Wilburs Wines and Spirits

 

 Wednesday, July 16, 2003
World Wine Education: Santa Barbara

Jump to a Continent Fun Facts
Wineries in Stock:
1. Four Chardonnays from Santa Barbara are on “Wine Spectators” 1999 top 100 wines: #20 Landmark, #43 Mount Eden, #55 Lincourt, #83 Byron.
2. Most of the land is owned by farmers and not wineries.
3. The best Chardonnay grows 600 feet up on the fringe of the fog belt.
4. The Santa Ynez Valley is more suited to Cabernet Sauvignon Production.
5. A hundred years ago Santa Barbara City was dotted with vineyards.
6. Most Vineyards are concentrated at 300 feet.
7. For every one mile of distance from the Pacific Ocean grapes gain one degree of ripeness.
8. In the 1970's Pinot Noir was planted with the intent to sell it in the North for Sparkling Wines.
9. The pioneer winery was the former Tepusquet Vineyard which became famous for its quality grapes that it supplied to Napa and Sonoma wineries. This winery is now the home of the Cambria Winery.
Santa Barbara in Brief Santa Barbara Featured Winery
The Santa Barbara wine market has seen its ups and downs. In the 1960’s vineyards were almost extinct, and not until the 1970s’did Santa Barbara see the vineyard boom. Today the county consists of two American Viticultural Areas, the Santa Ynez Valley and the Santa Maria Valley. Some very exciting wines are coming out of these two valleys, both Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs from here occupy prominent spots on the “Wine Spectators” 1999 top hundred wines; twenty years ago very few would have predicted the quality of these wines. The climate in the county is a product of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and like San Luis Obispo feature fog and breezes that cool the vineyards. The farther one travels up the valleys away from the Pacific the more the temperatures warm and become more suited for Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel. Look for Sanford Pinot Noir, you won’t be sorry.

Byron-Featured Winery

“GENTLE WINEMAKING, LIMITED PRODUCTION, NATURAL FARMING, NEW-WORLD METHODS, OLD-WORLD TRADITIONS: THESE ARE THE SECRETS OF BYRON”

BYRON “KEN” BROWN, WINEMAKER

We are not the only ones who love this Vineyard. “Wine And Spirits” named Byron winery of the year seven times in the 1990’s, and Byron Chardonnay was #83 0n the best wines of 1999 list. Byron has made it’s reputation on the quality of it’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but also is a leader with Rhone Varietals. Winemaker Ken Brown recognized the potential of this area for Burgundian styled wines and founded this winery in 1984. Byron is known for its single vineyard designations and these wines are intense and vibrant.
ProducerVarietalVintagePriceBuy Now
ByronChardonnay200021.99Details
ByronChardonnay199624.99Details
ByronPinot Noir199925.99Details
 

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