winery winedown: Brander Vineyard

From the first vines being planted in 1975 to present day awards and accolades, Brander Vineyards in Santa Barbara have proven taking experience from different walks of life and a continued passion is the key to running a successful winery for almost 50 years. Founder, Fred Brander, who is currently a Master of Wines candidate as well as a published American Journal of Enology and Viticulture author and Master of Food Science from UC Davis, is leading the California wine industry in quality Sauvignon Blanc production bringing home Santa Barbara's first Gold Metal at a major wine competition with his first Sauvignon Blanc harvest in 1977. Today Fred has expanded his focus to include small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux Red Varieties, with the hopes of the same success and impact as his Sauvignon Blanc.

Another important aspect of Brander's operations is Sustainability. Their ultimate goal is to preserve the terroir or sense of place through being environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially equitable practices. To help champion these initiatives zero artificial or petroleum based additives are used, as well as the biodynamic calendar and its practices to help navigate best vineyard management, and biodiversity within their vineyards with "cover crops" and the use of composting. The copious amounts of effort and attention to detail ensures that the grapes continue to showcase their hallmark characteristics and represent the terror of Los Olivos.

The final piece is their onsite estate winery, which was built in 1979 and called "The Barn". This allows immediate processing of grapes post-harvest, allowing the healthiest and freshest grapes to be pressed. Having their own facility onsite also allows for further control and space when it comes to fermentation, keeping different blocks, sub-blocks, plots, etc. separate, which gives each vineyard/plot its own moment instead of blending them all together and loosing those special differences and unique qualities those plots express.

Brander Vineyard is located at 2401 North Refugio Road in Santa Ynez and is open daily from 11am-4pm. They offer a few different Wine Flights, as well as charcuterie, on their patio, courtyard, or inside their barrel room. We enjoyed the "Vintage Flight" on a beautiful October afternoon, which featured 5 wines, both white and red.

2023 Sauvignon Blanc, La Presa Vineyard | 2023 Pinot Gris, Kick-On Vineyard | 2023 Rose, Los Olivos District

2021 Merlot, Los Olivos District | 2021 Malbec, Losa Olivos District | 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Las Manos, Loteria Series

Comments

let's taste: Faustino I Gran Reserva

Faustino is one of Rioja's most inconic producers with over 150 years of grape growing and wine making experience and history. As one of my favourite producers, I look forward to their new vintage release year after year. I tend to pick up two bottles per vintage to drink one immediately and save one to see how the wine evolves with even more bottle aging. I have been lucky enough to taste quite a few vintages dating back to 2006, with their latest vintage, 2015, being released last year. Below I have documented vintage by vintage a brief harvest description and tasting note to help understand what's inside the bottle. 🍷 2006 Faustino I Gran Reserva 📍 Rioja, Spain Considered a "Very Good" vintage by the Regulatory Council the 2006 growing season consisted of good weather throughout with only a couple minor incidents of Spring hail and Summer drought. Harvest began September 1st and ended on October 27th, producing a moderate harvest ensuring grapes were at their pea...

what's in your glass: Sauvignon Blanc

Let's talk about sauvy b, one of the world's most popular and planted grapes! It is literally planted everywhere from Old World to New World, from France to New Zealand, but what I love most about this grape is how it takes on the region's terroir and climate making different and unique hallmark styles multiple regions can call their own. Here are some fun facts about our favourite zippy white wine: • Originated in France, with Bordeaux, Loire Valley, and Southern France all claiming as its original home. • Name comes from the two French words "sauvage" (wild) and "blanc" (white). • 8th most planted wine grape. • Produces dry (crisp and refreshing) to dessert (blended) wines. • Primary Notes: Grass/Herbaceous | Gooseberry | Grapefruit | Honeydew | White Peach • Structure: Lighter Body | No Tannin | High Acidity | Medium Alcohol (11.5-13.5%) • Can be Oak Aged, Ex. Pouilly-Fume (Loire Valley) and Fume Blanc (California) • Serving: Temperature 7-10° in a Wh...

winedown with rebecca: Ontario Wine Edition

Let’s dive into the wines we tasted during an Ontario Virtual Tasting that I hosted! Cave Spring, located in the Beamsville Bench (a sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment) practices Sustainable Viticulture and Viniculture and is Certified Organic. They also planted the first Riesling vines in the 1970s and helped pioneer the cultivation of European vines. Today 55% of their production is Riesling. The second wine from my Ontario Virtual Tasting was from Stanners. Located in Hillier Village, Prince Edward County, this family owned and operated winery focuses on Premium Pinot Noir by using Organic practices in the vineyard and a minimal approach in the winery. The last wine we tasted was from Stratus, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and just so happens to be one of my favs! Stratus believes in sustainability from vineyard to winery, incorporating natural eco-systems in their vineyards and a pump-less wine system in their winery. Stratus was also the first LEED (Leadership ...

Weekend Winedown

Search This Blog