We currently source just over five acres of fruit from this iconic vineyard. Located just 16 miles from the Pacific ocean, our Estrella clone Syrah comes from the infamous Z Block, planted in 1995 on Monterey Shaly Loam soil. Sitting at a 700ft elevation, the vines face directly south with extremely long rows that sit in a slight U shaped bowl. We get great acid retention from the fruit here with a vibrant inky purple color and the distinctive black olive flavors and aromas that only Bien Nacido Syrah can produce. In 2021 we began to source Roussanne from Block 10 and added Block 99b in 2022, a three acre head trained field blend of red and white Rhone varietals.

We are currently working with 13 acres of fruit from G2. Varieties include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Graciano. Previous years included Grenache Blanc (2017-2020). Most of our blocks were planted in 1997, with the exception of our Mourvedre and Grenache blocks which were planted in 2015. There is not a single flat block on the property, most are extremely steep and rocky, resulting in high stress vines that naturally minimize yield and increase concentration. Our two acre Grenache block is North/Northeast facing on one of the most extreme sloping hills. Our west facing Block 9 Syrah sits at the highest elevation on the property and slopes east at its highest point. Our two other blocks of syrah are north facing at lower elevation.

We have 2.2 acres of Alban clone Syrah in Widowmaker Block 4, planted in 1997 on marine sandstone. Row orientation is NW to SE at about a 200ft elevation. Our block sits in one of the cooler parts of the vineyard only about 10 miles north of the San Pablo Bay. The fruit here produces wines with deep purple color, rich texture, loads of complexity, and an intense mid-palate with ample tannin and dominating black pepper aromas.

We started working with the L'Aventure family in 2021, sourcing fruit from both their Arbor vineyard property, and their estate vineyard. The meticulous care in the vineyard is not only visually apparent as you tour the property but also greatly reflects in the quality of fruit produced from the vine. On the estate we work with the McVey (Clone 877) and Extension 6 (Clone 99) block Syrah. The two blocks are adjacent north facing on Siliceous Shale soils (calodo gravelly loam, linne calodo loam, and windage silt loam). The complexity of these soils contribute to a perfect balance of fruit concentration, acidity, and power. We also source a bit of Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne from the estate, as well Petite Syrah, Syrah and Grenache from the Arbor vineyard.

2016 was our first vintage working with Syrah from this vineyard. Initially working with the steep NW facing Block 4A Syrah (Estrella clone). The following year we moved into block 1G which is NE facing on rolling gentle slopes. After working with Syrah Blocks 1E and 1F, we settled with our original block 4A on the steep NW slope which sits on Salinas silty clay loam. We also source an acre of south facing Tablas A clone Grenache from here. Because of the cool temperatures in Edna Valley, our fruit at this site has a long growing season and is slow to reach premium ripeness for our program, but it always does. The resulting fruit produces wines that are highly concentrated, pitch black, rich in texture, complex aromatics and high acid.

We began working with this cool climate vineyard in 2021 with three different clones of Syrah (470, 174, Alban 1), two of which were grown on a north facing hillside. The Alban clone Syrah sits at floor level. The vineyard is located in one of the most southern parts of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and is planted on clay, cobbles, and marine shale deposit soils. The hillside is vulnerable to ocean winds being just nine miles north of the Pacific Ocean. This is some of the most distinctive fruit I work with. It produces wine with high pepper aromas, briny meat flavors and great salinity.