This is the third installment of our August “Sideways” trip to Los Olivos in search of Ballard Canyon AVA Syrahs. But, before we start on the wines, I want to take a moment to highlight our lunch experience at the Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café! My friend was being driven from Pasadena to Los Olivos for our little “Sideways” adventure. We decided to limit ourselves to 2 tastings after lunch, instead of pushing ourselves to 3. This was a smart decision, as we were able to enjoy our experiences and not feel rushed, including our lunch!
The menu at Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café offers a great variety of options. My friends split a pizza, while I enjoyed a California turkey sandwich on perfectly toasted bread. Since they just arrived, they enjoyed a glass of something. I had already been to 2 wineries and stuck with an iced tea. We sat outside and had such a relaxing meal. I did venture inside and got a peek at the wines for sale. I must say it is an impressive lineup from high-end Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to local wines. We then strolled over to Stolpman to begin our tasting.
If you can only stop at one place to taste wines in Los Olivos, I’d definitely stop here! We were given a large, shaded outdoor table and were greeted by Kim. The tasting menu was fixed, which at first disappointed me. However, more wines kept coming, so we ended up very satisfied with our tasting. While I was disappointed that I couldn’t try the Hilltops Syrah, I did buy a bottle to try a home. It was a lot of reds in the end, and I was very satisfied with the professional presentation. And they recognized my industry status and generously comped us our tasting! I’d say it was the ultimate tasting experience.
Our presenter Kim was amazing – she had a wealth of knowledge about the winery and the wines, highlighting how it keeps its staff all year long and that they are treated like family, as opposed to hiring temporary crews just for harvest and other tasks. See the write-ups for the Para Maria and La Cuadrilla wines below.
About Stolpman: Over 20 years ago, our Founding Partner, Tom Stolpman, discovered what we believe to be 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 naturally suited to grow Syrah and Roussanne grapes. We are committed to preserving this natural environment for our vines through conscious farming, dry farming, & sustainable employment. In the winery, we prefer native fermentation & minimal manipulation.
“Dedicated to sensible farming & winemaking, we believe that we can create vibrant, site-specific wines, with a focus unique to Ballard Canyon AVA, California.”
Stolpman also partners with their vignerons, Ruben and Maria Solorzno, to create the Para Maria wines. “Ruben cherry picks the fruit for red and rose wines from the dozens of Santa Barbara County vineyards under his farming control.” In addition: “Stolpman Vineyards employs its dedicated, passionate vineyard workers year-round. In an effort to provide further stability to their families, the crew “La Cuadrilla” receives the profits of their wine.”
Today I am reviewing 9 Stolpman wines – the 8 we tried during our formal tasting plus another one I found while visiting my daughter in DC. Searching for a good wine at Cairo Wine & Liquor, I immediately recognized the owl logo of Para Maria de las tecolotes. The wine was was rated 94 points and was on sale! Winery notes come from their webpage above, where you can also purchase their wines.
2021 Stolpman Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 12.5% ABV, $22 (#819)
Winery Notes: “Super sunny lemons and white flowers with an alluring tropical note below. Pear and Nectarine weave into the profile through the mid-palate and give way to an airy, effortless finish. The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc’s fruit profile and body dance on a tight rope through the crisp crunch and linger on through the sunset.”
My Review: Very light in the glass, barely even pale straw. Subtle tropical notes and grilled pineapple on the nose. Refreshing palate of bright citrus and lime twist on the finish. August 2022
2019 Stolpman Vineyards Roussanne, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 13.5% ABV, $30 (#820)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of Asian pear and honeysuckle sprinkled with citrus tell the tale of a rich, indulgent Roussanne ready to coat the palette in full-bodied splendor. On the nose, one can almost smell the rich texture and the mouthfeel doesn’t disappoint. While opulence carries the day, complimentary notes of lychee, lemongrass, and jasmine bring a more delicate prettiness. Aromas of white flower give further lift while golden hay – the only evidence of toasty oak barrels – brings the wine to a long, luxurious finish.”
My Review: Deep golden in the glass. Rich aroma akin to chicken soup with a touch of yeast. Sweet honey and caramel on the palate with vanilla bean on the finish. My friends really liked this wine. August 2022
2021 Para Maria de las tecolotes Rosé, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 12.5% ABV, $21 (#821) Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Winery Notes: “Dense strawberry and melon fruit dives deep into a sunburst blast of energy on both the nose and pallet. Fresh herb and wet stone compliment the beaming red fruit finished up with a spritz of lemon. Taut, high-toned, and bone-dry, yet carrying texture and fruit from the front of the palate through the finish.”
