Today I am bringing you another “Catchup Monday” – Santa Maria AVA: Home to the Legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard! These ‘catch-up” posts are what I would also call “traditional” Decanting Monterey posts – one wine at a time.
THE STORY
I’m a huge fan of Central Coast Syrah and first had one made from Bien Nacido grapes during a visit to the The Ojai Vineyard back in 2018 which I wrote about here: 2021 Wrap Up #1: from Contra Costa to Santa Maria! It blew my socks off. Now, whenever I see a Syrah made from Bien Nacido grapes, I must try it. A year ago, I had the chance to try Bien Nacido Estate’s own production of a Syrah from their legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard, which I wrote about here: Bien Nacido Estate: First Stop on Our “Sideways” Tour! I brought many Syrahs home from that road trip and they are all gone.
When had the chance to stop at K&L Wine Merchants after dropping our daughter at the airport, I was all in. We really miss our old shop Addy Bassin’s MacArthur Beverages in Washington DC – K&L is the next best thing – so grateful they are here, but I just wish they were a little closer to home. OK, I digress.
At K&L, we were like kids in a candy store. I hunted through their Syrah section (always my first stop – right inside their door) and found this 2018 Bien Nacido Estate Syrah. We opened it in August. As I was doing my research, I noted that the critics have scored the 2019 and 2020 vintages even higher than this one – I will have to look for them!
ABOUT THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY AVA:
“The Santa Maria Valley occupies the northern perimeter of Santa Barbara County on California’s Central Coast, which is today recognized as one of the world’s most dynamic wine-growing regions. With an encompassed 7,500 vineyard acres, the Santa Maria Valley is also the Central Coast’s first officially approved American Viticultural Area (AVA).
“The Santa Maria Valley boasts a rare “transverse” geography, an east-west orientation that channels cool ocean air directly into the valley. The result is a Mediterranean climate that produces one of California’s longest growing seasons. The unique growing environment ensures the development of complex, flavorful and exquisitely balanced grapes. Grapes in the region are either grown on the Santa Maria Bench or off the Bench, both wine grapes with completely different and unique flavor profiles. Grape growing in the Santa Maria Valley can be traced back to the early Mexican Colonial period in the 1800s. In 2011, there were 18,790 acres and nine vineyards added to the Santa Maria Valley AVA.
“With its geological oddity and natural funnel-shape, the Santa Maria Valley AVA is bounded by the San Rafael Mountains and Los Padres National Forest to the east and by the Solomon Hills and the city of Santa Maria to the West. The Santa Maria Valley AVA can be explored easily, with 34 tasting rooms within a 30-minute drive. The Santa Maria Valley Wine Trolley is one of the most popular ways to taste the region’s wines. The Trolley makes a loop to some of the area’s tasting rooms every weekend from May to October. Winos can also cruise through the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, which is home to 14 tasting rooms.”
You can explore more about the Santa Maria AVA here.
ABOUT BIEN NACIDO ESTATE from their website:
“As the heart and soul of Santa Maria Valley wine country, the iconic Bien Nacido Vineyard is a coveted source of exceptional Burgundian and Rhone grape varieties and elegant estate wine. With the influence of the Pacific, the reliable California sun and incredible viticultural and winemaking teams, our vineyard consistently yields world-class fruit, resulting in a portfolio of highly acclaimed estate and client wines alike.”
“One of the oldest cool-climate vineyards in California and home of the world’s most single vineyard designations, Bien Nacido Vineyard has been an acclaimed source of world-glass grapes and estate wine since its founding in 1973 by brothers Stephen and Bob Miller.
“Meaning “Well Born” in Spanish, Bien Nacido was planted on the historic site of the Rancho Tepusquet land grant, a plot of land that was granted to Tomás Olivera in 1837, when California was still a part of Mexico. The Olivera Family’s adobe, built in 1857, still graces the estate today – a majestic sentinel looking after the vines.”
THE WINE
I have just one wine to present to you today from Bien Nacido Estate. Because this is not a current release, winery notes come from wine.com. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2018 Bien Nacido Estate Syrah, Santa Maria Valley AVA, Santa Barbara County, 13.1% ABV, $40 (#1184)
Winery Notes from wine.com: “The co-fermentation of Viognier lends a softer and more floral tone, which makes the Estate Syrah a perfect wine to open early in its life. Fresh violets cracked white pepper and blueberry pie dominate with a fresh herbs-de-Provence note found in the background.”
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Dark fruit aromas are wrapped up in crushed stone, charred wood and dry soil elements on the nose of this bottling. The palate is very floral, offering flavors of crumpled lavender and violet, with hints of tar and inky fruit as a taut structure packs it all together.” Matt Kettmann, December 2020
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Bouquet of dark fruit and musty earth (akin to Central Coast Funk). Palate of tobacco, spice, blackberry and a touch of earth. Pleasant. August 2023
THE TASTING ROOM
“Join us at our tasting room, The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido, to taste the current releases of both Bien Nacido Estate, and our sister winery on the westernmost reaches of the Santa Maria Valley, Solomon Hills Estate.”
Flights, Pairings, & New Selections
“Our tasting room offers the perfect opportunity to experience the best of Bien Nacido Estate, with a variety of ways to explore our portfolio. Enjoy a tasting flight featuring both Bien Nacido Estate wines and the wines of our sister winery, Solomon Hills Estate. Consider upgrading your tasting experience by pairing your flight with some charcuterie and cheese. Stop in for a glass of our current selections or join some friends for a bottle to share.”
Experience Estate Wine at the Vineyards
“Plan a visit to our on-site tasting room, The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido, to experience our world class wine right where it’s sourced and made. Choose from a variety of ways to explore our portfolio, and that of our sister winery, Solomon Hills Estate. Consider upgrading your tasting experience by pairing your flight with small bites or adding on a tour or catered lunch. We look forward to welcoming you to Bien Nacido.”
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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