Stolpman - 'Unfiltered' - Sauvignon Blanc - Ballard Canyon, Santa Barabra, CA - 2024

Notes from the Winery/Importer

Cloudy & Unfiltered Sauvy B. I’ll never forget the first time I tasted cloudy Sauvignon Blanc as it fermented in the winery. It was the 2008 vintage, and the wine tasted rich and creamy, yet zingy and refreshing. I immediately asked “why can’t we bottle this?” The only answer was, “Sauvignon Blanc drinkers want transparent, clear Sauvy B!” Filtering the wine for clarity delivers a light, crisp beverage that is widely associated with the varietal but so different than the magical glass I tasted out of the fermenting tank! After successfully capturing the fresh magic in 2022 and 2023 with just 100 and 300 cases produced respectively, we’ve jumped off and isolated the entire own-rooted estate Sauvignon Blanc block for this deliciously unique cuvee. The lower yielding own-rooted Sauvignon Blanc vines deliver even more flavor concentration and richness. We first planted this varietal purely because the benchmark French Sauvignon Blancs we adored grew on compacted seashells, Limestone. This past harvest, we gathered in our Lompoc winery to enjoy the magic of the 2024 out of barrel and to brainstorm about what is unique about our own Limestone seabed. That same day, shark tracking apps showed 3 tagged Great Whites lurking just to our west. Avid surfer and head winemaker Kyle Knapp survived a Great White shark attack at Surf beach, Lompoc, back in 2008; the same year I fell in love with cloudy, fresh Sauvignon Blanc! The new label was born. Healthy winter rain, almost mirroring 2023 precipitation pattern, set us off on a relatively late bud break. The vines naturally set a lighter crop than 2023, and minimal cluster thinning was needed as the vines had already balanced themselves. Summer proved beautifully moderate and weather didn’t warm up until the second week of September. Sauv Blanc hit the pinnacle of ripening just as the prolonged warm spell kicked in. Fresh, crushed pineapple submerged in creamy coconut. A fancy Blended Pina Colada but with a balancing kick of sauvignon blanc crispness that rum could never deliver – maybe that special occasion virgin pina colada Mom and Dad bought you at the first dinner in a new exotic local - brimming with excitement and exploration. While the first two releases of Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc were as fleeting as the perfect tropical family getaway, we’ve boosted production to have stock through the summer this round.

Notes on the Producer

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.