Vintage Notes

The 2010 Vintage here in Santa Barbara County was the coolest growing season I have witnessed thus far. A very rainy and cold winter led to cool and windy bloom-time that dramatically reduced the fruitfulness of the vines. As a result, the yields were off by as much as 40%!

Temperatures remained cool throughout the spring and summer causing many growers and winemakers to become anxious about the timing of harvest. Although the weather was cool, the light crop load allowed the vines to easily ripen the fruit. What resulted were wonderful flavors at low levels of sugar, and aromatics unlike any other vintage that I can remember.

Harvest began on the 11th of September and were finished picking just 17 days later, just as a really intense heat spike set in. Thankfully, our timing allowed all of the delicate nuances to be retained ~ making for beautiful expressions of 2010 Santa Barbara County.