You’ve gotta love Thekla and Richard Sanford

  You’ve gotta love Thekla and Richard Sanford.  Since 1971, when they founded the Sanford and Benedict Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, they have both been growing some of the best grapes in the Santa Barbara County as well as turning those grapes into outstanding wines.  If that’s not enough, they have been doing so with a commitment to organics and sustainability that stems first and foremost from a love for this land and the wine in which it has the capacity to produce. 

  Then of course there is their current project, Alma Rosa Winery.  Utilizing 100 acres of certified organic vineyards in their beloved Santa Rita Hills, the Sanfords are the driving force behind yet another successful project, and things are about to get even better.  On July 1, 2007, Alma Rosa will be “moving back home” to the Sanford’s original tasting room in the Santa Rita Hills. 

  I recently visited Camp Alma Rosa at the winery’s current tasting room, which is located in a converted industrial space in Buellton.  This may not be the perfect setting for wine tasting, but the    Sanford’s’ have made the best of their temporary location.  With a bit of tongue in cheek humor and the help of tasting room manager and long time friend Chris Burroughs, they have designed the interior of the tasting room with a comfortable camping theme in mind, and it works great.  The simple truth might be, that with Chris and his staff behind the bar pouring Sanford produced wines, one is insured a good time just about anywhere. 

 

2005 Pinot Gris – Santa Barbara County

 

  A slightly sweet floral nose gives way to some of the best acidity I have enjoyed in awhile.  There is nothing flabby about this wine.  The acidity is tight and right on the money.  It begs for sip after sip as it teases the palette ever so gently. 

 

2005 Pinot Blanc – Santa Rita Hills

 

  There is no mistaking the balance between steel and oak in this one.  Great citrus notes and acidity are followed by melons and cream.  Images of river rocks follow from the great minerality that presents itself as the wine flows across the palette.

 

 

2005 Pinot Vin Gris – El Jabali Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills

 

  This may be the most serious Rose´ available in the Valley.  It’s dry as a bone and because the skins are only left on the grapes for a matter of hours the wine is more of a copper color than pink.  You can smell the 100 percent pinot noir grape in the nose and get a crisp white wine feel on the palette.  This Rose´ was also the unanimous favorite at a private Rose´ tasting that I attended just last week. 

 

2005 Chardonnay – Santa Barbara County

 

  One of the many great “new generation” Chardonnays that are starting to come out of the valley.  Classic tropical fruit aromas lead to a crisp refreshing mouth feel that is anything but buttery.  It’s like Chardonnay in a bikini instead of a ski suit. 

 

2005 Chardonnay – El Jabali Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills

 

  This wine will silence anyone who thinks that white wine can’t be complex.  Yes, Chardonnay may never play Beethoven’s “5th Symphony” but this one sings the sweetest lullaby I’ve heard in a while.  Wild flowers, tropical fruits, and lime zest lead to yet another “next generation” mouth feel.   

 

2005 Pinot Noir – Santa Rita Hills

 

  Red fruit bursts through with what can only be described as a candy like quality.  This wine, however, is bone dry and well textured.  The dichotomy produced between the nose and the palette is surprisingly exciting to drink.  Just as the nose has convinced the palette that something sweet is on the way the wine presents something unexpected with an end result that 1 + 1 = 3.

  Camp Alma Rosa is located at 201-C Industrial Way in Buellton.  They are open from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. daily.  Starting July 1, they will return to the 7250 Santa Rosa Rd, just outside of Buellton.  For more info on Alma Rosa and the Sanford, see their very informative Web site at www. almarosawinery.com