Stolpman Vineyards La Cuadrilla 2021

Viticulture

A vineyard-wide blend of all Syrah, Sangiovese, and Grenache blocks.

Vinification

Open top concrete fermenting tanks for 21 days
100% neutral French Ermitage 500L oak puncheons for 6 months

2021 Label Story
Vigneron Maria Solorzano, Ruben's wife, and the Patrona of the vineyard, trusts the women of the crew with the most meticulous, detailed tasks in the vineyard. The women reinvigorate old vines by training wild shoots into new cordons, train young vines, and remove extra tiny clusters just after bud-break. The women focus on this exacting, detail-oriented work throughout the growing season, while the men work separately weeding and managing the vines' canopies. The men and women of la Cuadrilla unite for the three month nocturnal harvest, with the women once again separating at dawn to delicately hand-rotate each of the+/- 190,000 Roussanne clusters for an even "rousse" or rust-colored tan. Creative Director Kari Crist honors Maria and her female crew with the 2021 label titled "Adelita".  Adelita, the female Mexican revolutionary, symbolizes action and inspiration for women fighting for their rights.

Tasting notes

The 2021 Cuadrilla opens up with dark ripe plum highlighted with bright fresh red berries. Deep and supple with fine chalky tannins already married with a smooth, polished texture. An alluring otherness of wet stones, mint, and mocha prevail from the nose through the mouth captivating the senses beyond just the magnificently pleasurable profile.

Winery 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.