Stolpman Vineyards La Cuadrilla 2023

Viticulture

Healthy late season rains pushed back bud-break and the growing season by 3-4 weeks. We escaped the summer without any extreme heat events that would have accelerated ripening. This all led up to even, slow sugar accumulation. By the end of August, with no red fruit anywhere near ripeness, we knew we were in for a late, compacted red wine harvest. Sure enough, we strategically jumped into the thick of it in early October. Even with La Cuadrilla in turbo, as we prioritized each night’s picks, we pushed some micro blocks to hang a day or two longer than originally planned. Those lots were automatically declassified into La Cuadrilla, making the 2023 even more supple and yummy.

Vinification

Vineyard wide blend, backed with 30% Grenache and Syrah from neighboring vineyards under Ruben Solorzano’s management.

Concrete fermenting tanks for an average of 22 days
Vatting: 20% whole-cluster
Cooperage & Elevage 9 months in 500L neutral French vache forest Ermitage
puncheons

Tasting notes

Plush Lavender with hints of fresh, crunchy red berry. A swirl of juicy red to purple plum. The fresh, lively front palate leads into a weighty, more serious middle. Exciting spicy pepper notes trace behind the fruit on the nose and ride over the soft, fine tannin. 

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.