March 31, 2005
Local Vineyard Gets Great PressThe March 2005 issue of “House & Garden” magazine carries a feature on Julia’s Vineyard pinot noir. Julia’s Vineyard , east of Santa Maria in the Santa Maria Valley is owned by Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson fame.
While this vineyard is the main source of Cambria pinot noir, they make the grapes available to other small, premium producers in the area.
As author Jay McInerney wrote, “The artisanal wines produced from the prized old vines of Julia’s Vineyard are of exception quality, and their character varies delightfully from winemaker to winemaker.
Besides Cambria’s Julia’s Vineyard pinot noir, the other producers “invited” to make wine from the venerable vineyard are Lane Tanner, Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post, Foxen and Benjamin Silver. The pinot noirs from these producers range in price from $20 to $45.
Julia’s Vineyard sits about 15 miles inland from the ocean on the Santa Maria Bench, and along with Santa Rita Hills has “proved to be the coolest and choicest pinot noir real estate in Santa Barbara County,” according to author, Jay McInerney.
Rain and Frost
Although not a lot, we had more rain recently-as a friend in Santa Barbara described it, “it was enough to get your car dirty.” Keeping the ground moist is good for the vines.
Bud break has taken place in all the vineyards. Spring is officially here. What growers have to be concerned about now is sudden and unexpected frost. The new leafy green would be very vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Frost would kill the new leafy green.
Vintners’ Festival
The vintners’ festival is just around the corner. Next week, I’ll tell you about all of the fun stuff associated with the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival!
Bon appetit!
Times wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
