Solminer - Blaufränkisch - Los Olivos District, CA - 2023

Notes from the Winery/Importer

Typically grown in the Austrian region of Burgenland near the Hungarian border, Blaufränkisch (translated as "the blue grape of the franks") is rarely seen planted domestically. Being our favorite Austrian red variatel, we started experimenting with grafting some Blaufränkisch vines in 2013 and were so enthused by the results that we planted an additional 1.5 acres in our 5 acre vineyard. It is truly our unique California tribute to Austrian Reds!We’ve found that the California sun adds wonderful warmth and brightness to our Estate Blaufränkisch while still maintaining its signature, earthy blue fruit.

The 2022 vintage is turning out to be one of our favorites as it truly reflect the maturity of the vines planted in 2016. There's a surprising and heady lifted passion fruit on the nose mixed with the signature blue fruit and woodsy notes. Upon tasting you will experience a juicy mix of passionfruit, pomegranate, and blueberry along with herbal tones of all spice, basil, and eucalyptus. The finish is lengthy and bright with citrus, grapefruit and anise.

Enjoy with some bratwursts, eggplant parmesan or a lamb moussaka.

Varietal: 100% estate Blaufränkisch
Vineyards: 100% deLanda Estate
Farming: CCOF Organic, Biodynamic, Regenerative Organic Certified
Fermentation: Native yeast, 50% Whole Cluster
Residual Sugar: None
Aging: Unfiltered and unfined, aged 12 months in a neutral French oak barrel
Cases Produced: 192

Notes on the Producer

Sol-miner as in mining the "Sun" which in turn nourishes the soul. The name inspires us to discover and unearth the treasures in the soils of the California Central Coast. Our decisions have always been personal (not commercial) and involve what we call "conscious farming". As we learn about our little piece of earth and our place in it, the picture begins to widen. We have a feeling of connectedness as each trip around the sun gives us the chance to experience the magical process of exchange from the dirt, plants, fruit, wine, humans, sky, moon, sun and stars.

We found our vineyard and farmhouse in 2012 and named it “deLanda” a combination of our first and last names. It reflects our personal desire to produce natural wines using varietals related to our Austrian heritage. Certified organic in 2014 and Biodynamic® in 2018 deLanda is evolving as we evolve as farmers. Ultimately it shines with individuality and biodiversity as we incorporate chickens, donkeys, sheep, bees, fruit trees, native plants, biodynamic compost, preparations and herb teas all to support the microorganisms in the dirt and health of the vineyard.

The first seed was planted meeting in 2009 and falling in love with Santa Barbara wine country and each other. We married soon after and while visiting Anna's family in Austria, a desire to settle down and create a life together in a more agricultural setting started to take root. We were pregnant with our first child and back in California (in LA the walls were closing in) when a chance meeting with a winemaking mentor and a property for sale with vines in the front yard grew into something we could no longer ignore. We went "all in" and decided to buy a fixer farmhouse and vineyard in Los Olivos and call the fruits of our labor of love "Solminer". Our son Linus was born the same year.

Our personal desire is to reflect the vineyard in the wine and experiment with Austrian varietals. Since the beginning, we thought Grüner Veltliner would do well here and soon after we discovered that the Austrian red grape, Blaufränkisch, is perfect for our climate as well. We've rounded things out with a bit of Muscat to create an Austrian inspired dry "Muskateller" and some Syrah for Rose, Sparkling Syrah, a blend and a single vineyard Syrah. We also have new plantings of Riesling to add to our sources from neighboring vineyards that we have selected for their climate, soils and sustainable growing practices. 1900 cases were produced in the 2018 vintage

In 2018 we were happy to open our tasting room in Los Olivos. Located in the heart of downtown, we are proud to be one of very few Los Olivos wineries to pour natural wine. Come and join us for not only wine tasting, but also a glass or bottle of wine on one of our two outdoor patios.