A mix of limestone and marine-based soils plus the Pacific Ocean’s cooling influence through fog and wind makes Sta. Rita Hills one of the world’s best viticulture areas.
Sta. Rita Hills
"The Sta. Rita Hills American Viticulture Appellation is located on California’s Central Coast in Santa Barbara County. The Pacific Ocean’s marine layer and afternoon ocean breezes traverse the coastal valley corridors between the Purisima Hills and the Santa Rosa Hills. With a total area of 30,720 acres, the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to over 59 vineyards, totaling 2,700 hundred acres planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and 18 other cool climate wine grape varieties."
Most of the vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills have been planted within the last two decades, allowing for modern farming techniques.
Winemaker Greg Brewer helped map and define the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in 2001 and was a signatory on the Sta. Rita Hills AVA petition.
Vineyards
One of the coolest climates on the west coast, Sta. Rita Hills enjoys the longest growing season, making this a veritable paradise for our pinot noir and chardonnay. The quality of the vineyards and grapes grown here is rivaled only by the absolute beauty of the region itself.
MACHADO VINEYARD
Looking to secure a mirror-image sister ranch to 3-D, we began working with the Machado family in the winter of 2008. Our fifteen-acre parcel on their land is located adjacent to Clos Pepe and immediately behind the recently-planted Kessler-Haak vineyard. The site is marked by a gorgeous rolling terrain with sandy clay loam soils.
At Machado, the majority of the planting is dedicated to pinot noir with equal amounts of such selections as Pommard, Merry Edwards, Mount Eden and 459. In addition to pinot noir, we also planted a small, two-acre plot in the sandiest portion of the field to the Sweeney Canyon selection of chardonnay.
3D VINEYARD
In the winter of 2007, we were approached by Tom and Jan Davidson who own a beautifully situated property nested between Lafond and Ampelos that had yet to be developed. Thrilled at the prospect of working there with them, we swiftly penned a land lease arrangement and set forth on our first vineyard planting.
The primary emphasis of the predominantly-sandy ten-acre vineyard is chardonnay, with equal amounts of five clones planted (4, 76, Hyde, Mount Eden and Sea Smoke Wente). In addition to chardonnay, there is a smaller field of pinot noir planted to Swan, Pommard and 667.
HAPGOOD VINEYARD
Hapgood Vineyard is located across the road from our Machado vineyard and is situated immediately next to the Acin parcel at the end of Hapgood Road. The 2012 vintage is a special vintage for us in that it marks the first release of our Hapgood single-vineyard offering.
In slightly richer soil, the vineyard is planted to the Mount Eden selection of chardonnay and multiple clones of pinot noir. The elevated clay loam content results in larger volume and a more dense palate expression.
PERILUNE VINEYARD
Comprised of a vast array of elevation, aspect and soil profile, Perilune is by far and away the most ambitiously complex of all of our vineyards. From beach sand to botella clay, the rugged terrain and dramatic inclines offer a myriad of opportunities for dynamic fruit expression.
Mindful clonal selection bespoke for each of the forty two unique blocks further amplifies the diversity of this parcel which has swiftly become the predominant core of our wines.
Winemaker Greg Brewer's primary goal and priority is to deliver the essence of the sustainably farmed estate vineyards as clearly and honestly as possible.
“Each specific winery strives to harness our appellations with the utmost transparency in their own unique style. This objective is to offer the most relevant voice of our estates. While the three labels are corralled by my name, their outcome is ultimately the result of our entire team whose devotion to every step of the process informs, motivates and inspires…”
