Santa Barbara Winemakers. April Edition.
Featured Winemaker video
Russell From, winemaker for Herman Story wines talks about the fruit from the Larner vineyard.
Urgent: April, 2006
Custom crush facility needed by established Santa Barbara winemaker, 2,000 case producer. Bottling line may also be needed. If anyone here in SB has or knows about space for soon to be "homeless" winemaker contact us here at admin@sbwinemakers.com. The winemaker has a great portfolio of wines.
There may be other winemakers in the same predicament soon too. Contact us here with details of any space you have available.
April 19
Want to know more about Biodynamic farming? We are going to get the full explanation on-line soon. Went to see Steve Beckmen and if you have never seen what is involved, nor the results of soil management in this way stay tuned. I kid you not you will be amazed. I promise you will not find a more fascinating insight.
April 15
Kenneth Starr was sighted in the wine country over the weekend, luckily I had a clean shirt on. Mr. Starr you may recall is behind the recent success of helping to open up the rest of America to the merits of Californian wines. To learn more about his work in creating a "Direct-to-Consumer" marketplace, go to Specialty Wine Retailers Association (SWRA).
April 11
For those who are not familiar with the Barnwood facility out in the nether reaches of the County, then I highly recommend a day trip. I spent the day with Dave Corey on the Alta Mesa vineyard. The video will be up when we get it edited and a story of the day will be up by weekend. Stay tuned.
April 9
Was it me or was it quiet this year for Vintners' Fest? The local constabulary was out in force, but that could have also been the screaming beamers racing up and down the 154 on Saturday and Sunday morning. A DUI check was put up but the tow truck drivers seemed happy enough just sitting around smoking and enjoying a bit of sunshine. Sunday in the Valley was very quiet, crowds may well have been over at Qupe/ABC for their annual pilgrimage, I didn't make it that way this year, that's all I can think of. I have seen busier Tuesdays in January. Quality rather than quantity I hope.
Elsewhere, the main talk is how late bud break is this spring, some chards are out and the pinot is just coming out too, but not much else. Jeff Wilkes was surprised at Firestones' vines not showing anything. He also thought they were about three weeks later than normal. What kind of year is it going to be? Once the heat kicks in the humidity is going to rise and with bud break late there is the distinct possibility of mildew. Long growing season like last year? We'll see. Rain is expected for the rest of the week.
April 7
Vintners Fest begins and we are hoping the rains stay away, it's been a wet, windy and cold week.
April 6
Chanterelles, they are everywhere this year, grab your baskets and get hunting, they are huge. Coming home after checking out the Santa Ynez River swell, and there they were, on the side of the road, that wonderful familiar golden glow. Picked about 2lbs, they are going with some lamb breast and a currently open Clos Pepe, 2004 pinot. Tasting notes will give you more details.
April 2
New label in Memory Lane
