March 10, 2004
Great Press for Santa Rita HillsVineyard News
Spring's just around the corner. Last year at this time, vines were already lush with leafy green. This year it's quite different, and for the better.
I spoke to grower, Peter Cargasacchi, who farms two vineyards, one in the Santa Rita Hills appellation, and one off of Jalama Road. He told me "This winter was significantly colder than the last few. The extra chilling hours resulted in a deeper dormancy for the vines. This delays the onset of budbreak, which is a good thing because it decreases the risk of tissue injury from late frosts.
Peter added, "Also, the later the bud break is, the later that flowering and pollination will be. When flowering is later, the resulting set is normally better because it occurs when the days are a little longer and generally warmer. Also the peak wind season seems to occur between March and May which can wreak havoc with pollination."
He told me, "Hopefully the later flowering will help us miss the more intense windy days. Absent cold weather, rain, severe winds, gremlins, or other problems during set, I think we can expect a good set of fruit this year and a more normal year than the last two. We should see more people having to drop fruit here on the Central Coast. It is too early to forecast, but I think yields will be generally higher this year."
Last year, yields were down in Santa Barbara County, especially for pinot noir.
Speaking of Peter Cargasacchi, his vineyard made the current issue of "Newsweek" magazine (March 8) along with some other local vineyards! "Newsweek" wrote:
UNCORKED/ PINOT NOIRYou probably know that pinot noirs from California have improved dramatically. You may not know about Santa Rita Hills, a small region in Santa Barbara County that became an official appellation in 2001. These exciting wines are produced in small quantities; grab them if you see them.
Lafond, Melville and Sanford all have tasting rooms. Lafond is located at 6855 Santa Rosa Road and open daily from 10-5. The wines are made by my long-time friend Bruce McGuire who also produces Santa Barbara Winery wine.
- Siduri Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Cargasacchi Vineyard 2001. "With pure fruit flavors supported by a firm structure, this beautiful wine is well worth hunting down" according to the "Wine Spectator." $50
- Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Southing 2001. Named after the fog that creeps through the valley. $45
- Melville Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2001. $25
- Sanford Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2001. $27
- Lafond Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills SRH 2001. $17
Melville is located at 5185 E. Highway 246 and is open Thursday through Monday 11-4 and Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment. The winemaker is Greg Brewer who got his start working for Bruce McGuire at Santa Barbara Winery.
Sanford's tasting room, always one of my personal favorites, is located at 7250 Santa Rosa Road and open daily from 11-4.
Bon appetit!
Wine lover and Santa Maria Times Wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the bucolic Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