My Review: Dusty rose in color. Sweet watermelon and licorice on the nose. Dry palate with watermelon flavors – a great pool wine. August 2022
2019 Para Maria de las tecolotes, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.1% ABV, $22 (#822) 80% Syrah, 20% Petit Verdot
Winery Notes: “Taut blue and red plums spin seamlessly into high-toned, fiery red brightness. A winning combination of freshness and ripe depth.”
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “This affordable blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Petit Verdot always impresses. Expertly captured aromas of berry juice, pepper and thyme are savory yet soft on the nose. The palate is tense in structure but ripe in fleshy dark-red-fruit flavors, all elevated by touches of cracked pepper and lavender.” Matt Kettmann, 3/2021
My Review: Dark and purple in the glass. Deep berry on the nose. Smooth berries with a tannin kick on the palate. Dark cherry on the finish. Yum. Matt Kettmann was right on this one! August 2022
2021 Stolpman Vineyards La Cuadrilla, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14% ABV, $24 (#823) 75% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 10% Sangiovese
Winery Notes: “2021 Cuadrilla opens up with dark ripe plum highlighted with bright fresh red berries. Deep and supple with fine chalky tannins already married with a smooth, polished texture. An alluring otherness of wet stones, mint, and mocha prevail from the nose through the mouth captivating the senses beyond just the magnificently pleasurable profile.”
My Review: Ruby in color. Red and black berries on the nose. Grenache dominates the palate. August 2022
2019 Stolpman Vineyards Sangiovese, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County,14.5% ABV, $36 (#824)
Winery Notes: “The seamless, uber-aromatic 2019 sings a beautifully lifted “spirit note”. Misty wild red fruit streaks over woody forest and then washes over malt and fine chalky tannins. The wine is a journey, from the high-tone red fruit, to the forest depth, integrated tannin, and then yet another layer of deeper, riper red fruit. The most refined and compelling Sangiovese we’ve turned out over the past 20 years.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Dark, smooth berries on the nose. Rich palate of red and dark fruits. I liked this wine. August 2022
2020 Stolpman Vineyards Estate Syrah, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14% ABV, $32 (#825)
Winery Notes: “In the glass, the 2020 Estate Grown Syrah possesses a deep black center with a bright red rim. On the nose, boysenberry fruit sits above black olives. Fine tannin melded into the smooth flesh carries into the finish already married with bright red acidity. Just a hint of Syrah wildness adds nuance to the beautiful opaque wall of fruit.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Delicious berries on the palate, fruity and smooth. A little taste of Sweetarts on the finish. This was a tasty wine. Would be great with Friday night burgers or pizza. August 2022
2020 Stolpman Vineyards Angeli Syrah, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.1% ABV, $72 (#826)
Winery Notes: “Booming red fruit intensity sounds the alarm for a rogue wave of coating, decadent, luxurious texture overwhelming the brain’s pleasure center. Even in its youth, the wine has no rough edge to soften although there is still an energetic tangerine zip on the finish in its youth. An absolute all-star, gorgeous Angeli bottling, making Mama Angeli proud!”
My Review: Very inky in the glass. Intense berries, rich and smooth on the palate. A tannic, slightly sour finish. This is a high-end Syrah – cellar this one a bit and try again. August 2022
2019 Stolpman Vineyards Hair of the Bear Red Wine, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.3% ABV, $65 (#827) 75% Petite Syrah, 25% Rousanne
Winery Notes: “Inky purple in the glass and with a nose that pierces into pure hedonism. Thick and ripe but well-structured and youthful. The purple-blue-black fruit purity will evolve and continue to gain even more flesh to reach new heights in 2-3 years (2023-2025). As one of our biggest, richest cuvees, Hair of the Bear delivers the refined 2019 vintage in its own expression, rewarding with its largess – yet finely balanced and age-worthy. With an hour of air, hints of mint and basil begin to build onto the thick-cut fruit showing nods of sophistication to this Wild West cowboy wine.”
My Review: Deep ruby in color. Ham, berries and spice on the nose. Intense berries and tannin on the palate, with notes of Sweetarts on the finish. August 2022
Visit: You can taste Stolpman wines at their tasting room in the center of Los Olivos: 2434 Alamo Pintado Avenue. You can make a reservation on-line on their website or give them a call at 1-805-688-0400. I reserved on-line and it was very easy! We sat on a picnic bench in the shade and were quite comfortable despite the warm day.
© Decanting Monterey 2023
Excellent review by Sharon.