VINEYARDS IN STA. RITA HILLS & SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
SAMsARA
The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is significantly impacted by its proximity to the ocean (10 miles), consistent morning/evening fog, and steady afternoon winds. These cooling trends are not only perfectly suited to growing Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Syrah, but also serve to prolong the growing season, allowing for heightened varietal flavor intensity. Additionally, the area’s cool climate and vineyards’ calcareous rock and sand help produce grapes with natural acidity and flavor balance.
At SAMsARA, we believe that all of the important work should be done in the vineyard, with little handling or manipulation of the fruit once it reaches the winery. Winegrowing at SAMsARA starts with selecting special sections within each vineyard where soils, altitudes, slopes, and elevations will bring the best out of the vine. With each section, the aim is to have “healthy vines in extreme conditions”.
As there is a direct, inverse relationship between the quantity of grapes a vine produces and their quality, all of the SAMsARA sections are purchased by the acre – SAMsARA pays the same price no matter how little fruit is produced.
CAREFUL VINEYARDS MANAGEMENT
Optimal winegrowing begins with soil management and spring time irrigation to ensure that vines have the nutrients and water they need to grow. Once flowering occurs in mid-summer, irrigation is stopped, forcing the vines to stop growing and focus on ripening their fruit. Leaves are removed by hand, exposing the grapes and their stems to sunlight, and moving air through the canopy. Grape clusters are then thinned by hand, further increasing the intensity of the remaining fruit.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Current Vineyard Partners:
RANCHO LA VIÑA VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir
Rancho La Viña Vineyard was planted in 2005 at the far southwestern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Situated on a gently-sloped mesa several hundred feet above the valley floor and fully exposed to the cool winds coming off the Pacific Ocean.
This site is one of the coldest Pinot Noir vineyards in California. Along with the region’s marine influence, the site’s low fertility sandy loam soils yield very small berries, which give the wines remarkably deep, dark color and intense flavors. Learn more about Rancho La Viña.
RADIAN VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Radian stands out as the most rugged among the three vineyards within The Hilt, exposed to intense wind, sun, cool air, and the low temperatures from the Pacific Ocean that characterize the extreme nature of Sta. Rita Hills.
Spanning just over 100 acres, the vineyard is intricately divided into around 65 micro-blocks, highlighting the remarkable diversity of the terrain. While Pinot Noir dominates the majority of Radian, there are smaller sections devoted to Chardonnay. The Hilt produces vineyard-designate wines from Radian, and a significant portion of its fruit is also supplied to external wineries. This presents consumers with an excellent opportunity to savor a variety of wines originating from the vineyard and discover its numerous nuances.
BENTROCK VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Bentrock Vineyard, established in 2007, is a key player in the Sta. Rita Hills viticultural scene. Its expansive landscape, meticulously divided into diverse micro-blocks, showcases the land's varied and unique exposures and elevations.
The vineyard, situated within the original Rancho Salsipuedes, shares its heritage with Radian and Puerta del Mar.
Sprawling across an area with intense winds and cool air from the nearby Pacific Ocean, Bentrock’s rugged terrain contributes to the distinctive character of its wines. Predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, with smaller sections dedicated to Chardonnay, Bentrock offers nuanced expressions of Sta. Rita Hills terroir.
ZOTOVICH VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Syrah & Chardonnay
Zotovich stands as a benchmark vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, renowned for its sandy soils that impart unique and strongly aromatic characteristics to the wines produced. Encompassing 35 acres, the vineyard is strategically planted with Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
While the Zotovich family produces a limited quantity of wine under their label, the majority of their crop is supplied to external wineries. For readers seeking insight into the Highway 246 Corridor’s character and the distinct wine style shaped by sandy soils in the Sta. Rita Hills, Zotovich offers a diverse array of examples.
LARNER VINEYARD
Ballard Canyon - Grenache
Planted in 1999, Larner Vineyard is situated amongst the beautiful rolling hills of Ballard Canyon in the Santa Ynez Valley. At approximately 680 feet in elevation, this organically-farmed vineyard is planted to almost all Rhone varieties, including six acres of Grenache (4 blocks, 4 clones).
The soil is composed of Marina sand roughly four feet shallow on top of a chalk bedrock, intermixed with conglomerate hardpan.
JOHN SEBASTIANO VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir & Syrah
Nestled just west of Pence, John Sebastiano vineyard, named after its owners John Wagner and Sebastiano Sterpa, is a vast and sprawling ranch. Established in 2007, this expansive property is segmented into numerous small parcels, featuring diverse exposures and elevations.
