Stolpman Vineyards Uni 2019

Viticulture

At Stolpman Vineyards, Roussanne is a labor of love. It is notorious for its slow and uneven ripening. To combat this, all bunches are hand-turned by vineyard staff once the outer facing grapes are ripened thus allowing the inner facing grapes to ripen evenly. With the rich, hedonistic Roussanne, an early harvested Chardonnay lends a lively acidity to the blend.

Vinification

Whole-bunch crushed, 2 hours of skin contact

VATTING/FERMENTATION
Native fermentation in neutral 500L French puncheons

COOPERAGE & ELEVAGE
10 months in neutral 500L French oak puncheons

Unfiltered

Tasting notes

Honeysuckle balanced by intensely exotic tropical fruit and tangerine citrus. In the mouth the texture seems to possess round curves. Sublimely balanced for such a thick, rich wine as a floral hop component lifts up the finish. The Slight cloudiness of the "nigori" style unfiltered, lees-stirred wine brings an intriguing fuzzy pear texture.

Producer Description

Leading Syrah Producer of Ballard Canyon AVA

Over 20 years ago, Thomas Stolpman, discovered what many might describe as one of the greatest viticultural sites on earth. Hidden in the hills of California’s Central Coast, on a rare Limestone outcropping & unobstructed from the Pacific Ocean wind, this unique land is ideally suited to grow Syrah and Roussanne grapes. Stolpman is committed to preserving this natural environment for thier vines through natural farming, dry farming, & sustainable employment. In the winery, they prefer native fermentation & minimal manipulation.

Dedicated to sensible farming & winemaking, they believe that they can create natural, vibrant, site-specific wines, with a focus unique to Ballard Canyon AVA, California. Their 220-acre property, of which 153 acres are currently planted to grapes, lies on three major limestone ridgelines in Santa Barbara County. By implementing revolutionary viticultural techniques, they push the dry-farmed limestone vines to unprecedented levels of quality.