Hello Everyone:
 
Harvest 2026 comes to a close this week with the last of the Syrah pressings. The wild and compressed season was full of twists and turns, but we adapted and made, we think, some really beautiful wines.
 
With Harvest behind us, it is time for some New Fall Releases, in particular, the 2024 single vineyard Sauvignon Blancs and the 2024 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills and Duvarita.
 
Finally, we were extremely gratified to receive some extraordinary reviews from some of the top wine critics in America, including Jeb Dunnuck (JD), Billy Norris at Vinous Media (VM) and James Molesworth at the Wine Spectator.  See below.

New Press

We were thrilled to receive incredible new press from Jeb Dunnuck and Billy Norris of Vinous Media recently. Jeb in particular seems to really get the wonder that is Sta. Rita Hills, as he made a special SRH report distinct from the rest of Santa Barbara. He also gave his own take on a “hierarchy” of producers in the SRH, based upon his having tasted here for decades. He listed Dragonette as one of the “5 Star” or “Benchmark Producers.” He then went on to give us a bevy of very high scores, with terrific commentary. Billy Norris gave us some great scores as well.  Finally, James Molesworth of the Wine Spectator listed us as a “Winery to Watch” that is “redefining the Sta Rita Hills.” We are honored to receive such praise from these prominent critics.
 
Scores on Current Releases

It is always good to have some great scores on wines we actually have. (The 100 Point Black Label Pinot Noir was already sold out when that review hit). Here we have a very limited supply, and a limited amount of space to talk about them.
 
2023 Pinot Noir, Black Label – 98 JD, 96 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
2023 Pinot Noir, Fiddlestix – 97 JD, 95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
 
2024 Chardonnay, Radian – 97 JD, 95 VM
2024 Chardonnay, Bentrock – 96 VM, 96 JD
2024 Chardonnay, Rita’s Crown – 96 JD, 96 VM
2024 Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills – 94 VM, 94 JD

New Releases
 
Fall is time for the single vineyard Sauvignon Blancs to come out, and along with the 2024 Chardonnays listed above, we think we have a heck of a line-up of great white wines for you to enjoy. Moving to Fall, dishes get more serious, and of course, you will need great white wines for the holiday meals and for gift giving. We suggest paring with some great Pinot Noir or Syrah so everyone can have some.

2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Grassini Vineyard **WINE CLUB Wine – Fall 2026 – 94 JD, 93 VM

What Mother nature gaveth in 2023, she tooketh away in 2024, as yields were drastically reduced, despite another excellent rain year. We think the lower yields were due to poor weather during 2023 bloom as well as the larger crop in 2023. The good news is that the wines were exceptional again, with deeply concentrated, powerful and dramatic wines from the low yields and thick skins.  The 2024 Grassini was fermented and aged in 90% French oak barrels (10% new) and 10% stainless steel. Always showing well right out of the gate, the 2024 Grassini is already singing with its green spectrum character right out in front; honeydew, kiwi, coconut, and white flowers, give way to rich, juicy mid palate of fruits and stones, before incisive acidity takes over lifting the wine for a long finish.
 
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine 94 Points, stating, “The nose shows pure stone fruits, spice, and crushed stone, and on the palate, it brings ample depth and richness, with a fleshy, layered mid-palate, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s a bigger, richer Sauvignon Blanc with tons of character that should keep for 10-12 years.”
 
Extremely Limited – 250 cases made.

2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard – 96 JD, 94 VM
 
Grimm’s was simply a knockout in the 2024 season. Frighteningly low yields gave tiny clusters with thick skins that held enormous power and richness, yet at almost unbelievably great acidities across the three blocks.  Grapes were picked in late August fermented and aged in 100% French oak (30% new) (276L cigars, 228L barriques).  Grimm’s small vines yield incredible taut and intense fruit, with extraordinary concentration. River rock below the surface infuses the wine with a more graphite style of intense minerality.
 
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine 96 Points, stating, “Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard offers up a more classic, almost Bordeaux Blanc-like style with stone fruits, chalky minerality, and minty herb-driven aromatics. It’s beautifully balanced, medium-bodied, has nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s another brilliant Sauvignon Blanc from this team that will shine for 15 years or more if well stored.”
 
Extremely Limited. Only 125 Cases Produced.

2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Vogelzang Vineyard **WINE CLUB Wine – Winter 2027 – 94 JD, 93 VM
 
Vogelzang was again classic in 2024. Very low yields of 2 tons per acre gave great intensity to the fruit.  We fermented this wine in 89% French oak (22% new) and 11% stainless steel and aged it 16 months on the lees in 276L and 300L cigars and 228 L barriques before bottling. Showing the classic yellow fruit spectrum of mango, pineapple, passion fruit and guava with richness and mid palate sap, balanced by powerful citrus tinged acidity. This is our 17^th Vogelzang Sauvignon Blanc, and like its predecessors, it will easily age 10-15 years.  Jeb Dunnuck gave it 94 points. Extremely Limited. Only 260 cases were made in 2024; down over 25% from 2023.

2024 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills – 94 JD, 94 VM

2024 saw low yields across the board, leading to concentrated, powerful wines, with a  darker, more serious tone and personality. Still inviting, but conversations might turn to philosophy and resource management in severe climates rather than the latest television comedy series. That is perfectly fine by us. 
 
2024 SRH Pinot Noir combines wines from a “who’s who” of the most famous vineyards in our region. This wine comes from: Fiddlestix – 52%, Radian – 12%, Bentrock – 8%, Sanford & Benedict – 8%, Rancho La Vina – 8%, La Rinconada – 8% and 10Ninths – 4%. 2024 was another cool vintage, particularly in the SRH where some vineyards saw fewer degree days than in 2023. Thus, despite the low yields, the grapes were able to hang into late September and early October.  The deliberate inclusion of 20 separate blocks (9 distinct clones) at 8 vineyards is intended to create great complexity in the final blend, which we think is accomplished here.
 
Jeb Dunnuck concurred, giving the wine 94 points, stating the wine has, “a riper nose of red and black fruits, spicy herbs, graphite, and dried flowers, and on the palate, it brings ample richness, medium to full body, a ripe, round, and layered mouthfeel, and solid tannins. It’s impeccably balanced and plays with any number of high-end village-level Burgundies.” Billy Norris of Vinous Media also gave the wine 94 Points, stating the wine “has real identity and depth that punches above its weight “and that it “oozes character.”
 
Limited. Only 625 Cases for the world.

2024 Pinot Noir, Duvarita Vineyard

Duvarita, against all odds, produces tiny yields of fruit that turn into unique, special wines. 2024 was no exception as yields were utterly miniscule (.4 to 1 ton per acre), but the wine came out fantastic. We make such a small amount (65 cases) that it is hard to talk about too much.  But as always, this wine has incredible savory character, a real depth of flavor, and a fascinating personality. It is effusive, with a great balance between fruit and structure. Drink over the next 10-12 years.
 
Not reviewed. It is beyond limited. Only 65 cases produced.

In Conclusion
 
We hope you will enjoy these wines in health and happiness, with family and friends, and on occasions large and small. They will also age well for many years if you are so inclined.