PRODUCER
The splendidly named Leonard Firestone established his family ranch in 1972, choosing Santa Barbara County’s rugged Santa Ynez Valley to put down roots. Back then, the region had virtually no reputation for grape- growing, but following a hunch, Leonard planted a vineyard anyway. It turns out that the climate here, essentially warm but strongly influenced by Pacific fogs, is ideal for all sorts of grape varieties despite the southerly location not far from Los Angeles. Such is the variation from site to site that the region is capable of producing both pristine zesty Riesling and spicy, full-blooded Syrah.
VINEYARD
The vines are planted on well-drained loamy soil. A quarter of the vines are forty years old; the remainder are fifteen. The grapes were harvested in the first week of October.
WINERY
The grapes were pressed on arrival and settled for twenty-four hours, then racked and fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks.
TASTE
Wonderfully zesty and aromatic, with green apple, lemon, lime and jasmine aromas. The palate is light-bodied yet full of flavour, with a tingling balance of ripe fruit and fresh acidity.