Characterized by rugged terrain and persistent winds, John Sebastiano produces rich and complex wines that mirror the dramatic nature of the vineyard itself.
Despite its elite status in the Sta. Rita Hills, John Sebastiano distinguishes itself by not having an estate project. Instead, all its exceptional fruit is exclusively sold to outside wineries, contributing to the broader winemaking landscape of the region.
Spear
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir & Grenache
Spear represents a newer addition to the Sta. Rita Hills, situated on a former dairy property. The vineyard consists of two main clusters of blocks, with the first running alongside Highway 246 and the second set further back, featuring visually striking steep contours, especially in the upper blocks reaching elevations of 1,100 feet.
Spanning 35 acres, Spear is planted with a diverse array of varietals, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Grenache Noir, and Grüner Veltliner.
Owned by Ofer Shepher, Spear’s fruit is utilized for the Spear label, while the remaining harvest is sold to various external wineries, contributing to the vibrant winemaking community in the region.
Gnesa
Sta. Rita Hills - Chardonnay
In 1996, Lee Gnesa established his intimate four-acre vineyard, a north-facing site at elevation. Dedicated to own-rooted Clone Chardonnay, the vineyard boasts wide row spacing, providing it with a charmingly old-school appearance. The soil composition, a mix of clay and sand, contributes to the unique character of the site.
Notably, the distinct personality of the Chardonnay is enhanced by the own-rooted vines.
Originally brought into the spotlight by Brewer-Clifton through their vineyard-designate Chardonnay, the site gained prominence. Since 2014, all the exceptional fruit from this vineyard has been exclusively utilized by Spear, further solidifying its reputation in the winemaking landscape.
LA ENCANTADA VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir
La Encantada is one of the famed Sandford Vineyards along with Sandford and Benedict, Rinconada, and La Encantada. This site reflects historic Santa Barbara winemaking right here. And, naturally, this is another vineyard that we were really honored and fortunate to be able to work with.
Our block in particular is one of the older blocks, planted in the back of the vineyard. The soil is super sandy. The vines are 20 years plus years old.
2018 is the first vintage that we worked with La Encantada and we got less than one ton per acre out of our block, which is good for a winemaker, bad for a farmer. The farmer’s objective is for bigger yields so they can make it all economically viable. But for a winemaker, the low yields really translate to really special powerful concentrated fruit.
The La Encantada wines for both 2018 and 2019 have been standouts and it’s a site that we really want us to explore further and maybe pick up some additional clones and some additional blocks moving forward.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard, located in the Sta. Rita Hills, is a relatively new addition to the winemaking landscape, having been planted in 2018 by Dave Phinney, renowned for his work with The Prisoner wine. This sprawling property covers 127 acres dedicated to Pinot Noir and 6 acres to Chardonnay, with most of the vineyard falling within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
The vineyard’s diverse terroir features varying soil compositions, from sandy loams at lower elevations to more rugged soils at higher altitudes, including some blocks rich in diatomaceous earth. Beyond soil composition, the vineyard’s unique characteristics are shaped by elevation, wind patterns, sunlight exposure, clonal diversity, and various pruning techniques, creating a complex mosaic of vineyard blocks.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a breathtaking site with immense potential for producing exceptional wines. It is the furthest west vineyard within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and the only one with a direct line of sight to the ocean. SAMsARA’s hillside blocks are particularly exposed to high winds and the full force of the Pacific, making it a challenging place to grow grapes. The tough conditions result in low yields and late harvests, but this extended hangtime allows for the development of bright, lively fruit with high acidity and focused flavors. These elements contribute to the creation of complex wines with a distinctive character.
In 2021, SAMsARA produced its first vintage from Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Pinot Noir that reflects the vineyard’s cool climate and unique terroir. The wine showcases the vineyard’s potential for producing wines with complexity, elegance, and a true sense of place, making it an exciting new site in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
Francesca
Sta. Rita Hills - Chardonnay
Vineyard Francesca is a small, 7-acre vineyard on the extreme west side of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, known for its cool-climate Chardonnay grapes. The vineyard, located on Sweeney Canyon Road, is neighbors with Our Lady of Guadalupe and Domaine de la Côte. It features sandy loam soil with diatomaceous earth and is characterized by high vine density and low-to-the-ground plantings.
Despite its far-west location, the vineyard is less exposed to wind than nearby sites like Radian and Bentrock but faces farming challenges due to persistent ocean fog and increased mildew pressure. Irrigation is partly sourced from the nearby Santa Ynez River. The vineyard also has a playful touch, with a house nearby where SAMsARA winery dog Bodie enjoys socializing with goats.
