Zaca Mesa gathers annual awards

 

Zaca Mesa’s Viognier 2006, a white wine from the Santa Ynez Valley, has been named as one of the top 10 wines for 2007 according to Edward Deitch, internationally known wine columnist. Deitch has named the top wines for red and white varieties in his column for the past six years.

Described thus by Deitch: “Lovely aromas, gorgeous fruit and slightly spicy notes combine in this top example of what just might become the next big thing in terms of California white wines,” the Zaca Mesa selection joins other top wines, including varieties from Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, New Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy.

 

In making his choices for the year, Deitch said, “As always, my goal in 2007 was to find wines that combined interest and value and to introduce you to wines that go beyond the easy-to-remember standards.”

He added, “For me, wine is a broad experience that includes the search for good wines and the context in which we enjoy them. In other words, wine is more a narrative than a number.”

Of the 10 wines, five are whites and five are reds and all but two are under $20, which, he said, “reinforces the point that you can find superb wines at modest prices.”

The choices included broadly distributed wines from well-known producers, with only some made in limited quantities.

 

Deitch also selected the same Zaca Mesa variety in his column in November, 2007. At that time he said, “One of the best is the 2006 Viognier from the well-known Zaca Mesa Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. Viognier’s signature lies in its aromatic floral notes, which, as long as they’re not overpowering, are what make the wine so interesting.”

He added, “In my notes I described Zaca Mesa’s wine as ‘gorgeous’ with notes of melon, honey, vanilla and touches of cinnamon, butterscotch and minerals.

I think it would pair beautifully with your Thanksgiving meal and, at around $18, it was one of the less expensive Viogniers I tasted.”

 

Founded in 1972 on the northern edge of the Santa Ynez appellation, Zaca Mesa is close to the Santa Maria region. The original partnership included Louis Ream, a retired oilman, and twins John and Louis Cushman. Ream sold his interests in 1986.

The vineyard includes 244 acres of vines on a 750-acre estate. Known as one of the first vineyards in the region, the group originally planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Chardonnay, and Syrah to see what grew the best. By the early 1990s, they found that the grape varieties indigenous to the Rhône Valley of France – Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc – consistently produced wines with “well-developed flavors.”

 

Since 2002, the brothers have replanted over 100 acres of the original vines using new clones of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier.  In addition, they have tightened vine spacing to reduce the number of pounds of grapes per vine, implementing vertical trellises. They also began using more efficient irrigation systems to improve the quality of the fruit.

Zaca Mesa also was chosen as Winery of the Year and was listed as one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World for 2007 by Wine & Spirits Magazine. The publication claims to serve as a buying guide as well as a showcase of the top wineries and their top rated wines.

Clay Brock currently is the winemaker at Zaca Mesa. He grew up in Napa Valley and spent summers working for his dad at St. Regis Vineyards.

After earning a degree in agricultural business management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he worked for wineries both in Napa and along California’s Central Coast. He lives with his family in San Luis Obispo.

 

Beginning in 1993, Clay worked at Byron Winery and later became winemaker for Edna Valley Vineyard. He came to Zaca Mesa in 2001.

Brook Williams, president and CEO of Zaca Mesa Winery since October 2003, oversees all aspects of the winery, including national sales, marketing, hospitality, and vineyard and winemaking teams. His career in the industry began in 1989 when he started working for E & J Gallo Winery in Modesto. During this time he also earned a master’s degree in business administration.

He later worked at Beringer Wine Estates, Southcorp Wines, and Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, where he was responsible for all marketing activities of California brands.

Brook lives with his wife, Cory, and their three children in Solvang.