LOCATIONS
FRIDAY CLONAL TOUR, PANEL TASTING & WELCOME BARBECUE: Sierra Madre Vineyards
First Planted in 1971, Santa Maria’s historic Sierra Madre Vineyard has long been recognized as one of the state’s finest cool-climate vineyards; its fruit part of the foundation for one of California’s premier wine growing regions. The light-textured, well-drained, sandy loam soils cultivated here nourish low-yielding vines to set clusters with small berries, intense with flavor, color and concentration, all essential qualities for their award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
MORNING PANEL SESSION 1: Bien Nacido Vineyards
Bien Nacido Vineyards has become one of the most prestigious and best known vineyards in the Santa Maria appellation – a region which owes much of its reputation as a producer of world class wines to the remarkable Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Syrah, and Merlot wines produced from Bien Nacido Vineyards grapes. The combination of the “terroir” of Bien Nacido Vineyards, the people who manage it, and the close relationships they have developed with others in the wine industry of the region makes Bien Nacido Vineyards and the Santa Maria region unique in the wine industry.
MORNING PANEL SESSION 2: Tantara Winery
Since 1997, Tantara has been d edicated to producing the very finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Located on the beautiful Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, their wines are sourced from top Central Coast growers and from vineyards such as Bien Nacido, Dierberg, Solomon Hills, Sanford & Benedict, Rio Vista, Talley Rincon, La Colline (Laetitia), Silacci, Pisoni, Gary’s, and Brosseau.
WINE TASTING LUNCHEON: Au Bon Climat/Qupe Winery
Founded in 1982, Au Bon Climat (which means “a well-exposed vineyard”) produce internationally-recognized Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc wine from grapes grown in Santa Maria Valley. The Au Bon Climat winery is located on the world-famous Bien Nacido Vineyard, and is owned by winemaker Jim Clendenen. Au Bon Climat was listed on Robert Parker’s Best Wineries of the World in both 1989 and 1990, while Jim Clendenen has been named Winemaker of the Year in 1992 by the Los Angeles Times and Winemaker of the Year in 2001 by Food and Wine Magazine.
GRAND CHARDONNAY TASTING: Byron Winery
On the eastern edge of the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, the temperature is mild, the wind is steady and the terrain is gentle and rounded. In the winter these hills are tinted gold and raw sienna. In the summer they are all shades of green. Their wines are a reflection of their spectacular surroundings. Every time you taste one of Byron’s wines you are surrounded by the flavors, textures and scents that can only come from here, the Santa Maria Valley.