Kimsey
Ballard Canyon - Mourvèdre
Kimsey Vineyard, located in the Ballard Canyon AVA within Santa Barbara County, is renowned for its focus on Rhône varietals, particularly Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Grenache. This vineyard has gained a reputation for producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of Ballard Canyon, an area celebrated for its ideal conditions for growing these varietals.
The vineyard’s location in Ballard Canyon provides a unique microclimate, characterized by warm days and cool nights, with significant temperature swings that contribute to the development of deep, concentrated flavors in the grapes. The soils at Kimsey Vineyard are primarily composed of sandy loams with some clay, which offer excellent drainage and stress the vines just enough to produce small, intensely flavored berries.
Founded by Mark and Elise Kimsey, the vineyard was established with a vision of creating world-class wines that express the distinct characteristics of their site. Under the guidance of a skilled vineyard management team, the Kimseys have focused on meticulous farming practices, including careful clonal selection and vine management, to ensure that each vintage showcases the best of what their vineyard has to offer.
Wines from Kimsey Vineyard are known for their boldness, complexity, and balance. The Syrah and Grenache produced here are often rich in flavor, with notes of dark fruit, spice, and a touch of minerality that reflects the vineyard’s terroir. These wines have garnered attention and praise from both critics and consumers, establishing Kimsey Vineyard as a significant player in the Santa Barbara wine scene.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Legacy Vineyard Partners:
TURNER VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir & Syrah
Turner Vineyard sits on 21 acres adjacent to Melville’s Estate Vineyard in the northern part of the Sta. Rita Hills. The site is planted to three acres of Syrah and fifteen acres of Pinot Noir, amongst other varieties. SAMsARA’s Pinot Noir section is located beside Carrie’s Block and has the same dark, clay-based soil with calcareous chunks.
It has a high elevation and is very exposed to the Sta. Rita Hills wind.
The four rows of vines are comprised of clones 777 and Pommard, which produce approximately 2.25 to 2.5lbs per vine. This site benefits from an incredible landscape comprised of a valley floor, gentle hills facing both north and south, and a mesa.
CARGASACCHI VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir
Overlooking the western Santa Ynez River, Cargasacchi Vineyard was planted in 1998 on a south-facing slope of the Sta. Rita Hills range. The vineyard is comprised of a mere twelve acres, all of which are Pinot Noir Clone 115. In Burgundy, this particular clonal selection is looked upon as the whole package because of its ability to produce wines of both intense aromatics and flavor.
Cargasacchi’s low-nutrient and lean soils evolved from a weathered Miocene period seabed, which forms the dorsal spine of the Sta. Rita Hills. Over millions of years, the upslope weathering and erosion have created an ancient alluvial fan on which the Cargasacchi Vineyard is planted. The site’s “argilo-calcaire” soils, with their moderate water holding capacity and excellent drainage, are perfectly suited to growing Pinot Noir.
KESSLER-HAAK VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir
Planted in 2005, Kessler-Haak Vineyard sits on 29 acres of east-facing rolling hillsides in the cooler northwestern portion of the Sta. Rita Hills. The soils vary from sandy to sandy loam with patches of clay loam. Seven Pinot Noir clones are planted on 3 different rootstocks with low yields averaging 1.2 – 1.5 ton/acre.
Although not certified, vineyard practices are strictly organic. No pesticides or herbicides are used and weed control is done mechanically. Pest control is done through natural predators, such as hawks, badgers, and coyotes.
MELVILLE VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir & Syrah
A trailblazer in the Sta. Rita Hills, Melville began its journey when Ron Melville acquired his initial property in 1996 and proceeded to plant it the following year. The site, housing the Melville winery, comprises Melville East and Melville West, boasting around 40 acres each of predominantly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah vineyards.
While sandy soils dominate, certain sections feature Botella clay, notably in the terraced blocks.
Situated on an elevated plateau with an elevation of approximately 650 feet, Melville’s core estate may seem deceptively flat due to its open layout. Melville offers single-block wines from this estate, allowing enthusiasts to delve into the intricacies within a singular property. In 2008, Melville extended its vineyard footprint with the Rancho Nuevo property, characterized by alluvial and loamy terrain encompassing 36 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, contributing to the larger estate bottlings.
LAS HERMANAS VINEYARD
Sta. Rita Hills - Pinot Noir
Las Hermanas Vineyard sits to the west of the Melville Estate Vineyard, just 8 miles from the ocean. It is planted on over six different soil types, all of marine origin. SAMsARA’s four rows of clone 115 Pinot Noir are located towards the top of the vineyard, where it is well-drained and aggressively sloped.
