When you buy something through our link, we may earn a small commission. Perched on the hillside above the winery is The Sunstone Villa, an 8,500 square foot architectural masterpiece reserved for private events and guest experiences. All your creative juices are contributing to the inside and outside of the bottle, quips Bion. Hand paint or draw your own label for your bottle, then wax dip the cork (an Old World bottling technique) and take the wine with you to age at home. This review was done in
Named for the vineyards exposed sun-dappled shale and stones, Sunstone is a destination winery that has been honored many times over by Santa Barbara Independent readers as Best Santa Ynez Valley Tasting Room. The Rices planted Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvdre and Viognier grapes, and soon became one of the regions leading vineyards. Special Events & Picnic Area Available, Bordeaux Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Rhone Blends, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier. Like Sunstone Vineyards & Winery on Facebook, Follow Sunstone Vineyards & Winery on Instagram, 125 Refugio Road, Santa Ynez
In recent years Rhone-style wines have been successfully made here, and vineyards now are also planted to Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, Mourvedre and Marsanne. He leads you, with glasses in hand, to the organic vineyard block that produced the wine grapes, followed by a tour of the winery, where Sunstone receives, crushes, ferments, ages and bottles under the same roof. Franc is a little hardier on a vine than Sauvignon, but drinks smoothly at the table. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Santa Ynez Valley AVA is home to more wineries than any other area in Santa Barbara County. Sunstones 21-acre organic vineyard, planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvdre, and Viognier, is believed to be the oldest, continuously organically grown vineyard in Santa Barbara County, according to Rice. points out of 100. All Rights Reserved. Completed in 2002 using reclaimed materials from across France, the Villa is a living piece of history. It is an excellent blending grape, known for making the exquisite Cheval-Blanc. You have permission to edit this article.
He said they anticipate re-planting parts of the vineyard over the next 3-5 years and possibly adding new varietals such as Grenache and Petit Verdot, possibly surpassing their current production level of 9,000 cases annually. Thank You! Second generation owner and winemaker Bion Rice, who has worked at his familys winery since its inception, says that when his family planted the vineyard in 1990, they knew that good wine started with caring for the land. Welcome to winemag.com! CATEGORY, BEST BUYS FOR
Chardonnay is the dominant grape in this appellation, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. Not a new customer? to be
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The newest of these, launched in 2019, immerses you in the elite world of winemaking in the scenic Santa Ynez Valley, just 35 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Each session is limited to just 16 seats and features a guided tour of The Villa followed by a seated tasting of exclusive Sunstone Estate wines. Tickets can be booked online and are available to the general public for $30 each, with Club Sunstone members receiving a discounted rate of $20 per ticket. u Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara G Taste the Art of Winemaking Create a custom blend at Sunstone Winery PHOTOGRAPHER: MIKE LARSON. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide contextvintage, variety or appellationbut never the producer or retail price of any given selection. 2/14/2017. A lighter shade in the glass, this bottling begins with hints of game and chipped wood on the nose, as cranberry and toast aromas also arise. Its a very holis- tic experience. Bion greets you on arrival and begins the expe- rience with a tasting of white wines before ventur- ing to the organic vineyard. "Im so proud that we have been able continue building upon my parents original vision of organic grape growing and crafting world-class wines here in the Santa Ynez Valley for such a long time, Rice said. Guests are also able to purchase additional private-label bot- tles, and some even order a barrel (24 cases) for holiday gifts. USA, Alcohol:
2017. Auction ends in 4 days, 10 hours (Sunday, 7pm Pacific). points out of 100 on
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By using our website and/or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our. Spains Best Red Wine Vintages to Drink in 2021. Beyond the rating, we encourage you to read the accompanying tasting note to learn about a products special characteristics. They also built an 8,500-square-foot Provence-inspired villa with reclaimed limestone from France. The Villa is the private residence of the Rice family and is generally closed to the public. Lisa Andrcovers Valley Life for Santa Ynez Valley News. Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value, Acceptable The pinnacle of quality, Superb Family wineries in Californias Anderson Valley pursue elegance in Pinot Noir. The Rice family purchased the estate in 1989, on the bluffs of the Santa Ynez River, where the cli- mate is ideal for growing Bordeaux and Rhne varietals. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Our Most Searched Wines of 2021, by Traffic. The Five Best Cabernet Sauvignons of 2021. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2020 Santa Barbara Vintners Association. The appellation was established in 1983 and it includes a total of 76,800 acres, of which 1,500 acres are vineyards. please resubmit this brand for a current Tastings review by registering it at: Category:
I basically show the process, from fermentation to final blending, from grapes to glass and all the steps between, Bion explains, adding that guests are able to ask ques- tions about each stage. Sunstone 2014 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Santa Ynez Valley
