Stolpman Vineyards "Crunchy Roastie" Syrah, Santa Barbara County, California 2023

FROM STOLPMAN VINEYARDS:

THE WINE: Our journey to reduce extraction eventually led us to try whole-grape fermentation (no extraction at all) with the first Carbonic Sangiovese cuvee bottled from the 2013 vintage. After falling in love with the lighter bodied Carbonic Sangiovese, we chose to experiment with the carbonic fermentation of Syrah. Because we wouldn’t extract any tannin, we could pick the Syrah earlier, with the grape skin still crunchy. We borrowed the Côte Rôtie (Roasted Slope) trick of co-fermenting a dollop of earlier ripening Viognier for floral aromatics and more weight bonded with the bright mid-palate fruit.

Crunchy Rôastie has become a seriously delicious Featherweight version relative to Stolpman’s classic Middleweight and Heavyweight macerated Syrah cuvees. By taking such a delicate touch to the intensity of Santa Barbara County, we can deliver a Syrah in the same weight class as our favorite Northern Rhone wineries.

THE PRODUCER: Over 20 years ago, our Founding Partner, Tom Stolpman, discovered what we believe to be one of the greatest viticultural sites on earth. Hidden in the hills of Santa Barbara's Coast, on a rare Limestone outcropping & unobstructed from the Pacific Ocean wind, this unique land is naturally suited to grow Syrah and Roussanne grapes. We are committed to preserving this natural environment for our vines through organic farming, dry farming, & sustainable employment. In the winery, we prefer native fermentation & minimal manipulation.

Through the hard work of La Cuadrilla and the magic of our ranch, we believe that we can create vibrant, site-specific wines, with a focus unique to Ballard Canyon AVA, California.