Super Stars from Santa Barbara
The Chronicles Blake Gray was busy this week. With all of the attention the Santa Barbara area has gotten since the movie Sideways, it’s only natural that a grape other than Pinot Noir get it’s time in the spotlight. In fact, some in the area claim that the real local star is Syrah.
Aside from the lead article there are five profiles on the new younger faces shaping the area. Chad Melville, who is assistant winemaker at Melville Vineyards [website], recently launched Samsara [website], a small production operation focusing primarily on Syrah. Then there’s Jim Knight, 32 and single, a wine buyer for the Wine Warehouse in Los Angeles, who now producers 125 cases of Syrah under the Jelly Roll Wines label which can be found primarily at fine restaurants. Sashi Moorman, 33, of Stolpman Vineyards [website] and his own project Piedrasassi, got his start at Ojai Vineyards, and is now one of the most respected Rhone craftsman in Santa Barbara County. Then there’s a man that endures the pain of Bee stings (and is allergic to them), to create one of the most sought after wines in the area, 1500 cases that include Syrah and Grenache from Tensley wines [website]. Joey Tensley, 34 and married, is also the winemaker at Carina Cellars [website]. Wrapping up the profiles is 30 year old McPrice Myers, working on two projects, his own label, and Barrel 27. His wines sell out, and his lack of pretentiousness is refreshing.
Read [SFGate.com]
