RANCHO LA VIÑA – The Vineyard With It All
Today we are excited to offer you two wine collections from Rancho la Viña Vineyard!
The site’s westernmost Sta. Rita Hills location, fascinating 200+ year history, it’s working ranch status, and now, the transition to organic farming practices in the vineyard, all stack up to make it one of the most intriguing sites we work with today.
THE VINEYARD SITE
The vineyard is positioned on the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills, sandwiched between more well known vineyards Sanford and Benedict and La Encantada to the East, and Radian and Bentrock Vineyards to the West. The site is north facing, exposed to cool maritime fog and winds, and has soils of clay and loam, all characteristics that result in unmistakably rich, layered, red-fruit driven wines with pronounced acidity and structure.
THE RANCH
Rancho La Viña is a working ranch that not only grows grapes, but also produces organic vegetables and Certified Organic walnuts. Under new farming manager Eric Mallea’s care, starting in 2020 their famous pinot noir grapes are transitioning to be farmed with organic and low-input farming techniques as well.
THE HISTORY
The ranch known today as Rancho La Viña has been worked and cared for by the J.W. Cooper family for over 150 years. Read more about the land’s fascinating history, starting with a Spanish Land Grant given under dubious circumstances to the agent of King Carlos III of Spain, HERE.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INTRIGUING SITE? DAVE POTTER, of POTEK WINE, who has been working with RLV fruit since 2013, and ERIK MALLEA, of RANCHO LA VIÑA, the man leading the charge toward organic farming, will join our winemaker MATT BRADY to taste wines and talk Rancho la Viña. Get the wines and then join us on ZOOM on April 15th, at 5 PM PST to discuss the history, the present, and the future of this storied place. Mark you calendar, more details to come!
RANCHO LA VIÑA CASE OFFER – ONLY 7 AVAILABLE!
This special case offer includes:
(2) 2017 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2017 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina saw 60% whole clusters and spent 18 months in 30% new French oak. More black raspberry, red currant, sappy herb, and gamey, forestry notes emerge from this medium-bodied beauty, which has stunning balance, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It too will evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.”
(2) 2015 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 94 Points – The Wine Advocate “The 2015 Pinot Noir Rancho la Vina Vineyard has a pale to medium ruby color with aromas of blueberries, roses, crushed stone, tobacco, saline and tangerine peel with rhubarb, strawberry, warm red and black cherries and blackberries with tinges of woodsmoke and earth. The light to medium-bodied palate is silky, featuring broody spices and fruits and swelling with pleasantly chewy tannins and juicy freshness before finishing with tons of vibrant energy.”
(2) 2014 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2014 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina is another stem dominated cuvée that offers tons of charm and texture on the palate. Peppery herbs, tapenade, currants, smoked earth and stem notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, impressively textured Pinot Noir that will be better with 2-3 years of bottle age.”
(2) 2013 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 93 Points – Vinous “The 2013 Pinot Noir Rancho La Viña Vineyard is absolutely gorgeous. Rose petal, quinine, sweet spices, blood orange and chalk give the 2013 much of its unique, exotic personality. Lifted and gracious on the palate, the 2013 offers striking depth throughout. The wine’s structure is implied more than overtly stated. The inclusion of 50% whole clusters adds bracing salinity and striking aromatic top notes. This is a gorgeous showing.”
(3) 2012 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 93 Points – Vinous “Vivid red. Sexy raspberry preserve and floral pastille aromas are complemented by smoky minerals and spicecake. Silky and round on the palate, with a zesty mineral quality adding lift to the pliant red fruit liqueur flavors. Nicely blends richness with vivacity and finishes sappy, focused and very long, with lingering floral character and smooth tannins coming up late.”
(1) 2010 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 94+ Points – The Wine Advocate “Readers will find a big wine in the 2010 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina Vineyard. At times, the La Vina is more reminiscent of Syrah than Pinot Noir. Dark fruit, herbs, spices and mint are all woven together in a distinctly cool-climate, juicy, extroverted Pinot of incomparable class. The tiny berries yielded a wine that is at once intense, jammy and structured. Elements of unrestrained wildness only add to the wine’s exotic personality. The 2010 is unusually big and dark. It is also a showstopper. The La Vina was made with 100% whole clusters.”
Retail value: $850 | Special price $699
Club Price: Seasonal/Pinot/Rhone: $629 | Cellar/PRL: $594 | Collectors: $559 Ground shipping included via UPS or FedEx
RANCHO LA VIÑA 6-PACK OFFER
This special case offer includes:
(1) 2017 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck“The 2017 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina saw 60% whole clusters and spent 18 months in 30% new French oak. More black raspberry, red currant, sappy herb, and gamey, forestry notes emerge from this medium-bodied beauty, which has stunning balance, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It too will evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.”
(1) 2014 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2014 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina is another stem dominated cuvée that offers tons of charm and texture on the palate. Peppery herbs, tapenade, currants, smoked earth and stem notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, impressively textured Pinot Noir that will be better with 2-3 years of bottle age.”
(2) 2013 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 93 Points – Vinous“The 2013 Pinot Noir Rancho La Viña Vineyard is absolutely gorgeous. Rose petal, quinine, sweet spices, blood orange and chalk give the 2013 much of its unique, exotic personality. Lifted and gracious on the palate, the 2013 offers striking depth throughout. The wine’s structure is implied more than overtly stated. The inclusion of 50% whole clusters adds bracing salinity and striking aromatic top notes. This is a gorgeous showing.”
(2) 2012 Pinot Noir – Rancho La Viña Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 93 Points – Vinous “Vivid red. Sexy raspberry preserve and floral pastille aromas are complemented by smoky minerals and spicecake. Silky and round on the palate, with a zesty mineral quality adding lift to the pliant red fruit liqueur flavors. Nicely blends richness with vivacity and finishes sappy, focused and very long, with lingering floral character and smooth tannins coming up late.”
Retail value: $425 | Special price $375
Club Price: Seasonal/Pinot/Rhone: $339 | Cellar/PRL: $319 | Collectors: $299 Ground shipping included via UPS or FedEx
