Our Santa Barbara County Chardonnay integrates the two coldest AVAs in Santa Barbara, those being the Sta. Rita Hills (sourced from our Peake Ranch Vineyard) and Santa Maria Valley (sourced from our Sierra Madre Vineyard) respectively. This wine is dominated by wonderful floral and citrus aromatics with a bright, fresh energetic backbone, then finishes with a soft, subtle oak influence.

94 points Jeb Dunnuck!

 

For being our youngest property, Peake Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay demonstrates serious potential, as it boasts both depth and remarkable freshness. Fruit forward by nature with hints of citrus, green papaya and pineapple skins, paired with a complementary undertone of minerality. An element of opulence is expressed with aromatics of toasted almonds, butterscotch and vanilla bean. Bright acid shines through a silky texture on the palate.

 

Once again, our Sierra Madre Vineyard, our oldest and coldest vineyard, has produced a Chardonnay of immense complexity and power. This wine manages to walk that tightrope of weight, concentration, and power with nerve and racy intensity from the natural acidity the vineyard regularly produces. This bottling typically is one of our most-celebrated and highly-accoladed wines. It’s no wonder that, in the ideal growing conditions of the 2018 vintage, we created another masterpiece.

$50

98 points Jeb Dunnuck!

This wine is a blend of our two estate Sta. Rita Hills vineyards: John Sebastiano and Peake Ranch. There is a contrast between the terroir of the two vineyards that we think is representative of not just our vineyards and quality, but of the Sta. Rita Hills as a whole. Peake Ranch, on the south side, is more protected from the wind and comprised of clay and river stone, while JSV is steep, wind-struck and primarily comprised of loam and sand. In addition, there are a half-dozen different clonal varieties (115, 667, 777, Pommard, Hyde, and Calera) that add even more complexity and diversity to this wine.

94+ points Jeb Dunnuck!

 

This is only the third vintage that this property has produced, and we truly love the fruit we received this year.  Aromatically there are the subtle hints of the savory, exotic, and earthy tones that we’ve seen evolve over the past few years and will amplify over time. Texturally this wine has everything we’re looking for: lovely red fruit, salinity, minerality, and silky tannins. This wine has so much to offer! We look forward to tasting it as it evolves over the coming years.

95 points Wine Enthusiast!

 

Our John Sebastiano Vineyard is not the easiest land to farm. While boasting approximately one thousand acres in size, we only have about 15% of the property planted to vines, with only a handful of spots that could feasibly grow more. The land is dominated by intense slopes with sharp, windy ridge lines and deep craggy ravines. It’s far more suited for the cattle that used to dot the hillside over the many decades before being transformed into the vineyard it is today. But without all those hurdles the vineyard probably would not exhibit the power, structure, and personality we experience from the wines it produces.

95 points Jeb Dunnuck!

An homage to Daisy, our beloved winery dog. Daisy is a huge part of the family, as well as the entire Peake Ranch team. As for the name, Bellis means Bella in Latin, with Noir representing the red, dark qualities of this wine. Bellis Noir is a blend that combines the brightness of Grenache, brooding aspect of Syrah, and splash of vibrant Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir resulting in a wine showing intricate fruit notes of acai and blue fruits. The cool climate contributes to an herbal tone, with fennel, dill and peppermint surfacing on the palate. An ample, round and solid tannic core provides for a long, satisfying finish.

94 points Vinous!

$40

Liveliness takes center stage in this rosehued wine with notes of fig, jasmine, red currant, and potpourri. This attractive Grenache clearly expresses the femininity of the variety, with bright acidity wedded to a firm tannic structure and soft oak influence. Although uncommon in this region, Grenache thrives in the cool climate of the Santa Rita Hills.

94 points Vinous!

$60

Deep, dark magenta hued in color. The aromatics are sophisticated with notes of black cherry, cocoa powder, peppered cured meats, leather, and tobacco leaf. Brooding yet elegant, the lush tannins are balanced with ample acidity. Co- fermented with 5% Viognier and aged exclusively in neutral French oak, this Syrah expresses the full potential this variety is capable of achieving in the cool climate of the Santa Rita Hills appellation.

95-97 points Jeb Dunnuck!

$60

 

The 632-page book, which will be released in November 2020, features nearly 1,000 intimate images by renowned photojournalist Macduff Everton and about 100 in-depth profiles by Matthew Dennis Kettmann, who started covering Santa Barbara wine’s scene more than 20 years ago.

 

Including essays on the history of the region, a study of its unique geography, and analysis of important trends, Vines & Vision offers a thorough introduction to Santa Barbara County wine. And yet, due to such deeply reported portraits of both pioneers and newer generations of winemakers, Vines & Vision simultaneously serves as an engaging, personal snapshot of the world’s most exciting Wine region during a critical period in its existence.