners’ Festival this Saturday, April 18.

2007 Chardonnay

Our Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a lightly oaked, multi-vineyard blend.  45% barrel fermentation with the remainder done in stainless steel tanks produces a bright intensity of fruit and round mouthfeel.

2007 Pinot Noir

Velvety flavor and aromatic concentration jump out of the glass of our 2007 Pinot Noir.  Yields from our estate Lafond Vineyard and neighbor vineyard Arita Hills were low in this particular vintage due to a late frost.  These sites combine the juiciest berries from select vineyard rows, producing a classically soft textured Pinot Noir.

2006 Negrette Joughin Vineyard

Negrette traces its origins to the warm climate area north of Toulouse in southwestern France where it is known for its dark color and fragrant berry aroma and flavor.  Fans of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon usually are the most pleased when tasting this wine and are always intrigued by its obscure presence in the wine world.

2006 Primitivo Joughin Vineyard

Primitivo has recently been shown to be genetically identical to Zinfandel. Growing well in warmer climates, it has a more “sun kissed” quality than wines that come from cooler areas in Italy, such as Tuscany or Piedmont.  Primitivo is dark red with bold fruity flavors and an intense essence of sweetness while being bone dry.

2007 Riesling 7.3

The “7.3″ represents the amount of residual sugar in this Riesling.  On the sweeter side, its medium body is buoyed by sleek acidity and crisp ripe fruit and honeysuckle.  Very harmonious and leaves a lasting impression.

It’s not too late to purchase tickets for the Vintners’ Festival!

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

What is Primitivo?

Published on January 19, 2009 in Joanie Hudson and Primativo. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , .

Over the weekend I brought a bottle of our 2005 Primitivo to one of Santa Barbara’s oldest Italian restaurants, Arnoldi’s.  All of my friends were busy chatting, but the focus immediately turned to the wine once everybody took their first sips.  Declaring it a Santa Barbara Winery favorite took less than two minutes, but they all said they never would have bought it off the shelves of a store or in a winery without tasting it because of the fear of the unknown.  All the more reason to taste obscure varietals, read wine education books, and ask your tasting room host or sommelier one question too many.  You may be missing out on your favorite wine, and you don’t even know it.

Primitivo has recently been shown to be genetically identical to Zinfandel.  Growing well in warmer climates, it has a more “sun kissed” quality than wines that come from cooler areas in Italy, such as Tuscany or Piedmont.  Andrew Joughin’s Santa Ynez Joughin Vineyard has vines that have been grown from cuttings that originated in the cone-shaped Trullo house filled Puglia region in southeastern Italy.  We source 100% of our Primitivo from Joughin, with 2006 being the sixth Primitivo crop.

Primitivo is dark red with bold fruity flavors and an intense essence of sweetness while being bone dry.  It has a richness to it that really makes it stand out.  While it’s DNA is the same as that of Zinfandel, there are not by any means the same wine.  One main difference between the two grapes is that Zinfandel has a greater inherent acidity to it than Primitivo. 

This wine is outstanding with Grilled Beef or Marinated Short Ribs.  Pretty fantastic with Arnoldi’s New York Steak as well…

2006 Santa Barbara Winery Primitivo Joughin Vineyard $25

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery