Greetings members and subscribers! Summer is here and times are strange…but we have another wonderful offering of amazing boutique wines from Santa Barbara for you. As we know, this is a difficult time for small businesses, and we really appreciate your support, as do our mom-and-pop wineries up here!! All of the tasting rooms are closed until further notice, which has been very difficult for them, and we are hoping that they’ll be able to stay afloat.
We’ve noticed that some of you are more in need of good wine than ever and we are here for you! Feel free to send a message or call us if you need anything. If you have any favorites from previous shipments and want to “revisit” them, just let us know – we still have a few in stock!
Reminder – if you are looking for a great thank-you gift for your business clients, we can put together a nice wine package for you, and we also have a referral program should you know of anyone who would be interested in our services.
Holus Bolus 2017 The Joy Fantastic Estate Pinot Noir
• Owners and Winemakers: Amy Christine, MW, and Peter Hunken
• Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Joy Fantastic Estate Vineyard
Please check out Amy’s video that she created just for you here where she takes you out in the vineyard and talks about the wine…she is a hoot!
F2 2017 Falconiere Cabernet Franc
• Owner and Winemaker: Max Hoetzel
• Los Olivos AVA, Great Oaks Vineyard
Crawford Family Wines 2017 Albariño
• Owners: Mark (winemaker) and Wendy Horvath
• Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Brickbarn Vineyard
F2 Wines 2018 Europeo Rosé (Optional Add On)
• Owner and Winemaker: Max Hoetzel
• Los Olivos AVA, Great Oaks Vineyard
Don’t miss this clip of Max playing the banjo to his grapes in the vineyard – perhaps that’s why they taste so good!
This wine club offering includes some great stories about the people who make the wine. You’ll also note that all wines here are single-vineyard sourced and very small production – the quality of these wines is amazing, especially for the price! We start with husband-and-wife team Amy Christine and Peter Hunken. We are lucky to have their tasting room just steps away from our house and frequent it often when it’s open just to say hello. They are fulfilling their dream of making wine from their own Sta. Rita Hills Vineyard, The Joy Fantastic, a certified organic vineyard (CCOF). It is completely organic to the point where they pull their own weeds – and these are giant weeds! Amy is also a MW, or Master of Wine. This is an extremely difficult degree to obtain, requiring many blind tastings and a dissertation like a PhD. They both know their wine, and you’ll taste it in this special offering of only 200 cases. This wine received 93 points from Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic, and 95 points and was Editor’s Choice from Wine Enthusiast’s Matt Kettman. His tasting notes: Rhubarb and black-raspberry flavors pair with thyme, roasting herbs and a touch of game on the palate, framed by plush acidity and subtle tannins.
Our second offering is from our friends Mark and Wendy Horvath at Crawford Family Wines. If you’ve never had Albariño, you are in for a treat! It’s now one of our favorite white wines. Mark and Wendy are another husband-and-wife team and have a great new tasting room in Solvang. This wine is fermented entirely in stainless steel to provide a light, bright wine with crisp acidity and lots of aromatics. Only 274 cases produced. Winemaker Tasting Notes: The color is a rich straw/light gold and shimmers in the glass. The nose is more mineral-driven this year thanks to a more punctuated core of acidity. Along with white flowers there are stone fruit aromas of peaches and apricots. The palate is led by vibrant, mouth-watering acidity, the cornerstone of well-made Albariño, as well as more of that fresh orchard peach flavor. The finish is clean and crisp and begs to be shared with food. Fresh seafood is the go-to for this wine, but I love it with spicy curry dishes and Thai food.
Our last choice is from a man who is a Renaissance Man. We recently met Max while he was playing the banjo in his tasting room (and he’s very good!) Max Hoetzel is originally from Germany, and, like many of us, has fallen in love with the Santa Ynez Valley. The name F2 stems from emperor Frederick II, a medieval Emperor, who has inspired Max's historical studies and his own life for many decades. Cabernet Franc is a unique wine varietal that is growing in popularity. Interestingly, it was hybridized with Sauvignon Blanc way back when to create Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a bit of spice to it, and we think it’s perfect when you want something bigger than a Pinot Noir but not quite as big as a Cab. We love it will any meat on the grill. This wine is from one of the most beautiful properties here in the Valley, the Great Oaks Vineyard. Google it! The property is currently for sale if you have $16 million! Tasting notes: Dark ruby in color. On the nose cherries, blueberries, spices, light wood, earth, vegetables, licorice, cardamom, wildflowers and black pepper. Very aromatic. Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.
As a fun summer option that some of you have taken us up on, we’re offering a Provençal-style Rosé of Syrah from F2 as well. Afterall, who doesn’t need some Rosé in the summer? This one was only left on the skins for 30 minutes, giving it a beautiful salmon color. Winemaker notes: On the nose citrus, lemons, light raspberries, green apples, pears, light earth, minerals and white pepper. Crisp and refreshing. Dry on the palate with lemons, grapefruits, apples, earth, dried herbs and almonds on the smooth finish.