SAMsARA puts Pinot Noir and Cool Climate Chardonnay on the Map and in a Glass
The Las Hermanas Vineyard in Santa Barbara County
Rancho La Vina Vineyards
Central Coast AVA
All of Santa Barbara County is in the Central Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA), the largest AVA in California that includes 10 counties. In Santa Rita Hills, a Central Coast sub AVA (officially Sta. Rita Hills), fog rolls in at night and lifts late morning the following day. SAMsARA contracts all of its vineyards with dedicated rows of vines, most in Sta. Rita Hills and the rest from cool climate vineyards in Santa Barbara County.SAMsARA rows at Rancho la Vina vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills
Neal Kennedy, SAMsARA Cellar Master, tops off barrels at the SAMsARA winery.
SAMsARA Wine Co.
Dave and Joan nurtured their interest in and knowledge of wine over many years, bringing deep business experience to their second careers as vintners. They were introduced to wine as a leisure activity while traveling around the world as corporate executives. Their memorable experiences visiting international wineries prompted them to think about getting into some aspect of the wine industry. Home base was Cincinnati so between business trips, they took advantage of educational opportunities at The Wine Merchant, a local wine shop owned by Kathee Van Kirk, a Chaîne and Mondiale member, and at formal Chaîne events. That base of knowledge prompted Dave to enroll in wine classes through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Begun in 1969 in the United Kingdom, WSET began offering classes in the United States in the 1990s and in 2019, opened a permanent office in Hartford, Connecticut. Completing the required coursework and tests over a period of five years, Dave recently earned a Level 4 Diploma. In 2017, Dave and Joan were not looking to purchase a winery when they visited Santa Barbara with Mark and Gina Torkos, dear friends and fellow Chaîne members from St. Augustine, Florida who were interested in learning about the Santa Barbara wines they had enjoyed with the Szkutaks. While there, the opportunity to purchase SAMsARA presented itself. Started in 2002 by Chad and Mary Melville, SAMsARA produced Pinot Noir, Syrah and Grenache varietals. The Szkutaks were already loyal customers and wine club members so it was a natural fit. One of the key reasons they went forward with the purchase was having Matt Brady as their Winemaker.Matt Brady and the SAMsARA team conducted many virtual tastings for consumers and clients during the pandemic from their winery.
Matt Brady walks through the Rancho la Vina vineyards.
Fruit coming into the winery begins the winemaking process.
Grapes are fermenting at the SAMsARA winery!
Gina Torkos designed the SAMsARA LOTUS and OM labels. Her original artwork, seen in the background, hangs at the winery’s tasting room.
SAMsARA’s Los Olivos tasting room
SAMsARA Tasting Room & Winery in Goleta, CA
Lily Hays, SAMsARA Hospitality and Education Director
Sarah Newell, SAMsARA Marketing Director, is ready to welcome guests at SAMsARA’s Los Olivos tasting room.
Guests enjoy wine at SAMsARA’s first Winter Pick-Up Party in February 2018 at their new winery.