Raw and roasted pork-flesh flavors come through on the palate, with dashes of tart cranberry and pomegranate, as well as white pepper. Sunstone Vineyards & Winery will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its first vintage and tasting room opening with a public Wine & Swine themed reception at the Sunstone Estate on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 4-6 p.m. A great achievement, Excellent It's in the stars, COVID-19 Dashboard: Santa Barbara County case count & variant tracker, John D. Finley: Local Chardonnay, summer squash equal fresh taste, Kathy Marcks Hardesty: White zinfandel vs. rose, you decide, Hitching Post Wines in Buellton celebrates first year on Aug. 18, Pioneer Santa Barbara County winery's request to use offsite grapes may trigger look at ordinances, 2022 summertime deals in wine country | Kathy Marcks Hardesty, Always a barrel of fun wine festival | Kathy Marcks Hardesty. Purchase
Wine Enthusiasts 2021 Wine Star Award Winners, California Privacy Rights Do Not Sell My Information. All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. At Sunstone, located just 35 minutes north of Santa Barbara, you can seemingly transport yourself to the French countryside. CATEGORY. The decade spanning 2010 to 2019 offered six good to outstanding Spanish red wine vintages to focus on. Guests can enjoy wines by the glass or bottle or indulge in a full tasting flight. - Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine cellar; Purchased at retail, 2008 Foxen 7200 Rock Hollow Vineyard Cabernet Franc, 2019 Beckmen Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 Andrew Murray McGinley Vineyard Syrah, 2006 Foxen 7200 Vogelzang Vineyard Merlot, /BuyWine/Item/8034693/2009-Sunstone-Cabernet-Franc, https://www.winebid.com/BuyWine/Item/8034693/2009-Sunstone-Cabernet-Franc.
portfolio_page-template-default,single,single-portfolio_page,postid-51379,theme-borderland,eltd-core-1.1.3,woocommerce-no-js,borderland-theme-ver-2.2,smooth_scroll,paspartu_enabled,paspartu_on_top_fixed,paspartu_on_bottom_fixed, vertical_menu_with_scroll,columns-3,type1,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.0.5,vc_responsive, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Red and White Rhone Blends, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, White Bordeaux Blend. Introducing Anderson Valley, California's Hidden Hillside Beauty of Pinot Noir. We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast. 
Sunstone specializes in Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. There was a problem saving your notification. Here are which ones to drink now. Can be employed, Ramey 2019 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley). If you are the brand owner or marketer for this product,
The Most Popular Cabernet Sauvignons and How We Rated Them. at: to be
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78 Montecito Magazine SpringSummer 2019 uests of the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara can choose to enhance their stay by joining in various activities. Matt Kettmann. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted. After you create your cus- tom blend, enjoy a three-course lunch in the gar- den, paired with Sunstones current releases. For many Americans, white zinfandel is a great introductory wine thats palate friendly and easy to like. rating was calculated by
14.5%, Jarvis 2016 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, Shenandoah Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc, Amador County, Jarvis 2019 Will Jarvis' Science Project, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, Knapp Winery 2020 Cabernet Franc, Cayuga Lake, White Horse Winery 2018 Reserve, Cabernet Franc, Outer Coastal Plain, Reynolds Family Winery 2018 Due Diligence, Cabernet Franc, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley, Monte De Oro 2016 Deportola Vineyard, Cabernet Franc, Temecula Valley, Middleburgh Winery 2020 Cabernet Franc, New York State, Millbrook 2020 Proprietor's Special Reserve, Cabernet Franc, Hudson River Region, Pend D'Oreille 2020 Cabernet Franc, Washington, Pedroncelli 2018 Barrel Select, Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley, Wild Sun Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc, Washington, Jacob Franklin 2014 Holbrook Mitchell Vineyard, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards 2016 Miller Vineyard, Cabernet Franc, Clarksburg, Chevalier du Grand Robert 2019 Cabernet Franc, Pays d'Oc IGP. Whether you are new to wine or an aspiring sommelier, our wine specialists are happy to share our wines with you and answer questions. From affordable Pinot Noir to special-occasion Chardonnay, these are the wines our readers searched for. Sign up to be the first to hear about other promotions and new offers! COURTESY SUNSTONE VINEYARDS & WINERY. After the tour, Bion takes you to the tasting room cave to blend wines from different barrel lots. Classic 90
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The experience begins with a scenic drive in a chauffeured luxury vehicle along the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Trail to Sunstone Vineyards & Winery. To further commemorate the occasion, the family-run winery of Bordeaux and Rhne style wines has released a 25th Anniversary Cuve to the public, along with an opportunity to experience a Sunstone Villa firsthand with a tour and tasting on four different dates in August and September. Cheers! Sunstone Vineyards & Winery to mark 25th anniversary with estate reception. Wine Enthusiast does not accept money for editorial wine reviews.
An application from one of Santa Barbara Countys pioneer wineries to use up to 100% of grapes from offsite in its wines earned preliminary ap.
Choose a size below to open a printable set of shelf talkers: We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Tastings.com | All rights reserved. According to the Department of Agriculture, Chardonnay is the most planted wine grape in California, with more than 93,000 acres in 2017, as o.
